Author: ekospotlightnews

Team Nigeria has won the Gold Award in the Middle School Group Category at the 2026 Spelling Bee World Cup held in Shanghai, China, marking a historic achievement for the country. The victory was confirmed by the Nigeria Spelling Bee and Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin, which announced that its students, Maryam Yusuf and Abdurrahman Yusuf, also won medals at the global competition. Nigeria’s four-member team comprised Oluwadamilola Adeolu of St. Lawrence Metropolitan College, Ado-Ekiti; Abdurrahman Yusuf and Maryam Yusuf of Ar-Raheem International College, Ilorin; and Chinedu Okediachi of Madonna International Schools, Asaba. The tournament marked Nigeria’s first-ever participation in the…

Lagos State has strengthened its reputation as a leader in subnational governance after playing a key role at the AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria Subnational Alignment Meeting held in Kigali, Rwanda. The meeting, organised in partnership with the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, brought together stakeholders to align national and state development plans with the African Union’s development agenda. Representing Lagos State were Oluwatoyin Atanda-Rufai, Senior Special Assistant on Establishments and Training and Lagos State Coordinator for AUDA-NEPAD, alongside Mrs. Afsat Lawal, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget. Working with Committee…

The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has dismissed reports of a leadership crisis in its Lagos State chapter, describing them as false and misleading. The union reaffirmed the resolutions reached at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on April 24, 2026, confirming that Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez remains the duly recognised Lagos State Chairman under the leadership of National President Comrade Damola Adeniran. It stressed that any announcement claiming a change in leadership is invalid. As part of efforts to protect the union from external interference, AUATON announced disciplinary measures against some members. Comrade Kolawole Aina was suspended…

Two of the three siblings abducted while transporting their mother’s body from Abuja to Benue State for burial have regained their freedom, while one remains in captivity. The siblings were kidnapped around 4 a.m. on Saturday between Omutele and Ankpechi along the Ogobia-Otukpo Road in Oglewu District, Ohimini Local Government Area, as they travelled to Iklenyi community in Okpokwu LGA for their mother’s burial. A local source said the kidnappers released two of the victims on Saturday night and also abandoned their mother’s corpse to allow the family proceed with the burial. However, one sibling is still being held by…

Spain have been crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 following extra time in a thrilling final at the New York New Jersey Stadium, United States. After a fiercely contested encounter ended goalless in regulation time, substitute Ferran Torres emerged the hero by scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute, securing Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title and their first since 2010. The final showcased tactical discipline, defensive resilience, and moments of brilliance from both sides. Argentina, who entered the match as defending champions, fought valiantly despite being reduced to ten men…

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has been elected the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), defeating two other senior lawyers in the association’s 2026 national election. Announcing the results in Abuja on Sunday, Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), Aham Ejelam, SAN, said Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes (47.18%), ahead of Lateef Akangbe, SAN, who polled 7,934 votes (30.39%), while Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, received 5,855 votes (22.43%). A total of 26,106 votes were cast in the election, which experienced delays due to technical issues and a cyberattack. With the victory, Badejo-Okusanya will serve a…

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…