The University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship is a fully funded study opportunity for a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom

The University of Westminster Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship offers a full tuition fee waiver and £12,000 as living stipend for a period of 12 months.

In this post, we will highlight the details of the scholarship as well as how interested and qualified candidates can apply for it

University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
• Study Abroad: Study in UK 
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: Full Scholarship | £12,000 Stipend per year
• No IELTS Required 
• Deadline: November 2, 2026

University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship Details:

The University of Westminster offers scholarship opportunities to international students seeking to study in the United Kingdom.

The University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship supports students seeking asylum or with refugee status living in the United Kingdom who are not eligible to receive postgraduate financial support from Student Finance.

The university was ranked number one in London for Student Support in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) 2026. Read more details and apply today!

Requirements for University of Westminster Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027

To be considered for the University of Westminster Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship, you must fulfil all criteria below: 

• You must have an offer from the University of Westminster for a place on a full-time master’s course starting in January 2027
• You must be resident in the UK
• You must hold one of the following eligible immigration statuses before submitting your application
• UK asylum seeker 
• UK discretionary leave to remain (as a result of an asylum application) 
• UK limited leave to remain (as a result of an asylum application) 
• UK refugee status obtained 
• Students who already have a master’s degree are not eligible to apply
• Students who are able to receive taught postgraduate student loans from Student Finance are not eligible to apply 
• The following categories of students are not eligible:
• Postgraduate Diploma 
• Professional courses (eg RIBA pt III, ACCA, CIMA, CiLEX) 
• Conversion courses (eg Graduate Diploma in Law) 
• Integrated Masters/MPhil/

Benefits of 2027 University of Westminster Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship

The Sanctuary Scholarships cover

• Full tuition fee waiver and
• £1000/month for up to 12 months.

How to Apply for University of Westminster Sanctuary Scholarship (Step by Step)

READ HOW TO APPLY ON OUR NEW VERSION

Deadline: November 2, 2026

More than 100 students from several secondary schools in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo areas of Ogun State were reportedly hospitalised on Wednesday following another suspected gas emission that left students and staff struggling to breathe, with some fainting.

The affected students were taken to the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, the General Hospital, Ijebu-Igbo, and other healthcare facilities for medical attention.

Among the schools reportedly affected were Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, and Itamerin Comprehensive High School, Ago-Iwoye.

A video circulating on social media showed some students fainting and being rushed for medical attention as panic spread across the affected communities.

The incident has renewed concerns over recurring gaseous emissions in parts of Ijebu land, with residents and school authorities calling on the state government to establish the source and prevent further exposure.

A teacher in one of the affected schools, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident began at about 10 a.m., when students and staff started experiencing breathing difficulties.

“The students and staff started inhaling the gas and began to have difficulty breathing. Some of them fainted and had to be rushed to hospitals,” the teacher said.

According to the teacher, some schools in Ago-Iwoye were forced to close for the day at about 11 a.m. as the situation worsened.

“Some of the schools in Ago-Iwoye had to close for the day when the situation became frightening and unbearable. The worst-hit schools include Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School and Anglican Girls Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode,” the teacher added.

The teacher said parents who heard about the incident rushed to their children’s schools to take them home amid fears for their safety.

The teacher further claimed that similar emissions had occurred since April, sending hundreds of students to hospitals during previous incidents.

“We are all worried about our health and the safety of our students. I think it is taking the government too long to get to the root of this mysterious gas emission. The government needs to act quickly before the situation gets worse,” the teacher said.

Wednesday’s incident was reportedly the fourth occurrence of gaseous emissions disrupting school activities in Ijebu land since April 2026.

The first reported incident in April affected about 40 students, while more than 120 students were reportedly hospitalised following another exposure in May. Another 69 students were reportedly hospitalised on June 1

Schools affected in previous incidents included Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Epe Garage, Ijebu-Ode; Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; and St Anthony Grammar School, Ijebu-Imusin.

The repeated incidents have heightened concerns about the safety of students and staff, particularly as some of the affected schools appear to have experienced multiple occurrences.

Government investigates suspected emissions

Following previous incidents, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said the state government was working with relevant agencies and experts to determine the cause of the emissions.

The governor said the Ministries of Environment and Health were collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Department of Geology at Olabisi Onabanjo University to investigate the phenomenon.

Abiodun, who spoke on the matter in June, said gas analysers had been installed in affected schools to establish the nature and concentration of the emissions.

“Twice now, we have recorded cases of pollution in this school and some neighbouring schools. What is interesting is that the gas pollution occurred at about the same time in the affected schools — about three schools altogether — and this has happened on two separate occasions,” the governor said.

He added that the gas detected during the investigation had been identified as methane.

“Following the first occurrence, we installed gas analysers across the schools to determine the nature and concentration of the gas, which has now been confirmed to be methane,” he said.

According to the governor, preliminary findings suggested that geological factors, including fault lines, could be responsible for the emissions.

Preliminary findings suggest there may be geological factors involved, possibly fault lines common to these locations, which could be responsible for the emissions. We are awaiting the final report from the professionals handling the investigation,” Abiodun said.

When contacted on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the government was monitoring the situation.

“We are on top of the situation,” he said.

Also speaking on the latest incident, Kehinde Bello, Senior Special Assistant to the governor and General Manager of the Ogun State Environmental Agency, said the emissions were linked to underground gas occurrences previously recorded in Ijebu-Ode since April.

Bello, who visited affected areas in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo to assess the situation, said the government was working towards finding a lasting solution.

He said investigations had indicated that the phenomenon could be a natural occurrence associated with geological and tectonic fault lines, rather than sabotage or a gas pipeline leak.

Bello urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the affected students were expected to recover after receiving medical attention.

He also advised residents exposed to the odour to cover their noses and mouths with wet handkerchiefs rather than wear nose masks.

However, the precise source of the emissions and the reasons for their recurrence remain unclear, with residents awaiting the outcome of the investigation.

As of the time of filing this report, medical personnel were reportedly attending to affected students at general hospitals and other healthcare facilities

The latest incident has intensified calls for a conclusive investigation and effective preventive measures to protect students and staff from further exposure.

Seventeen days after a military aircraft crashed in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, residents are still complaining about a persistent foul odour, alleged water pollution and losses to their fishing business.

The residents said the situation had disrupted their social and economic activities, urging the federal and Ondo State governments to expedite efforts to clean up the affected area.

The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft reportedly crashed in the community, killing no fewer than 25 people on board. Military personnel have since been working to recover the remains of the deceased and the wreckage of the aircraft.

Following complaints about the stench, the Ondo State Government said it had begun efforts to clean up the affected area to address possible environmental pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tobi Loco, said the government was aware of the environmental concerns in the riverine community and had commenced efforts to fumigate the area to prevent a possible disease outbreak.

He said, “When the incident happened, there was some level of contamination because our efforts to recover the passengers who were on board were not successful.

Up till now, we have not been able to recover a full body. All that we could get were body parts, and some of them have yet to be recovered. So, that is a clear signal that there is serious decomposition attracting microorganisms to the site.

Don’t forget that when the crash occurred, the possibility of aviation fuel contaminating the surroundings and the water in that locality, as well as volatile organic compounds polluting the water, cannot be ruled out. So, when the people say they perceive an offensive odour, these are possible pollutants. Nobody can discount the possibility of such an occurrence.

“That is why we are mobilising to the site for an assessment. We are going to assess the level of contamination that has taken place. As a matter of fact, we are going to undertake air quality and water quality tests to determine precisely the level of contamination.

“When we return, we will carry out what I will call decontamination, so that the people living in that vicinity and its environment can have a breath of fresh air, with their means of livelihood, which is the water, protected and purified for normal use.”

However, residents said the fumigation exercise had yet to begin, adding that they feared the suspected pollution was affecting their water and fishing activities.

A fisherman, Mr Festus Ikumola, said the government had not commenced the promised fumigation, adding that the incident had severely affected his business.

He said, “They said they would begin fumigation, but nothing has been happening. We are only seeing the military and the police at the scene of the incident trying to recover the crashed plane, but they don’t allow civilians near the area.

“We want to appeal to the government to carry out the fumigation as promised. This is taking too long. They should not allow an outbreak of disease in this community.

On the impact on fishing, Ikumola said, “We don’t see as many fish to catch again. I think the water is no longer conducive for them because of pollution. The incident has seriously affected our business.”

Another resident, who identified himself as Biodun, said the foul odour persisted and called on the government to intensify its intervention.

He said, “I have not seen any government official in the area, and we still perceive some odour. It would be better for the government to do the needful before the situation gets worse.”

However, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, said the government had not relented in its efforts to sanitise the environment.

Ajanaku said, “The efforts are ongoing. The fumigation is going on. We began the first phase of the exercise a few days ago, but by Friday this week, it should be completed.”

At least 3,385 Nigerians applied for asylum in Italy in 2025 as 2,220 applicants were rejected in first-instance decisions.

This is according to figures contained in the Asylum Information Database 2025 Country Report on Italy, a project of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles and compiled using data from Italy’s Asylum Service and the European Union Agency for Asylum.

The report was produced by the Association for Legal Studies on Immigration.

The volume of applications made Nigeria the only sub-Saharan African country among the country’s top 10 nationalities of asylum seekers, according to the data obtained by The PUNCH.

It showed that 660 of the Nigerians who went through the process were granted full refugee status, recording a 19.47 per cent refugee recognition rate, the highest of all top 10 nationalities and nearly three and a half times Italy’s national average of 5.7 per cent.

Of the 3,390 decisions rendered on Nigerian cases in 2025, 660 or 19.47 per cent resulted in full refugee status, Italy’s highest form of protection awarded to persons who face persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group under the 1951 Geneva Convention.

A further 55 Nigerians, or 1.62 per cent, received subsidiary protection, which covers those facing serious harm who do not qualify as Convention refugees, while 460 or 13.57 per cent were granted Italy’s national or special protection category, known as protezione speciale.

According to the data, 1,175 Nigerians received some form of protection in 2025, translating to an overall protection rate of 34.66 per cent, above Italy’s national rate of 30 per cent.

As of December 31, 2025, a further 4,120 Nigerian cases remained pending before Italian authorities, the report said.

Among asylum seekers of African descent, Egypt led with 11,790 applications.

The AIDA statistics table showed that of the 10,685 decisions on Egyptian cases, 8,900, or 83.30 per cent, were rejections, with only 105 Egyptians granted full refugee status, 20 subsidiary protection, and 1,660 national protection.

Morocco followed with 9,485 applications, registering the second-highest rejection rate among all top 10 nationalities.

The table showed that 5,695 of 6,315 decisions, or 90.18 per cent, were turned down, as only 95 Moroccans received refugee status and five received subsidiary protection.

Tunisians filed 6,290 applications, and of the 5,895 decisions, 5,035 or 85.41 per cent were rejected. Only 190 Tunisians were granted refugee status, 25 subsidiary protection, and 645 national protection.

The report also recorded other African nationalities among unaccompanied minors who sought asylum in Italy in 2025. These include Gambia (61 unaccompanied children), Mali (44), Guinea (42), Burkina Faso (34), Somalia (30), Ivory Coast (27), Senegal (9), and Nigeria (16).

According to the data, Italy is managing rising asylum demand amid declining approval rates.

It said, “In 2025, 126,635 first asylum requests were registered in Italy, representing a decrease compared to 2024 (when 151,120 applications were registered), but still almost double the number of applications registered in 2022 (77,200).”

Italy processed 104,560 first-instance decisions throughout 2025, even as “the overall protection rate (including special protection) at first instance stood at 30%, a slight decrease compared to 2024, when it was 35%, but even more significant if compared with 2022, when the protection rate was of 47%,” the document noted.

In total, 5,965 decisions or 5.7 per cent led to refugee status, 11,455 or 10.96 per cent to subsidiary protection, and 13,945 or 13.34 per cent to national protection.

As of December 2025, 234,165 applications remained pending.

The Italian government processes asylum claims through 20 Territorial Commissions and 23 sub-commissions under a three-tier protection framework.

Asylum seekers can appeal rejections before civil courts, with a final right of recourse to the Council of State.

In October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union struck down Italy’s mechanism for designating “safe countries of origin,” forcing Nigeria’s removal from the list.

The designation had previously subjected applications from Nigerians to accelerated procedures that put asylum claims at a disadvantage.

Italy’s asylum system faced further shakeup in 2025 from the Italy-Albania Agreement, under which migrants intercepted at sea were transferred to Albanian territory for processing under Italian jurisdiction.

The AIDA report said this arrangement faced repeated legal challenges throughout the year 2025.

On accommodation, the report noted that as of December 31, 2025, 101,106 asylum seekers were housed in emergency reception centres, 3,342 in government centres, and 3,652 in hotspots.

Arrivals by sea in 2025 amounted to 66,296, slightly down from the 66,617 in 2024 but less than half of the 157,651 arrivals recorded in 20233. The highest volume of migrants who arrived in Italy by sea originated from Bangladesh (20,164), Egypt (9,091), Eritrea (7,579), Pakistan (4,383), and Sudan (4,183).

Pope Leo XIV will not require further treatment for lung cancer after surgery successfully removed the cancerous tissue, the Vatican has said.

The Vatican press office disclosed this in a medical bulletin on Wednesday.

This followed the completion of tests on tissue removed during the pontiff’s surgery last week.

According to the bulletin, final histological reports and molecular biology analyses confirmed that the disease was a pulmonary adenocarcinoma and was localised.

The results have confirmed that the condition was a pulmonary adenocarcinoma and that the disease was localized.

“A subsequent oncological evaluation has confirmed that no further therapy is required,” the bulletin stated.

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 40 per cent of cases.

It often affects non-smokers and can develop relatively slowly.

Leo announced on October 11 that he needed surgery for a lung nodule, prompting concern within and outside the Vatican.

Doctors subsequently removed the affected lobe of his left lung during a hospital stay in Rome.

He returned home on October 17.

The following day, the pontiff made his first public appearance since the diagnosis, leading the Sunday Angelus prayer from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace.

Reflecting on his experience, Leo told worshippers, “This experience has given me a profound sense of closeness to all those who are going through illness or a state of infirmity.”

CNN reported that the pope’s recovery had been faster than is typical following such surgery, citing Dr Juanita Mora, a national medical spokesperson for the American Lung Association who was not involved in his treatment.

Mora said doctors would likely continue monitoring the pontiff through follow-up CT scans every three to six months during the first few years, followed by annual checks to detect any possible recurrence.

She added that patients recovering from such surgery often undergo respiratory physiotherapy to restore their breathing capacity.

Pope S’American tripa

The Vatican’s announcement comes ahead of the pope’s planned South American trip next month, which is expected to include stops in Peru, Uruguay and Argentina and require at least 14 flights.

Although the Vatican has not officially confirmed whether the trip will proceed, the surgeon who led the operation, Prof. Stefano Margaritora, told Vatican News that he saw “no clinical reasons” for cancelling it.

Mora said the pope might be advised to walk during the journey to help prevent blood clots associated with long flights.

She also recommended that he receive COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines for additional protection against respiratory infections.

The Vatican’s latest update indicates that no further cancer treatment is currently required, although medical follow-up is expected to remain part of the pontiff’s recovery.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday urged state governments to end their dependence on the Federal Government for solutions to local power problems and to set up functional electricity markets under the Electricity Act 2023.

He spoke at the opening of the National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Electricity Act 2023 at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The workshop, themed “Unlocking the Opportunities of the Electricity Act 2023 for Sustainable Energy Development and Economic Growth in Nigeria,” brought together federal and state institutions and regulators.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, on Wednesday, Shettima said Nigeria’s ambition of building a competitive industrial economy would remain constrained unless electricity reforms produced reliable power for businesses, households and public institutions.

