Medical experts have advised adults to get between seven and nine hours of sleep daily to maintain good physical and mental health. A Consultant Family and Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Dr Moyosore Makinde, gave the advice on Friday in Lagos while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria to mark World Sleep Day. Makinde, who is also the President of the Society of Lifestyle Medicine of Nigeria, said adequate sleep plays a vital role in maintaining overall wellbeing, productivity and long-term health. The 2026 World Sleep Day, themed “Sleep Well, Live Better,” is dedicated to raising awareness about sleep’s critical role in human health and encouraging individuals to adopt healthier sleep habits. Makinde explained that recommended sleep duration varies by age, noting that while adults require fewer hours, infants and children need longer sleep periods for proper development and overall well-being. Citing World Health Organisation stipulations, Makinde recommended seven to nine hours of restorative sleep for adults above 18, explaining that infants and children required significantly longer sleep duration. She decried the high level of sleep deprivation among the populace, noting many people failed to get adequate sleep daily, a situation she warned could negatively affect health, safety and well-being. Makinde said the fast pace of modern life often left little time for rest, urging Nigerians to deliberately prioritise sleep by creating time for proper rest, relaxation and recovery daily. She attributed sleep deprivation to multiple factors, including health challenges, lack of time, social media addiction, poor sleeping environments, unhealthy sleep positions, and demanding daily schedules aimed at survival. According to Makinde, prolonged sleep deprivation increases risks of accidents, judgment errors, workplace mistakes, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, overweight, and certain cancers, including breast and prostate. “Sleeping well in order to live better is not a myth. Sleep remains one of the most powerful yet often neglected pillars of health and well-being in modern society. “To maintain good health, adults should have seven to nine restorative hours of sleep per day. “Infants require up to 16 to 17 hours of sleep, while pre-school and school-age children need up to 13 hours and 12 hours, respectively, for proper brain development,” Makinde added. According to her, sleep is as important as the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. “It is a natural state of rest and a period when the body repairs itself physiologically, restoring energy, strengthening immunity and supporting overall bodily functions. “Amid the hustle and bustle of work, study and business, particularly in Lagos, Nigerians need to prioritise sleep. “In doing so, we are also prioritising our health,” she said. Contributing, a psychiatrist and therapist, Dr Maymunah Kadiri, described sleep as “an integral part of mental well-being,” stressing its critical role in maintaining psychological balance. Kadiri, also Medical Director of Pinnacle Medical Services, explained that good sleep improved concentration, enhanced brain performance and contributed positively to overall cognitive functioning and emotional stability. She noted that adequate sleep supported cognitive processes and helped reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, making it an essential component of maintaining good mental health. According to her, healthy sleep goes beyond hours spent in bed, noting that it involves adequate duration, good sleep quality that is uninterrupted and refreshing, and a consistent sleep schedule. “Sleep significantly benefits mental health. During a good night’s sleep, the brain gets rest and all the nutrients it needs. “A person who enjoys long-term good sleep develops improved stress resistance. Brain function improves, and the risk of cognitive disorders is significantly reduced over time. “Sleep has a direct impact on mental health and its quality. It helps process emotions and alleviates stress as well as negative feelings,” Kadiri said.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has officially rescheduled the local government council elections to Tuesday, December 29, 2026. The decision, announced by OYSIEC Chairman Dr. Babatunde Adeniyi on March 10, 2026, moves the polls forward from the previously slated date of January 16, 2027. THENEWSCREDIT says, OYSIEC reschedules the election to Tuesday, December 29, 2026. Begins at 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. across all 33 local government areas. THENEWSCREDIT reports that,Electioneering activities must conclude by midnight on Monday, December 28, 2026. The adjustment was necessitated by a revision to the national electoral timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC moved the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections from February 20 to January 16, 2027—the exact date OYSIEC had originally chosen for the local polls. To avoid "operational congestion" and ensure "optimal security deployment," the commission opted for the December 2026 date to maintain administrative clarity and electoral integrity. Adeniyi said,the election will determine the successors to the current chairmen and councillors whose tenures are set to expire on May 23, 2027. Governor Seyi Makinde has previously emphasized his commitment to conducting these polls before the end of his administration in 2027 to further strengthen local democracy. Dr. Adeniyi urged all political parties and stakeholders to align their preparations with the revised timetable, reiterating the commission`s commitment to a transparent and inclusive process.

