Category Nigeria News

Arsenal moved ever closer to a first Premier League title for 22 years as a 3-0 win over Sunderland took the Gunners nine points clear at the top of the table.

Martin Zubimendi’s long-range drive just before half-time settled the nerves of the home crowd at the Emirates Stadium before Viktor Gyokeres struck twice to quieten his critics.

Manchester City can reduce the gap at the top back to six points should they end a wait since 2003 to beat Liverpool at Anfield in front of a crowd on Sunday.

But after three consecutive second-placed finishes, it appears a matter of when, not if, Mikel Arteta’s men will finally be crowned champions.

Defeat dented Sunderland’s dream of European football on their first season back in the top flight.

Regis Le Bris’ side showed why they sit eighth with a dogged first-half showing that left the Arsenal crowd again bemoaning a lack of creativity from open play.

However, Zubimendi picked the lock of the Black Cats’ defence with a crisp strike from outside the box that clipped the inside of the post on its way in for the sixth goal of his impressive debut season in English football.

Gyokeres has attracted plenty of criticism for failing to replicate his free-scoring form at Sporting Lisbon in the Premier League.

But the Sweden international is the club’s top scorer and took his tally for the season to 13 in all competitions.

Gyokeres made the points safe when his powerful drive from Kai Havertz’s pass had too much power for Robin Roefs 25 minutes from time.

He was then presented with an open goal by Gabriel Martinelli in stoppage time.

The shine was taken off Arsenal’s day late on when Leandro Trossard was forced off through injury.

Arteta needs as many players available as possible, with Arsenal still competing in four competitions.

Arsenal face City in the League Cup final next month, host Wigan in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and cruised into the Champions League last 16 with eight wins from eight games in the league phase.

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed the determination of President Bola Tinubu to ensure that peace is restored in Nuku and Woro villages in Kaiama, Kwara State, in the aftermath of Tuesday’s attacks on the communities by terrorists.

According to a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President assured the people of the communities that the President had ordered the deployment of a battalion of the Nigerian Army to Kaiama.

He added that all hands were already on deck to rid the affected communities and the entire state of insecurity.

The statement said that Shettima gave the assurance on Saturday when he led a Federal Government delegation to commiserate with the people of Kaiama Local Government and the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, over the deadly terrorist attack that claimed several lives.

The Vice President also disclosed that President Tinubu has instructed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to mobilise all resources, in partnership with the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, to provide succour and support to the distress communities.

READ ALSO: [Kwara Killings] Shettima Arrives In Ilorin On Condolence Visit

“Your Excellency, we are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserates with you and the good people of Kaiama and Kwara State, by extension, over the tragedy that befell our communities of Woro and Nuku in the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

“That tragic killings had shocked Nigerians because the victims were peaceful members of the communities that were dedicated to building peaceful livelihood, while they practice their religion in the peaceful and harmonious manner that the injunctions of Islam have instructed,” he said

Shettima extended what he described as the heartfelt condolences of President Tinubu and the Federal Government to the government and those who lost their loved ones in the gory attacks, noting that all hands were already on deck to restore peace in the community.

“Please accept our heartfelt condolences on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to Kaiama, and all hands are on deck to ensure that peace and tranquility are restored to those communities,” he assured.

The VP did not disclose the measures being taken to restore peace in the area, observing, however, that “security issues are sensitive issues and we do not have to divulge most of the actions that are being taken by our security establishment.

“But I’m here fundamentally to commiserate with the government and people of Kwara and the people of Kaiama, in particular, over the tragic loss of lives and to reassure the good people of the state of harmony. Our prayers are with you, our empathy is with you,” the Vice President added.

Earlier, Chairman of the North East Governors Forum, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, extended the condolences and sympathy of the North East Governors to the people and government of Kwara State over the tragedy.

He said, “As Muslims, we believe in destiny, and it is our sincere hope that, by God’s grace, this act will not happen again. Our prayers are with you, and it is our sincere prayer that Almighty Allah will forgive those who have lost their lives and grant them Aljannah firdaus,” Governor Zulum prayed.

