Crude oil prices surged more than 3 per cent on Monday, crossing $116 per barrel, as Iran braced for a potential US ground invasion. Brent Crude, the global benchmark, settled at $116 per barrel — just three dollars below its all-time high of $119 recorded on March 19 when Iran had threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz. The latest spike came after Iran declared on Sunday night that it was fully prepared for a US ground invasion. The country’s parliament speaker warned that Tehran was waiting for the arrival of US troops to “set them on fire” and “punish”…
Author: Newsdesk
The naira is entering a critical phase amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and tightening global financial conditions, as the U.S. dollar strengthens to a 10-month high. At the official market, the currency has held relatively steady around N1,383/$, reflecting a period of consolidation compared to the sharp volatility seen in recent years. However, the naira has struggled to break below the N1,300/$ psychological threshold throughout March, weighed down by renewed global demand for the greenback. Market signals suggest that a sustained move beyond N1,400/$ could trigger further depreciation toward N1,450/$. Since early March, the currency has traded…
Pandemics are inevitable and nations must be ready to respond swiftly, says Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare. Salako made the remark at the Public Health Symposium on “Lessons on Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Insights from China and Nigeria” on Monday in Abuja. The minister warned: “The next pandemic is not a matter of if but when,” stressing the importance of coordinated, equitable, and innovative preparedness. He noted that COVID-19, which claimed over seven million lives worldwide, exposed vulnerabilities in global health systems while demonstrating the value of collaboration and resilience. He highlighted Nigeria’s progress…
The Federal Government has taken several decisive steps to strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness. Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, made this known on Monday in Abuja at a high-level health security dialogue with the People’s Republic of China on pandemic preparedness and response. Salako stressed the importance of early detection, transparent data sharing, and resilient health systems. “No country, regardless of its strength, can face global health threats alone. Strong surveillance, laboratory networks, and emergency coordination mechanisms are critical to saving lives,” he said. Also speaking, Mrs Nanlop Ogbureke, Executive Director of Resolve…
Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States (US) against deploying ground troops on its territory, as tensions escalate over reports of a possible American military incursion. Iranian officials said any attempt by US forces to launch a ground invasion would trigger fierce retaliation, vowing that American troops would face severe consequences if they set foot on Iranian soil. The warning comes amid a growing US military buildup in the Middle East, with thousands of troops and additional assets deployed to the region in recent days, fuelling speculation that Washington could be preparing for expanded operations. While US…
The U.S. Pentagon is gearing up for potential ground raids in Iran, even as Tehran threatens to “set on fire” any American boots on the ground, amid escalating costs and regional spillover from the month-long U.S.-Israel war. Around 3,500 U.S. Marines and sailors docked in the Middle East aboard the USS Tripoli on March 27, U.S. Central Command confirmed. This comes as The Washington Post reports the Pentagon readies Special Operations forces and infantry for limited strikes on key Iranian sites like oil hub Kharg Island and Strait of Hormuz coastal areas, though President Donald Trump has not greenlit any…
The Sultan of Sokoto, represented by the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, alongside other prominent traditional rulers and Islamic scholars, led special prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday as he marked his 74th birthday at the National Mosque in Abuja. President Tinubu arrived at the mosque shortly after 3:00 p.m., participated in the special prayers, and later observed the Asr prayer with Muslim faithful before leaving the venue. The prayer session, which attracted governors, ministers, politicians, and worshippers from across the country, focused on seeking Allah’s guidance, wisdom, good health, and strength for the President as he leads the…
Key players in Niger State’s agricultural value chain gathered in Minna for the first medium edition of the AGRA–Niger Foods Rice Trade Fair and Exhibition, aimed at strengthening food security and promoting market linkages. The event, organised by Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited in collaboration with AGRA, took place at the Niger Foods warehouse Maikunkele, bringing together farmers, processors, millers, distributors, retailers, and policymakers. The trade fair served as a platform to drive collaboration, showcase locally produced rice, and encourage investment in mechanised farming and modern processing technologies. It also provided free marketing opportunities for Micro, Small,…
Dr Ozovehe Shehu, a Chemical Pathologist, has been appointed the new Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) Lokoja. The Ebira Doctors’ Forum (EDF) confirmed the appointment in a statement signed by its Secretary, Dr Moses Shaibu, on Monday in Lokoja. The association commended the Federal Government for appointing one of its members as the substantive CMD of FTH Lokoja. The EDF congratulated Dr Shehu and expressed confidence in his ability to transform the health institution. According to the EDF, Shehu’s achievements reflect his dedication to service, advocacy, and the welfare of workers. “The Ebira medical family…
A Non-Governmental Organisation, New Incentives–All Babies Are Equal, says it enrolled 172,265 infants and disbursed N1.594 billion to caregivers in January 2026 to boost routine immunisation uptake across Northern Nigeria. The organisation disclosed this on Monday in its January 2026 Programme Report covering 11 states. The report highlights a significant expansion in reach while drawing attention to persistent systemic challenges affecting programme implementation in the region. The report showed that the programme, implemented across 11 northern states, conducted 43,915 disbursement sessions, supported by 2,287 field officers responsible for payments, coordination, and engagement with caregivers and communities. It added that 9,547…