He said the Act had created an opportunity to decentralise electricity governance and let states build power markets suited to their economies and resources.

“The Act empowers states to develop and regulate intrastate electricity markets within the applicable constitutional and statutory framework.

“The size, diversity and endowments of this nation demand this decentralisation.

Electricity supply must become a shared responsibility, pursued with innovation and accountability across the federation. Our states must shed the habit of waiting for Abuja to provide every answer,” he said.

The Vice President cited solar potential in Sokoto, Borno and Katsina, gas resources in Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa, and hydroelectric opportunities in Niger and Kebbi, and urged states to turn them into investments that could power agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education

He warned that a law alone would not improve supply, and told states that had yet to set up regulators to start without delay.

“Legislation cannot implement itself. States yet to act must begin their legislative and institutional preparations promptly.

“They need to establish functional electricity regulatory bodies with technical competence and capacity,” he said.

Shettima proposed a voluntary National Electricity Reform Peer Review and Implementation Framework, involving the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Federal Ministry of Power, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and state regulators.

He said states would use it to share experience, strengthen their regulators and assess progress on market development, investment readiness, consumer protection and electricity access.

According to him, “No state needs to purchase with failure the knowledge another state has already acquired.”

Shettima said annual voluntary reviews should identify implementation problems, facilitate technical assistance and promote practical solutions without undermining the constitutional powers of states

The Vice President said government could not finance the transformation from the treasury alone.

“Private capital must arrive with technology and expertise. Transparent licensing, predictable regulation, commercially viable markets, investment safeguards and credible dispute resolution will earn investors’ confidence,” he added.

He also called for stronger consumer protection against arbitrary billing, poor service and unfair commercial practices, and said operators must be held accountable for service quality.

The VP argued, “The final verdict on this law will be delivered wherever a Nigerian reaches for a switch.”

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, who represented the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said the Act’s success would depend on states’ ability to build credible institutions and commercially viable markets.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr Abdulateef Shittu, said work was under way on a standard tariff framework for states to protect consumers while attracting investment.

He urged stakeholders to ensure that any amendment to the legal framework was built on progress already made.

The Head of Compliance at the Electricity Commission, Hauwa Yakubu, said it had issued regulatory transfers to 17 states, the latest being Akwa Ibom.

She noted that the commission was supporting new state regulators through peer-to-peer training and technical engagement.

President Bola Tinubu signed the Electricity Act 2023 in June 2023, replacing the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.

It allows states to license generation, transmission and distribution within their borders, while the national regulator keeps oversight of interstate matters.

Lagos, Edo and Kaduna already had state electricity laws when it was signed.

The commission’s order moving Akwa Ibom’s intrastate regulation to the state regulator, AKSERC, was dated August 18, 2026.

At the time, it mandated that transfers be completed by February 17, 2027, and that the commission had reported 16 states fully transitioned in July.

Generation companies said in March that they were owed about N6.8tn at the end of February and that national output had hovered around 4,000 megawatts for years, against installed capacity of about 14,000 megawatts.

The Peoples Democratic Party’s senatorial candidate for Oyo Central, Ayobami Olunloyo, has said his late father’s political career inspired his ambition to serve the people and address the challenges facing his constituency.

Olunloyo, whose late father, Dr Omololu Olunloyo, was a former governor of Oyo State, said his early exposure to politics helped him understand its potential to improve people’s lives, hence his senatorial ambition.

Olunloyo’s father, who died on April 6, 2025, aged 89, was a renowned mathematician, engineer, politician and administrator who held several public offices.

The PDP candidate said he had been involved in politics for years, describing his participation as largely behind the scenes, while his current ambition offered him an opportunity to put his preparation for public office into practice

Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Olunloyo said that, although he had been involved in politics behind the scenes, he had also prepared for public office by attending the School of Politics, Policy and Governance.

This combination, he said, had given him the necessary experience, exposure and expertise to vie for public office.

He said, “Politics has never been something that has been far from me. I’ve always been close to politics. And my father’s opportunity in politics was really one of my inspirations because, at a very, very early part of my life, I recognised that politics has the means to change lives.

But beyond my family name, I also realised that I must take responsibility and attend to the several needs of the people of my constituency.”

Speaking on the challenges he intended to address, Olunloyo identified security, healthcare and education as fundamental needs of Oyo Central Senatorial District.

He said his policy framework was built around six pillars: work, education, food, healthcare, security and heritage, which, he said, should translate into tangible benefits rather than legislation without a direct impact on citizens.

On healthcare, he claimed that statistics showed that somebody died every 30 minutes in Oyo Central, attributing the deaths to factors including healthcare challenges and accidents. He did not identify the source of the figure.

He said the claim underscored the need to improve healthcare provision in the district, particularly primary healthcare services, so residents would not have to travel long distances to access care.

“Every 30 minutes, someone passes away in Oyo Central as a result of serial social issues of lack of basic social amenities. Before you refer somebody to University College Hospital, there must be a healthcare centre close enough to them,” Olunloyo said.

On education, Olunloyo said improving access should not be limited to building new schools but should include expanding existing facilities and increasing the number of children they could accommodate.

Education is the antidote to poverty, so it must be accessible,” Olunloyo said.

He also identified security as a priority, arguing that effective responses to insecurity required stronger intelligence gathering, capable law enforcement and a police force sufficiently close to communities facing threats.

On flooding and drainage, the candidate said interventions should reflect the different needs of the district’s 11 local government areas.

He identified Akinyele and Oluyole as areas where, he said, flood and flash-flood warnings had been issued.

“We will address issues in order of priorities. The 11 LGAs would be my focus. Each of the 11 local government areas has peculiar issues,” Olunloyo said.

He, however, acknowledged that a senator could not directly perform the functions of the executive arm, saying the role would include understanding the underlying problems, pursuing appropriate policies and working with relevant authorities.

Olunloyo said he would seek to make his representation accessible and accountable if elected, promising regular opportunities for constituents across the 11 local government areas to engage with him.

He said that within six months of being elected, the public would be able to assess a register of projects completed and those proposed.

On how he intended to defeat the incumbent senator, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, he said his focus was on campaigning to constituents, whose votes would determine the outcome.

“The incumbent is not our focus. The people are our focus,” he said, adding that voters would decide whether they wanted to retain the existing style of representation or opt for a different approach.

He added, “The people should test us for accountability. We are promising radical transparency. We have values to serve the people, not ourselves.

“There is nothing bad in disclosing to constituents how much is allocated for constituency projects. People should see how their money is being spent,” he said.

While acknowledging his responsibility to deliver constituency projects, he said he would prioritise transparency in their implementation.

He argued that constituency projects should address practical needs, including healthcare, education, water and other basic amenities, while legislation should create longer-term opportunities for development.

On why he chose the PDP despite the party’s challenges, Olunloyo described it as a party with a record of governance and said he believed it had more to offer the country.

“The PDP is one of the only parties right now that is turmoil-free. The PDP is stable. The PDP is one of the greatest parties that Nigeria has experienced, and it is committed to returning to government to serve Nigerians,” Olunloyo said.

He said his choice of the PDP was based on his belief in the party and its capacity to serve the people, adding that his immediate focus was securing the opportunity to represent Oyo Central.

However, the claim comes amid recurring leadership disputes within the party.

In 2026, rival camps aligned with Nyesom Wike and Tanimu Turaki (SAN) contested control of the party, with court proceedings and disputes over recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission forming part of the crisis.

INEC recognised the Wike-aligned leadership in March, while the Turaki camp continued to challenge the situation.

The United Kingdom has paid £5.7bn in student finance for the first term of the 2026/27 academic year, including £3bn in maintenance loans to students and £2.7bn in tuition fee payments to education providers.

The Student Loans Company disclosed this in a report published on the UK Home Office website on Wednesday.

According to the statement, “the £3bn in maintenance loans was paid directly to students in September, while the £2.7bn in tuition fee payments was released to education providers in October.”

The company said most first-term payments had been made, adding that it was continuing to support students who applied after the deadline and might have initially received only the minimum level of student finance.

Where a student applied late for funding, we awarded the minimum maintenance loan and their tuition fee loan to ensure they had funding to start their term,” the statement said.

It added that the remaining funding would be paid as a top-up once all the necessary application details had been confirmed.

The company said applications could take up to four weeks to process and encouraged students to apply as early as possible

It also announced that students starting courses on or after January 1, 2027, would apply for student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement funding scheme.

Applications for the scheme are expected to open by the end of October 2026.

The company noted that the figures were provisional, adding that full-year figures would be published in its Student Support for Higher Education statistical release on November 26, 2026.

ACM Abimbola Owolabi, Zonal Commanding Officer, RS6, gave the directive during her maiden visit to the Cross River Command in Calabar on Wednesday.

Owolabi said “patrol vehicles and sirens must not be used for political activities or private engagements, including weddings and funeral processions.”

She directed “officers deployed to campaign venues to focus exclusively on traffic management to prevent congestion and road crashes.”

The zonal commander warned personnel against leading political convoys or providing escorts for politicians, stressing that official vehicles must not be used for unauthorised purposes.

She urged officers to intensify public education on road safety, noting that sustained awareness campaigns could reduce crashes and help achieve zero fatalities.

Owolabi also warned against extortion, corruption and other unprofessional conduct, urging personnel to protect the corps’ reputation through accountability

Misconduct by patrol operators and other personnel undermines public confidence in the corps. Officers must be extremely accountable across operational units,” she said.

She advised officers to prioritise their safety during enforcement operations and avoid unnecessary confrontations that could lead to assaults, injuries or damage to their uniforms.

Owolabi urged personnel to exercise professionalism and discretion when dealing with motorists, particularly in volatile situations that could escalate into violence.

She called for stronger partnerships with private operators to ensure that broken-down vehicles were promptly removed from highways and traffic obstructions cleared.

The zonal commander also stressed the need for prompt emergency response, effective rescue operations and intensified patrols to reduce road crashes and fatalities.

“I urge FRSC personnel to maintain high standards of service delivery, process official correspondence carefully and ensure requests for operational support are properly documented,” she said.

She encouraged officers to prioritise their health and utilise the National Health Insurance Scheme, noting that good health was essential for effective service delivery.

Owolabi also appealed to the wives of FRSC personnel under the Road Safety Officers’ Wives Association (ROSOWA) to support their husbands in discharging their duties effectively and safeguarding lives.

(NAN)

This came following the confirmation of an Ebola Virus Disease case in the Federal Capital Territory by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

The disclosure was made in a statement by SUNU Health’s MD/CEO, Moyosore Olomola, on Wednesday following the confirmation of a case involving a Nigerian traveller who recently arrived from Uganda after visiting the virus hotspot, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

While the contact is currently receiving appropriate medical care in isolation and contact tracing has commenced, SUNU Health acknowledges the authorities’ step to activate emergency response protocols to contain the situation and prevent further spread.

The Health Maintenance Organisation stressed that it is committed to the wellbeing of its enrollees and the wider public, while encouraging all stakeholders to adhere strictly to recommended preventive measures and rely only on verified information from official public health authorities

Olomola said, “We will continue to monitor developments closely and share timely updates and guidance from the appropriate health authorities as the situation evolves. The safety and wellbeing of our enrollees, healthcare providers, and partners remain our highest priority.

“While there is no cause for panic, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant, adhere to recommended preventive measures, and seek prompt medical attention if symptoms develop following any suspected exposure. Nigeria has successfully contained Ebola outbreaks in the past, and we are confident in the capacity of our public health institutions to effectively manage the current situation.”

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has described London as a second home to Nigerians, citing the longstanding historical, cultural and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Akpabio said the relationship between the two countries should be sustained and expanded, particularly through closer legislative cooperation and increased parliamentary exchanges.

He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja when the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Peter Vowles, paid him a courtesy visit at his office.

“The history of Nigeria will not be complete without the United Kingdom. For us in Nigeria, London is like a second home.

“This permeates into economic sphere and trade and we will like to deepen the relationship in the area of legislation because we have a lot to learn from you,” Akpabio told the envoy.

The Senate President said the historical relationship between both countries had continued to reflect in their economic and diplomatic engagements, adding that stronger cooperation between the National Assembly and the British Parliament would benefit both sides.

He cited exchanges between members of Nigeria’s National Assembly and the British Parliament, including visits by members of the UK House of Commons to observe Nigerian Senate proceedings and visits by Nigerian committees to the House of Lords and House of Commons.

Akpabio said, “The King was very nice to us. He recognises till today the importance of Nigeria not just in terms of population but the strategic importance of Nigeria to the economy and security of the entire Africa. The ties between Nigeria and the UK must be sustained.

“Today, we have, once in a while, visits from the House of Commons to observe our proceedings. Our committees here too have had occasions to visit the British House of Lords and House of Commons. Whatever it is, we have a lot to learn from you.

“We want to deepen our relationship. We want to be able to have a lot of exchange programmes that will enable us to learn more and expand the relationship between the Nigerian Parliament as a whole and the United Kingdom in the area of legislation.”

He also praised King Charles III for his hospitality to President Bola Tinubu and members of his delegation during their recent state visit to the United Kingdom.

Beyond parliamentary relations, Akpabio urged British investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in the oil and mining sectors, assuring them of the prospects for profitable investments.

He said the Federal Government had improved the business environment, citing the ease of doing business and the ability of foreign investors to repatriate their funds.

Akpabio told Vowles, “As you are here now, you will take the message back to your investors in the UK that this is a country that even if you sell sand, you will make a profit.

“Anything you invest in Nigeria, you will go back with profits. The investment climate has been made very easy. Ease of doing business and the ability to repatriate your funds.”

Earlier, Vowles said his visit was intended to convey goodwill to the leadership of the Nigerian Parliament and reaffirm the British government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

He said the UK was keen to build on existing achievements and expand cooperation with both chambers of the National Assembly.

“The instruction from my government is to find a way to continue to deepen that relationship. We believe that we have made a very important stride together. We want to continue to drive that further together.

“We have a long-standing relationship with the National Assembly, both houses. We will continue to partner with you where you require UK support and partnership,” Vowles said.

The new Chairman of the Military Pensions Board, Major General Julius Osifo, has pledged to ensure prompt payment of pensions, gratuities, death benefits and other entitlements to retired military personnel and families of deceased servicemen.

Osifo made the pledge on Wednesday during the handing-over ceremony between him and his predecessor, Air Vice Marshal Mikhail Abdulraheem, at the board’s headquarters in Abuja.

He said his administration would prioritise the welfare of military veterans and families of personnel who died in the line of duty by making benefit payments faster, easier to access and less bureaucratic.

“My mission statement will be anchored on leading a Board that will prioritise all ways and means to ensure payments are prompt, accessed with seamless ease, less cumbersome, less bureaucratic, but with an overriding commitment to ensuring only the rightful recipients get their due entitlements,” he said.

The new chairman said delays in the payment of death benefits to families of soldiers killed in action could undermine the sacrifices of fallen personnel and affect the morale of troops still engaged in military operations.

From my personal experience in OPHK, I can tell you outright that inefficient administration leading to default in payments of benefits to NOK of KIA not only diminishes the sacrifices of our gallant soldiers, but also dishonours the memory of those killed in action and demoralises the fighting spirit of those in combat,” Osifo said.

He added that the same concern applied to personnel who retired or were discharged after serving in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Osifo, who became the 26th chairman of the board, said he would build on the achievements of his predecessors and deploy technology to improve pension administration.

He said the board would also strengthen collaboration with the military services and other relevant institutions to identify beneficiaries proactively and ensure faster processing of their entitlements.

