GOVERNOR MAKINDE URGES MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS TO PRAY FOR NIGERIA DURING RAMADAN, LENT

The Governor of Oyo, Seyi Makinde, has called on Muslim and Christian faithful to use the sacred periods of Ramadan and Lent to make supplication to God for the state and Nigeria.

Makinde made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ibadan by his Special Adviser, Suleimon Olanrewaju, just as he also urged Christian and Muslim faithful to use the period to deepen their commitment to God and humanity.

Governor Makinde said the coincidence of the two fasting seasons beginning on the same day was divinely orchestrated to remind adherents of both religions of the importance of love, unity and religious harmony.

He stressed that the lesson inherent in the development must not be lost during and after the spiritual exercise.

The Governor therefore commended Muslims and Christians in the state for their longstanding culture of peaceful coexistence and collaboration, noting that their support since 2019 had contributed significantly to the state’s progress.

Makinde urged adherents of both faiths to dedicate the 2026 Ramadan and Lenten period to praying for sustained peace and development in the state and the country.

He also asked the faithful to pray for wisdom and strength for leaders at all levels.

The governor assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare and that he would continue to serve them with dedication and fairness.

Recall that Ramadan is a period where Muslims observe a month-long fast, engage in increased prayers, acts of charity, and seek spiritual renewal.

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OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS OTA TOLL GATE CRASH, ORDERS PROBE

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has condemned the reckless driving habits of some truck operators plying the Sango–Ota corridor following a fatal accident at the Ota Toll Gate area that claimed seven lives.

The crash, which involved a trailer tanker reportedly affected by brake failure, resulted in the deaths of six men and one woman.

Meanwhile, two other victims, a male and a female sustained critical injuries and are currently receiving medical attention. In total, nine persons were involved in the incident.

Describing the development as painful and unacceptable, the governor, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the loss of innocent lives due to preventable negligence is one too many.

He therefore extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and comfort for them during the difficult period.

In a related development, the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Lawal Adewale Wasiu, visited the scene shortly after the incident alongside key local government officials, where he received briefings from security operatives coordinating rescue and control efforts.

The chairman expressed sorrow over the tragedy and reiterated the need for strict adherence to traffic regulations.

He also cautioned against roadside trading and other risky activities that expose residents and commuters to avoidable danger, assuring that the council would collaborate with relevant agencies to strengthen safety compliance within the axis.

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ABIA STATE BRIGADE COMMANDER URGES JOURNALISTS TO REPORT CASES OF MISCONDUCTS OF OFFICERS 

The Commander, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State, Ahmad Dikko, has urged journalists to report any act of misconduct involving personnel of the brigade within the state to his office.

Dikko, who also doubles as the Commander Sector 3 Joint Task Force South East Operation UDOKA, spoke during an interaction with reporters at the 14 Brigade Headquarters, Ohafia.

He added that soldiers seen escorting celebrities should also be reported to the command, just as he reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment, in line with the Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu’s philosophy on media relations, to fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the media community.

Dikko, who appreciated the delegation’s visit, also highlighted the pivotal role of the media in nation-building, noting that while the media possesses the capacity to build trust and confidence, it can equally erode it if not professionally managed.

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GOVERNOR BAGO URGES CHRISTIANS TO SUSTAIN PRAYERS FOR PEACE AS LENT BEGINS

The Governor of Niger, Mohammed Bago, has urged Christians to sustain prayers for enduring peace and prosperity in the state and the country at large.

Governor Bago made the call in a goodwill message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, on Wednesday in Minna to mark the commencement of Lent, a 40-day fasting period observed by Christians.

The governor described it as both divine and strategic that Muslims and Christians began their 2026 fasting on the same day, stressing that the development underscored the need for unity and collective supplication for the nation.

He also stated that the prevailing insecurity in parts of the country required sustained prayers from citizens, alongside ongoing government efforts to address the challenges.

Bago further urged Christians to reflect the true essence of Lent in their daily lives beyond the season, emphasising values of sacrifice, self-discipline, love and compassion.

He therefore congratulated Christians in the state and across the world on the commencement of the spiritual exercise and wished them a rewarding and successful observance.

The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, devoid of ethnic or religious sentiment.

Lent is a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving observed by Christians in preparation for Easter, as the season, which begins on Ash Wednesday and excludes Sundays, commemorates the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness, and calls believers to repentance, spiritual renewal and deeper devotion. 

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TCN ANNOUNCES NIGER SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE, POWER DISRUPTION IN FOUR AREAS

The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, has announced plans to carry out maintenance on key equipment at its Zungeru Transmission Substation, in Niger State, on February 18, and 19, 2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, said the exercise would take place from 11 am to 5 pm on both days and would cover the 150MVA 330/132/33kV transformer, 5.5MVA 33/11kV transformer, and associated switchgears at the substation.

The statement stated that electricity distribution companies would still be able to serve their customers during the maintenance period.

The TCN spokesperson, however, noted that some areas would experience temporary disruption during the process, which include Kontagora, Tegina, Yauri, noting that they will, however, experience a brief power interruption during the load transfer.

Mbah therefore explained that the planned exercise is part of efforts to maintain efficiency at the facility, stating that the scheduled maintenance is to ensure that the equipment continues to perform optimally, just as the company urged members of the public to take note of the scheduled exercise.

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KANO STATE GOVERNMENT ORDERS CLOSURE OF EVENT CENTRES, ENTERTAINMENT VENUES

The Kano State Censorship Board has ordered the immediate suspension of all entertainment centres across the state, including event centres, gala houses, and Disc Jockeys popularly known as DJ operators.

