Author: Press Room

Animashaun Salman No fewer than 34 residents of Sokoto are currently receiving treatment at a specialist hospital following an outbreak of heavy metal poisoning in the state. Saturday PUNCH gathered that the victims, who are farmers from Tureta Local Government Area, have been hospitalised for over a week. However, the state government has assured residents that it is working to contain the outbreak, which has drawn the attention of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Wurno, disclosed that additional cases had been reported in multiple local…

The Oyo State Government has prosecuted 32 individuals for indiscriminate waste disposal, including dumping sachet water nylon, refuse, and other waste materials at road medians and unauthorised places. The offenders were fined ₦50,000 each for violating environmental sanitation laws. The Tribunal judge, Barrister Olumide Abifarin, disclosed this during a hearing at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Ibadan. According to him, Environmental officials arrested the offenders in March and they were charged with three offenses: Illegal waste dumping; Failure to register with accredited waste collectors; and Failure to provide a waste bin. The judge said dumping refuse in…

Super Eagles and Middlesbrough striker, Kelechi Promise Iheanacho, is finally off the mark for his new club after a poor run of form across all competitions, Soccernet.ng reports. The former Leicester City forward hasn’t enjoyed his career in front of goal since leaving the King Power Stadium last summer, struggling to fit in at Sevilla and Middlesbrough. After seven league games without a goal, Iheanacho finally ended his goal-scoring drought in his side’s clash against Oxford United in the EFL Championship. FINALLY! Kelechi Iheanacho scores his first goal for Middlesbrough. pic.twitter.com/xIeLlsr7Qn — Ghana Naija Ballers (@GHNaijaBallers) March 29, 2025 Get…

In a bid to alleviate overcrowding in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, four state governors have granted pardons to over 120 inmates across various custodial centres in their states in the last three months. The pardon is part of ongoing efforts to reduce congestion in the nation’s correctional system. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on January 1 released seven inmates, and pardoned one on parole. Similarly, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State and his Plateau State counterpart, Caleb Mutfwang, extended mercy to 56 inmates on January 1. Also, Governor Lucy Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on January 12 and February 25…

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen played all 90 minutes as Galatasaray fell to a painful 2-1 loss to Besiktas at the Tupras Stadium on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports. Osimhen returned to action at Galatasaray after a topsy-turvy international break that saw Nigeria pick four points from their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers fixture against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Osimhen scored all the goals for the Super Eagles in their 2-0 win and their 1-1 draw against the Warriors of Zimbabwe. On his return to action for the Turkish champions, coach Orkan Buruk threw straight into the thick of the action as he…

A total of N21.51tn was spent on the importation of various goods, including foodstuffs and other items, by Nigerians over the past four years, data from the National Bureau of Statistics has revealed. The data indicates that despite efforts to boost local production, Nigeria’s dependence on imports continues to rise across multiple sectors. Of the N21tn, N6.77tn was spent on the importation of prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits, vinegar, and tobacco during the period under review. In 2020, a sum of N594.08bn was spent, rising to N903bn in 2021 and N976bn in 2022. The figure increased further to N1.51tn in 2023…

Janet Ogundepo As Muslim faithful conclude their fast and resume regular dietary habits, nutritionists have advised a gradual reintroduction of water and food and breaking meals into smaller portions. In separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the nutritionists emphasised the importance of a gradual transition into a regular feeding pattern to prevent overstressing the body, which has abstained from food for extended periods during the fast. They advised adhering to the recommended daily intake of two to three litres of water to support hydration. Muslim faithful observed Ramadan for the past 30 days, a holy month marked by fasting from food…

The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), on Saturday, deployed 400 officers to ensure the free flow of traffic during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration. The Chairman, OYRTMA, Major Adekoya Adesagba (rtd.), announced the deployment while addressing officers in Ibadan. Adesagba said the deployment of 400 personnel was aimed at ensuring smooth traffic flow before, during, and after the celebrations. He stated that the decision followed the Federal Government’s declaration of Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays to mark the celebration. The Chairman urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officers and exercise patience, particularly around…

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Friday Ekpo, has slammed the performance of the Nigerian players in their 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe that caused them to lose ground in their race for World Cup Qualification, Soccernet.ng reports. Eric Chelle enjoyed a perfect debut on a cool evening out in Kigali, as he led the three-time AFCON Champions to a 2-0 win over Rwanda. He met a different fate at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in front of the Nigerian fans, as the Super Eagles surrendered a late goal against Zimbabwe to drop two vital points. William Troost Ekong in action for the…

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), has urged Muslims to reflect on the lessons learnt during Ramadan in all aspects of their lives. He congratulated members of the institution’s Muslim community and the entire Muslim Ummah on the Eid el-Fitr celebration. This is contained in a statement on Saturday by the University’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun. Egbewole said the occasion called for celebration as it marked the successful conclusion of the month-long fasting. He described the Ramadan fast as an opportunity for personal attitudinal transformation and communal rebirth. The Vice-Chancellor noted that…