The implementation strategies for the attainment of this mission statement include leveraging smart systems of contemporary technology, effective liaison with the Services for proactive identification of beneficiaries, prompt processing of benefits and enhanced capacity building of MPB personnel,” he said.

The chairman also pledged to improve the capacity and motivation of the board’s personnel, saying a well-trained and motivated workforce was essential to achieving its objectives.

He said his ultimate goal was to reposition the board to ensure prompt and seamless payments to veterans and families of fallen soldiers.

“My desired end state is to reposition the MPB to be technically proficient towards the optimisation of my vision of prompt and seamless payments to veterans and families of fallen heroes,” he said.

Osifo assumed leadership of the board following the completion of Abdulraheem’s tenure.

In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing chairman thanked officers, soldiers and civilian staff of the board for their cooperation and support during his tenure.

He urged them to extend the same commitment to his successor, stressing that the board’s mandate depended on teamwork and a shared commitment to the welfare of military pensioners and their next of kin.

“The mandate of this Board is bigger than any individual and its success depends on our ability to remain united and focused on the welfare of our military pensioners and their Next-of-Kin,” Abdulraheem said.

He expressed confidence in his successor and wished him a successful tenure.

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a group mobilising support of the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 is set to unveil a book on the stewardship of the president as preparation for the general election intensifies across various political parties.

Titled, “The Courage of Forum: Architecture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Beyond 2027: Statecraft and Vision for National Renewal,” the book unveiling is slated for Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Addressing journalists at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Secretary, Central Planning Committee for the book presentation and launch, Mr Jethro Annum, described the work as a compendium of giant strides recorded in the past three and a half years of the President Tinubu-led government.

The book documents and examines the major policy decisions and structural reforms undertaken by President Tinubu’s administration, highlighting their objectives, challenges and implications for Nigeria’s long-term development.

“It focuses on key initiatives, including fuel subsidy removal, comprehensive tax reforms, the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, financial autonomy for local governments, the creation of Forest Guards, the proposal for state police and market liberalisation measures,” he said.

The reforms, Annum added, “reflect the administration’s stated commitment to restructuring public finance, expanding access to education, strengthening grassroots governance, addressing insecurity and creating a more competitive economic environment.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has said that accessing student loans is voluntary, urging tertiary institution students to apply only when they genuinely need financial assistance to pursue their education.

The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Strategic Communications, NELFUND, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, in Abuja on Wednesday.

The fund explained that the student loan scheme was established to remove, “financial barriers to higher education and ensure that eligible Nigerian students were not denied educational opportunities because of financial constraints.”

It stressed that students who could afford their educational expenses were under no obligation to apply for or access the facility.

NELFUND said making the loans compulsory for all students, irrespective of their financial circumstances, would contradict the purpose of the scheme, which is to support those who need financial assistance rather than encourage indiscriminate borrowing

The student loan scheme is a support mechanism, not an obligation,” the fund stated.

It urged tertiary institutions, student leaders and other stakeholders to provide accurate information about the scheme and guide students who require financial support on how to access it.

The fund added that the facility was interest-free and intended to help beneficiaries overcome financial difficulties associated with pursuing higher education.

However, it cautioned prospective applicants that the loans came with repayment obligations in line with the provisions of the Student Loans Act, advising students to understand the terms and conditions before applying.

NELFUND maintained that its objective was to ensure that financial hardship did not prevent eligible Nigerian students from pursuing their educational aspirations.

The scheme is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand access to tertiary education by providing financial assistance to students who may struggle to meet the costs of their studies.

While the interest-free arrangement reduces the cost of borrowing, the fund’s latest clarification underscores the importance of ensuring that students understand that the facility is optional and that beneficiaries are expected to fulfil the applicable repayment requirements.

The Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Oyedunni Arulogun, has urged newly inducted medical laboratory scientists to prioritise accuracy, integrity and compassion in the discharge of their professional duties, warning that errors in laboratory testing could have serious consequences for patients.

Arulogun gave the charge during the university’s second induction and oath-taking ceremony for 16 Medical Laboratory Science graduates held on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

She said medical laboratory scientists played a critical role in healthcare delivery by providing the scientific evidence required by physicians to diagnose diseases and determine appropriate treatments.

Arulogun warned the inductees against carelessness, noting that every specimen represented a human being whose health could depend on the accuracy of the laboratory result.

The VC explained that “When a patient walks into the hospital with serious illness, the first person the patient asks to see is the doctor. But the doctor cannot treat without the medical laboratory specialist

This is why I often say that the medical laboratory scientist is one of the places where uncertainty is transformed into evidence, and evidence becomes the foundation of life-saving decisions.”

She added, “Behind every blood sample is someone’s father, mother, daughter, son, or loved one. Behind every laboratory request is a person waiting for answers, often in a state of anxiety.

“A wrongly labelled specimen, an inaccurate result, a compromised quality control procedure, or a careless interpretation can have serious consequences, and therefore accuracy must never be sacrificed for speed, while integrity and professional standards must not be compromised for convenience.”

The vice-chancellor also urged the graduates to embrace emerging technologies, including molecular diagnostics, genomic medicine, artificial intelligence and digital laboratory systems, saying that advances in science were rapidly changing the diagnosis and management of diseases.

Arulogun also expressed concern about Nigeria’s public health challenges, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance, stressing that laboratory professionals were central to addressing them.

Underlining the university’s expectations of its graduates, she said, “At Chrisland University, our commitment has always been to education that develops both competence and character.”

She urged the inductees to allow competence to define their practice, integrity to guide their decisions and compassion to give meaning to their service.

Speaking during the induction, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Dr Donald Ofili, represented by an Assistant Director with the council, Mr Jude Oparanoze, congratulated the graduates and commended the university for its contributions to medical laboratory science education.

Ofili said that the council valued its partnership with the university and urged both institutions to sustain their collaboration in producing competent professionals capable of protecting public health.

He congratulated the 16 graduates presented for induction, particularly the four who earned first-class honours, describing their performance as evidence of the rewards of hard work and determination.

However, he called on the university management to strengthen infrastructure in the Medical Laboratory Science department by providing additional training facilities and employing adequate personnel.

He described medical laboratory science as a hands-on profession and commended the university for commencing a postgraduate programme in the department.

The Federal Character Commission and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria have pledged to strengthen collaboration to promote fairness, inclusivity and compliance with the federal character principle in recruitment, promotion and staff deployment.

The commitment was made on Tuesday during an interactive session between the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation, chaired by Peter Eze, and FAAN management at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Eze said federal institutions must ensure that qualified Nigerians from all parts of the country have equitable opportunities to contribute to national development.

He stressed that the federal character principle should not undermine merit, noting that professional competence and equitable representation could be achieved simultaneously.

Fairness is not a substitute for merit, and merit should not become an excuse for exclusion. Our goal is a workforce that is both professionally excellent and nationally representative,” Eze said.

The federal commissioner representing Enugu State said the engagement was designed to assess FAAN’s workforce practices, identify challenges and develop practical measures to improve compliance with federal character guidelines.

He urged the authority to demonstrate its commitment to equitable opportunities beyond submitting compliance documents

Look beyond compliance documents and demonstrate a clear commitment to equitable opportunities. A workforce that reflects the country’s diversity would strengthen public confidence and contribute to national development”, Eze said.

Responding, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to the federal character principle while emphasising the importance of maintaining professional standards in the aviation sector.

She said FAAN’s annual promotion exercises involved consultations with the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Salaries and Wages Commission.

Onabanjo-Kuku added that, to the best of her knowledge, FAAN had not received any letter from the commission alleging non-compliance with the principle.

She welcomed further guidance from the FCC on procedures for notifying the commission about recruitment and promotion exercises, assuring that the authority would continue to adhere to the prescribed guidelines.

The managing director explained that staff deployment was influenced by operational demands and international aviation standards, including those set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

According to her, FAAN manages 22 airports and provides management services for about six others on behalf of state governments and private-sector interests.

She said passenger traffic and operational activities were concentrated at a few airports, making staff deployment dependent on specific operational requirements.

Onabanjo-Kuku identified aviation security and fire and rescue services as areas requiring additional personnel, noting that recruitment into the specialised roles must take into account age, health and physical fitness requirements.

In a related development, the Executive Chairman of the FCC, Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, assured FAAN of the commission’s readiness to strengthen its working relationship with federal agencies.

Omidiran gave the assurance when the FAAN managing director paid her a courtesy visit after the interactive session.

She said the commission was adopting a more streamlined approach to compliance through direct engagement with the heads of government institutions.

She expressed optimism that sustained engagement would strengthen accountability, improve relations between the commission and federal institutions, and promote adherence to the federal character principle.

A former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has described the late National Leader of the Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as a distinguished educationist and devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
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‎The Afenifere leader passed on at his residence in Akure , the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday at the age of 100.
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‎To this end, many prominent Nigerians have been paying tributes to the departed centenarian, including President Bola Tinubu, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Oba Olu Falae among others.
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‎‎In a statement he personally issued on Wednesday, Mimiko said passing away of Pa Fasoranti at the remarkable age of 100 marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in the political and moral history of Ondo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria.
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‎He said, “He was more than an elder statesman; he was a custodian of a political tradition, a devoted disciple of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a man whose life embodied the enduring virtues of discipline, integrity, courage and service.
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‎”As an educationist, administrator, politician, Afenifere leader and pro-democracy activist, Pa Fasoranti distinguished himself across generations. His service as Commissioner for Finance in the administration of the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin was a defining expression of his commitment to public probity and responsible governance.
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‎”His subsequent leadership of the progressive movement, particularly as the leader of Afenifere until his demise, reflected a lifelong conviction that politics must be anchored in principle and directed towards the welfare of the people.”
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‎The former governor further eulogised that Fasoranti, as leader of Afenifere, provided wise, principled and steady guidance to the organisation and to the broader and global Yoruba political family.
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‎‎”He carried the responsibility with dignity, courage and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of social justice, good governance, federalism and the advancement of the Yoruba people within a united and prosperous Nigeria and in the diaspora. Never for once were personal ambition or greed markers of his leadership philosophy or direction; it was all about fidelity to principle and an abiding concern for the future of the nation.
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“He belonged to a generation for whom public service was a duty, not an avenue for private enrichment; for whom political convictions were not disposable conveniences; and for whom the struggle for a better society demanded consistency, sacrifice and courage. His steadfastness through the difficult years of military rule and his commitment to democratic ideals remain important lessons for our country.
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‎”When tragedy of monumental proportions visited him through losses, one of his wife and another of a dear daughter, he soldiered on with uncommon stoicism and untainted submission to the supreme will of God,” Mimiko eulogised.
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‎He also noted that Fasoranti’s death was a profound loss to the people of Ondo State, saying ” we have lost a father figure whose long life connected our political present to some of the most consequential chapters of our collective history.”
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‎‎”His was a generation that understood the value of institutions, the responsibilities of leadership and the need to preserve a political culture in which the public good must always take precedence over personal interest.

At over a century lived on this side, Baba leaves behind more than the memories of a long and eventful life. He leaves a standard by which leadership may be judged and a legacy that challenges younger generations to pursue public life with honour, courage and an abiding sense of responsibility,” the statement concluded.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered an illegal herbal product manufacturing facility in Agege, Lagos State, where bitters were allegedly being sold with a registration number belonging to a cough syrup.

The agency disclosed this in a post on its X page on Wednesday.

It said the discovery followed a report published by The Guardian on October 10, 2026, on herbal products bearing falsified NAFDAC registration numbers.

“NAFDAC has uncovered an illegal herbal product manufacturing facility in Agege, Lagos State, following a report published by The Guardian on 10 October 2026 concerning herbal products bearing falsified NAFDAC registration numbers,” the agency said.

According to NAFDAC, its investigative team conducted surveillance before moving in on the facility.

“A NAFDAC investigative team conducted surveillance and subsequently discovered three variants of Asheitu Adams Bitters bearing NAFDAC Registration Number A7-1827L,” the statement read.

The agency said checks on its NAPAMS portal showed that the number belongs to a different product.

Verification through NAFDAC’s NAPAMS portal revealed that the registration number belongs to Greentol Cough Syrup, confirming its fraudulent use on the herbal products,” it added.

NAFDAC said the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer was absent during the operation, while the company manager was arrested.

“The company manager was arrested for further interrogation,” the agency stated.

It urged members of the public to report suspected illegal manufacturing activities.

“The agency urges members of the public to provide credible information on suspected illegal manufacturing activities to the NAFDAC Call Centre on 0800-1-623322 or 0700-1-623322, or email reforms@nafdac.gov.ng,” the statement said.

The raid is the latest in a series of enforcement operations the agency has carried out across the country.

Online reports that on October 14, NAFDAC seized counterfeit alcoholic beverages valued at more than N2bn during a raid at the International Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.

This followed an earlier October operation in which it seized alcoholic beverages worth an estimated N300m at Ile-Epo Market.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to strengthen preventive and emergency medical measures against the spread of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria, following the confirmation of a case in Abuja.

The House also called for the immediate release of outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies to boost the country’s preparedness and response capacity.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Isuikwato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Amobi Ogah, during plenary on Wednesday.

Presenting the motion, Ogah described Ebola Virus Disease as a severe and potentially fatal infectious disease that requires prompt detection, effective infection prevention and control measures, and coordinated public health intervention to prevent transmission and save lives.

It is extremely disturbing that yesterday, October 20, 2026 an Ebola Virus case was confirmed in a woman arriving from Uganda in Abuja who tested positive. Health authorities traced 44 contacts for isolation and further tests,” he said.

The lawmaker warned that delays in detecting suspected cases, conducting laboratory investigations, isolating infected persons, tracing contacts and providing timely medical care could increase the risk of transmission and put additional pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

He said the House was also concerned that inadequate public awareness, shortages of infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness and limited emergency response capacity could undermine efforts to contain the disease.

The House is further concerned that inadequate public awareness, insufficient infection prevention and control supplies, gaps in healthcare workers’ preparedness, and limited emergency response capacity could undermine efforts to prevent and contain the Ebola outbreak.

“We recognise the critical roles of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, relevant state ministries of health, port health authorities, and other stakeholders in strengthening national epidemic preparedness and response.

“We acknowledge the importance of coordination with the World Health Organisation and other relevant international and regional public health institutions to ensure that Nigeria’s preventive and response measures are guided by current scientific evidence and international health regulations,” he said.

At the plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion and called on the Federal Government to immediately mobilise private, state and federal health agencies and place them on high alert to contain the outbreak.

They also urged the federal government, through the Ministry of Finance, to release all outstanding appropriated funds to relevant health agencies without delay.

The House said the funds were necessary to enable the agencies to discharge their responsibilities effectively, particularly as the country steps up surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing and other emergency response measures.

It further urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the NCDC to assess the funding required to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response capacity in line with current epidemiological evidence and public health guidance.

The House also mandated its Committee on Infectious Diseases to engage relevant ministries, departments, agencies and public health institutions to obtain updates on the country’s Ebola situation and the measures being taken to prevent further transmission.

The committee is expected to report back to the House for further legislative action.

Ebola is a serious viral disease that can spread through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is symptomatic, or with contaminated materials. Early identification of suspected cases, prompt isolation, contact tracing and strict infection prevention and control measures are critical to limiting transmission.

The confirmation of the Abuja case has heightened the importance of effective coordination among federal and state health authorities, particularly in surveillance, public communication and the rapid deployment of medical resources.

The House’s intervention comes amid concerns that any weaknesses in emergency preparedness could complicate efforts to contain the disease and protect healthcare workers and members of the public.

The Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship focuses on developing and emerging countries where women are underrepresented in STEM disciplines. 

The Schlumberger Foundation Faculty For The Future Fellowship offers an annual grant of $50,000 per year to women from developing and emerging economies to pursue PhD or Post-doctoral research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at leading universities worldwide. 

