Author: ekospotlightnews

Two firefighters are receiving treatment after collapsing while battling a fire that engulfed the top floor of a three-storey residential building in the Ketu-Ikosi area of Lagos State on Sunday. According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the fire broke out at about 6:31 a.m. at No. 11, Ademola Taiwo Street and was traced to an electrical surge from a prepaid meter before spreading to the building’s top floor. LASEMA said its Tiger Squad, working alongside the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, quickly contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the adjoining twin building and nearby…

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has penned a heartfelt message to fans ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, describing his journey with the national team as more meaningful than the trophies he has won. In a message shared by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X, Messi said the greatest part of his international career has been the memories, challenges, and experiences shared with his teammates rather than the titles alone. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner praised the strong bond within the Argentina squad, thanking his teammates, coaching staff, and everyone behind the scenes for helping build what he…

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) have opposed the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Bill, 2026, which seeks to ban preaching, hawking and trading in commercial vehicles. The Senate passed the bill on Thursday, proposing a N50,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment, or both, for offenders. The legislation also introduces the same penalties for motorists who refuse to cooperate with FRSC officials during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion. The bill is currently awaiting presidential assent. Reacting to the development, the CCN said while it supports efforts to…

Three siblings travelling from Abuja to Benue State with the remains of their late mother have reportedly been abducted by suspected gunmen in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. The victims were said to be conveying their mother’s body to Iklenyi community in Okpokwu Local Government Area for burial when they were attacked in the early hours of Saturday, July 18, along the Ogobia–Otukpo Road between Omutele and Ankpechi villages in Oglewu District. According to eyewitnesses, the family’s vehicle developed a mechanical fault around 2:00 a.m., leaving them stranded. After resuming their journey, they reportedly ran into armed men…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday led prominent dignitaries to a special ceremony organised by the Urhobo & Isoko Elites in Lagos to honour the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Engr. Samuel Egube, HCIB, FNSE, for his outstanding leadership and dedicated public service. The event celebrated Egube’s significant contributions to the development of Lagos State and the advancement of the Urhobo and Isoko communities. Governor Sanwo-Olu’s presence highlighted the importance of the occasion and reflected the high regard for the honouree’s professionalism, integrity, and commitment to governance. A major highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of…

The viral photo of Lionel Messi bathing a baby Lamine Yamal is real—not AI or digitally altered. The image was taken in 2007 during a UNICEF charity calendar photo shoot organised by Barcelona Foundation and Catalan newspaper SPORT to raise funds for children. At the time, Messi was 19 years old, while Yamal was just three months old after his family won a UNICEF raffle to feature with a Barcelona first-team player. The draw happened to pair them with Messi. Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the now-famous image, described the moment as “a miracle,” recalling that Messi, who had never…

The United States Department of State has advised its citizens against travelling to 23 countries, placing them under its highest travel advisory, Level 4: Do Not Travel. In an updated advisory shared on Thursday via the department’s TravelGov X account, the US said Level 4 is issued to countries where security conditions are extremely dangerous or where the US government’s ability to assist its citizens is severely limited. According to the department, “These places are dangerous. Do not go for any reason.” The countries on the Level 4 list are Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Myanmar (Burma), Central African Republic, Chad,…

The Lagos State Government has disbursed ₦1.08 billion in accrued pension rights to 648 retirees across its public service, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare and financial security of retired workers. Speaking at the 115th Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, announced that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the release of ₦1,081,535,589.42 for retirees from the Mainstream Civil Service, Local Governments and LCDAs, LASUBEB, TESCOM, and other state government agencies. Agoro described the payment as another demonstration of the governor’s commitment to rewarding years of dedicated public…

The Federal Government has renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway, with Minister of Works David Umahi saying the move recognises President Bola Tinubu’s vision for the landmark project, which he conceived about 27 years ago as Governor of Lagos State.Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, Umahi said the decision was made by the Ministry of Works in consultation with its leadership. He described the 750-kilometre coastal highway as a transformative infrastructure project, noting that its first phase—a 47.47-kilometre six-lane carriageway from Victoria Island to Lekki—features a 25-metre median reserved for a future…

The Senate has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing tougher penalties for several traffic-related offences, including a N50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial buses. The bill has now been forwarded to the President for assent. The proposed legislation is aimed at improving road safety by reducing distractions for drivers and strengthening compliance with traffic regulations. Under the bill, anyone found preaching, selling goods or engaging in hawking activities inside commercial vehicles will be liable to a N50,000 fine upon conviction. The amendment also introduces stricter penalties for motorists who…