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Here’s When To Watch Lunar Crescent Across Nigeria on Friday, February 28, according to NASRDA

The last cities to experience the lunar crescent, he said, would be Lagos and Abeokuta between the hours of 6:59 pm to 7:30 pm.

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The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) said that Nigeria would likely witness its first astronomical lunar crescent on Friday evenings, February 28.

The Director of Media and Corporate Communications of NASRDA, Dr. Felix Ale, disclosed this in a statement, saying that the lunar crescent had been calculated to occur at 1:45 A.M. West African Time (WAT).

He said that the predicted time of 1:45 A.M time, also known as the Crescent Zero hour, would be when the crescent could be seen under perfect atmospheric conditions with the aid of optical instruments like binoculars or telescopes.

“The crescent will become visible to the naked eye in the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025, between 6:17 PM and 7:35 PM across different locations in Nigeria.

“Maiduguri will be the first city to witness the young lunar crescent from 6:17 PM to 6:48 PM, followed by Yola, Adamawa State, from 6:21 PM to 6:51 PM.

“Damaturu, Yobe, will follow from 6:22 PM to 6:53 PM, Kano, Kastina, Jos and Kaduna will experience the first lunar crescent between 6:38 pm and 7:12 pm.

“The sunset and moon set will occur between 6:35 pm and 7:12 pm, 6:38 pm and 7:15 pm, 6:35 pm and 7:11 pm, 6:40 pm and 7:17 pm respectively.

“Enugu will experience the lunar crescent between 6:42 pm and 7:32 pm with sunset and moonset at about 6:42 pm and 7:18 pm,’’ he said.

He predicted that in the FCT, the first lunar crescent would appear between 6:44 pm and 7:15 pm, with sunset and moonset at about 6:44 pm and 7:20 pm.

The last cities to experience the lunar crescent, he said, would be Lagos and Abeokuta between the hours of 6:59 pm to 7:30 pm.

Ale said that other cities across the federation will experience the lunar crescent at different times within the estimated visibility window of 6:17 pm and 7:35 pm on the same day.

He said “For a clear sighting of the first lunar crescent, observers are to use optical aids where necessary, and observe under clear atmospheric conditions.

“Observers are to position themselves in locations with an unobstructed view of the western horizon after sunset.

“He added that the scientific report provided precise predictions on the lunar crescent across locations of the country.

According to him, the report ensured accuracy for those who relied on lunar observations for religious, cultural, and scientific purposes.

The space agency encouraged researchers, scholars, and religious groups to utilise the findings, adding that anyone requiring additional data for further analyses could visit the official office website.

Director, the Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (CBSSA), an activity centre of NASRDA, Dr Bonaventure Okere, said it was regarded as the first stage of the moon, hence the new crescent.

Okere said the appearance of the new crescent was highly significant in the Islamic religion because it was used to determine some rites and practices like the beginning of the Ramadan fast.

“The Islamic religion uses moon phases for their Islamic rites but astronomers study the cycle of the rising and setting of the moon to determine moon days, which is usually 28 days.

“Astronomers use the moon cycle to generate the Lunar calendar, understand the part of the moon you can see daily,’’ he said.

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FG announces two-week traffic delays on Kara–Berger Bridge for repairs

The TRACE Acting Commander, Mr A. Ojerinde, stated that a multi-agency operation including TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and the Nigeria Police Force will be deployed along the corridor to enforce traffic control.

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THE Federal Government has alerts motorists and commuters on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway of possible travel delays, starting Tuesday September 8 for two weeks repair works on the Kara–Berger Bridge

The project, earlier slated to commence in August 2026, was suspended for traffic review following public outcry over short notice and the need for effective traffic management.

The two-week rehabilitation project, directed by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, involves the replacement of deteriorating expansion joints to improve road safety, structural integrity, and long-term traffic flow on the busy corridor.

The project is expected to run through September 22, 2026.

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, alongside the Federal Ministry of Works and key stakeholders, in a statement, warned motorists to prepare for lane restrictions, particularly during peak commuting hours.

The TRACE Acting Commander, Mr A. Ojerinde, stated that a multi-agency operation including TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and the Nigeria Police Force will be deployed along the corridor to enforce traffic control.

Ojerinde, who urged road users to plan ahead, said “Leave earlier than usual to accommodate expected travel delays.

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MKO Abiola’s Documentary to hit Cinemas in October

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A new documentary on the life and political struggle of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola is set to premiere in Nigerian cinemas in October.

Titled MKO, the 108-minute film is directed by Ose Oyamendan and produced with American documentary filmmaker Mark Jonathan Harris. It explores the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely regarded as free and fair, Abiola’s subsequent detention, and the controversial circumstances surrounding his death in custody in 1998.

The documentary features interviews with key figures including former military rulers Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Abiola’s running mate Baba Gana Kingibe, members of the Abiola family, journalists, and diplomats.

Oyamendan, who worked as a young journalist during the June 12 crisis, has described the film as an investigative documentary that examines Nigeria’s unfinished democratic journey. It had its world premiere earlier this year at the Sheffield DocFest in the United Kingdom.

The Nigerian cinema release is scheduled for early October, with some reports linking the premiere to Independence Day on October 1.

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BREAKING: JAMB releases underage UTME results, clarifies admission conditions

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results of underage candidates for viewing.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Board’s Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB defined an underage candidate for the 2026 admission exercise as any candidate who will be less than 16 years old as at September 30, 2026.

Benjamin said the results were released primarily to enable candidates and their parents or guardians to know their performance in the examination. However, he stressed that the release does not confer eligibility for admission on all underage candidates.

According to him, the results cannot be used for admission or any other official purpose, except by candidates who satisfy the stringent requirements prescribed for exceptionally performing underage candidates.

Candidates can check their results by sending “RESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same SIM card with which they registered for the UTME.

JAMB reiterated that only underage candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic ability and maturity will be considered for admission through a rigorous, multi-stage assessment process. Key requirements include a minimum UTME score of 320, at least 80 per cent performance in relevant Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) subjects where applicable, satisfaction of the Post-UTME requirements of their chosen institutions, and a final assessment conducted by experts.

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