Celtic coach Martin O'Neill has publicly discussed the fitness issues affecting Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho, citing them as the primary reason for the player's limited time on the pitch and casting uncertainty over his future at the club. This revelation comes as the player, a key figure for the Nigerian national team, faces a critical period in his club career. The coach's comments highlight the physical demands of top-level football and the challenges players face in maintaining peak condition.
While sports news captures attention, significant economic developments are unfolding at home. The latest figures from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics indicate that Nigeria's non-oil export sector recorded a healthy rise in revenue despite severe security challenges. These challenges are described as being occasioned by the occupation of forests and farmlands by armed criminals, a persistent issue affecting agricultural and economic activities across several regions.
The NBS data reveals a staggering financial performance. By September 2025, the export of unprocessed raw materials fetched the nation N2.9 trillion. This figure represents a massive increase compared to the N1.174 trillion recorded in the same period of September 2024. The year-on-year growth calculates to approximately 147.4 per cent, showcasing a dramatic acceleration in non-oil export earnings.
To understand the full scale of this surge, a longer-term view is necessary. The N2.9 trillion revenue for September 2025 is also more than five times the N564.73 million recorded back in September 2023. This exponential growth over a two-year period suggests a significant, though raw material-dependent, shift in Nigeria's export economy, potentially reducing reliance on volatile oil markets.
In a related regulatory context, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, has defended an unspecified ban as a necessary intervention. While the specific product or substance is not detailed in the claims, her statement underscores the government's ongoing role in regulating exports and local markets to ensure standards and safety, which can impact trade flows.
On the political front, a local statement from Igbo-Eze South in Enugu State signals internal party dynamics. A representative declared that 'Igbo-Eze South is ready to provide support to the party, translating state and federal gains into tangible local impact, while contributing meaningfully to the stability, growth and electoral strength of the APC in Enugu State.' This points to efforts to consolidate political gains at the grassroots level.
These domestic stories unfold against a backdrop of significant international military action. According to verified reports, the U.S. and Israel launched blistering attacks on Iran on Saturday, February 28, an operation that former U.S. President Donald Trump dubbed 'Epic Fury.' This action appears to contrast with promises made during Trump's political comeback. In his election night victory speech in November 2024, Trump told supporters, 'I am not going to start a war. I am going to stop wars.'
He expanded on this theme in his subsequent inaugural address, stating, 'We will measure our success not only by the battles we win but also by the wars that we end – and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into.' However, verified factual reports indicate that in his first year back in office, military actions were taken in seven countries: Yemen, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, and Venezuela. This list includes Nigeria, directly connecting these global security policies to the African continent and raising questions about the scope and impact of foreign military engagements on national sovereignty and local security challenges.