In this post, we will highlight the details of the Schlumberger Fellowship opportunity including a step-by-step guide on how to apply for it.

2026 Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship Summary

• Host: Schlumberger Foundation
• Category: Fellowships
• Eligible Countries: Developing Countries
• Reward: $50,000/Year
• No IELTS Required 
• Deadline: November 7, 2026
•   2027 Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship Details:

Faculty for the Future fellowships are awarded to women from developing and emerging economies who are preparing for PhD or post-doctoral study in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines to pursue advanced graduate study at top universities in their disciplines abroad.

Launched by the SLB Foundation in 2004, Faculty for the Future has grown to become a community of 863 women from 90 countries. The long-term goal of the Faculty for the Future program is to generate conditions that result in more women pursuing scientific disciplines.

Faculty for the Future does not draw on one single source or list but constitutes its eligible country list from a number of sources which allows incorporation of development status with regard to science, gender and education for example

2027 Schlumberger Foundation Faculty For The Future Fellowship Requirements:

To be eligible to apply for this Fellowship applicants must meet the following criteria: You:

• are a female and are a citizen of a developing country or emerging economy where women are underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines*.
• are not eligible to apply if you hold dual citizenship of which one is citizenship of a developed country.
• (N.B. If you have been awarded a Faculty for the Future grant and after the award you obtain citizenship of a developed country, the grant will be discontinued as of the date of such additional citizenship);
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• are preparing for a PhD degree or post-doctoral research in a STEM discipline. The Faculty for the Future program does not fund Master level studies; – are enrolled, admitted or
• have applied to a host university/research institute abroad (applications are no longer accepted where a candidate has not yet applied to a university).
• If you are applying for a sandwich course the final degree must be awarded by the Host University abroad or jointly (i.e., but not solely from the home country university);
• hold an excellent academic record;
• are willing to go back to your home country or region upon completion of your studies to contribute to its socio-economic development; 
• have a proven record of teaching experience in your home country and can demonstrate your commitment to going back home to:
• i) an academic or research position in a STEM faculty;
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• ii) and/or to using your knowledge to become a STEM entrepreneur to help resolve regional challenges in your local community/region;

• iii) and/or to demonstrating leadership by contributing to the public sector using your scientific skills to help provide evidence-based support for STEM policy making, including topics of gender representation; SLB-Private
• can demonstrate leadership skills, active community outreach and have a track record in encouraging girls and women into STEM.

If you do not meet the above criteria, please do not apply for a grant, as your application will not be retained in the selection process.

Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship 2027 Duration and Reward

• The Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowship 2027-2028 offers financial support to international students.
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• It provides a maximum scholarship of USD 50,000 per year for PhD candidates and up to USD 40,000 per year for Post-doctoral researchers, with the possibility of renewal until the completion of their studies.

Selection Criteria for Schlumberger Foundation Faculty For The Future Fellowship

A successful application will have gone through four selection rounds, with the reviewers paying particular attention to the following criteria:

• Academic performance;
• Quality of references;
• Quality of host country university;
• Level of commitment to return to home country;
• Commitment to teaching, STEM entrepreneurship or policy-making;
• Relevance of research to home country;
• Commitment to inspiring girls and women into STEM.

How To Apply for Schlumberger Foundation Fellowship 2027 (Step by Step)

READ HOW TO APPLY ON OUR NEW VERSION

Deadline: November 7, 2026

The Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria has urged Nigerians to be wary of handshakes, hugs and other unnecessary physical contact and to adopt non-contact greetings instead as

part of the immediate nationwide high alert response to the confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In a public health advisory issued on Tuesday, the Academy endorsed the Federal Government’s response to the confirmed case involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda, the Academy commended the prompt isolation of the patient, commencement of contact tracing and intensified surveillance.

Noting that the measure was an additional precaution members of the public were urged to wash their hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers, avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons and refrain from handling the bodies of people suspected to have died from Ebola.

The advisory, jointly signed by the Academy’s President, Emeritus Professor Osato Giwa-Osagie; Foundation President, Professor Oladapo A. Ashiru; and Rapid Response Committee member, Professor Boaz Adegboro, urged the federal government to extend heightened preparedness measures across the country, drawing on Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014 and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the statement, the experts called for enhanced screening at airports, seaports and land borders, particularly for travellers arriving from countries affected by Ebola, as well as the activation of isolation and treatment centres across states.

They stressed the need for strict infection prevention and control measures in public and private health facilities, adequate personal protective equipment for health workers and rigorous monitoring of identified contacts.

Urging healthcare professionals to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly isolate anyone suspected of having Ebola and immediately report such cases to public health authorities, The Academy identified fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea as symptoms requiring attention, particularly in people who may have been exposed to the virus, they advised anyone who suspects exposure or develops symptoms to contact public health authorities before visiting a health facility, to reduce the risk of exposing others.

Addressing public concerns about transmission of the Ebola virus, the Academy explained that Ebola is not an airborne disease, saying it spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, a person who has died from the disease, or materials contaminated with such fluids, noting that an infected person cannot transmit Ebola before symptoms begin.

Further, the advisory called for full cooperation with contact-tracing teams and warned against spreading rumours or stigmatising suspected cases, urging Nigerians to rely on information from official health authorities.

By Sola Ogundipe

The Academy of Medical Sciences of Nigeria has urged Nigerians to be wary of handshakes, hugs and other unnecessary physical contact and to adopt non-contact greetings instead as
part of the immediate nationwide high alert response to the confirmed Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In a public health advisory issued on Tuesday, the Academy endorsed the Federal Government’s response to the confirmed case involving a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria from Uganda, the Academy commended the prompt isolation of the patient, commencement of contact tracing and intensified surveillance.

Noting that the measure was an additional precaution members of the public were urged to wash their hands regularly with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers, avoid contact with the body fluids of sick persons and refrain from handling the bodies of people suspected to have died from Ebola.

The advisory, jointly signed by the Academy’s President, Emeritus Professor Osato Giwa-Osagie; Foundation President, Professor Oladapo A. Ashiru; and Rapid Response Committee member, Professor Boaz Adegboro, urged the federal government to extend heightened preparedness measures across the country, drawing on Nigeria’s successful containment of Ebola in 2014 and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the statement, the experts called for enhanced screening at airports, seaports and land borders, particularly for travellers arriving from countries affected by Ebola, as well as the activation of isolation and treatment centres across states.

They stressed the need for strict infection prevention and control measures in public and private health facilities, adequate personal protective equipment for health workers and rigorous monitoring of identified contacts.

Urging healthcare professionals to maintain a high index of suspicion, promptly isolate anyone suspected of having Ebola and immediately report such cases to public health authorities, The Academy identified fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea as symptoms requiring attention, particularly in people who may have been exposed to the virus, they advised anyone who suspects exposure or develops symptoms to contact public health authorities before visiting a health facility, to reduce the risk of exposing others.

Addressing public concerns about transmission of the Ebola virus, the Academy explained that Ebola is not an airborne disease, saying it spreads through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person who has developed symptoms, a person who has died from the disease, or materials contaminated with such fluids, noting that an infected person cannot transmit Ebola before symptoms begin.

Further, the advisory called for full cooperation with contact-tracing teams and warned against spreading rumours or stigmatising suspected cases, urging Nigerians to rely on information from official health authorities.

It directed the public to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s toll-free number, 6232, which is available round the clock

Fatai Okoya, who identifies himself as the first child of billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya, has appealed to his father for forgiveness after decades of estrangement, attributing their disagreement to a money dispute and his marriage to a woman his father reportedly disapproved of.

Fatai made the appeal during a TikTok Live session with blogger Yeye Kudi Court Room on Monday, recounting his attempts to reconcile with the founder of Eleganza Group and his disappointment over an alleged encounter at the businessman’s 86th birthday celebration.

He said the rift began when he was younger after he took a small amount of money from his father’s company, adding that he did not consider the sum substantial enough to warrant years of separation.

“I did not embezzle much money, if it was much, I would have built house and bought planes and cars,” he said in Yoruba.

Fatai also blamed his decision to marry a woman his father did not approve of, saying he was young and in love at the time.

He said he had made several attempts to reconcile with his father and wanted an opportunity to meet him again.

“I have tried to make peace for 40 years,” he said.

Recounting his experience at the birthday celebration, Fatai alleged that he was initially welcomed but was later prevented from approaching his father.

Fatai added that he was told his father had to be informed before he could see him.

But my father did not have anything to say. So I had to turn back and go and sit down in my chair,” he said.

He maintained that his appeal was not motivated by a desire for financial assistance but by a wish to rebuild his relationship with his father.

He also alleged that he had tried to reach the businessman through friends and intermediaries but had been unable to secure a reunion.

Fatai’s daughter, identified as Zee during the session, also joined the conversation, saying she had no relationship with her grandfather and wanted to help her father reconcile with him.

She said she knew her father missed his father after years of separation.

The host appealed to people close to the businessman to help facilitate a reunion, specifically calling on Chief Kesington Adebutu, popularly known as Baba Ijebu, a friend of Razaq Okoya, to intervene.

Renewing his appeal, Fatai asked his father to forgive his past behaviour and give their relationship another chance.

“I’m begging my father. To err is human, to forgive is divine. He should please overlook all my behaviour then as a child. He should please see that I, too, am a grown man. He should use his elderly wisdom to embrace us and bring us back to the family so that the issue can be settled once and for all,” he said.

Fatai said he and his father had been close while he was growing up and that he was the only child his mother had with the businessman.

Omokri disclosed this in a post shared on X on Tuesday, saying the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Mexico in Abuja, José Manuel Briseño Flores, delivered the agrément confirming the Mexican government’s acceptance of his appointment.

“To God be the glory, the Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the United Mexican States in Abuja, Mr José Manuel Briseño Flores, today in Abuja delivered the agrément from the Government of the United Mexican States accepting me, Bemigho Reno Omokri, to serve as Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Mexican States, with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Honduras, and the Republic of Nicaragua, to the Director of Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Ambassador Babagana Wakil,” he wrote.

He is also to serve as Nigeria’s ambassador to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, with concurrent accreditation to the three countries.

President Bola Tinubu nominated Omokri for an ambassadorial position in November 2025, alongside several other nominees, including former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, and former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu.

The Senate confirmed Omokri and other ambassadorial nominees in December 2025, while Tinubu approved the posting of 65 ambassadors-designate and high commissioners to their respective countries on March 6, 2026. Omokri was assigned to Mexico City

However, his posting remained among those awaiting formal diplomatic approval from the host country.

In August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mexico and Japan were among the countries yet to communicate formal acceptance of two outstanding ambassadorial appointments. The ministry said it was engaging the countries and expressed confidence that the approvals would be conveyed in due course.

Omokri had also dismissed speculation that Mexico had rejected his appointment.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today in June, he said the delay was linked to diplomatic processes and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico is co-hosting with the United States and Canada.

Agrément is the formal consent a country gives before an ambassador nominated by another country can be appointed to serve there.

Omokri previously served as a media aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan and is known for his political commentary.

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre has expressed concerns over the alleged violent invasion of the residence of a middle-age man, Mr Jude Anokwu, in Udezu Village, Achalla,in the Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The incident, which reportedly happened on Saturday, was said to have been carried out by armed men believed to include personnel of the Anambra State security outfit, ‘Operation Udogachi’.

In the operation reportedly led by one “Sese Kolombo”, Anokwu’s residence was allegedly  vandalised, the CCTV installation destroyed, as well as the removal of his vehicle and personal belongings.

While the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security and commander of “Operation Udogachi”, Ken Emeakayi, is insisting that the security operatives do not get involved in any civil or private matters because such is outside their job descriptions, RULAAC is, however, saying otherwise.

RULAAC, in a petition signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, and made available to our correspondent on Monday, said during the invasion, Anokwu’s gatekeeper, identified simply as “Chibuzo”, was allegedly shot by an armed security personnel identified as “Atanda”.

Nwanguma added that the house and other property, including the CCTV cameras, were vandalised and destroyed during the operation, adding that the operation was carried out under the authority of the Security Adviser to the Governor and commander of ‘Operation Udogachi’, Ken Emeakai.

According to him, the present location and condition of the gatekeeper remain unknown

The letter read, “RULAAC is seriously concerned about the reported violent invasion of the residence of Mr Jude Anokwu of Udezu Village, Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday, 17 October 2026.

“According to information made available to RULAAC, armed men believed to include personnel of the Anambra State security outfit, ‘Operation Udogachi’, and armed persons from Udezu Village invaded Anokwu’s residence. The operation was reportedly led by Chijioke Ekwelie, also known as ‘Sese Kolombo’.

“During the invasion, Anokwu’s gatekeeper – simply identified as Chibuzo – was allegedly shot by a man identified as Atanda. His present location and condition remain unknown. He is reportedly not among those being detained with Mr. Anokwu. The house and other property were also allegedly vandalised or destroyed during the operation.

“Anokwu was reportedly taken away violently alongside several friends who were visiting him. Their vehicle and personal belongings were also taken. RULAAC has been informed that Anokwu and several others are presently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka.”

RULAAC noted that the incident could not be considered in isolation as it bears disturbing similarities to Anokwu’s previous arrest on July 24, 2025, arising from the same long-running dispute over land inherited from his family.

According to the group, on the occasion, local actors from Udezu Village, working with police personnel, allegedly invaded his residence at about 5.30am, assaulted him with wooden planks, sprayed tear gas into his eyes, handcuffed him and took him to Achalla Police Division.

“He was subsequently handed over to a police team from Zone 2 Command, Lagos, and transported across state lines to Lagos without any apparent jurisdictional justification.

At Zone 2 Command, Anokwu was confronted with allegations of conspiracy, terrorism, threat to life, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace and association with IPOB/ESN. He was reportedly assaulted and sustained injuries to his ribs and jaw.

“Bail conditions requiring two sureties with landed property in Lagos were also imposed on him, even though he lived in Anambra and had no meaningful connection with Lagos.

Following RULAAC’s intervention, the then Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 reviewed the matter and directed Mr. Anokwu’s release. He subsequently required medical treatment for the injuries he allegedly sustained during the arrest and detention.

“The latest operation, reportedly involving some of the same local interests, therefore raises a reasonable concern that it may be a continuation of efforts to dispossess Anokwu of his inherited family land through intimidation, violence and the manipulation of security agencies.

“RULAAC has also received disturbing information that plans may have been made to accuse Anokwu of harbouring IPOB/ESN members and training so-called “Yahoo boys’.

“We do not present these claims—or the accusations against him—as established facts. However, the recycling of grave security allegations resembling those used against him in 2025 demands urgent and impartial scrutiny. Allegations of terrorism or criminal association must never become convenient instruments for settling land disputes or silencing a party asserting proprietary rights.

“We are further informed that the current operation and detention were carried out under the authority of Ken Emeakai, identified as the Governor’s Security Adviser and commander of Operation Udogachi,” RULAAC added.

The group, therefore, called upon the leadership of the ‘Operation Udogachi’ security outfit to clarify publicly, the legal and factual basis for the operation at Anokwu’s residence; the identities and official status of everyone who participated; whether armed civilians from Udezu village accompanied security personnel and, if so, why; the circumstances in which Anokwu’s gatekeeper was allegedly shot, who took him away and his present location and medical condition.

RULAAC also called on the Governor of Anambra State, the State Security Adviser, the leadership of Operation Udogachi and the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, to act fairly, transparently and strictly in the interest of justice.

“Finally, the underlying land dispute should be resolved through lawful civil processes, not armed raids, detention or unsubstantiated security allegations. The Anambra State Government must ensure that Operation Udogachi does not become available to powerful private interests as an instrument of intimidation or dispossession,” the group said.

