Author: Agency Reporter
LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday presented about 4,000 start-up equipment to residents under the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Sanwo-Olu urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the equipment and transform the skills they acquired into sustainable livelihoods. He said the initiative was designed to strengthen household incomes and promote economic self-reliance among vulnerable residents. “The equipment being presented today is not just a collection of tools; it is an investment in your future and in the prosperity of Lagos State. “I urge…
LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – socio-cultural organisation, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, has urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to ensure transparency and fairness in the implementation of its N31bn economic empowerment fund. The organisation made the call in a statement issued by its International Public Relations Officer, Idongesit Ikono, in Uyo on Tuesday. The state government recently released N31bn to empower youths, women, traders, farmers, transport operators and petty traders across the state. Ikono urged the implementation committee to remain committed to the objectives of the programme and ensure that deserving beneficiaries were selected through a transparent process. “We expect…
LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Defending champions Nigeria will begin their quest for an 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title when the expanded TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Morocco 2026 kicks off on July 26. The Confederation of African Football announced on Friday that the tournament will feature 16 teams for the first time, marking a significant expansion from the previous 12-team format. In a statement CAF said: “Morocco 2026 will mark a significant milestone in the history of the Competition, with the final tournament expanding from 12 to 16 participating nations for the first time.” According to the continental…
VOICE OF NAIJA – The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA over the decision to disallow a Vinicius Jr goal against Scotland, demanding that referee Cesar Ramos should not officiate the Selecao’s matches again. Despite Brazil’s 3-0 victory in their final Group C match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the federation is unhappy with the VAR intervention that ruled out what would have been Vinicius’ second goal of the game. The incident occurred in the 21st minute after the Real Madrid forward dispossessed Jack Hendry and calmly beat Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn. Although Ramos…
VOICE OF NAIJA – Voters in Makerfield headed to the polls on Thursday in a closely watched by-election that could have significant implications for the future leadership of Britain’s governing Labour Party. The contest has drawn national attention as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham seeks a return to Parliament, a move widely seen as positioning him to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. The by-election comes amid growing speculation about discontent within Labour ranks following recent political setbacks for the government. Speaking on Wednesday, Starmer said he would be willing to offer Burnham a senior role in…
LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Millions of people living in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions could face worsening hunger and an increased risk of famine in the coming months, the United Nations has warned. The alert was contained in the latest Hunger Hotspots Report jointly released by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), which identified 13 countries and territories where food insecurity is expected to deteriorate between June and November 2026. Among the countries highlighted is Nigeria, where conditions in parts of the North-East have raised fresh concerns about the…
LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The United Nations has estimated that at least 950 human rights defenders, journalists, and trade unionists were killed or forcibly disappeared worldwide in 2025, according to preliminary global data. The figures were released in the latest edition of the Human Rights Count, a global dataset compiled by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which tracks attacks against individuals advocating for human rights. According to the report, the scale of attacks remains deeply alarming, with one defender, journalist, or trade unionist killed or made to disappear approximately every 10 hours.…
By Tony Ogunlowo VOICE OF NAIJA – In the past month two high profile kidnapping cases have captured the attention of the nation. One involved the kidnapping of more than 45 pupils and teachers from a school in Oyo state and the other involved the relatives of an ex-minister. Whilst the relatives of the ex-minister, his sister and her two sons, were rescued in a highly publicized police operation the fate of the missing school children, and their teachers, remain unclear. Already two teachers have been killed: one was shot and the other beheaded. Nigeria is a hotbed for kidnapping…
LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Women politicians and gender advocates in Kaduna State are demanding stronger measures to increase female representation in elective positions, following the conclusion of party primaries. The call was made in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday. Women leaders said participation in the primaries was encouraging, but structural barriers still limit their chances of winning elections. Munira Tanimu, the only female member of the Kaduna House of Assembly and Majority Leader, won her APC ticket for another term. She urged parties to strengthen affirmative action. “Women are no longer content with…
LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Nigeria has secured the hosting rights for the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships after submitting the strongest bid among the competing nations. President of the Commonwealth Fencing Federation, Marie-France Dufour, confirmed on Wednesday that the tournament will take place in Lagos from August 9 to August 19, 2026. According to Dufour, Commonwealth Sport mandated the federation to select the host nation, with Nigeria emerging successful following a comprehensive evaluation of all bids. “Nigeria’s bid was chosen through this process and reflected the values of the Commonwealth,” Dufour told the News Agency of Nigeria. She noted…