Responding, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRazaq, applauded the swift response of the Federal Government to the incident, saying, “as confirmed by the Local Government Chairman, troops are already on the ground, and the Operation Savannah Shield is in motion.

“As you can see, we were welcomed at the airport by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Second Division of the Nigerian Army. A DIG is on ground. We truly appreciate the response of the Federal Government, and representatives of NEMA have been on ground since the incident happened.”

The Governor called for continued prayers for better a situation and better security in Nigeria, just as he said, “One is short of words and what to say but we will continue to support our President, the Vice President and our leadership for God to guide them in the affairs of this nation.”

Also, the Chairman of Kaiama local government area, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar Danladi, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for the immediate deployment of a military battalion in the area, and thanked the Governor of Kwara state for his leadership.

On his part, the Emir of Kaiama, HRH Alhaji Mu’azu Shehu Omar, also applauded President Tinubu for the prompt action taken after the massacre that in Kaiama.

“We really appreciate the effort of President Tinubu. Since the incident happened on Tuesday, he has shown concerned toward us. The security personnel and other relevant agencies are adequately deployed to arrest the situation,” the traditional ruler said.

Other dignitaries present during the visit include the Director-General of NEMA), Zubaida Umar; Sen. Ali Mohammed Ndume; Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd (NDPHC), Eng. Jennifer Adighije; former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, and members of Kwara State House of Assembly, among others.

Gunmen had attacked Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities on Tuesday, killing at least 75 people.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is on a tour of selected polling units for mock elections in the Federal Capital Territory.

The mock exercise is part of the mechanism that the commission introduced to identify and bridge any lapses ahead of the main election on February 21, 2026.

INEC will conduct elections in six area councils in Abuja.

They are Abuja Municipal, Abaji, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali, and Bwari.

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The Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, has projected a positive business outlook for Nigeria, saying there is rising consumer confidence.

He stated this on Saturday during an economic roundtable tagged “Building with Resilience in the Nigerian Economic Environment,” organised by The Platform.

“The overall consumer outlook is that consumer confidence is rising, suggesting optimism about the economy and potential increasing consumer activity influenced by positive expectations about family income and financial situation,” he stated.

“At the end of the day, it is consumers. The consumer is king, technically speaking. But if your policies are not right, consumers can be the slave; that is why we have consumer protection. We have seen this lately when the Dangote Refinery versus the various importers, tank farms…. What happened? The consumers became king — price war between all of this — at the end of the day, the market became a disciplinarian.”

Giving a breakdown of African economies, he said Nigeria was making a transition from “command economy to a market-driven economy”.

He said policy makers believe that intervention should be done to bring about stability, rather than creating false outcomes.

Resource-Driven Conflict

During the programme, the economist also weighed in on the conflict trailing some African countries that are rich with mineral resources.

He cited the cases of Liberia and Sierra Leone, as well as the frequent conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, attributing them to the abundance of rich mineral resources.

“Look at the solid mineral map across Nigeria, and you will see the effect of resource nationalism. It is not by coincidence that Nigeria found oil in 1958 in Oloibiri, and by 1966, there was already a war about seceding from Nigeria with the oil.

“It is not a coincidence. There is what we call resource nationalism and the crisis that comes with it. It is not by coincidence that the gold and diamonds in Liberia and Sierra Leone led to the crisis at ECOMOG.

“There is the discovery of resources, and there’s also the crisis that comes with resource nationalism and the political instability that goes with it,” Rewane stated.

Reference Point

Nigeria has become a reference point for the implementation of its economic reforms and their resultant impacts, according to the World Bank Group, which last week sent a delegation to the country.

“Nigeria is a frequent example in my discussions with people around the world—presidents, policy makers, and investors—because I think in these two years, the results that have been achieved are really commendable,” the Managing Director of Operations at the bank, Anna Bjerde, said during a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

Since taking over the reins of leadership in May 2023, President Tinubu has embarked on a raft of reforms, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the exchange rate window, among others.

The moves were criticised by opposition leaders, who argued that the sharp impacts of the reforms have pushed millions of Nigerians to the brink.