However, when contacted on Tuesday, Emeakayi, insisted that the security operatives under his watch do not get involved in anything civil or private matters as such is outside their job descriptions.

Emeakayi said his office has no business or interests with land matters, and local politics of Achalla and/or any other communities for that matter.

He said, “There are serious security threats and concerns in Achalla and as a result we have already invited the community’s leadership, including the Igwe and the PG, to a meeting on Friday October 23, 2026, at the Old Government House, Awka, by 2pm.

“RULAAC should accept this as an official invitation to come and observe the proceedings of the said meeting in order to get first-hand information about the real issues and alleged involvement of the state security outfit in Achalla.”

However, reacting to Emeakayi’s invitation to the meeting, Nwanguma said RULAAC welcomes Emeakayi’s invitation to attend the proposed meeting with the leadership of Achalla community on Friday, October 23, 2026.

He, however, told Emeakayi that a meeting scheduled for a later date cannot substitute for immediate answers to urgent questions arising from an operation reportedly conducted by a state security outfit under his supervision.

He said, “Emeakayi’s response does not deny that personnel of the security outfit participated in the operation. It does not disclose the legal basis for the raid, the allegations against those arrested, the identities of the participating operatives or the location and condition of Chibuzo, who was reportedly shot and taken away.”

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, pledging the state’s support for mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Aiyedatiwa spoke when members of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, led by Chief Kestin Pondi, visited him in his office on Tuesday.

Pondi represented the movement’s convener and Director-General, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo.

The visit followed the inauguration of the movement and the unveiling of 26 campaign vehicles for grassroots mobilisation across Ondo State’s 26 constituencies.

Aiyedatiwa commended the movement for extending its activities from Delta State, the convener’s home state, to all 36 states of the federation.

He said the door-to-door approach could help tackle voter apathy by familiarising Nigerians with Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress before election day.

‎‎“As someone who is also a grassroots politician, door-to-door campaigning has a way of making people aware of what is happening, and on election day they will come out because the name of Mr President will not be new to them,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa also attributed his administration’s capacity to execute infrastructure projects partly to the Federal Government’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said had increased the funds available to states for development.

He stressed that national development should extend beyond Abuja to all 36 states, adding that Ondo had welcomed support groups working towards Tinubu’s re-election.

Earlier, Pondi, the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, said the 26 vehicles would take the campaign to homes, churches, mosques, markets and creeks across the state.

He said the movement aimed to educate residents on why they should vote for Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election and challenged its members to secure more than one million votes for the President in Ondo State.

The Ondo State APC Chairman, Kolawole Babatunde, said the party had structures on the ground to mobilise substantial support for Tinubu.

He urged party members to intensify mobilisation and campaigning ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested an Abuja-based businessman, Innocent Ezuma, 57, over allegations of defrauding a Ukrainian investor of more than $120m.

Ezuma was arrested at his residence in Abuja on Monday, October 19, and remained in the commission’s custody as of Tuesday.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent when contacted on Tuesday but declined to provide further details.

Sources, however, said the businessman was being investigated for alleged advance fee fraud, criminal breach of trust, criminal conversion, obtaining money under false pretences, theft and money laundering.

According to one of the sources, Ezuma allegedly obtained millions of dollars from the Ukrainian investor between 2007 and 2015 for mineral exploration and power projects that were never delivered.

The source alleged that the funds were diverted for personal use, while investigators were examining transfers worth billions of naira to companies and individuals linked to the businessman, including his children.

Another source said the commission was expanding its investigation and seeking information from members of the public and the businessman’s former associates.

The source added that the allegations also concerned Ezuma’s previous business dealings in Ukraine and Nigeria.

“In the mid-2000s, he allegedly persuaded two Ukrainian businessmen to finance the privatisation of Jos Steel Rolling Mill in Plateau State before taking exclusive control of the facility, stripping it of assets and abandoning hundreds of workers without wages,” the source said.

The businessman was also accused of shooting and seriously injuring one of his business partners during a confrontation in Ukraine on April 28, 2008, before fleeing to Nigeria, the source added.

Oyewale reiterated that the agency arrested Ezuma at his Abuja residence on Monday but declined to disclose further details about the investigation

Yilwatda also said the party had completed preparations for the formal launch of its presidential campaign in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24.

The former Humanitarian Affairs Minister spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday after he and the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdul’aziz Yari, briefed Tinubu on the arrangements.

Yilwatda said the parties that had defeated the APC in elections were aligned with the ruling party, which he described as proof of growing support for the President.

If you look at what the party is doing now, the opposition parties are with us. All political parties that have defeated us in any election are with us; PDP is with us, APGA is with us, Accord is with us.

“These are the only political parties that have defeated us, except Allied People’s Movement, and they are all with us in this campaign,” he stated.

On the campaign flag-off in Kaduna, he said everything was in place.

For now, everything is set; the preparation is on, the members are motivated, the states, the committees are ready, and everything that is supposed to be done has been done.”

Yari, a former Zamfara State governor, said the council would run an issue-based campaign built on the record of the Tinubu administration and not on personal attacks.

“We are going to do a campaign with the records – a responsible campaign, no insults, no calling of names, because there’s no name before us, but we have a record before us to show to Nigerians.

“This is what our party did, this is what our government did, so because of that, we are asking, pleading with Nigerians to look at this record carefully so that they give us a second chance for continuity,” he stated.

Yari said after meeting Tinubu on October 9, the President had approved the campaign timetable, including planned visits to states.

The council, which was inaugurated on October 14, has Tinubu as its chairman and Vice President Kashim Shettima and Yilwatda serving as vice chairmen.

The Accord presidential candidate, Christopher Imumolen, withdrew from the race in a statement on August 5 and endorsed Tinubu.

The APGA national chairman, Sly Ezeokenwa, said in March that the party would not field a presidential candidate and intended to adopt Tinubu.

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who declared himself leader of the PDP, vowed to ensure APC votes in the FCT and Rivers State.

However, a rival PDP faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) has disputed Wike’s legitimacy as the party leader.

The faction also ruled out any alliance with the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such a move posed a threat to electoral democracy and could lead Nigeria towards an “electoral monarchy.”

The faction, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of its Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, on Tuesday said the party’s principled members would not support Tinubu’s re-election or endorse the policies of the APC-led Federal Government.

The Turaki-led INWC described those promoting Tinubu’s support as pretenders within the opposition.

He stated, “The news credited to Minister Nyesom Wike that PDP candidates should collapse their structures and support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu is nothing new, except for the fact that his message is not directed at real PDP members. The message is meant for persons who, like him, are pretenders in the opposition but are working for the governing party.

The true and principled members of the Peoples Democratic Party are not part of the shameless, self-serving support for the APC-led Federal Government and its destructive policies. The paramount duty of the opposition is to provide an alternative to the incumbent, not to massage their ego. If at all opposition parties are to have an alliance, it will be amongst themselves, not with the governing party.

“This political anomaly, styled and championed as a Rainbow Coalition, is the greatest threat to electoral democracy and the fastest way of railroading the country into an electoral monarchy.

“We urge all true and faithful members of the Peoples Democratic Party to remain steadfast as we await the judiciary’s decision, hopeful that it will return our party to its true owners. Our case at the Court of Appeal has been heard, and we await judgment. We know that the entire judiciary is conscious that justice delayed is justice denied.

“Nigerians should be wary of elite accommodation and state capture masquerading as broad-based political collaboration. The election next year provides a great opportunity to vote out these insensitive and irresponsible political actors.”

He described such claims as misleading, false and fabricated in a statement on Tuesday in Abakaliki.

Inyima maintained that his brother’s death had no political undertone, stressing that the deceased was not involved in any political dispute with anyone, contrary to insinuations in some quarters.

He condemned those allegedly spreading unverified accounts of the incident, describing attempts to link the murder to political conflict as capable of creating unnecessary tension.

He made the clarification while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress, Ohaukwu Local Government Area chapter, who visited his country home in Izhiangbo to commiserate with him over the incident

The deceased was allegedly killed by some suspected assailants at Umuogudu-Oshia Ngbo in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The commissioner described the killing as unfortunate, barbaric and regrettable.

He assured the public that the family, in collaboration with security agencies in the state, would do everything within their power to unravel the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death.

He equally urged relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice was served without distortion, warning individuals and groups against interfering in ways that could jeopardise the investigation and legal process.

“Though I am severely traumatised by the gruesome murder of my younger brother, I would not want anyone to suffer unjustly. No innocent person should be implicated or made to suffer for a crime he or she did not commit.

“I appeal to the police and other relevant authorities handling the matter to be transparent, conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Nobody, and I mean nobody, regardless of their status, including myself, should interfere in the matter. The legal process must be allowed to run its course until justice is fully served,” he said.

The family of the late Taofiki Mustapha, who reportedly died in the custody of Agbeye Police Post, has called on the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone XI Command headquarters in Osogbo, Osun State, to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident.

PUNCH Metro earlier reported that Taofiki, a husband of four wives and father of seven children, was found dead inside the police cell after he was arrested by some people in Agbeye for allegedly stealing cocoa pods and handed over to the police.

Confirming the incident, the Osun Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said, “The deceased was apprehended by the community for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds. After arresting him, they took him to the monarch of the town, and the king, in turn, instructed that they should hand him over to the police.”

The relations of the deceased, a leader in the Ogboni cult society, are, however, calling for a probe of the death in a petition addressed to the office of the AIG, Zone XI, a copy of which was obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday by PUNCH.

In the petition written by L.S Bello & Co., a law firm, on behalf of Madam Nafisat Taofiki, Oba Aree Ogboni-Abdul Wahab Oriade and Are Ogboni Kwara Awoyemi Elegbede, the family demanded a probe of the roles played by “Police Post Agbeye, Mr Mufu Jimoh, Wasiu Egbebi, Taye Olaoye, Chief Ajasa and Kabiyesi Alagbeye of Agbeye” in the incident

The petition read in part, “That Taofiki Mustapha was alleged to have stolen 13 cocoa pods, and the above-named people beat the said Taofiki Mustapha, and the Kabiyesi Alagbeye of Agbeye directed that Taofiki Mustapha be taken to the police post after the beating.

“That, our clients state further that Taofiki Mustapha died inside the cell of Police Post Agbeye.

Our clients state that investigation is yet to confirm that the deceased truly stole the cocoa pods.”

When contacted for an update on the petition, the Police Public Relations Officer, Zone XI Command headquarters, Osogbo, Olanrewaju Ojedele, said two suspects had made statements on the issue.

“Two suspects, Kabiyesi and one other person, have been invited, and they wrote statements on the issue. They were released thereafter.

“We are waiting for the postmortem result to know the other facts. The result will assist the police in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the death,” he said.

Giving other facts of the matter, Ojedele said, “On Monday, October 5, he (Taofiki) was accused of stealing cocoa pods. He was beaten and paraded around the Agbeye community half-naked, and he was filmed half-naked.

“A man was ordered to hand over the accused to the police at Agbeye Police Post, and the accused was received by the police officer on duty. Unfortunately, the accused was found dead the following morning under suspicious circumstances.

“The corpse has been deposited at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital. A postmortem examination has been done, and they are awaiting the results.”

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, a copy of which was obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Rasheed said Adeleke and top executives of Hefei Shengwen Information Technology Company Limited handling the project met to discuss and finalise the details.

The spokesperson said the team from the Chinese firm was led by Mr Cai Jianfei, Director, International Operations, and Mr Nemo Guo, Manager, Overseas Operations

Highlighting key features of the project, Rasheed said, “The planned security projects include the installation of a comprehensive and state-of-the-art security and intelligence system and platform in Osun State to ensure security coverage of the entire state. The security status of the entire state will be monitored from the Command and Control Centre.

The system involves wide application of drones, radar, artificial intelligence-enabled cameras, robotics, and internet-of-things spread throughout the state, gathering information and monitoring events in real time, 24/7. The system includes a safe-school project as well as a decentralised app installation on citizens’ phones to link them to the Command and Control Centre.

“The facility will cover schools, banks, industries, farms, mining sites, commercial centres, bus parks and motor garages across major towns and arteries of the state.”

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Cai Jianfei, who led the team, invited the governor for a working visit to China, saying the project was all-inclusive and integrates the capacity of the state leadership to secure and protect citizens and businesses.

Commenting on the planned project, Adeleke noted his administration’s establishment of the State Security Trust Fund, adding that the planned security project is designed to apply new technologies to secure the state.

“Our plan is to create an inclusive security platform that will fully secure and protect our people. From schools, hospitals, businesses and border communities, this initiative is a strategic option,” the governor said.

PUNCH Online had reports that Adeleke urged residents to report suspicious movements or individuals in their areas or neighbourhoods to security agencies without delay.

The governor’s remarks followed an exclusive report by Sunday PUNCH on a meeting between the Department of State Services and the leadership of the Osun Muslim Community and the Christian Association of Nigeria.

At the meeting, the religious leaders were informed of intelligence indicating plans by terrorists to mobilise to states in the South-West and cause mayhem as part of a plot to cause voter apathy ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adeleke, while reacting to the report in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, called on members of the public to alert security agencies if they noticed an influx of strange faces, especially in border communities.

The General Overseer of Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has said he does not collect tithes or preach about tithing in his church.

He made this known during an appearance on the Honest Bunch Podcast, in an episode uploaded to YouTube on Monday.

Odumeje said his ministry focused on demonstrating spiritual power rather than teaching about tithing and giving, adding that some churches placed too much emphasis on collecting money from their members.

He said, “Those people that collect tithes and teach tithes every day when you come to church, they will be interested in making sure that they clear your pockets. And there is no practical evidence and miracles that you will see. The only thing is stories. That is not the kind of church I run.”

Explaining the focus of his ministry, the cleric added, “My mission on earth is demonstration of power. All the teaching of tithe and teaching of giving, I am not in that area.”

However, Odumeje clarified that he did not consider tithing wrong, saying the decision to pay should be a personal one between an individual and God.

“I don’t collect tithes. Nobody pays me tithes. I am not saying that tithe is bad. It’s a decision between you and God if you want to pay tithe. Tithe is real. But it is something that you must decide. Not something that somebody will be brainwashing you, forcing you,” he said.

He also faulted the practice of making church members believe that failing to pay tithes would prevent them from going to heaven.

“Give it to you that if you don’t do it, you will not go to heaven. That is not from God. So that is a decision between you and God,” he added.

Iran’s ambassador to Iraq said on Tuesday that Baghdad had agreed to “expel” or hand over members of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups who have taken refuge on the Iraqi side of the border.

The announcement came after senior Iraqi security officials repeatedly told AFP that Baghdad was refusing to do so, fearing for the lives of the Kurdish exiles.

Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, an oil-rich area in the north of the country, has long hosted camps and bases for Iranian Kurdish rebel groups, which Tehran labels terrorists who serve US or Israeli interests.

“During a meeting of the joint security commission — attended by the Iranian delegation and the Iraqi National Security Adviser — the two parties agreed to expel the members of the Iranian separatist terrorist groups from the Iraqi Kurdistan region or hand them over to Iran,” ambassador Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh wrote on X

On Monday, Iraq’s National Security Council hosted a meeting of the two delegations in Baghdad. A governmental delegation from the Kurdistan region also took part, according to a statement from the media office of Iraqi National Security Adviser Qassim Al-Abboudi.

The statement said the talks focused on “ways to address current challenges and to harmonise the visions of the parties concerned”.

In 2023, Baghdad and Tehran signed an agreement aimed at strengthening security along their shared border — particularly in the Kurdistan region — and “neutralising the Kurdish opposition”.

