Author: Press Room

When students began collapsing in classrooms and parents received distress calls from schools, fear spread rapidly across Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State. With children rushed to hospitals and classes disrupted by a mysterious odour later linked to methane emissions, residents are demanding answers, DANIEL AYANTOYE writes On June 3, 2026, Mrs Bukky Salami received a distressing message that her daughter, Motunrayo, an SS1 student of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode, had been rushed to the hospital after inhaling a strange odour that had once again invaded the school environment. Just weeks earlier, on May 15, the same mysterious smell…

A Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnerships, Jerome Green-Amakwe, has said the state’s recent governance and development initiatives are strengthening public confidence and attracting wider attention as Nigeria marked its Democracy Day. In a statement personally signed on Friday in Umuahia, Abia State, Green-Amakwe said this year’s Democracy Day celebration carries added significance for residents of the state. “For Abians, this year’s commemoration carries a deeper significance, symbolising renewal, responsible governance, and the emergence of a new era anchored on accountability, development, and service to the people,” he stated. According to him, Abia…

The premiere of the movie, Iwe Ala: An Ojude Oba Story, which held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Filmhouse Cinema, Lekki, Lagos State, brought together lovers of Yoruba culture, storytelling, and cinematic excellence for a night of glamour and cultural pride. The movie which revolves around themes of love, forgiveness and originality, also depicts what goes on behind the scenes of the popular Ojude Oba festival. It features a lineup of actors including Owobo Ogunde, Mercy Aigbe, Dele Odule, Tobi Makinde, Eniola Ajao, Demola Adedoyin, Farooq Oreagba, Aishat Isiaka, and Tolu Otebiyi. The executive producer is Olawumi Fajemirokun, while…

Nigerian Police Force (NPF) The Katsina State Police Command has it its personnel have foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued nine victims during an incident along the Katsina-Kankara road. Spokesperson for the command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement, said the foiled abduction incident occured on June 12, at about 2:30pm. Aliyu said armed bandits had blocked the road around the Tashar Kanya community, in Kanakara council area, where they intercepted a commercial vehicle conveying 11 passengers. He said a swift operation by the command’s personnel led to a gun duel, abd that the armed bandits fled the area while…

By Favour Alabaka Religious leaders, mental health experts, and community stakeholders have raised concerns over the growing prevalence of substance abuse in the country, revealing that an estimated 14.4 million Nigerians have been exposed to drug use. The concerns were raised at the 40th Anniversary Lecture of Fountain of Hope Society 10NG held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, according to a statement made available to Saturday PUNCH on Friday. The lecture, themed “Overcoming the Scourge of Substance Abuse and Addiction: The Role of the Church in Prevention and Rehabilitation,” brought together experts to examine the…

The wife of Anambra State governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, in collaboration with Fidelity Bank Plc, has empowered no fewer than 2,000 beneficiaries, mainly women and children, with equipment, working tools/materials, as well as entrepreneurial support, as part of efforts to build sustainable development, strengthen their livelihoods and economic independence. In the exercise conducted under the ‘Fidelity Bank/Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Empowerment Programme’, the women received, among other items, sewing machines, grinding machines and food bank packs. The children also received solar-powered school bags to support learning and inspire academic excellence. Speaking during the event held at the Banquet Hall…

Former Super Eagles and Roda JC midfielder Garba Lawal has pitted Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi to cause damage to Neymar’s Brazil when both nations square up in the FIFA World Cup tonight, Soccernet.ng reports. Brazil and Morocco were drawn into Group C alongside Haiti and Scotland, but the opener sees two of the favourite nations to qualify directly go head-to-head. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be without Neymar, who’s been sidelined with a calf injury. The news is a big boost for the Atlas Lions, who were announced as African Champions months after the AFCON 2025 final was played. Hakimi celebrating…

Fulham have held discussions with Álvaro Arbeloa as they begin the search for a new manager following the departure of Marco Silva, according to reports. Silva left Craven Cottage after five years in charge to take over at Benfica, ending a successful spell that saw Fulham establish themselves as a stable Premier League side and finish 11th last season. As reported by BBC Sport on Saturday, Arbeloa, 43, has emerged as a strong contender for the role, although sources suggest that talks are not yet at an advanced stage. The former Spain international is admired within Fulham’s recruitment structure for…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing the good people of Kogi Central Senatorial District, on Saturday intensified support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, describing him as a competent, experienced and people-oriented leader who possesses the vision needed to move the state forward. The senator made the remarks during the grand finale of the PDP governorship campaign held opposite Eagle Hall, Ikere Road, Ado-Ekiti, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, ahead of the June 20 governorship election. Addressing thousands of party supporters, women groups, youths and members of the Ebira…

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested five suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms, ammunition and suspected criminal charms during a raid on a hideout in Ibadan. The Command said the operation was part of its sustained intelligence-led efforts to combat violent crimes and enhance public safety across the state. According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the suspects were apprehended during an operation carried out in the early hours of June 12, 2026, at Gbeku Area, Olodo, Ibadan. The police said operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the residence of…