General news

• Lagos plans recycling facilities in Badagry, Agbowa

  17-08-2026 01:48 via punchng.com
  
  Lagos State Government is establishing new recycling facilities in Badagry and Agbowa to manage over 13,000 tonnes of daily waste, promoting a circular ecoRead More: https://punchng.com/lagos-plans-recycling-facilities-in-badagry-agbowa/
  
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• Abattoirs silently ravaging Nigerians, animal experts warn

  19-08-2026 08:58 via vanguardngr.com
  •Create diseases, tumor, cancer, high BP, stroke
  By Gabriel Ewepu
  Meat has its primary source from livestock including cows, goats, sheep, poultry products, and among others. This important source of protein is now a dangerous means of deadly parasites causing terminal diseases which are contracted from animals slaughtered at the abattoirs by butchers and sold to Nigerians.
  According to a report, titled ‘Public Health Perspective of Public Abattoirs in Nigeria, Challenges and Solutio
  
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• Trump pauses 50% tariffs on Canadian goods for three days

  19-08-2026 08:56 via vanguardngr.com
  
  US President Donald Trump paused the planned rollout of punishing new tariffs on Canadian goods late Tuesday, as both sides indicated they were close to a broader trade agreement after weeks of talks.Trump announced the three-day reprieve from 50-percent duties on select goods just hours before a midnight deadline.The delay was “based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.Canadian Prim
  
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• Palm oil import bill rises 194% to N23bn

  19-08-2026 08:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  … Stakeholders tie rise to urbanisation, population growth, others
  By Cynthia Alo
  Nigeria’s import bill on palm oil rose by 194.4 percent year-on- year (yoy) to N23.16 billion in the first quarter of 2026 (Q1’26) from N7.87 billion in the corresponding period of 2025 (Q1’25).
  This is contained in the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Foreign Trade in Goods Report which added that the Q1’26 figure also indicates a 65.4 percent quarter-on-quarter rise from N14 bil
  
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• Morning recap: Tinubu, Obi sign peace pact, states’ budgets jump 47%, other top stories

  19-08-2026 08:52 via punchng.com
  
  President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi sign a peace pact ahead of 2027 elections. Also, states’ budgets jump 47%, NDLEA nabs cocaine baron, and more top storiRead More: https://punchng.com/morning-recap-tinubu-obi-sign-peace-pact-states-budgets-jump-47-other-top-stories/
  
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• Campaigns kick off in Nigerian presidential race

  19-08-2026 08:52 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Campaigning kicks off in Nigeria Wednesday, five months ahead of elections set to be dominated by crushing inflation and President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.Africa’s most populous country is straining from years of economic turmoil and violence from armed groups — though a divided opposition works in favour of Tinubu, seeking a second term.“The economy is the biggest issue. That’s the one thing that cuts across different parts of the country and it continues t
  
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• UK inflation rises 2.9% in July on higher energy bills

  19-08-2026 08:49 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Britain’s annual inflation rate climbed in July in line with analysts’ expectations, official data showed Wednesday, driven by higher energy bills.The Consumer Prices Index rose 2.9 percent in the 12 months to July, up from 2.6 percent in June, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.The rise was spurred by a 13 percent hike in the price cap on household energy bills that took effect last month, a consequence of the ongoing US-Iran war.The ONS called it “the lar
  
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• UAE suspends trade, financial dealings with Iran

  19-08-2026 08:45 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The United Arab Emirates has said it is suspending all trade and financial dealings with Iran after reporting an Iranian missile attack directed at its ships.The announcement comes after a period of relative calm in the UAE, with no Iranian missiles aimed at the country since May after it bore the brunt of attacks in the early weeks of the Middle East war.Abu Dhabi has however accused Tehran of repeatedly targeting its tankers at sea in recent weeks.“In light of regional escalations&helli
  
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• NPERA commences operations as port economic regulator

  19-08-2026 08:40 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Godwin OritseThe Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) has formally commenced operations, ushering in a new era of economic regulation designed to make Nigeria’s ports more transparent, competitive, predictable and efficient.
  The agency’s commencement follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, 2026, which established NPERA as the statutory authority responsible for the economic regulation of the nation&rsquo
  
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• NAICOM revokes  Universal Insurance’s licence, appoints receiver

  19-08-2026 08:34 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Innocent AnabaThe National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has revoked the license  of Universal Insurance Plc and appointed a receiver/provisional liquidator to commence the process of winding up the company’s affairs.The cancellation, which took effect on August 14, 2026, followed the company’s alleged failure to meet the prescribed Minimum Capital Requirement (MCR) applicable to its category of licence within the stipulated compliance period.In a notice dated August 13
  
