Category: Refined Living

The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, has stressed that early detection remains vital in the fight against cancer, while also calling for an urgent review of everyday lifestyle choices, especially dietary habits. Mrs Soludo said cancer has continued to spread widely across households and communities largely due to unhealthy consumption patterns and addictive behaviours. The Anambra First Lady, who is also the founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, made this known in a press statement issued on Wednesday to mark World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4. World Cancer Day is a global awareness initiative dedicated to promoting cancer prevention, early detection, and effective treatment. It is led by the Union for International Cancer Control in support of the World Cancer Declaration adopted in 2008 and recognised by the United Nations. According to her, the goal of the day is to significantly reduce cancer-related illness and deaths while uniting the global community against avoidable suffering linked to the disease. She explained that this year’s theme, United by Unique, encourages a more deliberate and compassionate approach to cancer advocacy, noting that cancer is not only a medical condition but a deeply personal human experience. Soludo said cancer continues to claim lives at an alarming rate, despite growing stories of survival. She noted that the rising figures highlight a growing neglect of routine health checks and healthy living. She emphasised that early detection remains central to effective cancer care, stressing the importance of regular cancer screening. According to her, cancer becomes far more dangerous when diagnosed late, urging people not to delay medical checks but to take proactive steps toward screening. She also highlighted the need to reassess daily lifestyle choices, starting with what people eat, noting that unhealthy consumption habits and addictions have given cancer easy access into many homes and communities. She called for a conscious effort to abandon harmful habits and adopt healthier ways of living. Speaking further on the World Cancer Day theme, Soludo said the campaign calls for collective responsibility, compassion, and support for those living with cancer. She noted that the battle against cancer should not be left to patients alone, describing it as a shared journey of resilience and survival that requires care, love, and community support. She urged the public to support individuals battling the disease in any way possible, stressing that such collective action can make a lasting impact. She also encouraged residents, especially women and mothers, to prioritise their health and overall wellbeing, describing health as the greatest form of wealth and the foundation for a productive life. According to her, adopting a holistic approach to health—covering physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing—can help reduce preventable, lifestyle-related illnesses. She advised people to nourish themselves properly to think clearly, move actively, work effectively, love fully, and rest well.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has seized 27 commercial and private vehicles across the state for breaching loading regulations and road safety requirements. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, and shared on the agency’s official X account. According to the statement, the vehicles were impounded during a coordinated early-morning enforcement exercise carried out after repeated public warnings and sensitisation campaigns. LASTMA said it has launched a comprehensive statewide enforcement drive to curb the dangerous practice of vehicular overloading, in line with its commitment to improving road safety and ensuring strict adherence to traffic laws in Lagos State. The agency explained that the affected vehicles were found to have exceeded approved loading limits and violated established safety standards. The operation was conducted on the directive of the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, following growing concerns about the increasing dangers posed by overloaded vehicles on major highways and busy inner-city roads. Field assessments by enforcement officers, the agency revealed, uncovered widespread unsafe practices, particularly among commercial vehicle operators. LASTMA noted that many motorists were found transporting assorted goods, including bulky and perishable items, improperly stored in vehicle compartments or dangerously placed on rooftops. It warned that such practices impair visibility, affect vehicle stability, and significantly raise the risk of road accidents. The statement quoted the General Manager as describing vehicular overloading as a serious breach of traffic regulations that endangers both offenders and other road users. He condemned the practice of loading commercial buses, private vehicles, and articulated trucks with excessive goods and scrap materials, describing it as dangerous and unacceptable. Bakare-Oki reaffirmed the agency’s zero-tolerance policy toward traffic violations that threaten lives and property, stressing that enforcement actions would continue and be intensified. LASTMA also urged motorists to comply strictly with approved loading capacities and to prioritise safety at all times. The agency further encouraged members of the public to report any commercial or private vehicles violating loading regulations through its toll-free hotline, 0800-005-27862, to enable prompt enforcement and corrective action.

