General news

• Civil service must own its reforms, digital tools —Walson-Jack

  27-08-2026 09:33 via vanguardngr.com
  …Says she’ll choose the civil service again if she were to begin a new careerThe Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has undertaken many changes in the federal public service.
  One is the digitalisation of the service. She completes her tour of duty this month and retires from the public service. In this exclusive interview with Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor, Walson-Jack speaks about what informed her push for the transformation of the civ
  
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• Iran seeks diplomacy, demands end to US pressure

  28-08-2026 22:28 via punchng.com
  
  Iran left the door open to diplomacy on Friday, six months into a war with the United States that has upended the Middle East, but only if Washington abandons its pressure campaign. “Putting diplomacy back on track isn’t impossible. It hinges on the US understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn’t work,” Iranian Foreign MinisterRead More: https://punchng.com/iran-seeks-diplomacy-demands-end-to-us-pressure/
  
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• NPFL:​‌‍​‌‍⁠⁠‌‍​‌‍​‌‍‍‌​ 3SC defeat Inter Lagos FC 2-1 in league opener

  28-08-2026 22:28 via punchng.com
  
  Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan began their 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign on an encouraging note, defeating newly promoted Inter Lagos FC 2-1 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, on Friday. Shooting Stars thrilled their home fans, who turned out in large numbers to cheer the team to victory in their opening fixture,Read More: https://punchng.com/npfl%e2%81%a0%e2%81%a0-3sc-defeat-inter-lagos/
  
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• 2027: ADC does not need coalition to defeat Tinubu, says spokesperson

  28-08-2026 22:28 via punchng.com
  
  The African Democratic Congress does not need a coalition to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, has said. Abdullahi made the assertion on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He said the party was confident that its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, couldRead More: https://punchng.com/2027-adc-does-not-need-coalition-to-defeat-tinubu-says-spokesperson/
  
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• KASU urges ASUU to suspend warning strike, cites Uba Sani’s intervention

  28-08-2026 22:19 via vanguardngr.com
  By Ibrahim Hassan-WuyoKADUNA — The management of Kaduna State University (KASU) has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), KASU branch, to suspend its ongoing warning strike, citing steps being taken by the Kaduna State Government to address the union’s concerns.The university, in a statement signed by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, on Friday, acknowledged the concerns of academic staff and the anxiety caused among students and parents by th
  
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• Police arrest four over alleged organ harvesting, trafficking in Nasarawa

  28-08-2026 22:16 via vanguardngr.com
  ABUJA — The Nigeria Police Force has arrested and paraded four suspects allegedly linked to an organ harvesting and human trafficking syndicate operating in Nasarawa State.The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) on August 19, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Friday, the operatives conducted a sting operation at about 6pm in Auta Ba
  
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• Naira appreciates to N1,403/$ in parallel market

  28-08-2026 22:13 via vanguardngr.com
  By Elizabeth AdegbesanLAGOS — The naira appreciated to N1,403 per dollar in the parallel market on Friday from N1,407 on Thursday.However, the currency depreciated to N1,337 per dollar in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the indicative exchange rate for the naira weakened slightly to N1,337 per dollar from N1,336 on Thursday, representing a N1 depreciation.Consequently, the gap between the parallel and official markets nar
  
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• ‘He was a strong voice for workers’ — Tinubu mourns NLC Scribe

  28-08-2026 22:08 via vanguardngr.com
  By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, AbujaABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), its affiliate unions and the legal profession over the death of the Congress’ General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja.President Tinubu described Ugboaja as a strong voice for the workers’ movement whose contributions to constructive engagement with government and employers would be remembered.In a statement, the President said the late labour leade
  
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• NDDC begins reconstruction of 15.4km failed section on Benin-Sapele Expressway

  28-08-2026 22:07 via punchng.com
  
  Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has described the reconstruction of a 15.4-kilometre failed section of the Benin-Sapele Expressway by the Niger Delta Development Commission as a major intervention that will ease movement and boost economic activities in the state. Oborevwori stated this on Friday at the flag-off of the reconstruction project at Amukpe Roundabout, Sapele,Read More: https://punchng.com/nddc-begins-reconstruction-of-15-4km-failed-section-on-benin-sapele-expressway/
  
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• Aston Villa sign Senegalese striker Jackson from Chelsea

  28-08-2026 22:07 via punchng.com
  
  Aston Villa signed Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal worth a reported club-record £65 million ($87 million) on Friday. Jackson agreed a five-year deal with the Europa League holders and is reunited with Villa manager Unai Emery after the pair worked together at Villarreal. Emery had revealed the 25-year-old was set toRead More: https://punchng.com/aston-villa-sign-senegalese-striker-jackson-from-chelsea/
  