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• FAAC: FG, States, LGs share N3 trn 

  19-08-2026 08:30 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau ChiefThe three tiers of government have shared N3.007 trillion as July 2026 revenue.The revenue was shared at the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, meeting held, yesterday,  on the sidelines of the ongoing National Council on Federation and Economic Development, NACOFED, jn Owerri, Imo State.This moth’s shared revenue was  higer than the ?2.551 trillion shared in the month of July 2026, where the total distributable sum comprised ?1.8
  
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• Nine die in India hotel fire

  19-08-2026 08:16 via punchng.com
  
  Nine people, including a child, died in a hotel fire in Kolkata, India. Thick smoke enveloped the budget hotel, with an AC explosion suspected. Read more.Read More: https://punchng.com/nine-die-in-india-hotel-fire/
  
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• Dangote Refinery IPO gets $1bn underwriting backing from Marob, Lilium

  19-08-2026 08:13 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Udeme Akpan Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE, DPRP, has secured $1 billion in underwriting backing from Marob Strategies and Consulting DIFC Ltd and Lilium Capital Group ahead of its planned initial public offering, IPO.The $1 billion programme comprises a completed and funded $600 million private placement and a $400 million underwriting commitment for the planned IPO.Marob Strategies and Lilium Capital, appointed co-financial advisers and structuring agents for
  
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• Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, August 19, 2026

  19-08-2026 08:04 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Nigerian naira remained relatively firm against the United States dollar on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, with the currency trading around the N1,350 per dollar level at the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), while the parallel market maintained a wider spread.The latest available official data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed the naira closing at about N1,350 per dollar at the NFEM on Monday, August 17, 2026, strengthening from N1,358.25 recorded on Friday, August
  
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• Nigerians pay more for cement than African neighbours – FCCPC

  19-08-2026 06:48 via punchng.com
  
  FCCPC investigates why Nigerians pay more for cement than other African countries despite high production capacity, suggesting possible price manipulation.Read More: https://punchng.com/nigerians-pay-more-for-cement-than-african-neighbours-fccpc/
  
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• 24 killed, many injured in fresh Plateau attack

  19-08-2026 05:49 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Nkiruka Nnorom & Golok NanmwaJOS—No fewer than 24 persons have been killed and several others injured following gunmen attack on Binper community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
  The attack, according to residents, occurred between Monday night and early hours of yesterday. An eyewitness, Daniel Musa, said the attackers, who were heavily armed, moved from house to house, forcing their way into homes and attacking residents who were asleep.
  He said: “Our villag
  
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• IBB, IGP, Ike Nwachukwu, Osoba, Obaigbena, others for ‘Vanguard at 40’ book launch 

  19-08-2026 05:39 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, retd, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ex-Minister of External Affairs, General Ike Nwachukwu, retd., and former Ogun State governor, Chief Segun Osoba and Publisher of ThisDay/Arise Media, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, are among the eminent Nigerians expected at the 40th anniversary book launch and reunion of Vanguard Newspapers.The event, scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, is exp
  
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• Suspected B-Haram terrorists kill police inspector, seven others in Adamawa 

  19-08-2026 05:35 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Monday night attacked Gaya community in Hong LocalGovernment Area of Adamawa State, killing a police inspector and seven civilians.Chairman of Hong council, Aliyu Sa’ad, confirmed the attack, yesterday.Sa’ad said the attackers invaded the community at night, set two houses ablaze and killed eight people.He said:  “The attackers came on the night of Monday and launched a bloody attack on two houses, burnt the houses and killed one po
  
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• 2027: High hurdles before candidates, parties

  19-08-2026 05:26 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Joseph Erunke, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Omeiza Ajayi, John Alechenu, Olayinka Ajayi & Luminous JannamikePARTIES and candidates for the presidential, 469 National Assembly, 28 governorship and 993 state assembly seats have high campaign hurdles to scale for the 2027 general polls. No fewer than eight states have announced between N20 million and N200 million as permit fees for campaign billboards, posters, and outdoor materials. More states are expecte
  
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• NAFEM turnover rises to $1.41bn as FX activity rebounds

  19-08-2026 05:18 via punchng.com
  
  Nigeria’s NAFEM turnover surged to $1.41bn on August 17, 2026, marking a five-week high as foreign exchange activity rebounds. Learn more about the FX markRead More: https://punchng.com/nafem-turnover-rises-to-1-41bn-as-fx-activity-rebounds/
  