President Bola Tinubu is hosting Christian and Muslim clerics alongside traditional rulers to an interfaith breaking of fast at the State House, Abuja. The event, which began at 7pm at the Presidential Banquet Hall, is bringing together religious leaders and monarchs from across the country as Muslims and Christians observe Ramadan and Lent respectively. Our correspondent observed that guests were conveyed to the Villa in multiple white coaster buses, arriving at the forecourt of the State House. Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and several top government officials are also present at the gathering. The interfaith dinner is part of the President’s annual Ramadan tradition of hosting key stakeholders, including political leaders, religious figures, and traditional institutions during the holy month. In similar gatherings in the first week of Ramadan, Tinubu hosted governors and lawmakers, where he emphasised the urgency for the creation of state police. The President is expected to host additional Iftar gatherings with members of the diplomatic corps, and other stakeholders before the end of Ramadan. Muslims are currently in the last ten days of Ramadan, which include the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), while Christians continue the Lenten fasting leading to Easter.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has again increased the price of the Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, marking the third upward adjustment within a week. ​ The refinery made the announcement of the price hike to marketers on Monday, raising the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit to N1,175 per litre from N995 per litre announced on Friday. This is said to represent an increase of N180 or about 18.1 per cent within three days. The refinery equally revised the gantry price of Automotive Gas Oil, commonly known as diesel, to N1,620 per litre. THENEWSCREDIT had reported that the refinery recently increased its PMS to N995 per liter, up from N874 at the weekend, a hike that has pushed fuel pump price to above N1,000 per liter nationwide.

Dangote Refinery’s Premium Motor Spirit gantry price increase to N995 per liter, up from N874 at the weekend, has further pushed fuel retail pumps nationwide to above N1,000 per liter. Checks by THENEWSCREDIT Sunday showed that the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery further increased its gantry by N121 per liter, the second increment in four days. This followed its earlier N100 per liter petrol price hike, which the $20 billion refinery attributed to the crude oil price volatility caused by the war in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery’s latest price hike further makes imported fuel N185.17 per liter cheaper, according to the Major Energies Marketers Association’s March 2, 2026, industrial price data. Dangote Refinery’s price hike has triggered MRS, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and other filling stations in Abuja to raise their petrol pump price between N967 and as high as N1,010 per liter as of Saturday. THENEWSCREDIT reports that crude oil prices surged by 9 percent to $90.90 and $93 per barrel as of Sunday morning, according to oilprice.com. With the rising crude price following the Iran-United States-Israel war escalation in the Gulf region, domestic petrol may continue to surge. In a statement on Thursday, Dangote Refinery ruled out fuel price stability but assured Nigerians of petrol supply.