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• Lagos court jails two over money laundering, cybercrime

  28-08-2026 22:05 via vanguardngr.com
  LAGOS — The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of two men for money laundering and fraudulent impersonation before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.The convicts, Agboola Abdullahi Abiodun and Victor Okonjo, were separately arraigned before Justice F.N. Ogazi on charges bordering on money laundering and cybercrime offences.Agboola was arraigned on a three-count charge, including laundering proceeds alleg
  
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• EFCC extradites two to US over alleged child sextortion

  28-08-2026 21:59 via vanguardngr.com
  The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerians to the United States to face prosecution over alleged sexual exploitation and sextortion of two teenage boys.The EFCC said Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle were extradited to the US on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, following separate investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into sextortion schemes targeting male minors.Accordin
  
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• Abdulrahaman appointed NPFL Chief Operating Officer

  28-08-2026 21:55 via vanguardngr.com
  ABUJA — The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has appointed Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).His appointment came on Friday as the 2026/27 NPFL season got underway with the opening fixture between Nigeria’s CAF Confederation Cup representatives, Shooting Stars, and newly promoted Inter Lagos FC at the Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan.Abdulrahaman, who holds a doctorate degree in sports administration, brings extensive ex
  
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• 2027: Atiku can say anything to deceive politically gullible – Presidency

  28-08-2026 21:41 via vanguardngr.com
  By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, AbujaThe Presidency on Friday accused the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of being emotionally unstable to the extent of saying anything to attract and deceive the politically gullible.The Presidency accusation came on the heels of the statement credited to the former Vice President, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC in the 2027 general election , that he would open the country’s borders if elected president.Rea
  
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• Nigeria’s borders are already open, Presidency tackles Atiku

  28-08-2026 21:33 via punchng.com
  
  The Presidency has tackled former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his pledge to “open the borders” if elected president, insisting that Nigeria’s land borders are already open. The Presidency made this known in a statement on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, titled, “Atiku and theRead More: https://punchng.com/nigerias-borders-are-already-open-presidency-tackles-atiku/
  
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• JUST IN: NFF names Abdulrahaman NPFL chief as league season begins

  28-08-2026 21:33 via punchng.com
  
  The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman as the new Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Premier Football League as the 2026/27 season kicked off on Friday. The appointment was announced by the NFF on Friday, the same day the new NPFL season opened with a headline fixture between Shooting Stars and newlyRead More: https://punchng.com/just-in-nff-names-abdulrahaman-npfl-chief-as-league-season-begins/
  
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• Anambra LG poll: AIG directs CP, officers to remain neutral

  28-08-2026 21:33 via punchng.com
  
  The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13 Police Headquarters, Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, AIG Miller Dantawaye, has directed the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Ama, to ensure that all personnel maintain the highest level of professionalism, neutrality and impartiality during the state’s local governmentRead More: https://punchng.com/anambra-lg-poll-aig-directs-cp-officers-to-remain-neutral/
  
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• One dead, three injured as 30-year-old building collapses in Lafia

  28-08-2026 21:20 via vanguardngr.com
  By Edwin Phillip, LafiaLAFIA — Tragedy struck the Tudun Amba area of Lafia, Nasarawa State, after a 30-year-old mud house collapsed on a family of six, killing a four-year-old girl and injuring three others.The incident occurred at about 2am on Thursday, shortly after rainfall.An eyewitness, Kefas Abu Danjuma, who is the deceased girl’s uncle, said the two-room building housed six people from two families.According to him, one room was occupied by his uncle and his three children, w
  
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• Umahi orders closure of old Niger Bridge for repairs

  28-08-2026 21:18 via vanguardngr.com
  By Vincent UjumaduAWKA — The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has ordered the temporary closure of the old Niger Bridge for major rehabilitation works.Umahi, who spoke at the Ogbunike interchange linking Anambra State to the Second Niger Bridge, said the closure would take effect seven days from Friday, with traffic diverted to the Second Niger Bridge.He said the closure was necessary to enable the installation of solar-powered streetlights and closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera
  
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• Norwegians mourn King Harald as son succeeds to throne

  28-08-2026 21:16 via punchng.com
  
  Laying flowers and embracing, thousands of people gathered in Oslo on Friday to pay their respects to Norway’s King Harald, who died on Friday aged 89 after a reign of three and a half decades. Harald’s 53-year-old son immediately succeeded him on the throne, announcing he would reign under the name King Haakon VIII. HaakonRead More: https://punchng.com/norwegians-mourn-king-harald-as-son-succeeds-to-throne/
  
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• CNG: Tinubu responding to 2027, not Nigerians’ suffering — ADC

