Fire outbreak at traditional herbs market in Ibadan

 Traders at the popular Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, in the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, are counting their losses following a devastating fire that struck the market in the early hours of Friday, July 2.

According to reports, the fire started in one of the shops before rapidly spreading to adjoining stalls, leaving behind extensive destruction and losses that are yet to be fully quantified.

Some of the traders fought back tears as they watched their source of livelihood get destroyed before their eyes.  

Daredevil Couple Arrested After Climbing Empire State Building Spire And Pulling Off A Marriage Proposal

 A daredevil couple, Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, have been arrested after they climbed the 1,454‑foot spire of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”

The pair completed the dangerous climb, displayed the message, and sealed the stunt with a marriage proposal before authorities intervened.

They were taken into custody and now face multiple charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.

Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) revokes licenses of 46 Microfinance banks

 The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licenses of forty-six (46) Microfinance Banks with effect from July 1, 2026.

A statement released by the apex bank today July 1, says the revocation was approved by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, following the banks’ failure to meet the regulatory requirements for continued operation as licensed financial institutions.

Federal Government to scrap JSS-SSS separation policy

 The Federal Government has announced plans to abolish the policy separating Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), saying it has failed to improve access to education and has contributed to the growing number of out-of-school children.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday, June 30, during the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee.

President Tinubu defends NYSC Reforms

    President Bola Tinubu has defended his administration’s sweeping reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical skills, improve employability, and position them as drivers of national development.

In a post on his official X account on Wednesday, Tinubu described the reforms approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday as the most significant since the NYSC was established in 1973. According to the president, the overhaul fulfills a promise he made at his inauguration to create meaningful opportunities for young people and ensure they play a central role in his administration. Tinubu noted that while the NYSC had served the cause of national unity for more than five decades, the country’s current realities require a broader mandate.

Wema Bank Announces the 7th Edition of Hackaholics …Introduces 3 tracks, 7 Verticals, millions of naira in grant prizes

 

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous national bank, most innovative and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has announced the 7th edition of its flagship innovation initiative, Hackaholics. The announcement was made at the official press conference which took place on July 1, 2026, at the Wema Bank Head Office in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Launched in 2019, Hackaholics is Wema Bank’s youth and tech-focused initiative designed to serve as a platform for young Africans with creative, game changing, tech-driven ideas and products, to bring their ideas to life. Since its launch, Hackaholics has discovered thousands of groundbreaking solutions, supported over 10,000 startups, engaged 50,000 participants, developed over 100 solutions from scratch and disbursed $500,000,000 in grant prizes to dozens of winners whose remarkable solutions have earned a top spot in the past 6 editions. With the launch of Hackaholics 7.0, Wema Bank is set to execute the biggest Hackaholics edition yet.

Trump says US troops killed 199 jihadists in single operation in Nigeria

 Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to US President Donald Trump and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, has claimed that US forces killed 199 jihadists in a single operation in Nigeria.

Gorka made the statement during an interview with Marissa Streit, CEO of conservative media organisation PragerU, aired on June 24, where he discussed US counterterrorism operations.

Speaking on ongoing efforts against Islamist extremist groups, Gorka said: “I can talk about this because it has been declassified. The president is not nation-building; he’s not going around the world like some lunatic neocon saying, ‘we will turn the world into America,'”

Nigerian businessman shot d3ad outside his shop in South Africa.

 

A Nigerian businessman known as Big Joe has reportedly been shot d3ad by unidentified gunmen in South Africa.

The incident occurred outside his business premises in Witbank, Emalahleni, in Mpumalanga Province on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

According to reports, the assailants opened fire on the businessman multiple times before fleeing the scene.

South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo resigns after criticism from President Lee Jae over World Cup exit

 South Korea’s head coach, Hong Myung-bo, has resigned from his position after his side’s group-stage exit from the World Cup and harsh condemnation from the country's president, who called the coach "incapable."

The 57-year-old former captain, in his second stint as coach, oversaw an early World Cup departure for the second time.

South Korea were expected to get out of a Group A that included the co-hosts Mexico as well as South Africa and Czechia. But they lost 1-0 against South Africa and Mexico, and finished on three points, their only success a 2-1 win against Czechia.

Three sisters above age 100 are recognised by GWR as world's longest-living trio of sisters with combined age of 316

Three Brazilian sisters with a combined age of 316 have been named by Guinness World Records as the oldest living trio of siblings in the world. 

Researchers are now studying the sisters to find ‌out the secret to longevity. 

The DNA Longevo Project, a study led by scientist Mayana Zatz from the University of Sao Paulo, aims to investigate the biological factors behind aging. 

The sisters, Zulina de Deus Nunes, 103, Zoraide de Deus Mota, 104, and Levita de Deus Nunes, 109, who live in Rio de Janeiro, were identified through LongeviQuest, a global organization that verifies longevity records and partners with Guinness World Records. 

Would rather join b@nditry than to sell kulikuli and akara - Singer, Mr Real

 Nigerian singer Mr Real has rejected First Lady Oluremi Tinubu's economic advice, stating he would rather join banditry.

The "Legbegbe" crooner made the controversial statement in direct response to recent economic advice from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

The controversy stems from remarks made by Mrs. Tinubu last Thursday, in which she advised low-income Nigerians to venture into small-scale businesses like frying akara (bean cakes), roasting corn, or making kuli-kuli (peanut cakes) as a pathways to economic empowerment requiring minimal start-up capital.