The deal put an end to recurring Iranian bombardments targeting the groups and helped ease tensions between the two countries.

But since the outbreak of war in the Middle East in late February, triggered by US-Israeli strikes, Iran has resumed deadly attacks on the Kurdish groups.

Under the 2023 agreement, Iraqi authorities disarmed the Iranian Kurdish groups, moving them away from the border and transferring them to camps.

On February 22 this year, a few days before the outbreak of the war, five of the groups announced the formation of a political alliance aimed at overthrowing the Iranian government and guaranteeing the right to self-determination for the Kurds.

AFP

Nollywood stars, media personalities grace Ijebu-Ode event

The rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people took centre stage on Saturday as the IJEBU REWA Games, Hangout and Cultural Heritage event brought together entertainment stars, media personalities, cultural groups and sports enthusiasts at Adeola Odutola College, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The event, which commenced at 10 a.m. on October 17, 2026, featured traditional Yoruba performances, sporting competitions, children's activities and commercial exhibitions aimed at promoting cultural preservation, community bonding and grassroots talent development.

Organised by the Chief Executive Officer of Ijebu Rewa, Ambassador Sijuade Olalekan, the gathering attracted Nollywood actors, radio presenters, public figures and other guests, adding glamour to the celebration.

A major highlight was the colourful display of Yoruba cultural heritage through traditional dances and performances featuring Sango, Esu, Igunu, Eyo, Agemo and other cultural expressions. A talking-drum performance by Abike Ilu further enriched the programme, showcasing the depth and diversity of indigenous Yoruba traditions.

The sporting activities also enlivened the gathering, with competitions in table tennis, snooker, football, Ayo Olopon, draughts and various children's games.

In the children's competitions, Yusuf Heritage Oluwanimilo emerged winner, while Adebanjo Islamiyat Ayomide finished as first runner-up and Samson Tanimowo came third. The participants received gifts and cash prizes in recognition of their efforts and to encourage their interest in sports and recreational activities.

Among the notable entertainment personalities who graced the occasion was Nollywood actress Adebimpe Akintunde, popularly known as Wasilat Coded, whose presence underscored the event's appeal across the entertainment and cultural sectors.

The media community was also well represented, with prominent radio personalities, including Alhaji Adesola Adetoyese, popularly known as Bakini Ile Yoruba; Mayegun Olusegun Ajayi, known as Alaseye Odu'a of Super FM, Ijebu-Ode; and Omisope Olaniyi, popularly called Baba Omi of Guts FM, Odoajogun.

Others in attendance were Olalekan Balogun, Station Manager of Eagle FM, Ilese; Dayo Rufai, popularly known as Ba'royin; and Femi Adeleye, both consultants to the Ogun State Governor.

The Ogun East Independent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was represented by Comrade Oyeyemi Adeniyi, while Alaga Gisim was among the other personalities who attended the event.

Beyond cultural displays, entertainment and sporting activities, the celebration provided opportunities for local businesses, with vendors exhibiting and selling various goods to guests and prospective buyers.

In his appreciation message, Ambassador Olalekan thanked invited guests and participants for honouring the invitation and contributing to the success of the event. He described their support and participation as important to the gathering's overall impact.

The IJEBU REWA Games, Hangout and Cultural Heritage celebration highlighted the role of community-driven initiatives in preserving indigenous traditions, encouraging youth participation in sports and creating platforms for social interaction and small-business promotion.

The event ended on a celebratory note, reaffirming the importance of preserving Yoruba cultural identity while promoting entertainment, recreation and community engagement in Ijebu-Ode.

The Department of State Services on Tuesday arraigned five persons before the Imo State High Court over the alleged abduction of 24 persons, including 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members.

The defendants face charges of conspiracy, hostage-taking and unlawful possession of firearms in two separate cases.

Three of them, Usman Aliyu, 25, aka Chonge; Babangida Aliyu, 21; and Mohammed Ali, 23, aka Smallie Pepper, were accused of abducting the prospective corps members on Independence Day, October 1, 2026.

According to the charge sheet filed at the Imo State High Court, Oru Judicial Division, Mgbidi, the defendants and others still at large allegedly abducted the victims along the Owerri-Mgbidi-Onitsha Expressway.

The victims were travelling from Ibadan to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when they were kidnapped. They were rescued after seven days.

The defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit hostage-taking, an offence punishable under Section 6 of the Imo State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law No. 4 of 2009.

They were also accused of unlawfully possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and 81 rounds of live ammunition.

The DSS, in a statement on Tuesday, said, “Three of them, Usman Aliyu, twenty-five, also known as Chonge; 21-year-old Babangida Aliyu, and 23-year-old Mohammed Ali aka Smallie Pepper, are specifically charged with the kidnapping of the prospective corps members. They were charged with conspiracy to commit hostage-taking punishable under Section 6 of the Imp State Prohibition of Hostage Taking and Related Offences Law No. 4 of 2009.

The defendants were accused of unlawfully possessing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, a pistol and eighty-one rounds of live ammunition.”

In a separate case, Aminu Haliru, 27, and Tange Ibrahim, 20, aka Jijji, were arraigned over the alleged abduction of four persons around Owerri and Mgbidi on October 4.

The prosecution alleged that the two defendants and others still at large collected N8 million for the release of the victims.

They were also accused of unlawfully possessing an AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun.

The prosecution listed N1.8m as money recovered in the second case, while a DSS investigator and the victims were listed as witnesses in both cases.

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle the production, distribution and sale of fake, adulterated and substandard food and beverages in Nigeria, warning that the growing menace poses serious risks to public health.

The House made the call during plenary on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Madori/Kaugama Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, Abubakar Yalleman.

Moving the motion, Yalleman said access to safe, wholesome and quality food and beverages was essential to the health, well-being and productivity of Nigerians.

He explained that standardised processing methods and proper hygiene practices were necessary to prevent foodborne illnesses caused by harmful bacteria, chemical residues, expired ingredients and physical contaminants.

He added that compliance with food safety standards would also improve the competitiveness of Nigerian food businesses in regional and international markets by reducing the rejection of exported products and boosting economic growth.

However, the lawmaker expressed concern over recent incidents involving the production of counterfeit alcoholic beverages and the operation of illegal food and drink factories.

He cited the dismantling of illegal alcohol counterfeiting syndicates at Zamfara Plaza on Lagos Island by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on April 22, 2026, as well as the raid on an illegal, unregistered fruit juice factory by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Badagry, Lagos State, on September 22, 2026.

According to him, the incidents “comprise the growing production, distribution and sales of fake, adulterated, unregistered and substandard food products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, beverages, bottled water and other products consumed daily by communities in Nigeria thereby putting Nigerians at risk of developing serious health issues.”

Yalleman said some unscrupulous manufacturers and distributors counterfeit established brands, alter product labels and expiry dates, use inferior or contaminated raw materials, illegally reuse or refill containers, and manufacture food and beverages outside approved regulatory standards.

He warned that such practices could expose consumers to life-threatening health conditions, including acute poisoning, cancer and damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, lungs, liver and heart.

“The House is concerned that some unscrupulous manufacturers and distributors engage in practices such as counterfeiting established brands, altering labels and expiry dates, using inferior or contaminated raw materials, illegally reusing or refilling containers, and producing food and beverages outside approved regulatory standards thereby posing severe life-threatening public health risks, including acute poisoning, cancer and damages to vital organs like kidney, lung, liver, heart etc,” he said.

The lawmaker noted that NAFDAC was statutorily responsible for regulating food, bottled water and other products under its mandate, while the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) was responsible for consumer protection and product safety. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) also plays a key role in ensuring that products meet applicable standards.

He acknowledged the efforts of the three agencies but said concerns persisted over the circulation of products bearing misleading or deceptive information, particularly regarding production and expiry dates, batch numbers, manufacturers’ details and ingredients.

The All Progressives Congress lawmaker said existing laws and regulations provided a basis for dealing with unsafe products, but called for stronger enforcement, improved coordination among regulatory agencies, better market surveillance and greater public awareness.

He warned that the circulation of fake and substandard food and drinks posed particular risks to children, older people and other vulnerable groups, potentially contributing to foodborne illnesses, poisoning and other preventable health problems.

“The House is disturbed that with the presence of NAFDAC, SON, FCCPC, the Police, NSCDC, the increasing circulation of fake and substandard food and drinks is a very disturbing development which calls for more legislative and executive actions,” he said.

“We recognise the need for more effective, efficient and better-coordinated result oriented surveillance, inspection, enforcement and timely prosecution throughout the food and beverage supply chain to rid the country of counterfeit and sub-standard products.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to treat the production and circulation of fake, adulterated, counterfeit and substandard food and beverages as a matter of urgent national importance requiring sustained regulatory attention.

It also called on NAFDAC, SON and FCCPC, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, state governments and other relevant agencies, to intensify nationwide surveillance, inspections, product sampling, laboratory testing and enforcement operations against manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers involved in the production or sale of such products.

The House further mandated its relevant committees, particularly those on Health, Industry, Customs, Standards and Consumer Protection, to engage the regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to assess the scale of the problem and the effectiveness of existing enforcement measures.

The committees are to report their findings to the House within four weeks for further legislative action, including measures to address the circulation of fake, counterfeit and substandard food, drinks and drugs.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has charged newly appointed commissioners and special advisers to intensify service delivery, warning that his administration will not tolerate inefficiency as it approaches the end of its eight-year tenure in 2027.

Yahaya gave the charge on Tuesday during the swearing-in of the new appointees at the International Conference Centre, Gombe.

He said the appointments were aimed at strengthening governance, consolidating achievements and accelerating the completion of ongoing projects before the administration leaves office.

“We are now in the final stretch of an eight-year journey that began in May 2019. Looking back, we have every reason to thank Almighty Allah for the progress recorded across the various sectors of our economy,” the governor said.

He acknowledged challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, two economic recessions, fiscal pressures and security concerns, but said his administration had remained committed to building a prosperous, inclusive and resilient state.

Yahaya urged the appointees to see their appointments as a call to service rather than an opportunity for personal advancement, stressing the need for diligence, sacrifice, sound judgement and measurable results.

“Your appointments are not opportunities for ceremonial leadership or personal advancement. They are calls to service which demand diligence, sacrifice, sound judgement and an unwavering commitment to the public good,” he said.

The governor directed the commissioners to familiarise themselves with the policies, programmes and projects of their respective ministries and work closely with permanent secretaries and other senior officials to ensure effective coordination and prudent resource management.

At this stage of our administration, we have neither the luxury of time nor the resources to accommodate inefficiency, complacency or administrative lapses,” he warned.

He tasked the special advisers with providing practical and timely recommendations to improve executive decision-making, identify emerging challenges and strengthen policy implementation.

Yahaya said the remaining months of his administration should be marked by renewed energy, greater discipline and intensified service delivery rather than a slowdown in government activities.

“Every government official must understand that the clock is ticking and that our responsibility to the people remains undiminished until our very last day in office,” he said.

The governor listed investments in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, water supply, environmental protection, urban development and institutional reforms among the areas his administration intended to consolidate before leaving office.

He also highlighted reforms in the civil service, land administration and local government administration, saying they were intended to improve efficiency and responsiveness.

Yahaya warned the appointees against corruption, indiscipline and abuse of office, describing public office as a trust that must be exercised in the interest of the people.

“Our administration will not tolerate corruption, indiscipline, abuse of office, or any conduct capable of undermining the credibility of government,” he said.

He called for teamwork and mutual respect among commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries and other public officials, warning against unhealthy rivalry and the pursuit of narrow personal interests.

The governor commended the state House of Assembly for the prompt screening and confirmation of the commissioner-nominees, saying cooperation between the legislature and the executive had supported the implementation of his administration’s development agenda.

As the state approaches the 2027 transition, Yahaya said his administration remained committed to handing over a state that was better than the one it inherited in 2019.

“Our goal remains clear: to hand over a Gombe State that is better than the one we inherited in 2019.

“We want to be remembered for the infrastructure we have built, the institutions we have strengthened, the opportunities we have created, and the foundations we have laid for sustainable development,” he said.

The newly appointed officials include Dr Ahmed Wali Doho, Special Duties and Regional Cooperation; Nasiru Adamu Degri, Water Resources; and Dr Muhammad A. Bello, Policy Coordination and Performance Tracking.

Abdulmalik Musa Jibrin was appointed Special Adviser on Transportation, while Mohammed Bashir Nuhu was named Special Adviser on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Adamu Inuwa Pantami was also appointed Special Adviser on Special Duties.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Shehu Yerima Abdullahi was redeployed to the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to fill an existing vacancy.

Yahaya congratulated the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through competence, integrity and commitment to public service.

He also called on residents to support the new and existing officials in their efforts to promote peace, prosperity and sustainable development in the state.

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, has conferred the political title of Kaigama (Field Marshal) on Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, in recognition of his contributions to the party and his political leadership.

The title was announced by a member of the campaign council, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, during the council’s visit to Kebbi State as part of its nationwide consultations with traditional rulers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Zuru, the honour was in recognition of Idris’s commitment to the APC, resilience in governance and political mobilisation.

The Yari-led delegation visited Kebbi to pay homage to the Emir of Gwandu and Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, and seek his prayers ahead of the commencement of campaign activities.

The delegation was received at the Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, by a large crowd led by Governor Idris.

The reception continued at the Emir’s palace, where traders, farmers, traditional dancers and praise singers gathered to welcome the visitors.

The Emirs of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera; Yauri, Dr Zayyanu Abdullahi; and Zuru, Alhaji Muhammad Gomo III, were also present.

Speaking during the visit, Yari said the delegation came to pay homage to the traditional ruler and seek his prayers for guidance before the commencement of political campaigns.

Responding, the Emir of Gwandu thanked the delegation and urged politicians to conduct peaceful campaigns ahead of the elections.

At the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, Yari expressed satisfaction with the reception accorded the delegation, describing it as exceptional.

He said the reception was the first of its kind since the council began its nationwide visits to traditional rulers.

Yari attributed the APC’s dominance in Kebbi to Governor Idris’s leadership, describing the governor as a major force behind the party’s political strength in the state.

He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying its performance in the last three years had justified calls for another term in office.

In his remarks, Governor Idris attributed the APC’s strength in Kebbi to the contributions of prominent party leaders and stakeholders, including former Governor and Senator Adamu Aliero, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, former Governor Sa’idu Nasamu Dakingari and Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.

He said the party had also benefited from development projects executed by his administration, which he claimed had positively changed the state’s development trajectory.

Idris expressed confidence that the forthcoming campaign visit to the state would be largely ceremonial, insisting that the people were already looking forward to the 2027 elections.

It was during the meeting that Senator Sheriff announced the conferment of the Kaigama title on the governor, with the approval of the campaign council’s chairman.

The announcement was greeted as recognition of Idris’s political commitment and efforts to strengthen the APC in Kebbi State.

The Kano State Private Health Institutions Management Agency has shut down more than 35 private health facilities for regulatory violations in the last 12 months.

The Acting Director-General of PHIMA, Hajiya Khadijah Sa’id, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Tuesday.

Sa’id, who is also the agency’s Director of Administration and General Services, said the sanctions were part of efforts to enforce standards and protect residents from unsafe healthcare practices.

She identified operating without a licence, failure to renew annual registration and employing unqualified personnel as major violations uncovered during routine inspections.

“We sanctioned over 100 facilities for one mistake or the other. But those that committed gross violations that we cannot overlook, we shut down over 35,” she said.

The acting director-general explained that some facilities were temporarily closed to allow their proprietors to correct identified violations before reopening.

She, however, said facilities found guilty of serious breaches could be permanently delisted, with the responsible proprietors barred from registering another facility using their professional licences.

