Citi Gist and View

17/03/2026

Senator Natasha lights up Kogi Central with Ramadan and Lent packages, spreading love, unity, and support across communities. A powerful reminder of compassion and shared humanity during this sacred season.

17/03/2026

Iran asks FIFA to move World Cup matches to Mexico

Iran’s football federation is “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the country’s first-round World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico due to the conflict in the Middle East, Iran’s embassy in Mexico said Monday.

Iran’s participation at this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico has been thrown into doubt since the war began late last month.

“When (US President Donald) Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj said in remarks posted on the embassy’s X account.

“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”
Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle.

The team’s base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona.

Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, on Monday denounced “the US government’s lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support” for the Iranian delegation ahead of the World Cup, in a statement published on the embassy’s website.

17/03/2026

JUST IN: Tinubu arrives UK for historic state visit

President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu touched down at Stansted Airport on Tuesday afternoon, marking the start of a landmark state visit to the United Kingdom.

The presidential aircraft landed shortly after 3:00 p.m. local time under clear skies, as captured in a post and footage shared via X by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.

“Timeline: 15:23PM. President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu touch down at Stansted airport, United Kingdom as Historic Visit begins,” Dare wrote.

In the brief video clip, the aircraft taxis to a stop on the tarmac before the presidential couple disembarks.

The visit, extended by invitation from Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is the first Nigerian state visit to the UK since 1989 and the first time a Nigerian leader will be hosted at Windsor Castle. Previous Nigerian state visits occurred in 1973 and 1981 under the late Queen Elizabeth II.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday disclosed that the President and the First Lady would be guests of the King and Queen at Windsor Castle from March 18 to 19.

The President will also be the guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, showcasing modern arts and culture, and will attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders and the diaspora community.
The King and the President will also meet with organisations engaged in interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally.

President Tinubu will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, which will lead to expanded engagement between senior officials of both countries.

The meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.

The President will witness the signing of a landmark £746 million financing deal between UK Export Finance and the Nigerian Ports Authority and Federal Ministry of Finance to support the refurbishment of two major national maritime infrastructures — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.

Members of the President’s entourage include Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.

Others are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani.

Also on the trip are Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.); National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.

17/03/2026

Ndigbo must play pan-Nigeria politics of coalition for development — Soludo

The Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, have been sworn in as the sixth governor and deputy governor of Anambra State, respectively, in a ceremony that took place at the Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, on Tuesday.

Soludo took the oath of office alongside his deputy at about 11:15 am.

The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, administered the oaths of office and allegiance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the duo.

Both the governor and his deputy were accompanied by their wives and family members.
Speaking in his inaugural address, Soludo noted that Igboland needs healing, with a new language, a new narrative and a different approach, adding that the South-East needs Nigeria and Nigeria needs the region.

Soludo said Ndigbo must bargain with their votes by voting wisely rather than continuing to lament.

According to the governor, Ndigbo must play the Pan-Nigeria politics of coalition for development, adding, “Let us join hands with like-minds across Nigeria to agitate for a fairer Nigeria where everyone has an equal chance to succeed, irrespective of his language, dialect, region or religion, a restructured and dynamic federation.

17/03/2026

Sallah: Police heighten security in Yobe after Maiduguri bomb blasts

The Yobe State Police Command has heightened security across the state ahead of the Sallah festivities following recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, expressed sympathy to the government and people of Borno State over the incidents, which reportedly occurred around 6:30 p.m. on March 16 at multiple locations in Maiduguri.

“The Yobe State Police Command expresses deep sympathy to the government and people of Maiduguri following the unfortunate incidents of bomb explosions,” the statement read.

The police urged residents of Yobe State to remain calm but vigilant, particularly in crowded places and within their communities.

17/03/2026

BREAKING: FG declares Thursday, Friday public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

10/03/2026

07/02/2026

APC releases adjusted 2026 congress, convention schedule

The All Progressives Congress has released an adjusted timetable for its nationwide congresses, national convention, and other related activities for 2026.

In an official notice posted on its X handle on Friday titled ‘Adjusted APC 2026 schedule of nationwide congresses, national convention and related activities note’, the ruling party said, “The Expression of Interest Form and the Nomination Form will be available for purchase and collection at the Directorate of Organisation, 2nd Floor, APC National Secretariat, No. 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.”

The party confirmed that all timelines have been reviewed and updated, in line with the party’s organisational requirements and the need to ensure smooth and transparent processes across all states.

The revised schedule is expected to guide the party’s internal elections, nomination processes, and preparatory activities ahead of the 2026 general elections.

07/02/2026

Tinubu will record massive South East victory, Uzodimma says

The Governor of Imo State and Director-General of Renewed Hope Nigeria, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, has reaffirmed the resolve of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to work for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.

Uzodimma, who spoke in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Friday during the inauguration of the state Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), said the President would record massive victory across the South-East in the forthcoming election.

The governor, who was represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, revealed that members of the support group would be tasked with the responsibility of mobilising grassroots support across the local government areas in the state.

He stated that Renewed Hope is an initiative backed by Tinubu’s firm resolve to restore hope to Nigerians.

07/02/2026

EPL: Palmer hat-trick sinks Wolves as Chelsea win 3-1