The Federal Government on Tuesday formally prohibited cash collection of taxes and banned the mounting of roadblocks for revenue enforcement, as part of fresh regulations to implement Nigeria’s new tax laws nationwide. The disclosure was made in Abuja by the Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Mr Olusegun Adesokan, during the signing of the Presumptive Tax Regulations and Guidelines on the Implementation of the Tax Laws at the Federal Ministry of Finance. Adesokan said the new framework was designed to end informal, coercive and fragmented tax practices, particularly at the subnational level. “It bans all forms of cash collection by tax authorities. It also bans the mounting of roadblocks for the collection of taxes,” he said. He explained that the regulations would entrench transparency and equity in tax administration, especially within the commerce and informal sectors. “These regulations are another demonstration of his commitment to taxing prosperity and not poverty,” Adesokan said, referring to the reform agenda of the Federal Government. According to him, nano and small businesses with an annual turnover of N12m and below would be exempted under the presumptive tax regime. “Our nano and small businesses with an annual turnover of N12m and below are exempted from tax,” he stated. He added that the framework introduced a one per cent tax rate on turnover for other categories of informal businesses, while encouraging the use of technology-driven payment systems. “It also introduces a tax rate of one per cent of turnover on all other categories of informal businesses,” he said. Adesokan noted that the guidelines provided a uniform structure for subnational governments in taxing the commerce sector and integrating operators into the formal system through a Tax Identification platform. “These regulations constitute the framework for taxing the commerce sector,” he said, adding that the alignment of states behind the framework signalled a coordinated national approach. Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, said the signing marked a transition from legislative approval to operational enforcement of the tax reforms enacted in 2025 and early 2026. “With the signing of these regulations, we are transitioning from regulation to structured implementation of the tax reforms,” Edun said. He described the regulations as a simple and transparent framework for applying presumptive tax, stressing that they were anchored on “transparency, fairness, clarity, indeed, equity, and economic inclusion for Nigerians.” “Our aim is to ensure consistency, prevent arbitrary assessments… and to protect small businesses while ensuring the continuous growth of the Nigerian economy,” the minister said. Edun maintained that the reforms were not intended to raise tax rates but to broaden the tax base in a structured manner. “We’ll expand the tax base, not raising taxes, but expanding so that each bears his rightful contribution to the common cause,” he said. He said the regulations were developed in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board to ensure alignment across federal, state and local governments. “Our role is to ensure that tax administrations are coordinated, not fragmented, and deliver results and impact to all Nigerians,” he stated. The minister linked the reforms to the government’s broader growth objectives, noting that economic expansion had exceeded four per cent in the last quarter of 2025 but required further acceleration. “We’re looking at, in the immediate term, to try to get to seven per cent GDP growth on our way to Mr President’s clear-stated target… by 2030, the $1tn economy,” Edun said. He assured stakeholders that implementation would be closely monitored to safeguard fairness, adding that an ombudsman mechanism had been introduced. “Implementation will be monitored carefully. Fairness in practice… there’s an ombudsman to keep an eye on fair implementation of the tax laws,” he said. In his closing remarks, the Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Mr Joseph Tegbe, described the signing as a decisive shift from policy intention to practical execution. “With the signing of the presumptive tax guidelines, we have moved from legal provisions to operational reality,” Tegbe said. He stressed that the reforms were not about imposing new burdens but correcting distortions in the system. “It’s not about imposing new volumes but restoring order where there has been fragmentation and replacing arbitrariness with transparency,” he said. Tegbe observed that the informal sector employs more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce but has historically contributed little to structured public revenue due to systemic weaknesses. “The informal sector… employs more than 80 per cent of the workforce… yet its contribution to structured public revenue has been disproportionately low, not because they are unwilling to pay but because our framework was either too complex or did not reflect operational realities,” he said. He added that sustainable development required sustainable revenue mobilisation and that the committee would work with tax authorities to ensure disciplined and transparent rollout of the new framework. “With today’s signing, we move decisively from intention to execution,” Tegbe said. In June, 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed four sweeping tax reform bills into law, including the Nigeria Tax Act and related statutes that together overhaul decades-old tax statutes and modernise the country’s tax system.

The Federal Government through the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, on Tuesday announced the immediate suspension of all pilgrimages to Israel due to the security situation in the Middle East. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Stephen Adegbite, made the disclosure in Lagos during a press briefing shortly after 500 pilgrims landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport from the 2025 Main Pilgrimage exercise. The pilgrimage exercise began December 29, 2025, with the inaugural flight departing from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. In total, more than 4,000 Nigerian Christian pilgrims were airlifted to the Holy Land without any reported incident. According to the NCPC boss, the Commission deployed a Boeing 777-300 aircraft with a 525 seating capacity for the operation. It was the largest aircraft ever used for Christian pilgrimage airlift in Nigeria. However, he said recent military developments in the region have compelled the Commission to suspend further pilgrimages. “You are aware of the latest security developments in Israel and the wider Middle East. “In view of the state of emergency declared by Israeli authorities and restrictions on public gatherings, the Commission has decided to put on hold all pilgrimages both by the Commission and private operators until the security situation normalises,” he said. Adegbite emphasised that the safety and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims remain paramount, noting that the Commission is closely monitoring the situation. He cautioned Nigerians against engaging in protests or actions that could escalate tensions arising from the crisis. According to him, the suspension of pilgrimage activities will remain in force until international travel to Israel is deemed safe. “The Federal Government places premium on peace and security. We therefore advise Nigerians to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could undermine national security or diplomatic relations,” he added. Adegbite equally expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented support for both Christian and Muslim pilgrimages. He also acknowledged the contributions made by First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, that led to the successful completion of the 2025 exercise. Adegbite urged Christians and peace advocates to continue praying for stability in Jerusalem and across the Middle East to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

