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World Cup US Host Cities Share Concerns as Security Funding Freeze

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Security Funding Freeze Threatens US World Cup Host Cities

United States government officials have received stark warnings of “catastrophic” security risks as nearly $900 million in federal funding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains frozen due to a partial government shutdown.

The funding lapse, which entered its second week on February 14, 2026, has paralyzed safety preparations in 11 host cities, leaving local organizers and law enforcement agencies unable to finalize essential protocols just 107 days before the tournament begins on June 11.

The fiscal deadlock centers on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after Congress failed to reach a bipartisan agreement on immigration enforcement reforms.

While essential services like border patrol remain operational, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operations including the specialized FIFA World Cup grant program have seen critical funding pipelines halted.

During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Tuesday, officials testified that the inability to access these funds has created a dangerous lag in coordination and procurement.

Ray Martinez, the chief operating officer of the Miami World Cup Host Committee, stated that the city may be forced to cancel major auxiliary events, including the official Fan Fest, unless $70 million is released by the end of March.

“We are about 70-something days out from starting to build the Fan Fest,” Martinez noted, adding that local agencies are increasingly anxious as the window for procurement closes.

READ ALSO: FIFA opens priority visa system for 2026 World Cup ticket holders

Similarly, Kansas City Deputy Chief of Police Joseph Mabin reported that his department lacks the personnel to meet the rigorous security requirements for the high-profile matches without federal assistance.

The crisis has led to unprecedented friction between local municipalities and federal authorities. In Foxborough, Massachusetts, town officials have threatened to withhold the entertainment license required for Gillette Stadium to host its seven scheduled matches.

The town, which requested nearly $8 million to cover security and manpower, has set a “drop dead” deadline of March 17. Without a resolution, high-profile fixtures including England’s group stage matches and a tournament quarterfinal face potential relocation.

The frozen funds were initially part of a $625 million grant program launched by FEMA in November 2025 to safeguard players, staff, and millions of international visitors from potential terrorist threats.

In December, an additional $250 million was authorized to bolster defenses against unmanned aircraft systems (drones), a technology deemed critical for securing open-air venues.

However, the suspension of these programs has stalled the deployment of modern surveillance tools and the hiring of private security contractors needed to supplement local police forces.

The 2026 World Cup is a collaborative effort between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the first American match the USA versus Paraguay slated for Los Angeles on June 12.

While preparation in Mexico and Canada proceeds, the U.S. leg faces mounting logistical hurdles. The potential for delays is compounded by the shutdown’s impact on other DHS divisions, such as the TSA, where unpaid agents are already managing an estimated 2.5 million daily passengers.

As the stalemate in Washington continues, host committees emphasize that the security of a global event cannot be managed through last-minute budget allocations.

Stakeholders have noted that while private entities like the Kraft family owners of the New England Patriots have been approached to bridge the funding gap in certain regions, no permanent solutions have emerged.

The House committee concluded the hearing with a warning that without immediate legislative action, the “largest sporting event in history” could be compromised by administrative gridlock

Nigeria’s power sector on brink of collapse — GenCos

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Nigeria’s power sector on brink of collapse — GenCos
blackout

The Association of Power Generation Companies (GenCos) has sounded a distress signal, warning that Nigeria’s power sector is on the verge of collapse due to unpaid capacity payments.

According to the GenCos, they are owed over N6.2 trillion for power generated and consumed, but only 35% of the amount has been paid since 2015, emphasising that the current practice of only recognising called-up capacity (power the discos and transmission can take) and ignoring the capacity component made available presents a wrong signal to international and local investors.

A statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, GenCos, Dr Joy Ogaji, said the situation has led to a significant decrease in power supply, with average grid generation stuck at 4,000MW, despite an installed capacity of 15,500MW.

“This has severely impacted our ability to invest in capacity maintenance and expansion. We’re not getting paid for available capacity, and it is disincentivising us from investing in recovering mechanically unavailable capacity, estimated at 7,000MW.

“Electricity is not stored at the power plants. Once it is produced, electricity leaves the generating plant, is metered, then travels at the speed of light and is consumed within a millisecond. It is a scary scenario for any investor, as no guarantee of any sort is in place to ensure any form of return on investments.

READ ALSO: Electricity workers issue nationwide strike notice to FG

“The lack of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and inefficient transmission and distribution are major challenges. “We’re caught in a vicious cycle of poor performance, and it’s contagious. The current market design, as envisaged, is not reflected adequately in the incentives and enforcement measures for performance. Electricity requires huge investments, recouped over very long periods. How can it operate on a voluntary basis?”

The statement also highlighted that “GenCos have kept to the terms of all industry and privatisation agreements as well as the Power Purchase Agreement since the takeover on the 1st of November 2013. In exchange, they have been rewarded with liquidity challenges, default on contractual terms, regulatory risks, and increased market volatility.”

The GenCos called for urgent reforms to ensure a contract-based electricity market and sanctity of contracts.

“We need a level playing field, where we can operate efficiently and effectively. The sector’s sustainability is at stake, and we urge the government to take immediate action,” the statement concluded.

Dangote Refinery to supply 65m litres of petrol daily

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Dangote Refinery to supply 65m litres of petrol daily

Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has disclosed that the company will supply between 60 and 65 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily to meet national demand.

This will effectively positioning the country for sustained fuel self-sufficiency while exporting up to 20 million litres in surplus.

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the development in Lagos, confirming that a structured offtake agreement has been concluded with selected marketers to ensure nationwide distribution and eliminate supply instability.

“We have agreed on an offtake framework to supply up to 65 million litres daily for the domestic market,” Dangote said. “Any surplus, estimated at between 15 and 20 million litres, will be exported.”

