Today’s Headlines:‘I have asked God to take me when it is time’ – Pete Edochie on health struggles, Nigerians dislike President Tinubu, may re-elect him in 2027 – British newspaper

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie recently spoke about his ongoing health challenges while visiting an ailing colleague named Emmanuel in Accra, Ghana, as part of his legacy tour. He shared these personal details to offer consolation and solidarity during the meeting.Edochie explained that walking has become difficult for him and that he often wakes up with swelling in parts of his body, which later subsides, noting that his hand was swollen at the time of speaking. Despite these issues, he expressed hope that he would recover.He added that he has asked God, as the giver of life, to take him whenever the time is right so that he does not become a burden to his family or those around him.

The British newspaper The Economist has observed that many Nigerians dislike President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing struggles with a high cost of living and ongoing insecurity. Despite this unpopularity, the paper suggests he may still secure re-election in the January 16, 2027, presidential election, noting that his apparent lack of concern ahead of the vote reflects Nigeria’s complex electoral dynamics more than any strong personal support. In related comments, President Tinubu used his Independence Day address to declare that the era of difficulties has ended and prosperity lies ahead, while firmly ruling out any return of the fuel subsidy. Petrol prices currently stand between ₦1,370 and ₦1,450 per litre following the subsidy’s removal in May 2023.

Opposition figures have challenged these claims, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress dismissing the prosperity pledge as a “Yahoo Yahoo promise” and pledging to restore the fuel subsidy if elected. Atiku, Peter Obi of the New Nigeria People’s Party, and around 15 other candidates are among those seeking to unseat Tinubu in the upcoming contest.

The Ondo State Competition and Consumer Protection Agency (ODCCPA) has warned non-governmental organisations allegedly impersonating officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) against extorting traders and sealing business premises across the state.

The Executive Chairman of the agency, Oluyemi Fasipe, issued the warning in a statement on his X handle on Friday, following reports of some NGOs allegedly parading themselves as FCCPC officials and demanding payments from traders and business owners.

According to Fasipe, the groups were allegedly collecting money under the guise of “FCCPC registration” and “consumer protection levy.”

𝗘𝘅-𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝗔𝗘

The son of former Chelsea midfielder Eddie Newton has died after embarking on a desert hike in the United Arab Emirates despite his wife’s pleas not to go, an inquest has heard.

As reported by the BBC News on Friday, Cassius Newton, 34, was found dead in the mountainous Wadi Naqab region of the UAE on July 18, hours after he last spoke with his wife.

His friend, Aran Martinson, also died after the pair set out on the hike at about 07:00 local time.

Essex Coroner’s Court heard that Newton had called his wife at around 02:00 to inform her of their plans, but she urged him not to go because of the extreme heat.

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