TWN NEWS – Weekly Roundup
Lagos, Nigeria
News Roundup
Amy Winehouse
Gone Too Soon
This week, July 23rd, marked 15 years since the world lost one of the most uniquely gifted voices in the history of music. Amy Winehouse was not just a singer — she was a force of nature. From the raw, soulful ache of Back to Black to the wit and swagger of Rehab, Amy possessed that rare quality that cannot be taught, manufactured, or replicated: she was completely, unmistakably herself.
Born in North London to a Jewish family with deep musical roots, Amy's voice carried the ghost of Billie Holiday, the swagger of Dinah Washington, and a bruised honesty entirely her own. She won five Grammy Awards in a single night in 2008 — still a record for a British female artist — and her album Back to Black remains one of the best-selling records in UK history. Life, as we know it, happened to Amy. She battled personal demons openly, bravely, and tragically in the full glare of the world's spotlight. She was gone at 27 — far too soon.
But her music? Her music is forever. May her memories live on, always. ๐ค๐️
TWN News remembers Amy Winehouse on the 15th anniversary of her passing · September 14, 1983 – July 23, 2011 · Her voice was a gift to the world ๐ต
NGX Surges Back — ASI Hits 246,453 as Banking Stocks Lead; MTN Nigeria Hits New All-Time High of ₦605
The Nigerian Exchange staged an impressive recovery this week, with the All-Share Index climbing to 246,453.23 on Thursday, July 23 — pushing market capitalisation to ₦159 trillion and bringing the year-to-date return to 58.41%. The Banking Index was the standout performer, surging 9.30% over the previous week on massive institutional buying driven by the approaching bank recapitalisation deadline. FirstHoldCo led all gainers with a stunning +38.66% weekly return, followed by Fidelity Bank (+15.00%), UBA (+10.98%) and Stanbic (+9.66%). MTN Nigeria struck a new all-time high of ₦605 per share — cementing its status as the exchange's most valuable company. Market breadth was firmly positive: 44 gainers against 35 losers, with market cap growing by ₦612 billion driven in part by Sterling Bank's 13.812 billion additional ordinary share listing. Despite mixed sectoral performance — with Industrial Goods and Oil & Gas retreating — investors' total wealth increased by over ₦611 billion for the week.
Dollar Sale Row: Oil Marketers Halt Dangote Fuel Loading — FG Steps In; Fake Government Agency Scandal Rocks Abuja
A major fuel distribution crisis erupted this week as oil marketers halted loading at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over a dollar-denominated sale dispute, threatening fuel supply stability. The Federal Government was forced to intervene, with senior ministers stepping in to broker a resolution between the marketers and the refinery. In a completely separate but equally explosive development, an investigation revealed that a fictitious government agency — the "Presidential Council for the Promotion of Foreign Interventions" (PFIPC) — had been operating in Abuja for years with a budget of $950,000, hiring staff and receiving official funding. The House of Representatives has commenced a full probe, with heads expected to roll. The NRS (Nigeria Revenue Service) also issued a July 31 deadline for large taxpayers to comply with its new e-invoicing mandate.
Tinubu at ECOWAS Summit Demands United Front Against South Africa's Afrophobic Violence
President Tinubu took a strong pan-African stance at the 67th ECOWAS Summit this week, calling for a united West African response to the xenophobic and Afrophobic attacks targeting Nigerian and other African nationals in South Africa. Nigeria and Ghana jointly condemned South Africa's conduct, with both countries demanding accountability and protection for their citizens. Over 1,400 Nigerians were also repatriated from Niger Republic in May 2026, highlighting the broader pressures of the irregular migration wave. The UN praised renewed diplomatic engagement among West African nations, hailed the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger border, and urged terrorised African nations to also fight poverty as a root cause of insecurity. GTCO, Zenith Bank and 10 other recapitalising banks hit a combined market cap of ₦25.6 trillion — a marker of Nigeria's deepening financial sector strength.
Troops Rescue Over 40 Kidnap Victims; Governors' Forum Backs New Army Divisions; Terror Mole Alert in Abuja
The Nigerian military arrested 20 suspected terrorists and rescued over 40 kidnap victims in coordinated operations across the country this week. The Nigeria Governors' Forum praised President Tinubu's creation of new Nigerian Army divisions and the ongoing 28,000-strong recruitment drive as vital steps in the fight against insecurity. In a deeply alarming security development, intelligence reports revealed that suspected terror moles may have infiltrated federal institutions in Abuja — with the opposition demanding immediate arrests and transparency from the Presidency, which described the security threat as partly driven by foreign interests. The House of Representatives also approved a bill to establish a DSS Research Bureau to enhance intelligence and indigenise security technology development.
