Odita Sunday 
SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2026
VOL. 1 • NO. 19 • WORLD & AFRICA EDITION
TRENDING IN THE LAST 36 HOURS
WORLD • HEALTH
Pope Leo XIV to Appear in Public After Lung Surgery; Doctors Say Lung Is Recovering Well
The Vatican says Pope Leo XIV was diagnosed with lung cancer after about 90 minutes of surgery, and that doctors have found his operated lung recovering well, with normal post-operative tests. TVC reports he will make his first public appearance since the operation on Sunday. This confirms the diagnosis that we carried earlier this week as a single-outlet report.
AFRICA • EAST & SOUTHERN
Kenya’s Economy Grew 5.1% in Second Quarter, Beating Forecast
Kenya’s second-quarter GDP growth was 5.1 per cent, above the 4.6 per cent forecast, according to data released on Friday. Elsewhere, Kenya’s Ebola contact tracing continues after a second confirmed case, and a UN official told a Nairobi meeting that Africa needs a stronger voice in global decision-making.
Fishing families in Igbokoda, Ondo State, are also struggling about 1,500 members of the Ilaje Fishermen Association say they have lost income since the 5 October air crash, the association chairman told Punch. This is reported testimony, not an official assessment.
NIGERIA • AVIATION
Aircraft Loses Door Mid-Air and Declares Mayday at Abuja Airport
A private jet lost a door in flight and declared a mayday at Abuja airport on Friday, causing panic. TVC reports the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau recovered the door and confirmed nine people were on board. Details of the cause have not been released.
NIGERIA • ELECTIONS
Tinubu Nominates Four INEC Commissioners; Kwankwaso Leads Kano Protest Over INEC Omission
President Tinubu on Friday nominated four national commissioners and two Resident Electoral Commissioners to fill INEC vacancies ahead of the 2027 elections. In Kano, Rabiu Kwankwaso led Kwankwasiyya supporters in a protest over an INEC omission, according to Naija News headlines.
Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji was sworn in for a second term, with Vice President Shettima saying the result reflects voters’ confidence. Cross River’s PDP chairman resigned. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed of the PRP responded to reports that Tinubu plans to skip some campaigning.
NIGERIA • SECURITY
Five Arrested Over Abduction of 20 NYSC Members; DSS Holds Maina’s Son
The DSS, military and police arrested five suspects linked to the abduction of 20 NYSC members in Imo State, which happened on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day. Separately, the DSS arrested the son of fugitive Faisal Abdulrasheed Maina, who had been on the run for five years, and handed him to the EFCC.
A court sentenced a Boko Haram terrorist to 30 years in prison. Bandits abducted a councillor and his two sons in Kaduna. Gunmen ambushed immigration officers in Niger State, killing one, and Boko Haram and soldiers exchanged gunfire in Borno for two hours. In Rivers, police removed a divisional police officer after suspected cultists renovated a police outpost.
NIGERIA • TRAGEDY
Edo Mourns Oluku Fire Victims as Governor Pledges to Rebuild Market
Former governor Godwin Obaseki mourned the victims of the Oluku fire and called for better safety standards, while Governor Monday Okpebholo pledged to rebuild the burnt market and support those affected, Naija News reports. Earlier reports said tanker explosions in Edo and Rivers states killed five and injured 31 after people rushed to scoop spilled fuel; the full toll has not been confirmed.
NIGERIA • ECONOMY
World Bank Plan Targets $5.79bn Private Financing; Power Minister Rules Out Tariff Hike
President Tinubu welcomed a World Bank plan to mobilise $5.79 billion in private financing for Nigeria, TVC reports. Power Minister Joseph Tegbe said there are no plans to raise electricity tariffs and broke ground on five mini-grids totalling 17.7 MW in Oyo State.
Food inflation fell to 19.59 per cent, with Lagos, Imo and Ondo recording the highest rates; headline inflation was 14.63 per cent. The 364-day Treasury-bill stop rate rose to 15.85 per cent at the 7 October auction, a sign the government is paying more to borrow. Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola unveiled the gazetted Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency Act 2026.
NIGERIA • SOCIETY
Anger Over Toluwanisings’ Death; UCH Denies He Was Brought There; Church Suspends Archbishop Ibezim
Public anger followed the death of gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, known as Toluwanisings, amid allegations by his aide that hospitals turned him away. The University College Hospital denied he was brought to its facilities. Organisers have cancelled or postponed music shows in his honour. These claims have not been independently resolved.
The Church of Nigeria suspended Awka Bishop and Metropolitan Archbishop Alexander Ibezim and directed him to take six months’ leave, citing investigations into allegations including an alleged ₦2 billion land sale, Premium Times reports. A conference of law-reform commissions called for stronger state powers and local-government autonomy. Ogun State’s governor announced support for 10,000 farmers, and Enugu will begin gratuity payments the week of 19 October.
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