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• Airtel Africa boosts share buyback cap to $65m

  19-08-2026 05:18 via punchng.com
  
  Airtel Africa increases its share buyback program to $65m, aiming to reduce capital and boost shareholder value amid foreign exchange pressures. Learn moreRead More: https://punchng.com/airtel-africa-boosts-share-buyback-cap-to-65m/
  
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• US lifts 12-year entry restriction on Nigerian vessels

  19-08-2026 05:12 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Godwin OritseThe United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted the Condition of Entry (CoE) imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria, ending a 12-year regime of enhanced security requirements on ships calling at Nigerian ports.
  The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development, describing it as a major milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen maritime security, improve port competitiveness and enhance the country’s s
  
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• Nigeria’s digital future: Experts urge teens to build, not just consume AI

  19-08-2026 04:22 via vanguardngr.com
  
  …Challenge youths to develop competence, character, solve real-world problemsBy Juliet UmehExperts in technology and digital innovation have challenged Nigerian teenagers to move beyond consuming digital content and begin using artificial intelligence, AI, and digital skills to create solutions to Nigeria’s real-world challenges.
  The experts said the country’s growing digital economy would require a new generation of young Nigerians equipped not only with digital skills, but
  
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• Fibre optic cable protection — beyond words, by Okoh Aihe

  19-08-2026 04:13 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Getting a fibre optic ring around the country has enjoyed robust discourse in recent times. The other day, it was the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) calling a gathering to discuss a proposed Dig-Once policy which would ensure that the telcos and infrastructure companies rolling out fibre optic cables would have to take their fibres through one channel — one duct. Shortly after that, it was the information from the Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Ministry
  
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• Lessons from Osun 2026 and the road to 2027: Reading the political barometer (1), by Usman Sarki

  19-08-2026 04:10 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The dust may have barely settled on the Osun State governorship election of 15 August, 2026, but its political debris will travel far beyond Osogbo, the state capital. Although state elections are invariably shaped by local personalities and circumstances — incumbency, political alignments, peculiar grievances and idiosyncrasies — their outcomes can sometimes offer valuable insights into broader national sentiments. The results from Osun, therefore, contain lessons that th
  
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• How not to read Governor Adeleke’s victory, by Rotimi Fasan

  19-08-2026 04:08 via vanguardngr.com
  
  At dawn on Sunday, the 17th of August, Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke of the Accord Party had been announced as the winner of the governorship election that started less than twenty-four hours earlier. With just over half a million votes cast in his favour, the ebullient governor was returned to office for another four-year term after a bruising campaign that was marked by violence, unseemly vote-buying and unprecedented deployment of security agents. His closest rival in the electio
  
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• National park for Abia State? No! By Ochereome Nnanna

  19-08-2026 04:05 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Today, I have a word of criticism for my cherished brother, friend and leader, His Excellency, Dr. Alex C. Otti, Executive Governor of Abia State. We have said one or two things concerning his exploits in the good governance of Abia State, which have been widely acknowledged by appreciative Abians and people of goodwill everywhere. The only people who have badmouthed Otti’s work in Abia are opposition politicians like Orji Kalu, Benjamin Kalu, John Okiyi Kalu and Omoyele Sowore.
  
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• Worsening school closures as terrorists advance

  19-08-2026 04:01 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Nigeria’s school-abduction crisis has become a grim instrument of terror, ransom, and psychological warfare. Jihadist groups, bandits, and kidnappers have learned that children are especially valuable hostages. Their abduction paralyzes communities, terrifies parents, and places enormous pressure on governments.Mass school abductions are generally traced to Boko Haram’s seizure of 276 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014. It was a mani
  
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• Weak sentiment wipes N544bn off equity market value

  19-08-2026 03:56 via punchng.com
  
  Weak sentiment leads to a significant equity market downturn on the Nigerian Exchange, wiping N544bn off market value. Discover key indicators and stock moRead More: https://punchng.com/weak-sentiment-wipes-n544bn-off-equity-market-value/
  
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• Standard Bank eyes OPay stake ahead of $4bn US IPO

  19-08-2026 03:56 via punchng.com
  
  Standard Bank is considering an OPay stake before its $4bn US IPO. This move could boost OPay’s investor base and give Standard Bank exposure to Nigeria’sRead More: https://punchng.com/standard-bank-eyes-opay-stake-ahead-of-4bn-us-ipo/
  
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