Once a facility is delisted, it will not be registered again. The person holding the professional licence will also not be allowed to register another facility,” she said.

Sa’id said PHIMA’s regulatory mandate covered private hospitals, clinics, nursing and maternity homes, diagnostic laboratories, dental centres, beauty salons, spas, fitness centres and practitioners of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine.

She added that the agency collaborated with other government agencies and security operatives to identify and shut down illegal health facilities across the state.

According to her, an inter-agency task force established by Gov. Abba Yusuf recently identified a clinic that PHIMA had sealed and delisted but which was subsequently reopened at another location.

She said the agency was strengthening routine inspections to ensure compliance with licensing requirements and professional standards across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.

Sa’id said additional funding and operational vehicles would enable PHIMA to expand inspection coverage and strengthen enforcement across the state.

She urged private health facility operators to obtain the required licences, renew their registrations promptly and ensure that only qualified personnel provide healthcare services.

NAN

Eko Power Limited has affirmed its status as the electricity distribution company licensed by the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) to serve the southern parts of Lagos State

The company said its establishment followed changes to Nigeria’s electricity regulatory framework, which devolved regulatory powers over intrastate electricity generation, transmission and distribution to state governments.

“Eko Power Limited is the distribution company licensed by the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) to distribute power in the southern parts of Lagos State,” the company said in a statement.

It explained that the transition followed the Electricity Act 2023, as amended, and the 2023 constitutional amendment, which empowered state governments to regulate electricity markets within their jurisdictions.

The transition was completed in June 2025, when LASERC assumed regulatory responsibility for retail electricity distribution and end-user tariffs in the state, the company added.

Explaining its regulatory status, Eko Power said it operates under a distribution licence issued directly by LASERC and is subject to the commission’s tariff methodology and service-level standards

This is reflected in Eko Power Limited’s own LASERC-approved cost-reflective tariffs and its published service-level commitments across all customer bands and feeders in Lagos State,” it said. “Eko Power Limited exists today because Lagos State exercised its constitutional right to regulate retail electricity distribution within the state,” the company said.

We are licensed by LASERC for distribution and tariffs, and our service commitments to customers are set independently under Lagos State law.”

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has opened a fresh window for reviewing complaints from applicants disqualified during its recent recruitment exercise, following protests by some shortlisted candidates barred from proceeding to the training college.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, directed a case-by-case reassessment of the complaints after meeting with some of the aggrieved applicants.

The NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, disclosed this in a statement, saying the review was intended to ensure that legitimate grievances received appropriate attention.

Adeniyi, however, warned that the exercise would not guarantee automatic admission, stressing that all affected candidates would undergo fresh screening and that anyone found to have engaged in certificate fraud or other criminal conduct would face prosecution.

According to Maiwada, the recruitment process involves several stages of verification, including credential and document checks, physical fitness and endurance assessments, medical examinations, age verification and drug screening.

He disclosed that 397 applicants were identified with issues relating to substance abuse, physical fitness, medical records, age and submitted documentation, while other candidates were disqualified over irregularities detected during the screening exercise.

The spokesperson explained that appearing on the final shortlist did not automatically entitle an applicant to enlistment, as every candidate must satisfy all prescribed requirements before being admitted into the Service.

He urged affected candidates who believe they were unfairly disqualified to submit their details and complaints through the designated email address, helpdesk@customs.gov.ng, for consideration.

Maiwada advised applicants to provide accurate information to facilitate the examination of their cases, adding that the initiative was designed to address genuine grievances without compromising the integrity of the recruitment process.

He reiterated that candidates who utilise the review window would undergo fresh screening, while cases involving established criminal conduct, including certificate fraud, would be referred to the appropriate authorities for legal action and prosecution.

The Customs spokesman emphasised that the review should not be interpreted as a relaxation of recruitment standards or a guarantee of admission into the training college.

He appealed to the affected applicants and the general public to remain calm and channel their complaints through the designated platform.

Maiwada said the Service, under Adeniyi’s leadership, remained committed to a credible, transparent and accountable recruitment process.

He added that Customs would not compromise the standards required of personnel responsible for national security, border protection, revenue collection and public safety.

President Bola Tinubu has approved 18-month tenure extensions for the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap.

In a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Nwakuche’s tenure would now end on May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s would end on June 30, 2028.

Onanuga said the approval followed a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

He said it addressed a succession gap in both services and would give the board enough time to appoint successors.

The approval, which followed a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, addressed a succession gap in both Services and would allow the board enough time to appoint successors.

President Tinubu commended Nwakuche and Nandap for the reforms achieved under their leadership and charged them to consolidate these gains,” the statement read.

Tinubu nominated Nwakuche in December 2024, and the Senate confirmed him in March 2025.

He was first named acting Controller-General with effect from December 15, 2024, succeeding Haliru Nababa, whose tenure had expired.

He was then Deputy Controller-General in charge of Training and Staff Development.

Tinubu nominated Nandap on February 21, 2024, and the Senate confirmed her on March 1, 2024.

Nandap reportedly completed 35 years of service on October 9, 2024, when she was due to retire.

In March 2025, Tinubu extended her tenure by 16 months, from August 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026.

Monday’s approval is therefore her second tenure extension.

She is the third woman to head the Immigration Service.

Champions League hopefuls Bayern Munich are set for an early test of their title credentials when they host English champions Arsenal on Wednesday without in-form winger Michael Olise.

The London-born Olise, who started in Arsenal’s junior system, is suspended after picking up two yellow cards inside a minute in Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Viking last week.

After seeing a first yellow for a foul, a clearly frustrated Olise responded to some verbal provocation from Viking captain Zlatko Tripic by throwing the ball at his head to be sent off for the first time in his career.

After being thrust into Ballon d’Or contention due to last season’s stellar showing, the former Crystal Palace winger has continued his excellent form this campaign.

Olise has nine goals and five assists from 10 games in all competitions for Bayern.

With Jamal Musiala struggling with injury and illness and both Serge Gnabry and Lennart Karl well off their best form, Olise and the ever-reliable Harry Kane have shouldered Bayern’s attacking burden so far this season.

The England captain has nine goals and six assists in 10 games. With Bayern 2-0 down away at Viking last week, Kane almost single-handedly engineered a comeback, scoring twice and setting up another.

Speaking after Bayern’s ruthless 6-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday, Kane said Bayern would miss Olise but called on the rest of their star-studded squad to step up.

Missing one of your biggest players, you’re going to feel it for sure, but that’s where other people have to step up and show they can take their opportunity,” Kane said.

“We talk about the squad a lot, we talk about being ready for your moment and whoever plays will have to be ready.”

One of the many positives to come out of Saturday’s thumping win over Leipzig was the performance of Luis Diaz.

The 29-year-old had cut a frustrated figure after a poor start to the season but scored three goals and set up another in one of his best performances since moving from Liverpool in 2025.

• ‘One of the best’ –

Despite swapping north London for the Bavarian capital back in 2023, former Tottenham captain Kane has seen plenty of Arsenal since joining Bayern.

Bayern faced the Gunners in two quarter-final legs in 2023-24, progressing by just a goal, but were outclassed in a 3-1 defeat in the league phase of last year’s competition.

With domestic and international matches coming thick and fast, Kane has not had time to exchange pleasantries with any of his Gunners rivals.

“I spoke to them a bit in the international break previously and we knew the game was coming up, but I think we’re all too busy right now to text each other, with a game every three days,” he explained.

Saturday’s thrashing of Leipzig once again showed the perennial German champions are a cut above their domestic rivals and Kane said Bayern were relishing a chance to take on Mikel Arteta’s side.

Still smarting from last year’s painful loss on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal have started strongly, winning 10 of 11 games in all competitions.

“It’s a big game and we’re playing against one of the best teams in Europe, you have to always enjoy these occasions,” Kane said.

“We’re testing ourselves against one of the best, we’re here at home, the energy, the fans, it’s going to be a special night.”

AFP

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has defended his remarks urging Nigerians living in the United Kingdom to reject requests for money from people back home..

He accused his political opponents of twisting his message to Nigerians living abroad, insisting that he never asked them to abandon their families back home.

Obi said his concern was that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions of citizens depended on relatives abroad to meet their basic needs.

In a post on his X account on Tuesday, the former Anambra State governor said his message had been distorted despite a clarification issued by his media office.

“Even though my media office has issued a responsible clarification on the situation, I still find it necessary to add my voice to address the distortion of my message by political opponents,” he wrote.

Obi said he appreciated Nigerians in the diaspora who worked hard and made sacrifices to support their families, noting that their contributions helped millions of people meet essential expenses.

“I deeply appreciate Nigerians in the diaspora who work tirelessly and make enormous sacrifices to support their families back home. Their remittances pay for school fees, hospital bills, rent, and feeding expenses. Their patriotism and sacrifices deserve our profound respect,” he said.

He added that his remarks were not intended to discourage family support but to draw attention to the economic conditions forcing many Nigerians to depend on relatives overseas.

“I never asked them to abandon their loved ones. My concern is that Nigeria should not remain a country where millions depend on relatives abroad for basic survival,” Obi stated.

The former governor said Nigeria needed to create an environment where citizens could provide for themselves and their families without relying on financial assistance from abroad.

“Our goal must be to build a nation that provides jobs, affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities for its citizens,” he said.

Reiterating his position, Obi accused unnamed political opponents of misrepresenting his message, saying his intention was to advocate better governance and improved living conditions for Nigerians.

“Political opponents may twist my message, but the truth remains clear: I am not asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families. I am advocating for a Nigeria that will no longer abandon its own people,” he wrote.

He concluded his post with a message to Nigerians at home and abroad, saying, “God bless Nigerians at home and abroad. God bless Nigeria.”

Obi’s clarification followed his remarks at a town hall meeting with Nigerians in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he urged Nigerians abroad to reject requests for money from people back home.

According to a report by PUNCH Online, Obi told the gathering that Nigerians living abroad should stop automatically responding to financial demands from home, arguing that the country needed leadership that would enable citizens to meet their basic needs.

“You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!” he said.

His comments generated reactions, with some interpreting them as a call for Nigerians abroad to withdraw financial support from their relatives.

No fewer than 83 students of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, will graduate with first-class honours among the 1,043 students expected to receive degrees at the institution’s convocation on Friday.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Olasebikan Fakolujo, disclosed this on Monday while speaking on activities lined up for the institution’s 17th convocation and 20th anniversary.

According to him, 146 students will also receive postgraduate degrees and qualifications.

Giving a breakdown of the graduating students, Fakolujo said, “At this year’s convocation, Joseph Ayo Babalola University will present 1,043 graduates. Of these, 897 are first-degree graduates, while 146 are postgraduate graduates.

“Among the 897 first-degree graduates, 83 will receive first-class honours, 429 will receive second-class honours (upper division), 301 will receive second-class honours (lower division), 74 will receive third-class honours, and 10 will receive pass degrees.

“At the postgraduate level, we have 146 students, including 22 PhDs, 94 academic master’s degrees, 27 MBAs and three postgraduate diplomas.”

The vice-chancellor also disclosed that the university, which began operations with 246 students in February 2007, had awarded more than 10,000 undergraduate degrees.

From a pioneer matriculating class of just 246 students in February 2007, JABU has, over its 20 years of operation, awarded 10,448 undergraduate degrees. Of these, 426 graduated with first-class honours, 3,730 with second-class honours, upper division, 4,928 with second-class honours, lower division, 1,336 with third-class honours, and 28 with pass degrees.

In addition, the university has awarded more than 800 postgraduate degrees and qualifications, contributing to the development of advanced professional expertise, scholarship, research and leadership. But these are not merely numbers in our academic records; they represent 10,448 undergraduate journeys,” the vice-chancellor stated.

Fakolujo said the university’s graduates were excelling in various fields, including business, research, academia, public service, technology and finance.

He cited the performance of the institution’s Medical Laboratory Science and Nursing Science students in professional examinations as evidence of their academic preparedness.

“Internal results matter, but an important test is what happens when students are assessed beyond the university. Our Medical Laboratory Science students recorded 100 per cent success in their 2026 professional examinations, for the third consecutive year.

“Our Nursing Science students also recorded 100 per cent success in their 2026 registered midwife professional examination. Our law graduates continue to distinguish themselves at the Nigerian Law School,” he said.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, says the state will support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Radda cited the President’s longstanding political relationships with the state’s leaders and his support for its interests.

Radda stated this on Monday while receiving a delegation led by a former Zamfara State governor and Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, who visited Katsina to seek support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Yari, who visited the Katsina and Daura emirates as part of the mobilisation effort, declined to comment on the purpose of his visit.

However, Radda said the delegation had concluded its engagements with traditional rulers, explaining that the visits were intended to secure support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He was here to canvas for votes. He has gone around to visit the traditional institutions to explain to them the mission and vision of Mr President and his intention for this country,” the governor said.

Radda expressed confidence that the engagements would translate into electoral support for the President.

We assured them of our efforts to ensure the victory of Mr President come 2027 election, Insha Allah,” he said.

The governor described the reception accorded to the delegation as encouraging, claiming that residents had responded positively to the campaign for Tinubu’s re-election.

“It was very interesting, and they have seen it themselves. Katsina has responded positively to supporting Mr President,” Radda said.

He added that the traditional rulers visited by the delegation had expressed support for Tinubu, whom he described as a son of the soil.

“They have shown their support, and they have pledged their loyalty to Mr President. They consider Mr President as the son of the soil,” he said.

Explaining the basis of Tinubu’s political ties with Katsina, Radda said the President had supported the state’s political interests and maintained longstanding relationships with its prominent leaders.

According to the governor, Tinubu supported former President Muhammadu Buhari, who hailed from Katsina, and had a close political relationship with the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He has been a political friend to our late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. So Katsina State is his home, and he has come to reassure us,” Radda said.

Katsina is a politically significant state in northern Nigeria and was the home state of Buhari, who served as president from 2015 to 2023.

As political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, efforts to secure the support of influential state leaders and traditional institutions are forming part of wider mobilisation campaigns ahead of the polls.

The governor expressed optimism that the political engagements with traditional rulers and other stakeholders would strengthen support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Benue State Police Command has rescued eight kidnap victims, including a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Otache of the Otukpo Diocese, and arrested two suspects in connection with the abduction.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Makurdi.

According to the statement, the priest and seven other victims were kidnapped last Tuesday while returning from a village market along the Ugbokolo–Ajegbe–Awume Road, before Ipiga Village in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

Aondongu said police operatives, working with personnel of the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, launched a coordinated rescue operation after receiving a report of the abduction.

The statement read in part, “Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the command, in conjunction with personnel of the Police Mobile Force and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards, were immediately mobilised to the area and launched a coordinated rescue operation.

The operation led to the successful rescue of eight victims, with two rescued on October 16, 2026, and six on October 18, 2026.”

The police spokesperson said two suspects, identified as Echefu Emmanuel and Obonyilor Emmanuel, were arrested during the rescue operations.

He added that the rescued victims had been taken to the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Otukpo, for medical examinations and necessary treatment.

According to him, the arrested suspects were assisting the police with the ongoing investigation, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the suspected criminal gang.

He said the command was determined to ensure that all those involved in the abduction were brought to justice.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force for their support in the fight against violent crime in the state.

Nwadiogbu also praised the operatives for their prompt response, professionalism and commitment to protecting lives and property.

The command reassured residents of its determination to sustain intelligence-led operations and prevent criminal elements from threatening peace and security in the state.

It urged members of the public to support security operations by providing timely and credible information and promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station.

The exposure has led the police in Kwara State to arrest several suspects in separate investigations involving child abuse, murder, kidnapping, suspected ritual-related offences and motorcycle theft.