China on Thursday said it would not take part in nuclear negotiations “at this stage,” following the expiration of the New START treaty between the United States and Russia, a development that has raised concerns about a renewed global arms race. Advocacy groups have cautioned that the lapse of the treaty, which ended long-standing limits on the number of nuclear warheads deployed by Washington and Moscow, could prompt China to accelerate the expansion of its own nuclear capabilities. The United States has maintained that any future nuclear arms agreement must include China, but repeated international efforts to draw Beijing into fresh negotiations have so far been unsuccessful. Speaking at a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China has consistently held that progress on arms control and disarmament must be guided by the principle of safeguarding global strategic stability. He stressed that China’s nuclear forces are on a completely different scale compared with those of the United States and Russia, adding that China would not participate in nuclear disarmament talks at this point. The New START treaty officially expired on February 5 after US President Donald Trump did not act on a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend the agreement’s warhead limits for another year. The United States and Russia together possess more than 80 percent of the world’s nuclear warheads, but bilateral arms control agreements have steadily eroded in recent years. While China’s nuclear arsenal is expanding, with estimates placing its strategic nuclear launchers at around 550, this remains well below the cap of 800 launchers previously imposed on both the United States and Russia under New START. Originally signed in 2010, the treaty limited each side to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads, representing nearly a 30 percent reduction from the limits set in 2002. It also provided for mutual on-site inspections of nuclear arsenals, though these inspections were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and have yet to resume.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said the proposed Aba Commercial Smart City—a strategically located Public-Private Partnership investment hub on 140 hectares of land at Osisioma—will, upon completion, reposition Aba as a major industrial centre, driving sustainable economic growth and job creation. The governor made this known on Wednesday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Aba Commercial Smart City and United Market Leaders/Traders in Umuahia. He noted that the project, when fully realised, will significantly transform the state by modernising trade, commerce, manufacturing, and logistics. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Otti explained that the initiative aligns with his administration’s vision of creating prosperity for the people. He assured investment partners, Equatorial Marine Oil and Gas Ltd and EMOG Group, of a conducive business environment, stressing that necessary infrastructure and requirements have been put in place to ensure the smooth take-off and successful execution of the project. According to him, the Aba Commercial Smart City will be a game-changer for Aba and Abia State at large, creating the right atmosphere that attracts investors and stimulates long-term development. Speaking earlier, the Group Managing Director of Aba Commercial Smart City, Professor Chinedu Nebo—represented by the President of the project, Ambassador Osita Offor—described the initiative as the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. He said it represents a bold step towards positioning Abia as a global gateway for commerce and industrial advancement, restoring Aba’s status as Africa’s commercial heartbeat and linking it seamlessly to international trade networks. In a technical presentation, the Manager of Technical Services, Mr David Okoro, explained that the project is anchored on four key innovation pillars: automated manufacturing, medical services, commerce, hospitality and smart housing, logistics efficiency, and smart energy. He added that the smart city is designed as a resilient, technology-driven environment where businesses thrive through intelligence and connectivity. Okoro further disclosed that the integrated e-commerce platform and bonded terminals would ease cross-border trade by allowing importers to carry out transactions remotely, with goods delivered directly to their locations. He said the project’s economic impact would be substantial, boosting the state’s internally generated revenue and creating about 25,000 direct jobs and over 100,000 indirect jobs across construction, ICT, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Also speaking, the Group Vice Chairman and former Inspector General of Police, Dr Mike Okiro, said the project reflects Governor Otti’s commitment to restoring Aba’s long-standing reputation as Nigeria’s commercial and industrial hub. He noted that numerous investors are already committing funds to ensure the timely delivery of the project for the benefit of Abians and Nigerians. Responding to questions from journalists, the President of the Leather Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State, Deacon Confidence Nwobilo, called on government at all levels, as well as foreign and local investors and private sector stakeholders, to invest in the state’s industrial sector. He said such investments would accelerate economic development, create employment opportunities, and increase the state’s GDP.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Monday night—when temperatures fell to -20°C (-4°F)—as “barbaric” and “particularly depraved.” He made the remarks after speaking with US President Donald Trump, following strikes on power plants and critical facilities in Kyiv and other regions. The attacks came after a week-long pause requested by Trump, during which a severe cold gripped Ukraine. Trump noted that Putin “kept his word” during the pause and expressed hope for an end to the conflict. US envoys are meeting Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Abu Dhabi to discuss the details of a proposed peace plan. Following the renewed strikes, more than 1,000 residential buildings in Kyiv were left without heating, and a power plant in Kharkiv was reportedly damaged beyond repair. Residents have been forced to shelter in metro stations, some pitching tents on platforms to stay warm. Authorities are setting up warming centers and importing generators to manage extended blackouts while repair efforts continue. Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Denys Shmyhal, said the country’s energy system remains in a “difficult” state, with Kyiv’s Darnytsia Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant “severely damaged.” Ukraine has repeatedly called on allies for additional missile supplies to defend against attacks. The Ukrainian Air Force reported being targeted by over 100 drones early Wednesday, with strikes affecting 14 locations. Some debris from the attacks caused casualties, including a 68-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man in Dnipropetrovsk, and multiple deaths and injuries in Zaporizhzhia. In Luhansk, a drone attack on a minibus killed a man and a woman, while residential buildings in Odesa were damaged with at least one injury. In Russia, the western Bryansk region governor reported damage to a residential building from a Ukrainian attack, and in Belgorod, authorities are working to restore power and water after earlier strikes. Meanwhile, US envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are meeting Russian and Ukrainian teams in Abu Dhabi to negotiate a peace deal. Key discussions focus on Russian demands for Ukraine to cede remaining territory in the eastern Donbas region, where Russia has made slow progress. The conflict stems from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which has continued despite international efforts to broker a ceasefire.

