Gators' Chinyelu Aims to Fix Teeth, Too Florida center Rueben Chinyelu is making waves both on the court and in the classroom, balancing his role as a dominant force in the paint with his academic pursuits. The 6-foot-10 junior from Nigeria is the second player in Southeastern Conference history to earn scholar-athlete of the year and defensive player of the year honors in the same season, following in the footsteps of former Florida standout Patric Young from 2014. Chinyelu, a double major in biology and sociology, aspires to become a dentist—a goal that seems oddly fitting for a player whose physical presence often leads to opponents losing their teeth in the game. Chinyelu maintains a 3.48 GPA, a testament to his dedication to academics, while also excelling in basketball. His versatility on the court is evident in his ability to dominate in the paint, rebound, and defend with relentless intensity. Ranked third nationally in rebounding, he averages 11.5 boards per game and is on track to become the first Florida player in 50 years to record a double-double average in a season. His 11.2 points per game further highlight his all-around contributions. As Florida aims to reclaim the national championship title, Chinyelu’s physicality and defensive prowess are critical to the team’s success. While fellow big men Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon offer scoring depth, and point guards Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee ensure smooth ball movement, Chinyelu’s ability to wear down opponents and control the tempo of games sets the tone. Coach Todd Golden praised his impact, noting that Chinyelu’s presence forces teams to adjust their strategies and creates a downhill flow for the Gators. The Gators’ 18-0 record when Chinyelu records a double-double underscores his value to the team.#florida #nigeria #rueben_chinyelu #sean_golden #hakeem_olajuwon
British Royals Showcase Royal Jewels at State Banquet for Nigerian Leaders King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Wednesday evening for President and Mrs. Tinubu of Nigeria, marking a historic occasion. The event was the first time in nearly a century that a British monarch had welcomed a Muslim head of state during Ramadan, with the iftar banquet following a tradition last seen when King George V hosted the King of Afghanistan in 1928. Queen Camilla opted for a classic gala look, donning a white gown paired with the sash and star of the Order of the Garter and the King’s Royal Family Order. Her jewelry included the late Queen’s Belgian Sapphire Tiara, Cartier bracelets from the Queen Mother’s collection, and a diamond serpent necklace inherited from her grandmother, Sonia Keppel Cubitt. The most notable pieces were her sapphire and diamond earrings, believed to be from the George VI Sapphire Parure. These earrings, designed for pierced ears, raised questions about whether they were adapted for Camilla’s preference for clip-style jewelry. The late Queen’s 1961 dinner for President and Mrs. Kennedy, where she wore the same earrings with a coordinating necklace and bracelet, highlighted the historical significance of the Victorian-era set. Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, echoed the blue tones of her order sash by wearing sapphire and diamond fringe earrings from the Queen Mother’s collection. She also donned Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, a piece commissioned by Mary in 1913 and later worn by Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales. The choice of tiara, paired with Diana’s earrings for the morning’s welcome ceremony, was interpreted as a subtle tribute to William’s mother and grandmother.#nigeria #queen_camilla #king_charles_iii #windsor_castle #tinubu
International Friendlies: Nigeria Names 23 Players for Matches Against Iran and Jordan Head Coach Eric Chelle has selected 23 Nigerian players for the upcoming international friendly matches against Iran and Jordan, which have been relocated to Antalya, Turkey. The fixtures, originally scheduled in Amman, Jordan, were moved due to ongoing military conflict in the region. The Nigerian team will face Iran on March 27 at 4 p.m. local time and Jordan on March 31 at 8 p.m. local time, both games taking place in Antalya. The squad includes team captain Wilfred Ndidi, midfielder Alex Iwobi, and forward Ademola Lookman. Chelle has also called up Italy-based goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, midfielder Frank Onyeka, and forwards Simon Moses, Samuel Chukwueze, Akor Adams, and Paul Onuachu. Scotland-based defender Emmanuel Oluwasegun Fernandez, Germany-based forward Philip Otele, and Belgium-based Collins Yira Sor, a former junior international, are among the new additions to the squad. Greece-based goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo has also returned to the fold. The 23-player list includes goalkeepers Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy), Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece), and Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus). Defenders Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece), Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), and Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland) are also named. Midfielders Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England), Frank Onyeka (Coventry FC, England), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy) are included.#nigeria #eric_chelle #wilfred_ndidi #alex_iwobi #ademola_lookman
