Navy Kicks Off Operation AWKWARD 2026 To Protect Lagos Waters

The Western Naval Command (WNC) of the Nigerian Navy has kicked off a strategic exercise codenamed Operation AWKWARD 2026. This is to prevent unauthorised activities around the harbours and back channels within the area of the command.

The exercise is coming at a time when concerns have been raised about activities of stowaways who usually snuck into foreign vessels around Lagos Anchorage, as well as illicit substance smugglers.

Inaugurating the exercise onboard Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) KADA, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), WNC, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, said it was designed to strengthen harbour protection capabilities, enhance operational readiness, and improve response to asymmetric and unconventional maritime threats.

He emphasised inter-unit coordination, strict adherence to standard operating procedures, and the integration of lessons learned into future operational planning.

According to him, boats would mainly be deployed for the exercise, explaining that while vessels will deploy their inflatable boats, gunboats from units under the command like Takwa Bay and Badagry, would link up mid-channel to participate.

“Nigeria continues to attract partner nations seeking to train with the Nigerian Navy due to the high level of professionalism demonstrated by our personnel. This is further reflected in the Navy’s recent ranking among the top 22 in the world. Many countries are particularly interested in training alongside our special forces.

The exercise also improves the proficiency of our personnel in equipment handling and seamanship, contributing to a more secure maritime environment where economic activities can thrive.

“Although the exercise is primarily a harbour defence operation, many of the drills are applicable at sea. Activities will not extend beyond the harbour limits but will cover the channels and terminals within the harbour area, including up to the fairway buoy, over the next two days,” he explained.

  

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Murders Of Prince Sheriff Isola And Prince Ademola Akinloye: Police Finally Arrest Two Principal Suspects

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two prime suspects over the murders of two princes of Ajiran community,

Sheriff Isola Salami and Ademola Akinloye.

The Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh, confirmed the arrest of the suspects identified as Sefiu Fatai alias Fabo, 40, and Yusuf Ismail also

known as Baraka, during a press conference.

The Ajiran community earlier endorsed police investigation into the murders that occurred in February 2023 and August 2024, accusing a businessman, Alhaji

Hammed Akanbi, of being behind the murders.

 Jimoh said the suspects were arrested on January 24 and February 6, adding that they confessed that they were allegedly hired by Akanbi, 38.

He said the police had invited Akanbi and even searched for him but met his absence, noting that the allegations against him were weighty.

Declaring him wanted, Jimoh said Akanbi should report himself to the police for questioning.

The CP explained that investigations showed that the killings were carried out by a gang armed with local pistols, axes and machetes.

“On April 18, 2023, about 8am., the suspects attacked Sherif Salami Ishola at an isolated building, where he was shot severally and died on the spot. The

suspects subsequently fled the scene,” he said.

He added that the same gang carried out the second murder on August 26, 2024, when Prince Damilola Akinloye was shot multiple times at Eti-Osa.

Further investigations, he said, implicated Akanbi, described as the Chief Executive Officer, Amtachek and Amrok Markham Company in the murders.

The CP alleged that Akanbi paid the suspects N2 million, with N500,000 given to each of the principal actors after the first murder.

He said other benefits, including opportunities to travel abroad were promised to the gang of killers, adding that five of them had earlier been charged

to court, following their alleged implication in other crimes, and three were at large.

“No stone will be left unturned in ensuring that those connected with these heinous crimes are arrested and brought to justice,” he said.

  

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Third Rotary Club Sports Festival Holds In Lagos

The third Rotary Club Sports Festival, Rosfest ‘26, ended on Sunday with organisers describing the event as a success in promoting unity, healthy living, and community service through sports.

District Governor of Rotary Club District 9112, Rotarian Lanre Adedoyin, said the festival demonstrated sport’s power to unite people regardless of their differences.

“For us, sports is a unifier and globally for all nationalities regardless of their differences. In our country, you will note that anytime there is a sports event, we are all united in ensuring the victory of our country,” Adedoyin said.

“For us, it is an event we will continue to hold annually so we can bring people together and reconnect with more Rotarians in our various communities who want to know what we do.”

The festival, held in Lagos, featured 14 sporting events, including scrabble, chess, snooker, draughts, ayo olopon, athletics, tug-of-war, volleyball, table tennis, and football.

Rotary Club Victoria Island East emerged as champions in football, while Rotary Club Shomolu won the tug-of-war competition. Revolution Lagos claimed the volleyball title, with Rotary Club Gbagada finishing as runners-up.

In scrabble, Femi Awopetu of Rotary Club Shomolu won gold in the men’s category, while Chinwe Anyanwu of Rotary Club Lekki Novare took the women’s title.

Peter Akpan of Rotary Club Victoria Island East clinched gold in chess, with Johnson Alabi of Rotary Club Shomolu winning the snooker competition.