Nigeria’s average daily petrol consumption stands at between 50 and 60 million litres. The refinery’s output, therefore, exceeds current domestic requirements, marking a decisive break from decades of fuel import dependence and recurrent scarcity.

Under a revised distribution framework endorsed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the refinery will channel nationwide supply through major marketing companies, including MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited Retail (NNPC), 11 plc (Mobil Producing Nigeria), TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeria Plc, Rainoil Limited, Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Limited, Ardova Plc, Bovas & Company Limited, AA Rano Nigeria Limited, AYM Shafa Limited, Conoil and Masters Energy.

The structured model is designed to eliminate supply bottlenecks and curb speculative practices that have historically triggered disruptions.

The development signals what industry analysts describe as a significant structural reform in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain. For decades, Africa’s largest crude oil producer relied heavily on imported refined products, exposing the economy to foreign exchange volatility, logistics disruptions and periodic shortages.

READ ALSO: Dangote predicts naira could hit N1,100 to $1 in 2026

With local refining now exceeding national demand, the country stands to conserve billions of dollars annually in foreign exchange previously spent on petrol imports. Analysts say this would ease pressure on the naira, strengthen external reserves, and improve trade balance stability.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari, had during a recent visit to the facility, described the refinery as a transformative national asset capable of redefining Nigeria’s energy security architecture and accelerating industrial growth.

He described the refinery as a source of national pride and an example of Nigeria’s ability to leapfrog legacy industrial constraints through the adoption of best-in-class global technology.

Commending its operational performance, Ojulari said the plant had exceeded expectations.

“This plant was designed for 650,000 barrels per day. None of us thought it would even touch 550,000. What we saw live today was 661,000. These are live parameters, not reports or photographs,” he stated.

Actor Okemesi dies of health complications after hours in coma

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Okemesi

Renowned actor Bamidele Tope Saint, popularly known as Okemesi has passed away.

He died on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, while receiving treatment at a hospital.

According to his colleague Tony Montana, Okemesi fell into a coma due to complications from medication administered at the hospital, ultimately leading to his demise.

Announcing his death, Montana, via an Instagram video, stated that Okemesi’s body has been deposited in the mortuary.

“With a heavy heart, I’m announcing to the world that Okemesi is dead. The doctor pronounced him dead at exactly 11:50 a.m. this morning, February 24, 2026. Okemesi is gone.

“So, on behalf of the entire Bamidele family, I’m announcing to the world that Oluwatope Bamidele Saint Okemesi is dead. We have taken the body to the morgue. I will communicate the rest of the arrangements to you guys. We appreciate every one of you who turned up for him. May God forgive Okemesi and rest his soul,” he stated.

READ ALSO: Nollywood Actor, Okemesi In Coma Following Complications From Drugs

Okemesi was known for his versatility in Yoruba movies and his distinctive humor, often blending English, Yoruba, and his native Ekiti dialect.

His passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans, acknowledging his contributions to Nigerian comedy.

Gunmen Storm Ondo Church, Abduct Five Worshippers

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Gunmen, in the early hours of Wednesday, abducted five worshippers at a church in Uso, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the armed men stormed the church, a branch of the Celestial Church of Christ, at about 1:00 a.m. while a service was ongoing, abducted the worshippers and took them to an unknown destination.

The spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident in a message sent to journalists in Akure on Wednesday.

Jimoh said, “Upon receiving the report, operatives of the command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and local vigilante groups, immediately mobilised to the scene and commenced coordinated rescue operations.”

He further disclosed that one of the victims has been rescued, while one suspect has been apprehended.

“As a result of sustained joint efforts, one of the kidnapped victims has been successfully rescued. Additionally, one suspect linked to the incident has been arrested and has made useful statements that are assisting with ongoing investigations.”

Jimoh added that operations are ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims and the arrest of all perpetrators involved.

READ ALSO: US Congress submits Nigeria report on‘Christian genocide’, recommends sanctions

He urged residents of the area to remain calm, vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and actionable information that may aid ongoing operations.

The latest church attack comes almost four years after the terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in which 41 people were killed and 140 others injured in Ondo State.

Just yesterday, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly arrested the sixth person allegedly involved in the 2022 attack.

The DSS is currently prosecuting five persons — Idris Omeiza (25), Al Qasim Idris (20), Jamiu Abdulmalik (26), Abdulhaleem Idris (25), and Momoh Otuho Abubakar (47) — for allegedly carrying out acts of terrorism.

A security source disclosed that DSS operatives, who had been on his trail for years, arrested the sixth suspect, identified as Sani Yusuf, in the Iguosa community along Powerline in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Ondo State has witnessed a surge in the activities of armed bandits in recent months, with kidnappings on the rise across the South-West state.

On January 26, residents of Ilu-Abo community in Akure North Local Government Area staged a peaceful protest over a recent surge in kidnappings, barricading the Airport–Owo Expressway and causing heavy traffic along the axis.

The protest followed the abduction of a middle-aged woman, Oladeinde Tomilola, who was kidnapped at the entrance of her residence.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants, believed to be armed, shot at her vehicle, damaging its fuel tank and tyres before whisking her away.

During the attack, two neighbours who raised the alarm and attempted to intervene were shot, one in the head and another in the stomach.

Both victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Additionally, a woman and her 11-year-old daughter passing through the area reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries from the gunfire.

Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Adebowale Lawal, visited the community to assess the situation and engage with residents.

According to the police spokesperson in the state, the commissioner “condemned the attack in strong terms and reassured residents that existing security frameworks have been reinforced with additional tactical and intelligence-driven measures to ensure the swift arrest of the perpetrators and to forestall any future occurrence.”

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