  28-08-2026 21:01 via vanguardngr.com
  By Luminous JannamikeAfrican Democratic Congress, ADC, on Friday accused President Bola Tinubu of responding to the 2027 election rather than Nigerians’ suffering, dismissing the Federal Government’s renewed push to expand Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, transportation as a political gimmick coming three years too late.For Nigerians who have spent three years battling soaring transport fares, food prices and shrinking purchasing power, the party said, the sudden urgency to make transpo
  
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• PHOTOS: Rare lunar eclipse turns moon deep red, 96% covered

  28-08-2026 20:59 via punchng.com
  
  A near-total lunar eclipse has painted the Moon deep red across parts of the world, with 96 per cent of its surface covered by Earth’s shadow at the peak of the rare celestial event. The eclipse occurred overnight Thursday into Friday, coinciding with the August Sturgeon Moon, giving skywatchers across the Americas and parts ofRead More: https://punchng.com/photos-rare-lunar-eclipse-turns-moon-deep-red-96-covered/
  
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• Ousted Ukraine defence chief becomes adviser to Italian minister

  28-08-2026 20:59 via punchng.com
  
  Ukraine’s ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov — whose sacking last month prompted rare wartime protests — on Friday said he had accepted a job working as an adviser to Italy’s defence minister. Fedorov, a tech-savvy 35-year-old, was dismissed as defence minister in July after reports of ructions between him and the country’s military leadership. HisRead More: https://punchng.com/ousted-ukraine-defence-chief-becomes-adviser-to-italian-minister/
  
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• NUJ mourns death of Cross River journalist

  28-08-2026 20:59 via punchng.com
  
  The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Cross River State Council, has announced the death of a journalist and correspondent of Ibom Nation Newspaper, Enya Ndem, who passed away on Thursday, August 20, 2026. In a statement on Friday in Calabar, signed by the Council Secretary, Mike Abang, the union said Ndem was a member of theRead More: https://punchng.com/nuj-mourns-death-of-cross-river-journalist/
  
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• Kaduna varsity begs ASUU to suspend strike

  28-08-2026 20:59 via punchng.com
  
  The management of Kaduna State University has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, KASU chapter, to suspend its two-week warning strike, saying the intervention of the state government has provided a fresh opportunity to resolve the lecturers’ grievances. The appeal came on Friday, barely 24 hours after ASUU-KASU commenced the warning strike followingRead More: https://punchng.com/kaduna-varsity-begs-asuu-to-suspend-strike/
  
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• Abia varsity lecturers suspend strike

  28-08-2026 20:59 via punchng.com
  
  The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abia State University branch, has suspended its ongoing industrial action and directed members to resume academic duties with immediate effect from Friday, August 28, 2026. The decision was reached at the union’s congress meeting held on Friday, where members reviewed developments surrounding the issues that led to the strike.Read More: https://punchng.com/abia-varsity-lecturers-suspend-strike/
  
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• Tinubu approves comprehensive forensic audit of IPPIS, federal agencies, ministries

  28-08-2026 20:58 via vanguardngr.com
  By Johnbosco AgbakwuruPresident Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, to oversee and coordinate a comprehensive forensic audit of Federal Government systems.The audit will include a review of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Federal Government agencies, and their administration and internal controls.President Tinubu’s directive follows the Federal Executive Council’s resolution on
  
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• Foundation screens 1,000 Osun traders, residents for hypertension, BMI

  28-08-2026 20:47 via punchng.com
  
  About 1,000 traders at Igbona Market in Osogbo, Osun State, and residents of the area have been screened for hypertension and Body Mass Index during a medical outreach organised by the Femi Olutoye Foundation. The outreach, held at the market, was part of activities marking the second anniversary of the foundation. The coordinator of theRead More: https://punchng.com/foundation-screens-1000-osun-traders-residents-for-hypertension-bmi/
  
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• Ghost workers: Tinubu orders forensic audit of IPPIS, FG agencies

  28-08-2026 20:44 via punchng.com
  
  President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, to oversee a comprehensive forensic audit of Federal Government systems, including the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System. The directive was contained in a statement signed by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, onRead More: https://punchng.com/ghost-workers-tinubu-orders-forensic-audit-of-ippis-fg-agencies/
  
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• Evening recap: WhatsApp introduces per-message charges, Omokri challenges Atiku over Tinubu’s age, other top stories

  28-08-2026 20:44 via punchng.com
  
  From WhatsApp’s plan to begin charging businesses per message to the death of National Population Commission Chairman, Aminu Yusuf Wushishi, several major developments dominated the news cycle on Friday. Reno Omokri challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s claim about President Bola Tinubu’s age, while Uganda’s King Oyo, the world’s youngest reigning monarch, died at 34.Read More: https://punchng.com/evening-recap-whatsapp-introduces-per-message-charges-omo
  
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