Ikoyi Metro Rotary Club won the 4×4 relay race, while Faith Godwin of Rotary Club Ikoyi and Arinze Achume of Rotary Club Ikoyi Metro won gold in the women’s and men’s 100 metres dash, respectively.

Chairman of the organising committee, Rotarian Alozie Nsirimobi, said the festival was instituted to help Rotarians monitor their health and drive unity.

“This was instituted to help Rotarians initially monitor their health, as Rotarians who are busy helping communities and others don’t have time to take care of themselves, so we used this for them to have time to exercise and look after themselves. Secondly, so we can also have fun and relax among ourselves,” Nsirimobi said.

“Another very important part is to drive unity as a whole. We believe that sports is one thing that unites us, and we want to drive the message of peace and unity. The theme of the tournament is ‘Sports for service’, we are using sports to serve humanity.”

Rotarian Lukman Olusesi, captain of X-Riders Cycling club, Ijebu Ode, said his team had an exciting time at the festival.

“We are happy we were able to make this journey; we have had an exciting time at this Rotary Festival after missing the last one. Rotary is all about making the world a better place, and we are doing that with cycling. The theme is ‘Riding for Unity’, and we showcased this in the communities,” Olusesi stated.

Since its inception in 2023/2024, Rosfest has grown in bounds, with the vision to encourage healthy living in the Rotary world and beyond through sports.

  

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Norrenberger Opens New Office In Lagos

Norrenberger Financial Group has intensified its push into Nigeria’s competitive asset management market with the opening of a new group office in Lagos, a move the firm said would accelerate asset growth, deepen institutional partnerships and position it among the country’s top five asset managers within five years.
 The office located in Ikoyi marked the group’s formal consolidation in Nigeria’s commercial capital, where the bulk of financial market activity, corporate headquarters and institutional capital pools are concentrated.
 Industry analysts said the expansion underscored the growing importance of physical presence in Lagos for firms seeking to scale in wealth and investment management.

Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Tony Edeh, described the move as a strategic necessity tied to the firm’s long-term ambition to compete at the highest level of Africa’s financial services industry.
 According to him, Lagos represents Nigeria’s largest aggregation of entrepreneurs, corporate entities and institutional investors, making proximity critical for deal execution, client acquisition and faster investment decisions.
 “For a financial-centric group like ours focused on wealth creation, asset management and capital deployment, Lagos is essential,” Edeh said during the opening ceremony, noting that the state’s economy rivals some African sovereign economies.

He added that a stronger Lagos footprint would allow the firm to respond more quickly to market opportunities and align its operations with the pace of Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
 Group Chairman, Ibrahim Bala, said the expansion was part of a deliberate growth plan aimed at increasing the firm’s asset base and market share in a sector dominated by a handful of large players.
 He disclosed that Norrenberger was targeting a top five position in Nigeria’s asset management space within the next five years, a goal that will require aggressive client acquisition, product innovation and stronger institutional partnerships.

“Lagos is the economic nerve centre of Nigeria. Being here is a critical step in our growth journey and in our commitment to supporting economic development,” Bala said.
  Senior Partner/CEO of KPMG Nigeria, Tola Adeyemi, described the Lagos expansion as a signal of Norrenberger’s long-term intent to compete at scale.
 He said credibility, governance and ethical leadership would remain key differentiators in an industry where investor confidence is closely tied to corporate reputation.

“Skills can be learned and markets will fluctuate, but what endures is character and how institutions conduct business,” Adeyemi said, urging financial firms to prioritise trust as they pursue growth.
 Commissioner for Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the investment reflected private sector confidence in the state’s economic environment and its ambition to evolve into a regional financial hub.
 He noted that financial institutions play a critical role in capital formation, job creation and business expansion, adding that the state government is positioning Lagos as a gateway for international investment through the Lagos International Financial Centre initiative.

  

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NICRAT Activates Skin Cancer Screening Centres For Persons With Albinism

The National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has intensified efforts to tackle the high burden of skin cancer among persons with albinism by activating targeted screening services in three Nigerian cities.

Through the integration of skin cancer checks and structured referral pathways into its National Preventive Oncology Clinical Services, the institute is seeking to improve early detection and access to care for a group it identifies as particularly vulnerable to the disease.

The Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, disclosed this at the launch of the institute’s “Shade the Sun” campaign at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta Cancer Centre in Lagos.

He described the initiative as an awareness and prevention drive specifically designed for Nigerians living with albinism, noting that their heightened sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation places them at increased risk of developing skin cancer.

According to him, the campaign is being implemented under the National Initiative for Cancer Early Detection, Screening and Coordinated Access to Networked Care, a framework aimed at strengthening prevention strategies, promoting timely diagnosis, improving treatment outcomes, and ultimately reducing cancer-related deaths nationwide.