NBA Elects First Female President; 1,400 Nigerians Repatriated from Niger; UNICEF Raises Child Marriage Alarm
The Nigerian Bar Association made history this week by electing Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya as its first-ever female president — a landmark moment for women's leadership in Nigerian professional life. UNICEF issued a stark warning that two in five young Nigerian women are married before the age of 18, calling for urgent action to protect girls' rights and access to education. Meanwhile, in Osun State, election campaign activity intensified ahead of the August governorship poll, with the APC vowing to dislodge Governor Adeleke. Ekiti APC celebrated after the Supreme Court affirmed Governor Biodun Oyebanji's candidacy, ending all legal challenges. Former speaker Na'Abba's death also triggered a political row, with Atiku accusing former President Obasanjo of exploiting the tragedy for political gain.
FG Targets 25 Million Tonnes Grain Output; Wema Bank Wins Best Digital Bank; NUT Demands School Security
The Federal Government set an ambitious target of boosting Nigeria's annual grain output to 25 million tonnes to combat persistent food inflation and enhance national food security. The move follows warnings from international bodies that millions of Nigerians in the north face acute food insecurity. Wema Bank won the prestigious Euromoney Best Digital Bank for Consumers 2026 Award — a recognition of Nigeria's growing digital banking ecosystem. The Nigeria Union of Teachers demanded fortified security around all schools and the full implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative nationwide, following the Oyo abduction crisis. Separately, a Nigerian sickle cell warrior's frank account of what her body endures daily went viral, reigniting national conversation about the urgent need for sickle cell awareness and treatment access.
๐ช๐ธ Spain Win the 2026 World Cup! England Take Bronze in a 10-Goal Thriller
Spain are the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions! La Roja defeated Argentina 2-1 in a breathtaking final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey on Sunday, July 19. Mikel Merino was once again the decisive figure, netting the winner in the second half to deny Messi a second World Cup and Spain's Golden Generation an immortal legacy. In the third-place playoff, England produced arguably the most spectacular match of the tournament — defeating France 5-5 in an incredible draw, before Saka's hat-trick fired them to bronze on penalties (6-5 PSO) in a match dubbed "the best game of football in decades." England finally ended their 60-year wait for World Cup third place. It was a truly unforgettable 2026 World Cup — with Africa's record 10-team presence, Cabo Verde's heroics, Egypt leading Argentina 2-0, and now Spain crowned champions. Football gave the world everything it asked for in 2026. ๐
Team Nigeria Opens Medal Account at 2026 Commonwealth Games; 1xCup Kicks Off with 100 Teams
Nigeria opened its medal account at the 2026 Commonwealth Games as para powerlifter Roland Ezuruike claimed a silver medal in the men's Lightweight Group A event — to the delight of President Tinubu, who personally charged the team to represent Nigeria with honour. The 3x3 Basketball team had been camping in Amsterdam ahead of the event. On the grassroots football front, the 1xCup 2026 tournament officially launched on July 23 with 100 confirmed teams — described as Nigeria's biggest-ever grassroots football competition — providing a platform for the next generation of Nigerian talent to shine in a post-World Cup atmosphere of immense football excitement nationwide.
⚽ JS Darinho Sports Academy — Building Nigeria's Next Champions
As Spain lift the World Cup and Nigeria's grassroots football explodes with the 1xCup 2026, JS Darinho Sports Academy — founded by Dare Osunsanya — continues its vital mission in Ijebu-Ode. JSDSA provides structured coaching, the Ijebu Premier League platform, and the kind of environment that could produce Nigeria's next global football star. The next generation is being built right now. Learn more about JSDSA →
๐ฌ TONIGHT AT 6PM — Ogunmojagbe Premieres on Sandra Okunzuwa TV!
TWN News is excited to shout out one of Nollywood's finest content creators — Sandra Okunzuwa! Tonight at 6PM, her YouTube channel Sandra Okunzuwa TV premieres the brand new Yoruba movie Ogunmojagbe — a dramatic, culturally rich story packed with suspense, tradition, and powerful storytelling that only Sandra's platform delivers.
Sandra Okunzuwa TV consistently brings high-quality Nollywood content to audiences across Nigeria and the diaspora. If you haven't subscribed yet — tonight is the perfect night to do so! Don't miss Ogunmojagbe at 6PM — hey, my loves! Happy weekend! ❤️
BBNaija 2026 Premieres Sunday; Kerr Shatters 27-Year Mile World Record; Klopp Takes Germany
BBNaija 2026 premieres this Sunday, July 26 on MultiChoice platforms — the most anticipated reality TV event on the Nigerian entertainment calendar. In world athletics, Scottish runner Josh Kerr shattered the 27-year-old mile world record at the London Diamond League, delivering one of the most extraordinary performances in middle-distance history. In club football, newly appointed Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca called his appointment one of the greatest honours of his coaching career, succeeding the legendary Pep Guardiola. Germany's new head coach Jรผrgen Klopp warned that intrusive media attention on his family's privacy could cost him his job. In a further boost to women's leadership in sport, Xavi also hinted at openness to future national team roles, with eyes on AFCON and World Cup challenges.
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