MSC realigns Uswasa service MSC has announced a strategic realignment of its unique USA-Africa Uswasa service, aimed at optimizing its West African network. The carrier has shifted the Ivory Coast port call from San Pedro to Abidjan, marking a significant adjustment in its route structure. The revised service rotation establishes a direct connection between major US East Coast hubs and key African markets. The new port sequence includes Lagos (Tin Can), Nigeria; Durban, South Africa; Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Cape Town, South Africa; and Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The service concludes with a return to New York, USA. This adjustment is designed to enhance efficiency and improve connectivity across the region. By consolidating port calls and streamlining the route, MSC aims to better serve its customers while adapting to evolving trade demands. The changes reflect the carrier’s ongoing efforts to refine its global logistics network and maintain competitiveness in the transatlantic shipping sector.#south_africa #nigeria #msc #uswasa_service #ivory_coast
Abdul Samad Rabiu’s net worth surged 120% to $11.2 billion following a 135% rise in BUA Cement shares, positioning him as the third wealthiest individual in Africa according to Forbes’ 2026 list. The sharp increase in BUA Cement’s stock price reflects a broader rally in Nigerian industrial assets, driven by improving foreign exchange stability, stronger construction demand, and renewed investor confidence in African markets. This surge highlights the potential for growth in African industrials, particularly as currency pressures ease and infrastructure projects gain momentum. The rise in BUA Cement shares is attributed to factors such as policy clarity, favorable exchange rate conditions, and signals of increased capital expenditure. These elements have contributed to a revaluation of the company’s assets, benefiting Rabiu’s wealth significantly. The movement underscores the cyclical nature of cement markets, where alignment of pricing, demand, and costs can lead to rapid share price appreciation. Similar patterns have been observed in India’s cement sector during past capacity and pricing upcycles, offering a template for understanding current market dynamics. Investors in India are increasingly looking at African industrials as a potential growth area, particularly with the improved outlook for regional currencies and infrastructure development. The expansion of African billionaire wealth, including Rabiu’s rise, signals broader appetite for quality assets in the region. However, the sector remains volatile, with risks such as currency fluctuations, policy shifts, and liquidity constraints posing challenges. Investors are advised to monitor quarterly disclosures, audit reports, and capital allocation strategies while comparing valuation multiples with regional peers.#nigeria #abudul_samad_rabiu #bua_cement #forbes_2026 #indian_investors
Female billionaires remain absent from Africa’s ultra-rich list for a sixth consecutive year, according to Forbes’ latest rankings published in March 2026. The continent’s billionaire class continues to be dominated by men, with no women featured among the dollar-billionaires for the sixth year in a row. The last appearance of female billionaires on the list was in 2020, when Angolan businesswoman Isabel dos Santos and Nigerian oil magnate Folorunsho Alakija were included. Dos Santos, once Africa’s first female billionaire in 2013 with a fortune exceeding $3.5 billion, was removed from the Forbes list due to legal actions and asset freezes in Angola and Portugal. Her holdings are now marked at zero. Alakija, who peaked at $3.2 billion in 2014, fell below the billion-dollar threshold by 2021 due to oil price fluctuations and market volatility. Despite the lack of female representation, Africa’s billionaire wealth has surged significantly. Forbes reported that the 23 men on the continent’s richest list collectively added $20.3 billion over the past year, raising total wealth to $126.7 billion. The growth was driven by equity market rallies and more stable currencies. Fourteen of the 23 billionaires—61% of the group—are self-made, with all but one over the age of 60. Tanzania’s Mohammed Dewji, 50, is the youngest member of the group. Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote remains Africa’s richest individual with an estimated net worth of $28.5 billion. His fortune grew by $4.6 billion following a nearly 69% surge in Dangote Cement shares and a doubling of the company’s 2025 profits to a record ₦1 trillion. Dangote also plans to list his oil refinery later this year and has secured a $400 million deal with a Chinese machinery firm to double the facility’s production capacity by 2029.#south_africa #nigeria #forbes #angola #mohammed_dewji