‘Steady Direction’

However, Bjerde said the implementation of the reforms, coupled with the results, is a subject of discussion among global leaders, investors, and policymakers.

She acknowledged the difficulties in pushing for and implementing the reforms but praised the Federal Government’s commitment to seeing them through.

“What I have particularly appreciated and followed is your steady direction that you communicate to the people of Nigeria, as well as outside of Nigeria, of the importance of the reforms,” Bjerde told Tinubu.

“Even when reform implementation is difficult, there is no turning back. You are staying the course because it is what’s needed to get the results that you’re looking for,” she added.

Upon assumption of office, President Tinubu’s government targeted transforming Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

In July 2024, it launched an operating model and framework for Economic and Financial Inclusion to hit that milestone.

The World Bank says it would retool its budget to align with that dream, which it stated resonates with its economic vision.

Vice President Kassim Shettima on Saturday arrived in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to condole with the government and people of the state over Tuesday’s attack on the Woro community in Kaiama Local Government.

READ ALSO: UN, US Condemn Kwara Attack As Türkiye Vows Military Support

‎ Shettima’s aircraft landed at the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport at about 10:30 in the morning.

Accompanying the vice president were the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, Senator Ali Ndume, and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Shettima was received at the airport by the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Salihu; and the Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District, Sadiq Umar.

Others were the member representing Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Mukhtar Sagaya; security commanders, some members of the state legislative and executive councils, and local government chairmen.

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Others were the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Sunday Fagbemi and other party executive members.

Gunmen killed dozens of people, burned shops and a traditional ruler’s home, and wounded people fled into the bushes after the late Tuesday attack.

The refusal of the villagers to be indoctrinated by an extremist group, Mahmuda, was said to have led to indiscriminate shooting, as two vehicles belonging to the village head were used by the bandits to transport many villagers who were abducted.

The attack on Woro Village in Kwara State came after the military recently carried out operations in the area against what it called “terrorist elements”.

Last month, the military said it had launched “sustained coordinated offensive operations against terrorist elements” in Kwara State.

“Troops also stormed remote camps hitherto inaccessible to security forces where several abandoned camps and logistics enablers were destroyed, significantly degrading the terrorists,” the military said in a January 30 statement.

In response to the latest security woes, Kwara State imposed curfews in certain areas and closed schools for several weeks before ordering them to reopen on Monday.

Already, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has visited the community.

A former member of the National Assembly, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, has confirmed her membership in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State.

READ ALSO: APC Replaces Uzodimma With Masari As Convention Chairman

She made the disclosure on Saturday during an interview with a Nigerian football legend, Segun Odegbami, on 103.7FM Eagle7 Sports, which was monitored in Abeokuta.

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the party as her natural home.

Speaking during the interview, the former senator said her decision to return to politics was influenced by sustained pressure from her supporters.

“As I told you, a group of people whom I did not bring together, I did not form them into a group, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she said.

Iyabo Obasanjo explained that returning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which she last contested, was not an option due to the current internal crises being experienced by the umbrella party.

The former commissioner also revealed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was considered, but she expressed reservations about the party’s preparedness.

She added that those who encouraged her return to politics are all members of the APC, a factor that influenced her decision to join the broom party.

According to her, she conducted extensive consultations before formally joining the ruling party.

“So, I think APC is my natural home. I don’t have any animosity towards any individual or any group within the APC. I feel comfortable with all the actors I know within the APC.

“I feel more comfortable, actually, than with some of the actors I know in the PDP, and some of them are now in the ADC. So I think it’s my natural home. I feel quite confident and happy to have made that decision.

“I have an absolute 100 per cent feeling it’s my natural home,” she said.

Although the APC has yet to issue an official statement, the development marks her return to active politics after about 15 years.

She joined the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections in Ogun State, with speculations in some quarters that she may join the governorship race in the build-up to the election.

There were reports that she had participated in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise at Ibogun, Ward 11, in the Ifo Local Government Area of the state, formally sealing her membership of the ruling party.

She represented the Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011, after she served as the state commissioner for health in the administration of former governor Gbenga Daniel.

She lost her re-election bid in 2011 to Senator Gbenga Obadara of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).