As part of the intervention, beneficiaries received sun protection kits and were urged to use them consistently and correctly. The NICRAT boss emphasised that protective measures, when combined with routine screening and early care-seeking behaviour, could significantly reduce avoidable complications and save lives.

He also acknowledged the support of key partners, including the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists, the Albinism Association of Nigeria, and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, as well as the management of the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Metta, for their collaboration in driving the campaign.

The Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists and Consultant Dermatologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Ayesha Akinkugbe, said the partnership extends beyond screening to include capacity building for health workers.

She explained that NICRAT supplied protective materials such as sunscreen, long-sleeved T-shirts, wide-brimmed hats and UV-protective glasses, while designated centres in Lagos, Abuja and Kano were equipped with dermoscopes, magnifying lenses, cryoguns and liquid nitrogen to aid diagnosis and minor procedures.

“This programme is running in Lagos, Abuja and Kano,” she said, adding that stakeholders are advocating the creation of a national albinism register to generate reliable data for effective planning and resource allocation.

Also speaking, Consultant Physician and Dermatologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr Folakemi Cole-Adeife, stressed that early detection remains critical in preventing severe outcomes. She advised persons with albinism to undergo skin examinations at least every six months and to limit exposure to direct sunlight, particularly during peak hours.

“You cannot completely avoid the sun, but if you must go out, you should go prepared and protected,” she said.

Representing the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Kehinde Ososanya noted that primary healthcare workers across the state are being trained to identify suspicious skin lesions early and refer patients promptly for specialist care. He added that Lagos has 376 primary healthcare centres serving as first points of contact within communities, positioning them as critical entry points for early detection and referral under the programme.

  

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Despite Being Married, Admirers Still Send Me Gifts - Omotola

Award-winning actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (aka Omosexy) has revealed that her admirers still send her gifts despite knowing she is married. The actress also commended the role of women in Nigeria’s film industry, stating that they dominate key segments and often run multiple businesses alongside their acting careers.

Speaking during an interview on Naija FM 102.7, Omotola underscored the pivotal role women have played in sustaining Nollywood, citing their entrepreneurial drive and capacity to balance diverse ventures.

“Women are the ones who hold this industry, right from the start. Women are the ones who do well for this industry. Women are mostly the producers. Women are the ones who hold Nollywood really,” she said.

The actress added that many female actors combine their film careers with enterprises such as modelling, brand influencing and retail businesses.

“I don’t know any female actor, even small ones who just entered this industry, that don’t get at least like three or four businesses. A lot of the females get businesses. They run different things. Most of them are influencers. They are doing acting, modelling, they have shops.

“You will hear say this one get boutique, that one gets this one, virtually everybody I know gets one or the other. Our job is very intense. You have to be on call. With acting, this is crazy to me. I think the balance must be there”, she said.

She compared the experiences of male and female actors, stating that while men receive admiration, the level of attention women get is more intense.

“Male actors too dey try, but I don’t think it’s as intense as the women,” she said. “Women get admirers. Men too get admirers wey dey help them, but women have more”, she added.

Omotola also shared her personal experience, revealing that she continues to receive gifts and assistance from admirers despite being married.

“Me, wey be married woman sef, I know how many people don dash me things. Asin women and men not be just men, women and men just see me, just say, ‘Oh, I’m sending you this, they don dash me car before sef”, she said.

However, she emphasised that her husband remains secure in their marriage, describing him as the most secure person she has ever met.

“My husband is the most secure. How you go marry Omosexy and you no go Dey secure. My husband is the most secure human being you will ever meet. The most secure, you know, no shaking,” she concluded.

  

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Pastor Kingsley Lashes Out At Ministers That Criticize His Tattoo, Says They Are Biased

Founder of David Christian Centre, Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo, has responded to backlash over his recent Bible-inspired tattoo, expressing feelings of insult

over comments from some ministers.

The cleric had sparked controversy with a video showing him getting a tattoo of John 3:16 in Roman numerals, “III: XVI,” on his body.

Okonkwo claimed that only a few ministers understood his decision, while others reacted out of “religious bias.”

He criticised pastors who questioned his actions, arguing that spiritual authority and understanding vary among ministers, and not everyone is qualified

to criticise others.

“On my tattoo issue, only one or two ministers were grounded and sound enough to understand it. Most of them are just religious people,” he said.

“They said, ‘Tattoo is not a sin, but is it expedient? Why did you post it? Why must you do it?’ That is stupid talk, and I am insulted,” he added.

The pastor cited other Christian leaders with tattoos, including Joyce Meyer and Max Lucado, to justify his action.

“Am I higher than Joyce Meyer? She had a tattoo at eight years old. Am I higher than Max Lucado? He got his tattoo at 70,” he noted.

