Michael, the long-awaited biopic of the late pop icon Michael Jackson, has debuted at the top of the North American box office, taking an estimated $97m over its opening weekend, according to industry figures released on Sunday. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate, the film traces Jackson’s journey from child performer to global superstar. The lead role is played by Jaafar Jackson. “ This is a record-shattering opening for a musical biography ,” said David A Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. Gross said audiences have responded positively, describing the film as a “ feel-good , nostalgic appreciation, ” though he noted that critical reception has been less favourable. “ Most critics feel the film is superficial and avoids the complicated parts of the performer’s life ,” he said, adding that a second instalment is already in development. The film, which has also been released in Europe, has earned nearly $220m worldwide so far, according to Exhibitor Relations...

Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have begun construction of a N25bn ecumenical chapel and pilgrimage centre at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The project, which forms part of CAN’s 50th anniversary celebrations, is intended to provide travellers, pilgrims and airport workers with a dedicated space for prayer and reflection, while aligning with efforts to improve passenger experience at the country’s busiest airport. At the groundbreaking ceremony in Abuja on Saturday, CAN President Daniel Okoh, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo outlined the scope and vision of the project. The chapel and pilgrimage centre are expected to be completed and dedicated in October 2026, in time for CAN’s golden jubilee. “ A lot of people have challenges when they travel; people need a place where they can come and regain their calm before they enter the aeroplan...

The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 65-year-old man, Mamuda Hassan, over his alleged involvement in the circulation of counterfeit currency in the state. In a statement on Sunday, the police said the suspect was arrested by operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia, following what they described as credible intelligence. According to the Force public relations officer, Ramhan Nansel, preliminary investigations showed that Hassan was apprehended at a cattle market in Lafia while allegedly trading with fake N1,000 denomination notes. Police said that during interrogation, the suspect confessed that the counterfeit currency was supplied by an accomplice based in Mararaba Akunza, a community on the outskirts of Lafia.  READ ALSO : Man Arrested in Delta for Allegedly Plotting Kidnap of Aunt Who Raised Him Efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the alleged accomplice, the statement added. The Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, ...

Nigerian Navy has deployed 10 warships, two helicopters and specialist maritime assets in a coordinated operation aimed at tackling piracy, sea robbery and illegal trafficking across the Gulf of Guinea. The deployment forms part of Exercise Obangame Express 2026, a multinational maritime security drill designed to strengthen regional cooperation and improve responses to transnational crime at sea. Flagging off the exercise aboard the Nigerian Navy Ship KADA in Onne, Rivers State, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the operation would focus on a broad range of threats, including arms and drug trafficking, crude oil theft and illegal fishing. Speaking through the Chief of Naval Operations, Rear Admiral PE Effah, Abbas said the exercise was initiated in 2010 by the United States Navy in partnership with navies from Gulf of Guinea nations, and has since evolved into a key platform for collective maritime security. " It remains a critical instrument for foster...

The mother of a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Abdulsamad Jamiu, who was killed during a security operation in Abuja, has publicly called for justice following her son’s death. In an emotional video shared on X by Abuja PR, the grieving woman is seen weeping as she speaks about the loss of her son, who died during a crossfire between troops and suspected armed robbers at Shagari Estate in the Dei-Dei area of the capital. " Here we are today, Nigeria has happened to me. I need justice, please ," she said, appealing for accountability over the incident. RoundReports earlier reported that the fatal shooting occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 25 April 2026, when suspected armed robbers attacked the estate, prompting a rapid response by troops of the Guards Brigade. READ ALSO : JAMB Debunks Fake UTME Result Slip On Sunday, the Headquarters Guards Brigade took responsibility for the killing, while describing it as tragic and heartbreaking.  In a s...

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has condemned the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) after a mother claimed she is facing threats to her life and the arrest of people close to her, following a viral video questioning the content of a children’s book.   " It is embarrassing that the Nigeria Police Force has refused to disengage from cases like this. Mrs Mary Queen is the latest victim of the preposterous weaponisation of the police by business owners against consumers .  " She is presently being haunted for publicly reviewing a controversial nursery school English textbook, which she bought for her five-year-old child .  " I have read the passages from the textbook she referenced, I also find them worrisome. Appropriate measures will be taken ,”  he said. The mother, who shared her observation online, said she discovered a disturbing passage in her child’s book describing an old man punishing a dog by burning its nose with a hot iron.  She explained that her in...

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has died after being caught in crossfire during a military response to an armed robbery in the Dei-Dei area of Abuja. The victim, identified as Abdulsamad Jamiu, was fatally injured in the early hours of Saturday, 25 April, during a security incident at Shagari Estate.  Troops from the Guards Brigade were on routine night patrol when they responded to a distress call reporting an armed robbery in progress. According to a statement on Sunday by Lt Olawuyi Odunola, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Guards Brigade, the soldiers came under gunfire on arrival as the suspects attempted to flee.  A brief exchange followed in what the Army described as a " highly volatile " situation. Jamiu was struck during the confrontation and later died from his injuries, despite efforts by the troops to secure the area and prevent further harm to residents.  READ ALSO : JAMB Debunks Fake UTME Result Slip...

Nollywood's Funke Akindele has hit back at claims that she ignored Fuji musician Wasiu Pasuma at a recent public event, describing the allegation as misleading. The claim followed a short video shared on X by a user, @UOladiti, which suggested that Akindele had deliberately avoided greeting Pasuma.  It showed the actress exchanging greetings with fellow actress Fathia Balogun at her birthday celebration while Pasuma was seated nearby. Responding on X on Sunday,  Akindele rejected the narrative, stating that the edited video did not reflect the full sequence of events.  She explained that she had acknowledged Pasuma, greeted him, and danced with him during the occasion. In the brief clip that circulated widely, Pasuma appeared seated at a table, looking at his phone as guests moved around the venue.  READ ALSO : Osinbajo's Option on Prosperity Gospel Sparks Debate The video carried a caption alleging that Akindele had " stylishly snubbed " the Fuji star. However, a lo...

Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company has unveiled its expanded modular refinery in Ohaji-Egbema, Imo State, doubling capacity from 5,000 to 10,000 barrels per day.  The facility, backed by equity investment from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), now produces diesel, Household Kerosene (HHK), Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and naphtha, supplying over 1.1 billion litres of refined products to Nigeria and West Africa since commissioning in 2020. The inspection visit by NCDMB’s Executive Secretary, Engr Felix Omatsola Ogbe, and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Chief Executive, Mr Saidu Mohammed, spotlighted Waltersmith’s role in energy security and local content development.  NCDMB’s Director of Legal Services, Dr Naboth Onyesoh, described the refinery as a model for industrialisation, job creation and import substitution. Waltersmith Chairman, Mr Abdulrazak Isa, announced plans for a 30,000 bpd condensate refin...

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has debunked as fake a purported Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result slip circulating online, which claimed a candidate scored 394 in the 2026 examination. According to JAMB, the slip, shared widely on X, alleged that a female candidate, Okon Winniefred Sampson, achieved 394 out of 400.  In a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, JAMB described the document as fraudulent and worried that such misinformation was being spread even by otherwise well-informed Nigerians. The Board explained that the slip does not match its official format.  It stressed that UTME results are currently accessible only through its official result-checking channels and are strictly " view-only ," making the existence of a downloadable or printed slip at this stage highly suspicious. JAMB further disclosed that the document was generated on a fabricated template, with multiple inconsistencies that expose...