Top 10 Richest People in Africa: Aliko Dangote Maintains Billionaire Crown as Forbes Lists 2026 African Billionaires Forbes has named Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote as Africa’s richest individual for the 15th consecutive year, according to its 2026 ranking of African billionaires. The list, released on March 9, 2026, includes 23 billionaires whose combined wealth totals $126.7 billion, a 21% increase from the $105 billion total in 2025. Notably, no women appear on the list, which tracks the wealth of African billionaires who either reside in Africa or conduct their primary business there. Dangote, a 68-year-old entrepreneur, retains his position as Africa’s richest with an estimated net worth of $28.5 billion. His wealth is largely derived from cement and sugar industries, with recent expansions into oil refining. In 2023, he launched an oil refinery in Lagos, Nigeria, and his cement company, Dangote Cement, saw its shares rise nearly 69% since March 2025. The company’s profits doubled in 2025 to a record one trillion naira. Dangote also announced a $400 million deal with a Chinese machinery firm to expand his refinery’s capacity to double by 2029. Johann Rupert of South Africa holds the second spot with a net worth of $16.1 billion, while Abdulsamad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, surged to third place. Rabiu’s net worth jumped 120% to $11.2 billion, making him the year’s biggest winner. His cement company, BUA Cement, saw its shares climb 135% on the Nigerian Exchange. Other notable figures include Nicky Oppenheimer, a South African diamond magnate worth $10.6 billion, and Egyptian investor Nassef Sawiris, who holds a $9.6 billion fortune. The list also highlights the growing influence of African entrepreneurs. South African Michiel Le Roux, founder of Capitec Bank, climbed to $3.#nigeria #aliko_dangote #forbes #dangote_cement #buagroup
Beyond the Battlefield: A Blueprint for Lasting Peace Generals Ishmael Opande of Kenya and Martin Luther Agwai of Nigeria, both retired, played pivotal roles in the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), which operated from 2000 to 2003 as the largest UN peacekeeping operation at the time. During their tenure, they oversaw the disarmament and demobilization of over 46,000 former combatants. The mission began after a decade-long civil war, which ended in 2002 when President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah declared the conflict over at a ceremony in Lungi Garrison. At the event, more than 3,000 weapons were publicly burned, marking the start of the disarmament process. Two decades later, in February 2026, Opande and Agwai returned to Sierra Leone to receive the Grand Commander of the Order of the Rokel, the nation’s highest honor. Opande’s award highlighted his leadership in fostering trust among warring groups and protecting civilians during UNAMSIL. Agwai was recognized for his “hot spot” strategy, which enhanced disarmament efforts and strengthened peacekeeping operations. Sierra Leone has maintained peaceful transitions of power since 1996, with democratic elections replacing military rule. First Lady Fatima Bio emphasized the country’s commitment to peacekeeping, noting that Sierra Leonean troops, including women, are now deployed abroad to maintain stability. She reflected on the nation’s past, recalling how UN peacekeepers once protected the country during its civil war. Opande and Agwai visited regions previously controlled by rebels, observing significant socioeconomic progress. Agwai praised improved infrastructure, such as roads connecting towns to the capital, and noted the vitality of communities filled with young people. His meeting with Gen.#kenya #nigeria #sierra_leone #unamsil #abuja_agreement
Here’s a summary of the key news highlights from your list: LPG Cylinder Booking: In Punjab, domestic LPG cylinder bookings have been suspended, with cylinders now being sold at Rs 3,500. Delivery issues persist despite bookings. Power Cuts: Several areas in Punjab face prolonged power outages, with some regions experiencing up to 6 hours of blackouts. Weather Alerts: Unseasonal snowfall and freezing conditions are reported in Kashmir’s high-altitude regions, raising concerns about safety and infrastructure. Health & Safety: A singer in a coma has been admitted to a hospital, and a new virus is causing alarm, with 15 confirmed deaths. Crime & Security: A youth was shot dead in a violent incident, and NIA teams are investigating cases in Punjab. Agriculture & Environment: Farmers in Punjab are facing challenges due to erratic weather, and there are warnings about landslides and floods linked to deforestation. Political Developments: Over 200 families in a village have joined the BJP, and legal action is ongoing against a singer accused of misconduct. For daily horoscopes and other updates, let me know! 🌟#pakistan #india #punjab #kashmir #nigeria