He explained that he shared the tattoo publicly due to his personal calling and constituency.

Okonkwo emphasised that individual styles and choices shouldn’t be judged, stressing that people should be free to make their own decisions without affecting

others’ faith. 

“I posted it because my own position, my own calling, my own constituency requires that. Even Peter said he could not understand Paul. In Christianity,

there are different flavours. It is not only your style that matters. You don’t want to wear shoes—so what? I want to wear shoes. How does that affect

anybody’s faith?” he said.

  

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Why I Stopped Paying Tithes To Churches - Toke Makinwa

Media personality Toke Makinwa has revealed why she stopped paying tithes to churches, citing concerns about the wealth of religious institutions and the needs of struggling individuals.

In a conversation with Chude Jideonwo, Makinwa questioned the practice of giving money to churches that already possess wealth, while many people struggle to survive.

“I kinda stopped paying tithes to the church because all the churches I know are rich, and I decide that I’m not doing that anymore”, she said.

According to her, she now directs her support to hospitals, maternity wards, and individuals with urgent needs.

“I started thinking, if I have money and someone tells me they need it to pay rent, why should I pass it into a building that’s already rich.

“I would rather give my tithe to strangers who tell me their actual needs. The church is built. The pastors have money. Let’s help people the church cannot reach.

“Every church is building. Every Sunday, there’s a building fund envelope. You guys have so much money and it’s not taxed. It’s a business, if we are going to be real. Because if that pastor dies today, either his wife or his child becomes the next pastor,” she said.

Jideonwo also expressed concerns about the unintended harm caused by religion, including “post-traumatic church syndrome.”

Reflecting on her past experiences, Makinwa recalled handing over her entire brand endorsement deals to her church, seeking blessings.

“Ten years ago, I didn’t touch one naira from an endorsement deal; I carried it all into the church. Now, I give where it directly helps someone in need.”

                     

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Child Custody Case: Sophia's Lawyers Warn Davido, Fans Against Online Intimidation

A law firm representing Sophia Momodu, the estranged lover of Afrobeats star Davido, has cautioned the singer and his supporters against making public statements that could compromise the ongoing child custody case.

Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors condemned Davido’s social media posts, which criticised their partner, Ebelechukwu Enedah, representing Momodu for mentioning his deceased son during court proceedings.

The firm emphasised that the matter is sub judice and should be decided by the court alone, warning that attempts to intimidate legal practitioners could undermine the rule of law.

Davido had expressed frustration over the remarks, stating that mentioning his deceased son was a “lowest blow” and announcing his decision to withdraw the custody case, which sought joint custody of his daughter Imade.

The law firm’s statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to statements chiefly engineered by a Nigerian Afrobeat artiste, via social media, directed at our partner arising from her professional conduct in a custody matter presently pending before a court of competent jurisdiction in Lagos State.

“Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors will deploy every lawful measure available to it to resist any attempt to intimidate counsel or undermine judicial proceedings.

“Those who engage in conduct calculated to interfere with the administration of justice will be met with the full consequences provided by law,” the statement partly read.

Davido’s decision to withdraw the case has sparked reactions, with the singer stating that he never sought full custody and was disappointed with the turn of events in court.

  

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Lagos RCCG Province Inaugurates Community-Focused Projects

The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 28, has inaugurated several projects aimed at repositioning the province for improved worship experience and greater community impact.

According to a statement from the church, the projects include a generator house, solar-powered poles, and an ultra-modern LED altar background fitted with new equipment and television screens.

The province also dedicated new video cameras to strengthen its media unit and enhance service delivery.

The Pastor-in-Charge, who doubles as the Assistant Pastor-in-Charge of Region 63, Bola Orekoya, was quoted in the statement as saying that the projects were executed to position the church for more impact, attract more worshippers, and win more souls.

He noted that the province was committed to aligning with the RCCG Vision 2032, which targets winning 40 million souls before 2032.

Orekoya urged Christians to love one another, stressing that dedication to God must remain unwavering despite challenges.

The statement read, “The province of the latter glory, known for excellence also dedicated brand new video cameras to make the media more effective and service delivery friendly, as the church services will now be beamed live on various social media platforms.

 “Pastor Bola Orekoya, the pastor in charge of the province who also doubles as the assistant pastor in charge of Region 63, said the overall objective of putting this equipment in place is to position the church for more community impact, attract more worshipers and souls to the kingdom of God.

“He also said his province is doing everything possible towards ensuring proactive compliance with RCCG vision 2032, which centres on winning 40 million souls between now and 2032.

“Pastor Orekoya, a quintessential leader who believes in total commitment and dedication to the things of God, even in the midst of storms and any distractions said Christians should love one another just as Christ love us the commissioning the legacy projects was rounded up with a special service tagged Turning point which attracted several worshipers.”

  

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