The Vatican has granted a special apostolic blessing to Enugu-based philanthropist, Mr. SteveMary Kanife, in recognition of his generosity in constructing a Catholic church for the Ezeagu community in Enugu State. The blessing from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was presented to Kanife and his family by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, during the dedication of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ugwetiti, Amansiodo-Oghe, on Sunday. The dedication Mass also included the Sacrament of Confirmation for 74 parishioners. In his homily, Bishop Onaga described the dedication of a church as “a profound way to begin the New Year,” emphasizing that a church is a sacred place meant for prayer and worship alone. “Once a church is dedicated, it ceases to be an ordinary building and becomes the house of God. It must not be treated as a hall for merriment or social activities,” he said. He praised Kanife for completing the project within two years, noting that not everyone is privileged to build a house for God. The bishop also encouraged the Ugwetiti community to maintain the church’s sanctity and urged the newly confirmed parishioners to remain steadfast in their faith. Highlights of the ceremony included Kanife distributing empowerment items to beneficiaries and presenting a new Lexus 330 Jeep to the parish priest, Rev. Fr. John Ugwa. Kanife explained that the vision to build the church came to him in October 2021 during the dedication of his triplets and a thanksgiving ceremony in his village. “I consulted my lawyer and godfather, P.U.P. Onuorah, who advised that we should pray and ask God to provide the resources. If He does, then we proceed,” he said. He added, “We initially planned to stop at a certain stage and let parishioners complete it, but I felt a strong conviction to finish the church for my people.” Kanife encouraged wealthy Nigerians to dedicate their resources to serving God and humanity, noting that his commitment to charity inspired the project.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday affirmed that his administration will not reverse its economic reforms, pledging continued transparency and accountability in governance. He made the remarks while receiving a World Bank delegation led by Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, at the State House in Abuja. Tinubu acknowledged that the reforms were initially difficult but stressed they were necessary to strengthen Nigeria’s economy and expand opportunities for the country’s youth. “Since we embarked on this journey of reform, we have kept our hands on the plow, and we are never going to look back. It was painful and difficult at the start, but those who persevere through challenges ultimately succeed,” Tinubu said. He highlighted the importance of transforming Nigeria’s economy through agricultural mechanisation and support for farmers, calling on the World Bank to assist with establishing mechanisation centres, expanding seedling programmes, and improving access to locally produced fertilisers as the petrochemical industry grows. The President noted that difficult decisions, such as ending the fuel subsidy and unifying the exchange rate, were essential despite causing initial inflationary pressures. “We abandoned subsidies and multiple exchange rates to create a stable currency. The initial inflation spike has now eased, and the naira is stable today,” he said. Tinubu urged the World Bank to explore financing solutions that accelerate growth, reduce intermediaries, manage risk, and develop Nigerians’ skills. “How can we accelerate growth together, build skills, and reduce friction in the system?” he asked. In response, Bjerde praised Tinubu’s steadfast implementation of reforms over the past two years, describing the outcomes as “remarkable and commendable.” She said Nigeria has become a frequent example in her discussions with international leaders, investors, and policymakers. “Many countries slow down or reverse reforms in difficult times, but Nigeria has remained steady, giving confidence and clarity,” Bjerde said. She highlighted that under World Bank President Ajay Banga, the institution aligns its strategies with member countries’ national visions, using Nigeria’s $1tn GDP target and seven per cent growth goal as a framework for support. She emphasised job creation as central, noting Africa’s growing population will require 600 million additional jobs by 2050. Bjerde also highlighted infrastructure development as a priority, citing Nigeria’s relatively low infrastructure spending per GDP and the need for both public and private solutions. She praised agricultural innovations and pledged support to scale them through mechanisation, cooperatives, and value chain integration. Addressing the financing gap for small and medium-sized enterprises, she noted these businesses are vital for job creation but often struggle to access funding. She also commended Nigeria’s early childhood development and stunting-reduction strategies as potential entry points for World Bank support. Bjerde disclosed that the World Bank’s public sector portfolio in Nigeria totals about $17bn, while the International Finance Corporation has expanded private sector operations to roughly $5bn annually. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency provides over half a billion dollars in risk guarantees and insurance, with plans to expand. She revealed that a new Development Policy Operation is being prepared to support Nigeria’s budget in line with the government’s reform agenda. “Your reform-oriented approach makes this the perfect instrument, linking our support directly to your policy goals,” she said. Bjerde concluded by noting Nigeria’s strong position internationally as a model for reform and private sector development, highlighting the importance of digital initiatives for youth employment. “Nigeria is consistently top of mind when international observers and investors look at Africa,” she said.