Dangote Refinery has increased its Premium Motor Spirit gantry price. The 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery increased its petrol price to N874 per liter, up from N799. This means that the African’s largest refinery adjusted its petrol price by N75 per liter on Monday. The spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, confirmed Dangote Refinery’s price hike to THENEWSCREDIT exclusively on Monday. According to him, the move comes amid a hike in global crude oil prices following the Iran-United States-Israel conflict escalation in the past three days. “It is due to global crude oil price volatility following the Iran-US-Israel war. It is the ripple effect of ongoing conflict,” he told THENEWSCREDIT. According to him, the development would trigger a retail fuel price hike nationwide. THENEWSCREDIT reports that on Monday, Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude blends rose to $78.50 and $71.84 per barrel, respectively, up from $72.87 and $67.02 on Saturday. Recall that on January 27, Dangote Refinery had hiked its petrol price by N100 per liter to 799 per liter.

Twenty-five members of the Osun State House of Assembly, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last general election, have defected to the Accord Party. The lawmakers announced their defection on Friday, following in the footsteps of the governor, Ademola Adeleke, who in December 2025 dumped the PDP for Accord, where he has been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest the August 15 Osun governorship poll. In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, and obtained by THENEWSCREDIT, the lawmakers said they reached the decision to join Adeleke in Accord Party during their parliamentary meeting. “After the parliamentary meeting, they proceeded to the Banquet Hall to meet with the governor and top Accord Party leaders, where the formal declaration was officially made by the Speaker. “They reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Governor, His Excellency Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and their commitment to quality representation, transparency and responsive leadership. “The defecting members also urged their supporters and well-wishers to remain steadfast and join them as they embark on this new political chapter. “They further noted that their decision to join the governor’s party was aimed at ensuring continuity in governance and accelerating development for the people of Osun State,” Tiamiyu’s statement partly read. Tiamiyu further stated, “The members had resigned from the PDP weeks ago,” adding that after “deep reflection and extensive consultations with supporters, political associates and key stakeholders, they resolved to align with Accord. He also said, “The lawmakers are convinced that Accord provides a more stable, inclusive and people-centred platform through which they can continue to serve the people of Osun State.” Emphasising the importance of identifying with a political party that reflects the values they hold dear, Tiamiyu said the lawmakers explained that the move was driven by a determination to advance the collective interests of the people and sustain development across the state. With the defection of the 25 PDP lawmakers, including the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, to Accord, the 26-member Osun Assembly is left with Mr Femi Popoola, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, as the only opposition lawmaker in the House.

OGBOMOSO – In a powerful demonstration of regional solidarity, the Ogbomoso Traditional Rulers Forum has today, February 26, 2026, reaffirmed its "unwavering support" for the leadership of H.I.M. Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orunmogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland. The declaration was made during a press conference following the Forum’s high-level meeting held on Thursday at the Soun’s Palace, Oja’gbo. Speaking on behalf of the gathered monarchs, the Alapa of Okin-Apa, Oba Prof. Akinola Akintola, emphasized that the traditional institution in Ogbomosoland remains a single, indivisible entity. "We are united and speaking with one voice," Oba Akintola stated, dismissing any notions of discord within the ranks. Commending Governor Makinde. The Forum expressed deep appreciation to the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde, for his recent reconstitution of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Specifically, the monarchs lauded the Governor for formally identifying with the arrangement that rotates the council`s leadership among the Olubadan, Soun, and Alaafin. The inclusion of the Aale of Okelerin as a permanent member of the State . The meeting saw a robust turnout of royal fathers representing all five local government areas in Ogbomosoland. Key dignitaries in attendance included HRM Oba Samuel Babatunde, the Aale of Okelerin HRM Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji, the Alajaawa of Ajaawa Oba Bolarinwa Ezekiel Olajide, the Onisapa of Isapa Oba Dr. Solomon Olagoke Akinola, the Oranmiyan of Okoland Oba Michael Oyebunmi Ajayi, the Oloolo of Oolo This collective endorsement marks a significant milestone in the consolidation of traditional authority in the region, reinforcing Oba Ghandi Olaoye’s leadership as the Soun of Ogbomosoland