The board’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, issued the order in a statement, stating that effective from Wednesday, 18 February 2026, all such venues will remain closed until the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to the board, the decision was taken to allow residents to observe the Ramadan fast and carry out their religious activities in a peaceful and undisturbed atmosphere.

“The closure will remain in force throughout the fasting period, while the date for reopening, particularly during the Eid celebrations, will be announced at the appropriate time,” the statement added.

The Board called on all stakeholders to fully cooperate and comply with the directive in accordance with the law establishing the agency.

It noted that the measure forms part of its mandate to ensure strict adherence to regulations guiding entertainment activities in the state.

The board prayed for a peaceful and healthy observance of the holy month and prayed God to allow everyone to witness the blessed month in mercy and prosperity.

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TINCAN CUSTOMS TARGETS PAPERLESS TRADE IN QUARTER 2

The Customs Area Controller of Tincan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has called for stronger media collaboration as the command prepares to transition to paperless operations in the second quarter of 2026.

Onyeka made the appeal during a media engagement held at the command’s headquarters in Lagos, where he outlined the operational and economic benefits of the new One-Stop-Shop platform.

He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for unveiling the OSS initiative, describing it as a strategic reform designed to modernise port operations and strengthen trade facilitation.

According to Onyeka, the OSS represents a shift from fragmented documentation procedures to a coordinated digital governance structure that reduces bureaucracy and improves cargo clearance timelines.

He explained that the digital platform centralised all risk management interventions at the Area Command level through the Query and Amendment, Q&A, process, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The controller noted that the system harmonised operations of the Customs Processing Unit, Valuation Unit and Customs Intelligence Unit within a unified physical and digital framework supported by checkbox and flagging mechanisms.

Onyeka said port delays were often caused not by inspection procedures but by disjointed documentation processes and system inefficiencies, which the OSS was specifically designed to address.

He emphasised that proper declaration of goods would significantly minimise delays, adding that paperless processing would prevent files from being left unattended.

The Customs boss advised importers and agents to ensure accurate classification and proper palletisation of consignments, warning that scanners would immediately flag improperly declared goods for physical examination.

He reassured stakeholders that the command’s scanning machines were fully operational and that trained officers were on standby to manage potential network disruptions without affecting clearance timelines.

Onyeka disclosed that the Tincan Command generated N145 billion in revenue in January 2026, surpassing the N116 billion collected in January 2025.

He said the N29.9 billion increase reflects improved compliance, enhanced monitoring and the impact of ongoing digital reforms within the Service.

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US, JAPAN ANNOUNCE FIRST TRANCHE OF $550BN INVESTMENTS

The United States has announced y a first tranche of investments by Japan out of a colossal $550 billion promised by Tokyo in its trade deal with President Donald Trump.

President Trump wrote on his Truth Social Platform that Japan is now officially, and financially, moving forward with the first set of Investments under its $550 BILLION Dollar Commitment to invest in the United States of America

The commitments of $36 billion for three infrastructure projects came as Japan comes under pressure to deliver on its pledges made in 2025 in return for lower US trade tariffs.

The announcement came ahead of a scheduled trip by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to the White House next month following President Trump’s visit to Japan in October.

Takaichi said Wednesday the projects would “strengthen the Japan–US alliance by enabling Japan and the United States to jointly build resilient supply chains in strategically important areas for economic security — such as critical minerals, energy, and AI/data centers”.

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UK INFLATION FALLS TO 3.0% IN JANUARY

Official data showed on Wednesday that Britain’s annual inflation rate eased in line with expectations in January, bolstering chances that the Bank of England will cut its benchmark interest rate next month.

The Office for National Statistics said the Consumer Prices Index fell to 3.0 per cent in January from 3.4 per cent in December, 2025.

Chief economist at the ONS, Grant Fitzner, revealed that inflation fell to its lowest annual rate since March last year, driven partly by a decrease in petrol prices.

The data reinforces the Bank of England’s guidance that inflation is set to cool towards its two-per-cent target in the coming months, as easing energy bills help to offset rising water bills and other elevated costs.

The BoE left its benchmark interest rate at 3.75 per cent earlier this month but signalled that further cuts were ahead.

While wage growth in Britain has slowed in the private sector, it remains elevated in the public sector, according to official figures, which show UK unemployment at a five-year high of 5.2 per cent.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has struggled to revive Britain’s sluggish economy since winning a general election in July 2024, having raised taxes in its two annual budgets.

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UN SECURITY COUNCIL WANTS PERPETRATORS OF KWARA STATE ATTACK BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

The United Nations Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks on Kwara State in Nigeria, in which more than 160 people reportedly lost their lives.

Members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

It recalled that the attacks on the Nuku and Woro communities on February 3, 2026, also led to the abduction of scores of women and children and the destruction of property.

The Council, in a statement in New York, reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Nigeria in this regard.

They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law.

These include international human rights law, international refugee law, and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and the people of Nigeria.

They wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured, as well as the safe return of those abducted.

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UKRAINE-RUSSIA PEACE TALKS ENTER 2ND DAY IN GENEVA WITH PRESSURE ON KYIV

Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia were due to begin a second day of talks in Geneva on Wednesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the United States was putting undue pressure on him to bring an end to the four-year-old war.

The U.S.-mediated peace talks in Switzerland have been taking place as U.S. President Donald Trump has twice in recent days suggested it was up to Ukraine and Zelenskiy to take steps to ensure the talks were successful.

In an interview with U.S. website Axios, President Zelenskiy was quoted as saying that it was not fair that President Trump kept publicly calling on Ukraine, not Russia, to make concessions in negotiating terms for a peace plan.

President  Zelenskiy also said any plan requiring Ukraine to give up territory that Russia had not captured in the eastern Donbas region would be rejected by Ukrainians if put to a referendum.

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