General News
Grief in Tehran: Victims of War Laid to Rest Amid Rising Death Toll
Grief-stricken families gathered in Tehran as victims of the ongoing war in Iran were laid to rest, with emotional scenes unfolding at the country’s largest cemetery, Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery.
According to reports, mourners wept openly as coffins of those killed in recent strikes were lowered into freshly dug graves, highlighting the growing human toll of the conflict. Families clutched photographs of their loved ones, many of them young men killed in missile and air attacks that have intensified in recent weeks.
Iranian officials say more than 1,300 people have been killed since the war began in late February, following large-scale airstrikes targeting Tehran and other cities.
At the cemetery, gravediggers worked continuously to prepare new burial plots as the number of casualties increased. Entire sections of the burial ground have been filled with new graves, turning the site into a focal point of national mourning.
Among those mourning was a mother who lost her 23-year-old son in a blast at a military training facility just days before he was due to return home. Her story has become symbolic of the personal tragedies behind the rising death toll.
Many of the victims include members of Iran’s security forces as well as civilians caught in the strikes. Funeral gatherings have been marked not only by sorrow but also by anger, with some mourners blaming the United States and its allies for the deaths while expressing defiance in the face of continued attacks.
The burials come as the broader conflict continues to escalate across the Middle East, raising fears of further casualties and deepening humanitarian consequences for civilians on all sides.
General News
Sapele Council Unveils ₦13.07bn ‘Budget of Reassurance’ Focused on Infrastructure and Economic Relief
The Sapele Local Government has presented a proposed ₦13.07 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, aiming to stimulate economic relief and accelerate visible development across the council area. The proposal, delivered by Chairman Bright Abeke to the council’s Legislative Arm on Tuesday, represents a nearly 10% increase from the 2025 revised estimate of ₦11.77 billion.
Tagged the “Budget of Reassurance,” the plan prioritizes grassroots development and is structured to address the economic challenges faced by residents. A key feature is the focus on capital projects, with ₦7.00 billion earmarked for infrastructure, roads, healthcare, and community facilities surpassing the ₦6.39 billion allocated for recurrent expenditure.
Chairman Abeke stressed that increased investment in capital projects would not only improve public services but also stimulate local economic activity and deliver long-term benefits, particularly to underserved communities.
Funding for the budget is projected from federal statutory allocations of ₦5.12 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) of ₦1.65 billion, internally generated revenue of ₦526.08 million, and additional state allocations and grants. Abeke expressed confidence that these sources, combined with disciplined fiscal management, would ensure successful implementation.
Reviewing 2025 achievements, the chairman highlighted completed projects including the construction of Okuovu Market, renovation of Oton Health Centre, installation of 13 electricity transformers across 11 wards, a two-storey school building, and improvements along the Sapele/Warri road corridor. The council also supported security agencies to maintain peace and stability.
The Legislative Arm formally adopted the 2026 budget after motions by Oyibu Efe and Christopher Ayomanor, with Presiding Officer Azu Samuel praising the proposal’s structure and committing to prompt legislative consideration.
The budget outlines ₦2.89 billion for personnel costs, ₦2.58 billion for overheads, and ₦925 million for pensions and gratuities, reflecting the council’s commitment to staff welfare.
While the focus on capital projects has been widely welcomed, residents noted concerns about heavy reliance on federal allocations, emphasizing the need for effective execution to ensure tangible improvements in infrastructure and public services.
If successfully implemented, the “Budget of Reassurance” is expected to deliver meaningful development and economic relief for the people of Sapele.
The Federal Government has officially declared Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr festivities.
The announcement was made by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, who congratulated Muslim faithful across the country on completing the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, the minister urged Nigerians to uphold the core values of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice virtues that define Ramadan beyond the fasting period.
Tunji-Ojo further encouraged citizens of all faiths to use the festive period to pray for national peace, unity, and sustained progress, emphasizing that collective responsibility is key to the country’s stability.
He also called on the public to celebrate responsibly and extend kindness to the less privileged, in keeping with the spirit of the season.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has defended the sweeping reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying they are critical to securing Nigeria’s long-term stability rather than short-term political gains.
Speaking on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja while receiving leaders of Working People United, Gbajabiamila said the administration’s policy direction reflects a deliberate resolve to confront deep-rooted structural challenges facing the country.
He acknowledged that the reforms may pose immediate difficulties for Nigerians but described them as necessary corrections to longstanding economic and governance issues that had been neglected over the years.
“Leadership is about making tough decisions that may not be popular in the short term but are ultimately in the best interest of the nation,” he said, noting that President Tinubu has shown the courage to implement policies previous administrations avoided.
Gbajabiamila added that national conversations are gradually shifting from questioning the necessity of the reforms to focusing on their implementation, an indication, he said, that the measures are gaining broader acceptance.
He likened the reform process to a transition phase that often comes with initial discomfort but leads to long-term stability and sustainability.
The Chief of Staff also commended WOPU’s approach to engagement, describing it as constructive and focused on collaboration rather than confrontation. He noted that such partnerships are essential for strengthening governance and fostering inclusive development.
He assured the group of the Presidency’s willingness to work with stakeholders committed to promoting unity, economic growth, and national progress.
In his remarks, the Coordinator-General of WOPU, Williams Akporeha, said the organisation represents a broad coalition of Nigerian workers, including artisans, professionals, entrepreneurs, farmers, transporters, and youths.
Akporeha stressed that cooperation between government and organised groups is key to strengthening democratic institutions and building public trust, adding that WOPU is mobilising nationwide support to sustain ongoing reforms.
He talked about the group’s presence across all states, local government areas, and wards, positioning it as a grassroots platform for advocacy and civic engagement.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and partnership as Nigeria continues to navigate its current phase of economic and institutional reforms.