WHALEXTRA

Federal Government, through the National Social Investment Programme Agency, says no fewer than 22,000 farmers will benefit from interest-free loans under its FarmerMoni Dry and Wet Season Programme. The National Programme Manager, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme under NSIPA, Mr Hamza Baba, said this at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope GEEP 3.0. and the FarmerMoni Technical Working Group in Abuja on Wednesday. Baba, who described the loan as interest and collateral-free, said that the loans aimed to strengthen agricultural productivity and would be given to farmers across the country. “Under this particular scheme, we are expecting that from today our portal will be open for eligible farmers, to go and register, to access our loans. And these loans are interest-free and collateral-free. “The total sum per beneficiary is N300,000, and we arrive at this by looking at the economic production of each farming activity. So, we are targeting the vulnerable, poor farmers a...

  The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths suspected to be victims of human trafficking from Thailand. The Director-General of  NAPTIP,  Binta Adamu Bello, disclosed this on Wednesday while alerting the public to a new trend of trafficking to the South Asia region for cyber-enabled crimes. The Head of Press and Public Relations Unit of NAPTIP, Vincent Adekoye, conveyed the development in a statement titled ‘DG NAPTIP alerts on new trend of trafficking to the South Asia region for cyber-enabled crimes as the agency rescues 23 victims from Thailand.’ According to the statement, the operation was carried out with the support and collaboration of Eden (Myanmar), with critical assistance from the British Government.

The federal government has commended the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, for his strategic role in securing Nigeria’s election into Category C of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the 2026–2027 biennium. According to a statement by the Agency’s spokesperson, Osagie Edward, obtained by The Nation at the weekend, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, acknowledged Mobereola’s instrumental leadership and effective campaign coordination in a letter dated January 28, 2026. The statement indicated that the commendation letter addressed to the Director General highlighted his pivotal role in Nigeria’s victory at the IMO Council elections held in London. According to Edward, the minister noted that Mobereola’s strategic engagement with IMO Member States and effective campaign management were pivotal to Nigeria’s resounding success, reflecting a high level of dedication...

  The   Oyo State   Police Command has recovered various quantities of suspected  illicit drugs  from a criminal hideout in Ibadan. The Command said the seizure followed credible intelligence provided by a strategic partner, which led operatives to the location. In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the information indicated that an apartment on Abanise Street in the Academy area of Olomi, Ibadan, was being used to store a large consignment of suspected illicit drugs. According to the statement, the apartment was allegedly linked to one Oluwadamilare Adedayo, a male resident of the address, who was believed to be using the premises for illegal activity. The Command said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and curb the circulation of illicit substances.

No fewer than 173 people lost their lives in 1,156 emergency incidents recorded across Lagos State in 2025, according to data released by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). A breakdown of the emergency statistics showed that despite the fatalities, the total number of emergencies recorded in 2025 declined compared to figures from 2024. The report revealed that road crashes accounted for the highest number of incidents, with 394 cases recorded during the year. This was followed by tanker and truck-related accidents with 249 incidents, while fire outbreaks accounted for 204 emergencies. On a monthly basis, February 2025 recorded the highest number of emergencies with 122 cases. April followed closely with 121 incidents, while May recorded 119 cases. The data also showed that Alimosho Local Government Area had the highest number of emergencies in the state, recording 180 incidents. Eti-Osa followed with 144 cases, while Ikeja recorded 139 emergencies.

The naira depreciated against the dollar at the official  foreign exchange market  on Monday to begin on a bearish note. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that it dropped to N1,390.36 per dollar on Monday, down from N1,386.55 traded last week Friday. This means that the Naira weakened by N3.81 on Monday when compared to last week’s close of work exchange rate. Meanwhile, at the black market, Naira remained unchanged at between N1460 and N1470 per dollar on Monday, the same as on Friday, according to multiple Bureau de Change operators in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. Recall that after last week’s currency trading, the  naira appreciated significantly  across official and parallel foreign markets. The apex bank data showed that Nigeria’s external reserves stood at $46.18 billion as of January 29th, 2026.

Rap icon Nicki Minaj declared Wednesday she was Donald Trump’s “number one fan,” adding that “hate” directed at the US president made her support him more. Republican Trump called the provocative singer-songwriter up on stage after she announced her support for so-called “Trump Accounts,” which provide trust funds for children. “I will say that I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change,” said Minaj, who wore a furry white coat as she embraced Trump and took the podium. “And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.” The Trinidadian star, 43, added that she would not let the billionaire president’s opponents “get away with bullying him and you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work.”

  OPERATIVES of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a 28-year-old suspected internet fraudster (Yahoo boy) for allegedly killing his friend after a disagreement over a $1,000 transaction. Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Bright Edafe, who confirmed this, said the incident took place at Agbarho community, Ughelli North Local Government Area on January 21, 2026. He said the suspect, Mr. Oghenegare, who is currently in detention at the state command headquarters, Asaba, and the deceased, identified as Mr. Courage, were into the business of internet fraud and somehow, had a disagreement. Edafe said the suspect confronted the deceased and hit him on the head in the ensuing fight. He lamented the increasing rate of murder cases being recorded in the state due to hot temper, drug abuse and issues that could be resolved. Meanwhile, the suspect, in a video, said the deceased who he admitted as being his childhood friend had “logged” him out of the process of the transaction.