News
List Of Natural Alternatives To Fresh Tomatoes

Many Nigerians are seeking alternatives as the price of fresh tomatoes keeps soaring.
This essential ingredient is crucial in the preparation of dishes such as stew and jollof rice as tomatoes play a pivotal role in Nigerian cuisine, particularly in stews.
However, the sudden price hike has led many households to reduce their consumption of fresh tomato-based dishes.
To adapt to this change, Nigerians are becoming resourceful, seeking alternatives to incorporate into their meals.
There are four creative alternatives to fresh tomatoes to enable individuals and families continue to enjoy flavorful and nutritious meals despite the rising cost of fresh tomatoes.
See list of the alternative below:
Carrots
In its blended form, carrots are a good alternative to fresh tomatoes. The vegetable do not only have a sweet taste but can also give off the bright red colour of fresh tomatoes when mixed with peppers.
Carrots can give the reddish colour of fresh tomatoes in jollof rice and stews.
To enjoy carrot stew, ensure to per boil the carrots, onions and peppers on medium-low heat for a few minutes before blending. This gives a smoother consistency as well as make the stew more enjoyable.
Carrots are sold for N200 and above. The amount you purchase depends on the quantity of stew you intend to make. At the end, they make a cheap alternative to fresh tomatoes.
Beets/Beetroots
Beets, when blended, provide a similar red hue to tomatoes, making them a suitable replacement for stews, jollof rice, and sauce.
Beyond color, beets offer a slightly sweet and earthy flavor that can complement savory dishes.
And compared to the current high price of tomatoes, beets are often a more affordable option.
While serving as a colorful substitute, beets come packed with health benefits. They are a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including folate, potassium, and fiber.
Beets are widely available and sold in many markets across the country, making them an accessible and nutritious option for those looking to substitute the use of fresh tomatoes.
Eggplant
While eggplants might not provide the reddish colour typical of fresh tomatoes, they are an excellent alternative.
Eggplants are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, while being low in calories. Their thick consistency and sweet taste make them ideal for sauces.
The fruit is a large, egg-shaped berry with a glossy surface that can vary in color from dark purple to red, pink, yellowish, or white.
The spongy texture of eggplant allows it to absorb cooking liquids, resulting in a thick and satisfying sauce, similar to a tomato base.
Eggplants can be used to cook stews that pair well with rice, yam, potatoes, and plantain, among other dishes.
Their affordability and versatility make them a valuable addition to dishes, particularly during times of high tomato prices.
Cucumber
Cucumber is the latest alternative to tomatoes. While cucumber might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind, it offers a surprisingly refreshing alternative for stews due to rising tomato prices.
Cucumber has a milder flavour compared to tomatoes. So, consider adding spices for a more complex taste. Removing the seeds from the cucumber can help to reduce its watery content and prevent the stew from becoming too thin.
Cucumbers are rich in vitamins, minerals, and hydration, thanks to their high water content. They have a mild flavor that can blend well in various dishes, adding a refreshing taste and volume.
To make stew using cucumbers, you should blend cucumbers for a smoother consistency to add a subtle sweetness and coolness to the stew. Also, combine with tomato paste for a touch of tomato flavor.
Conclusively, adapting to these changes can help households continue enjoying their favorite dishes while managing their budgets effectively. Exploring alternatives to fresh tomatoes like cucumbers, carrot, beets or eggplant can provide valuable solutions during times of fluctuating tomatoes price.
The above alternatives are currently being used by some Nigerian households.
News
Celebrity boxing: Speed Darlington wants rematch after losing to Portable

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nigerian singer Speed Darlington is calling for a rematch against Portable after losing to him in a celebrity boxing match.
Speed Darlington was knocked out in the second round, and he’s unhappy about the outcome.
In a video, he claimed Portable didn’t deserve the win and the prize money, saying he had plans to use the money to build a swimming pool for his community in Imo State.
Portable, I want a rematch. E dey pain me say you dey carry all that money dey go. E dey break my heart.
” I want a rematch. It’s so unfair. You have up to two experience before me and you fight. I never enter ring before. I did not come from poverty,” he said.
“You don’t deserve that money. E dey pain me. I want to build swimming pool for my villagers. I need a rematch, Portable”, he said.
According to Speed Darlington, Portable had an unfair advantage due to his experience, accusing him of using supernatural means to win the fight.
He also claimed he suffered a shoulder injury during the match despite not feeling tired.
Speed Darlington, who wants a rematch, said he needs 30 days to prepare better
News
Israel’s remote controlled bulldozers breaking ground in Gaza war

At first glance, there is nothing unusual about the bulky bulldozer turning up soil at a testing site in central Israel, but as it pulled closer it became clear: the driver’s cabin is eerily empty.
This is the Robdozer, a fortified engineering vehicle manned remotely, and in this case operated from a military expo halfway across the globe in Alabama.
Army engineers and military experts say that the Robdozer — the robotic version of Caterpillar’s D9 bulldozer — is the future of automated combat.
The Israeli military has used D9 for years to carry out frontline tasks like trowelling roads for advancing troops, removing rubble and flattening terrain.
But since war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 and later in Lebanon, the Israeli military has increasingly deployed this robotic version in a bid to enhance its field operations and reduce the risks to its troops.
“The idea is to eliminate the person from the cockpit of the dozer,” said Rani, whose team at the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries developed the Robdozer.
An unmanned D9 bulldozer digs up a field during a demonstration to the press at the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) quarters near Tel Aviv on March 26, 2025. Israel’s increasing use of advanced technology on the battlefield, from air defence systems to a broad range of AI-driven intelligence tools, has been well-documented but also criticised for inaccuracies, lack of human oversight and potential violations of international law. (Photo by GIL COHEN-MAGEN / AFP)
During the Gaza war, the military has increasingly opted for the unmanned version, which can carry out a full range of tasks “even better than a human”, said Rani, using his first name only for security reasons.
While such vehicles and other systems are currently operated by humans, future versions could be autonomous, raising ethical and legal concerns over the unchartered future of warfare being shaped by the Israeli military in the Gaza war.
‘Changing the paradigm’
Israel’s increasing use of advanced technology on the battlefield, from air defence systems to a broad range of AI-driven intelligence tools, has been well-documented but also criticised for inaccuracies, lack of human oversight and potential violations of international law.
Analysts say the growing Israeli deployment of the Robdozer reflects broader global trends towards automation in heavy combat vehicles, like remote-controlled personnel carriers that operate much like drones.
An Israeli military official, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, told AFP that the army has been using “robotic tools for over a decade, but in very small numbers. Now it is being used in large-scale warfare”.
News
70-hour Chess Marathon: Onakoya reportedly breaks record set by Norwegians

Nigerian chess sensation and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has broken the chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, in June 2024.
Onakoya and his chess partner, Shawn Martinez, are currently aiming to complete a 70-hour chess marathon in Times Square, New York.
The marathon, a four-day non-stop gameplay, started on April 17.
In a post shared on X shortly after surpassing the current record, he expressed fulfillment and called for action to educate and create opportunities for street children in Nigeria.
For all the dreamers! We’ve officially BROKEN THE RECORD with my brother,” he wrote.
Although the official confirmation from Guinness World Records is still being awaited, Nigerians and chess lovers from different parts of the world have congratulated the chess master on his latest achievement.
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