Britain’s former Prince Andrew has moved from his Windsor residence to a royal estate in eastern England, amid renewed scrutiny over his links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to the BBC. Now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the 65-year-old ex-royal has faced growing pressure to address his appearances in newly released documents by the US Justice Department related to Epstein. Andrew left Royal Lodge on Monday. Buckingham Palace declined to confirm the move. He had lived at the property near Windsor Castle with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, for nearly two decades. He is now staying temporarily at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, with plans to eventually move into a permanent residence at Marsh Farm, currently undergoing renovations. The pressure on Andrew, younger brother of King Charles III, intensified after a new batch of Epstein files was released, showing photos of the then-prince kneeling over a woman and emails inviting Epstein to Buckingham Palace for “private” discussions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for Andrew to testify before the US Congress regarding his knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Another Epstein victim has alleged through her lawyer that the financier sent her to the UK in 2010 to have sex with Andrew at Royal Lodge. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing. In 2022, he settled a multimillion-pound lawsuit with another Epstein accuser, Virginia Giuffre, without admitting guilt. Giuffre died by suicide last year. Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 due to his alleged ties to Epstein, who died by suicide in prison that same year while awaiting trial for sex crimes against minors.

The United States has deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria, marking the first official US military presence on the ground since airstrikes targeted terrorist positions on Christmas Day 2025. The deployment follows airstrikes ordered in December 2025 by former President Donald Trump against what he described as “Islamic State targets” in the country, with further US military action in Nigeria indicated at the time. Prior to the strikes, the US had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support ahead of the December operations. The current deployment comes after an agreement between the Nigerian government and Washington to enhance cooperation against growing terrorist threats in West Africa. Head of the U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said on Tuesday, “This has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States.” He did not provide details on the team’s size or specific roles but confirmed it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts. Defence Minister Christopher Musa also acknowledged the team’s presence without elaborating further. Security sources suggest the American personnel are likely engaged in intelligence gathering and assisting Nigerian forces in operations against groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. Nigeria has faced pressure from Washington over its handling of terrorist attacks, particularly following Trump’s accusations that the government failed to protect Christians in the northwest — claims the Nigerian government has rejected. The federal authorities emphasise that their military operations target all armed groups attacking civilians, irrespective of religion.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced the appointment of Loknath Mishra as Chief Executive Officer of its United Kingdom subsidiary, effective 2 February 2026. The appointment underscores UBA Group’s commitment to expanding its international presence and reinforcing its role as a key financial bridge between Africa and global markets. UBA UK plays a pivotal role within the group’s international network, supporting African corporates, financial institutions, sovereigns, and global partners through correspondent banking, trade finance, transaction banking, and treasury services. As CEO, Mishra will focus on positioning UBA UK as a centre of excellence for regulatory compliance and customer service, strengthening financial resilience through diversified income and liquidity sources, and enhancing UBA’s leadership in trade, transaction, and correspondent banking to support business flows to and from Africa. Mishra brings decades of international banking experience across retail, corporate, investment, and transaction banking, with a distinguished track record of building and leading regulated banking platforms in the UK and Europe. Commenting on the appointment, UBA Group Managing Director/CEO Oliver Alawuba said, “Loknath brings exceptional global banking experience, regulatory credibility, and deep expertise in wholesale and transaction banking. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing UBA UK as a flagship subsidiary and strengthening our capacity to support trade and investment flows between Africa and international markets.” Alawuba added that the appointment reflects UBA’s continued investment in building a world-class international banking franchise to drive Africa’s economic integration into the global economy. Mishra, on his part, expressed delight at the appointment, saying, “I am honoured to join UBA at a time of significant opportunity for the group. UBA’s unique role in connecting Africa to global markets is compelling and strategically important. I look forward to strengthening UBA UK’s platform and supporting clients in unlocking growth across Africa and beyond.” Before joining UBA UK, Mishra was Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Bank UK, where he enhanced the bank’s presence in the UK and European markets while strengthening governance, regulatory engagement, and operational resilience. He also held senior roles at ICICI Bank Limited, including Group Head of Wholesale Banking and Global Head of Transaction Banking, contributing to the expansion of the bank’s global wholesale franchise and leading customer-focused transformation initiatives. Mishra is recognised for his leadership in complex regulatory environments, driving digital innovation in trade finance, cash management, and retail banking, and was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London for his contributions to financial services.