The Ondo State government has announced an immediate ban on the sale and distribution of all unverified alcoholic drinks and substances across the state.

 

Hon Idowu Ajanaku, Commissioner for Information and Orientation in a statement issued on Saturday in Akure said the emergency directive follows the tragic deaths of approximately 30 people in the Odigbo local government area, which have been linked to the consumption of unregulated beverages.

The ban affects all unapproved alcoholic products, including those sold in sachets and bottles. According to state officials, the drastic measure is necessary to prevent further loss of life and contain the health crisis before it spreads to other parts of the state.

Lebanese owner of UK venue contracted by Nigerian Immigration for passport intervention refuses entry to Nigerians claiming he hasn’t been paid

 

A Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) passport intervention exercise in Manchester has reportedly descended into confusion, with Nigerians who arrived for scheduled appointments left waiting for hours amid allegations of poor planning, inadequate staffing and security concerns. 

The intervention exercise was organised to address outstanding Nigerian passport applications and renewals in the United Kingdom. According to accounts from applicants at the venue, only a small number of people had been attended to several hours after the exercise began. The situation reportedly escalated when UK police became involved and the Lebanese owner of the venue raised concerns about the arrangement.

One applicant, posting on X, accused the organisers of embarrassing Nigerians in front of UK police and the venue's Lebanese owner, alleging that the owner said he had not been paid, while also claiming there was no staff and no security at the facility. “He said he hasn’t been paid, no staff, no security. 3 people attended to in 1 hour…” 

Yamal, Kane, Mbappe, Messi, others battle for 2026 Ballon d’Or top prize as Full list of nominees officially confirmed

 France Football, the organizers of the Ballon d’Or award, have officially released their shortlist of nominees for the 2026 edition.

The lists were published on their official platform on Tuesday. PSG’s Ousmane Dembele is the current holder of the prize, having beaten Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to it last year.

This year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London, UK on October 26. Below are the nominees officially confirmed across the categories released so far: 

Evangelist And Wife Die Hours Apart After Domestic Altercation

A midnight incident in Akinode Ibogun, Ogun State, has left a Celestial Church evangelist, Abidemi Odukoya, and his wife, Adenike, dead.

The couple reportedly had a domestic dispute around 3.00 a.m. on August 25; 2026 and Community members said Mrs Odukoya sustained severe head injuries and was found unresponsive by neighbours after their son cried out.

Evangelist Odukoya left the house shortly after and by 6.00 a.m., his body was discovered at Iyana Coker along the Lagos Abeokuta Expressway.

Nigerian workers demand the Increase of Minimum wage to N300,000

 Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has written to President Tinubu and the National Assembly, demanding an immediate review of Federal civil servants’ salaries and an increase in the minimum wage from N70,000 to N300,000.

The letter, dated 2 September 2026 and signed by the FWF National Coordinator, Andrew Emelieze, and General Secretary, Ogundele Ayodele, was addressed to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives through the Clerk of the National Assembly.

President Tinubu, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation were also listed among the recipients. 

The forum also demanded a minimum salary of N1.5 million for Level 17 officers, arguing that the current wage structure no longer reflected the economic realities confronting federal workers.

Kenyan president William Ruto orders crackdown on foreigners operating small businesses in the country

 Kenyan President William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on foreigners operating small-scale businesses in the country, saying local traders and hawkers must be protected.

Ruto made the announcement on Wednesday, September 2, while addressing small-scale traders at State House in Nairobi.

“From next week, all [foreign] traders doing those small businesses should close them,” he said, adding that his government would fast-track legislation restricting foreigners from certain areas of trade.

Abducted NYSC members who regained their freedom today recount their experience

 The fifteen corps members abducted by suspected k!dnappers along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State last Wednesday, August 26, today regained their freedom after being rescued by security agents.

The victims were travelling from the NYSC orientation camp in Bayelsa State when they were abducted.

The corps members were reportedly on their way to Abuja after completing the three-week orientation programme in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA of Bayelsa when armed assailants attacked the vehicles.

The rescued corps members have recounted their experience.

Gunmen who abducted members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have demanded N20m ransom each.

 Gunmen who abducted members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have demanded N20m ransom each. 

It was reported that the 15 corps members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja after completing their three-week orientation exercise were abducted along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

A family member of one of the victims told Daily Trust that the abductors had contacted them to make known their ransom demand.

Bridging Real Estate and Agriculture: Adron Group Explores Strategic Partnership with Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center

 

In a significant move towards transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and expanding opportunities within the nation’s agribusiness value chain, the Chairman/GCEO of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, paid a strategic visit to the Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center to explore a landmark agricultural partnership.

The high-level engagement between Adron Group and the Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center focused on unlocking vast opportunities in the livestock industry and exploring the establishment of specialised Adron Farm Estates across Niger State, with the Center positioned to play a strategic facilitation role in the proposed collaboration.

King Harald V of Norway, Europe’s oldest monarch, has d!ed at the age of 89, after 35 years on the throne.

He died on Friday, August 28, just after 6:35am, the Royal House of Norway announced on its website. Harald is succeeded as monarch by his son Haakon.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Queen Sonja, two children, and five grandchildren. His granddaughter Ingrid Alexandra now becomes heir to the Norwegian throne.

Harald was Europe’s oldest monarch. The popular king modernized the royal house but refused to follow in the footsteps of other aging monarchs who have abdicated in recent times. His son now automatically becomes King Haakon VIII.

Harald was crowned king after his British-born father, King Olav V, died in January 1991, and reigned during an oil-and-gas-driven economic boom in his country.

FAAN clears Bolt to resume operations at airports; says it's in talks with other e-hailing rides

 The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said ride-hailing platform Bolt has been cleared to resume operations at airports after the two sides reached an operational agreement. 

This comes after the airport ban on Uber, Bolt, and other ride-hailing platforms drew complaints from passengers. 

A statement issued by FAAN’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, on Thursday, August 27, noted that the dispute stemmed from nearly a decade of efforts to address safety, security and accountability concerns around commercial and e-hailing vehicles operating at its airports, including unregulated pickups and passenger solicitation, some involving drivers working across multiple platforms simultaneously. 

FAAN also dismissed claims that it was in control of fares, saying fares had always existed independently.