The arrests were disclosed to Arewa PUNCH by the Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, following reports from members of the public, intelligence gathering, investigations and collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups across the different parts of the state.

One of the cases involved Misturah Babatunde, whose alleged ordeal came to light on September 30, 2026, when a resident of the Idigba area of Adewole, Ilorin, spotted her purchasing GV solution from a nearby chemist shop at about 9.26 pm.

According to the Commissioner, the resident became suspicious and questioned the girl on why she was outside at that late hour and purchasing the substance. The questions prompted the girl to disclose the alleged abuse.

Adekimi said the girl was beaten with an electrical wire and as such had her buttocks torn. She also had her buttocks burnt with a hot coal-pot after losing N100 while hawking soya beans, locally known as *beske*, for her stepmother.

“The girl disclosed that she had been beaten with an electrical wire and that her buttocks had been burnt with a hot coal-pot,” the police said.

The command identified the suspects involved in that particular case as Babatunde Mustapha, the girl’s biological father; Abdulrahman Aisat, her stepmother; and Bashirat Abdulfatai, their neighbour.

“The electrical wire used in the assault and the hot coal-pot reportedly used to inflict the burns were listed as exhibits in the case,” the police said.

According to our correspondent, the case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department on October 9 and referred to the Anti-Human Trafficking, Women and Children Protection Unit for discreet investigation.

The command said the three suspects had been arraigned and remanded at the Oke-Kura Correctional Facility.

While the child abuse case was being investigated, another probe led police to two men allegedly caught digging graves at a cemetery in Omupo, Kwara State, months after community members discovered that buried bodies had been disturbed.

The police said the incident came to light in May 2026, when residents visited the cemetery to bury a deceased person and discovered that some graves had been exhumed and the heads of the bodies buried there were missing.

The CP said an investigation eventually led to the arrest of Abu Jimoh and Ayo Jimoh at about 5 am on October 8 while they were allegedly digging graves at the cemetery.

Following a painstaking, intelligence-led investigation, operatives arrested Abu Jimoh and Ayo Jimoh at about 5:00 a.m. on October 8, 2026, while they were allegedly digging graves within the cemetery,” the commissioner said.

According to the command, the two suspects reportedly confessed during interrogation and identified a herbalist, Mukaila Bello, as the alleged buyer of the missing human heads.

The police listed the three men as suspects in the investigation but did not establish in the information provided whether Bello had also been arrested.

“Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” the command stated.

In a separate case, police operatives arrested Kamalden Lukmon and AbdulGaniyu Ibrahim along Bakase Road in Alapa on October 8 and recovered two suspected human hands.

The command said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects intended to use the body parts for money-making rituals.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects stated that they intended to use the body parts for money-making rituals,” the police disclosed.

The suspects reportedly claimed that a vigilante member, identified as Abdulraf Apata, handed the body parts over to them.

“The allegation against Apata is being investigated to establish the facts and determine whether other individuals were involved,” the command said.

The police further pointed out that the two suspects were being held at the Violent Crimes Response Unit as investigators worked to establish the origin of the suspected human remains, identify the possible victim and determine the circumstances surrounding the death connected to the investigation.

Another investigation followed the discovery of the body of 65-year-old Alhaji Lawal Umar inside his tent at a Fulani camp in Agah Village, Moro Local Government Area, on October 6.

The police said Umar was found with multiple machete wounds, prompting officers from the area to visit the scene, document the incident and commence an investigation.

His body was subsequently released to his eldest son for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

Following a tip-off, police arrested his 25-year-old son-in-law, Salihu Seidu, at Temidire Fulani Camp on October 9.

The suspects reportedly claimed that a vigilante member, identified as Abdulraf Apata, handed the body parts over to them.

“The allegation against Apata is being investigated to establish the facts and determine whether other individuals were involved,” the command said.

The police further pointed out that the two suspects were being held at the Violent Crimes Response Unit as investigators worked to establish the origin of the suspected human remains, identify the possible victim and determine the circumstances surrounding the death connected to the investigation.

Another investigation followed the discovery of the body of 65-year-old Alhaji Lawal Umar inside his tent at a Fulani camp in Agah Village, Moro Local Government Area, on October 6.

The police said Umar was found with multiple machete wounds, prompting officers from the area to visit the scene, document the incident and commence an investigation.

His body was subsequently released to his eldest son for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

Following a tip-off, police arrested his 25-year-old son-in-law, Salihu Seidu, at Temidire Fulani Camp on October 9.

The suspects reportedly claimed that a vigilante member, identified as Abdulraf Apata, handed the body parts over to them.

“The allegation against Apata is being investigated to establish the facts and determine whether other individuals were involved,” the command said.

The police further pointed out that the two suspects were being held at the Violent Crimes Response Unit as investigators worked to establish the origin of the suspected human remains, identify the possible victim and determine the circumstances surrounding the death connected to the investigation.

Another investigation followed the discovery of the body of 65-year-old Alhaji Lawal Umar inside his tent at a Fulani camp in Agah Village, Moro Local Government Area, on October 6.

The police said Umar was found with multiple machete wounds, prompting officers from the area to visit the scene, document the incident and commence an investigation.

His body was subsequently released to his eldest son for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

Following a tip-off, police arrested his 25-year-old son-in-law, Salihu Seidu, at Temidire Fulani Camp on October 9.

Preliminary findings indicated that Seidu allegedly travelled to the deceased’s camp on the night of the incident, entered the tent while other occupants were asleep, attacked Umar with a machete and fled.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the killing, claiming that he believed the deceased was responsible for the death of his son about two weeks earlier,” the police said.

The command said a machete was listed as an exhibit and that investigators were working to establish whether other people participated in the alleged killing.

Seidu was expected to be arraigned upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Beyond the cases involving child abuse, suspected ritual-related offences and murder, the police announced arrests linked to kidnapping, ransom demands and attacks on members of local security groups.

One of the suspects was Abubakar Usman, also known as “Jaye”, who was arrested at Jebba Cattle Market on October 11 after sustained efforts to apprehend him finally became successful.

The command linked Usman to reported kidnapping incidents in Oke-Ode and Oro-Ago, as well as the killing of some members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Investigators also reportedly linked him to an incident in May 2025, at Labaka village, where four suspected kidnappers arrested by local vigilantes escaped after a group allegedly led by him arrived and fired gunshots into the air while the suspects were being interrogated.

The police further accused him of threatening to kidnap a prominent member of a cattle-rearing association and demanding N10m.

According to the command, Usman went into hiding after learning that information about his alleged activities had been exposed but he was eventually tracked down.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to his involvement in the crimes under investigation and is assisting us with information to establish the full extent of his activities and identify other persons who may be connected to the cases,” the command stated.

The police said he will remain in custody and would be arraigned after the investigation.

In another case, a 25-year-old man, Saba Ismail, was arrested over an alleged telephone threat to kidnap a resident of Batakan, via Tsaragi, in Edu Local Government Area, unless the victim paid N10m.

The incident reportedly occurred on September 8, when the victim received a call from an unknown number demanding the ransom and directing him to deliver the money at a hideout in Iponrin, via Oke-Oyi, in Ilorin East Local Government Area.

The victim reported the threat to the police on September 10, and the case was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Ilorin on September 12.

The command said investigators traced the telephone number used to make the threat to Ismail, who allegedly confessed to the offence during interrogation.

The police said further investigations would determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged threat and that the suspect would be arraigned after the investigation.

Another arrest involved Ahamdu Dahiru, a suspected kidnapper allegedly linked to a wanted kidnapping kingpin known as “Aro”.

The command said operatives received intelligence on October 10 that Dahiru had been sighted in Kannbi, Moro Local Government Area, and subsequently mobilised to the area with assistance from community members.

During interrogation, Dahiru reportedly confessed to leading four kidnapping operations in Eruku, Oke-Ode, Idofin and Babanla, during which large sums of money were allegedly collected.

The police said the suspect later led a joint team of operatives and Hausa members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria to a forest between Bani and Kaiama, where four AK-47 rifles allegedly used in the operations had reportedly been buried.

However, the firearms were no longer at the location when the team arrived.

According to the command, Dahiru claimed that his alleged accomplices, identified as Aminu, Sani, Yellow and Dogo, had moved the weapons to an unknown destination.

A bag containing suspected hard drugs, chains and a padlock believed to have been used to secure hostages was reportedly abandoned at the location.

The police said Dahiru remained in custody and was providing information to help investigators track down the fleeing suspects and recover the missing firearms.

In a related development, operatives arrested Umaru Ahmadu at Bode Saadu, in Moro Local Government Area, on October 12, over alleged links to the abduction of two people from a Fulani settlement in Okeya.

The arrest reportedly followed intelligence gathering and collaboration with members of the Fulani Miyetti Allah Vigilante.

The command said Ahmadu admitted belonging to a kidnapping gang alongside Mohammed Abubakar Chekare, 26, who was reportedly shot dead by security forces during an operation at Babasango.

Ahmadu allegedly identified other suspected members of the group, including Tukur of Kajaola, via Oke-Ode, and Ali of Madanla.

The police added that he disclosed that the gang had a pump-action rifle kept in Tukur’s custody, while efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover the firearm.

The command further announced the arrest of three men suspected of belonging to a motorcycle theft syndicate allegedly operating around the Kosa–Bani axis of the state.

The suspects were identified as Mohamed Umar, 20; Aliyu Aliyu; and Babuga Umar, 30.

The police said the arrests followed intelligence received on October 10 about repeated motorcycle thefts in the area.

Working with local hunters and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, officers arrested the suspects at Dankurumi Settlement, Kosa, via Bani, and recovered a red Bajaj motorcycle.

According to the command, the suspects confessed during interrogation to stealing the motorcycle from where it had been parked in the Daba area of Bani.

They also reportedly identified a man known as Hanaruwa as an alleged accomplice who helped sell stolen motorcycles.

The police said Hanaruwa remained at large and that efforts were ongoing to apprehend him and other suspected members of the syndicate.

In a separate operation, police personnel on routine patrol along the Afon axis arrested Musa Hussein, 30, over alleged links to kidnapping and other criminal activities in the Orile Igbon area of Oyo State.

The command said the arrest followed intelligence linking Hussein to the alleged crimes and that he was assisting the Violent Crimes Response Unit with investigations to identify and apprehend other suspected members of the group.

Cops said investigations into the various cases were ongoing, adding that suspects would be arraigned where allegations were established and the relevant investigations concluded.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has recalled three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who were suspended during the political crisis that rocked the state.

The Assembly rescinded its decision to declare the seats of the three lawmakers vacant during plenary on Monday.

The lawmakers are Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny Constituency; Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Ahoada West Constituency; and Orubienimigha Timothy, representing Opobo/Nkoro Constituency.

A statement issued on Monday by the media aide to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, said their reinstatement followed letters of apology submitted by the lawmakers

The statement, titled “Rivers Assembly Rescinds Decision on 3 Vacant Seats,” was sent to journalists.

The statement read, “Riding on the letters of appeal sent to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, the trio of Hon Timothy Oruibienimigha, Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo and Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari, representing Opobo/Nkoro, Bonny and Ahoada West constituencies, respectively, the House on Monday, at its 68th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Tenth Assembly, rescinded its earlier decision declaring their seats vacant.

“In their separate letters of appeal read by the Speaker at plenary, the trio expressed deep apologies to the House, claiming that they failed to resume sitting with their colleagues because they had not received correspondence informing them that their suspension, imposed on October 30, 2023, was lifted on December 20, 2023, following presidential intervention.

Debating the acceptability or otherwise of the appeals, members spoke in favour of the pleas and urged the House to rescind its earlier decision.

“Commenting on the letters and summarising members’ submissions, the Speaker, Rt Hon Amaewhule, emphasised that, irrespective of the emotion-laden tenor of their appeals, investigations had shown that they might not have received the correspondence, as claimed.”

Amaewhule further said the law did not act on emotion but focused on justice, regardless of a person’s status.

The statement continued, “When the Speaker put the question on rescinding the earlier decision to a vote, members voted in the affirmative, expressing their willingness to have their colleagues rejoin them in representing their respective constituencies.

“Recall that, following the political crisis that engulfed the state, particularly the House of Assembly, four members were suspended at the 84th Legislative Sitting of the First Session of the Tenth Assembly on October 30, 2023. Following the presidential parley of December 18, 2023, the suspension was lifted on December 20, 2023, at the 89th Legislative Sitting of the First Session.

“However, following the continued failure or refusal of the trio to attend and participate in legislative sittings and the business of the Assembly without just cause, the House, at its 56th Legislative Sitting of the Second Session of the Tenth Assembly on October 15, 2024, resolved, in compliance with Section 109(1)(e) and (f), and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to declare their seats vacant and accordingly notified the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections to fill the vacancies.”

After the motion was put to a vote and approved, Amaewhule asked the lawmakers to resume sitting and rejoin their colleagues.

The PUNCH reports that the development came a day after Wike led members of the state House of Assembly and the 23 local government chairmen to Fubara’s private residence where a closed-door meeting was held at about 4.30 pm on Sunday.

Sources said the meeting, involving Wike, the Senator Magnus Abe-led reconciliation committee and members of the Rainbow Coalition, was aimed at resolving outstanding differences between the two political figures, formerly political godfather and godson, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike was appointed coordinator of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.

Commends Ogun State Government for Expeditious Approval

Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN, the first female Accountant-General of the Federation, has congratulated His Royal Highness, Oba Taiwo Adenaike OGUNBONA (Fibigbuwa IV), on his  installation as the Alaperu of Iperu Remo and the presentation of the Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo ABIODUN, CON, on Friday, 16th October 2026.

Dr. MADEIN in her congratulatory message, described the occasion as a significant milestone in the history of Iperu Remo, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the traditional institution and the people of the ancient town. She expressed confidence that the new monarch’s reign would promote peace, unity, justice, inclusiveness and sustainable development while preserving Iperu’s rich cultural heritage.
She prayed for divine wisdom, sound health, strength and understanding for Oba OGUNBONA as he assumes the responsibilities of his exalted office. She also urged the people of Iperu, both at home and in the diaspora, to support the monarch and work together for the advancement of the community.

According to her, the development of Iperu requires the collective commitment of the traditional institution, government, indigenes, community associations, professionals, business leaders and other stakeholders. She therefore called for peace, mutual respect, unity and constructive engagement as the foundation for lasting progress.

Dr. MADEIN commended the kingmakers for the diligence, commitment and sense of responsibility they demonstrated during the selection process. She also applauded the Regency Council for maintaining the continuity of the traditional institution and guiding the affairs of the community during the interregnum.
She congratulated the Fibigbuwa Ruling House on the emergence and installation of Oba Taiwo Adenaike OGUNBONA, describing the occasion as a source of pride and fulfilment for the family and the wider Iperu community. She urged the ruling house to continue supporting the monarch and contributing positively to the success of his reign.

Dr. MADEIN further expressed appreciation to the Ogun State Government and Governor Dapo ABIODUN for the expeditious approval of the monarch’s appointment and the formal installation, presentation of the Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office. She noted that the timely conclusion of the process reflected the government’s responsiveness to the aspirations of the people and its commitment to strengthening traditional institutions across the state.
She encouraged the state government to sustain its partnership with the Alaperu-in-Council and the people of Iperu in the provision of infrastructure, creation of economic opportunities, youth empowerment and implementation of other initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of the community.

While wishing Oba Taiwo Adenaike OGUNBONA (Fibigbuwa IV) a peaceful, prosperous and impactful reign, Dr. MADEIN expressed the hope that his tenure would strengthen communal bonds, enhance the dignity of the traditional institution and leave a lasting legacy of progress for present and future generations.

Temitope OYEKAN
Consultant on Media to
Dr. Oluwatoyin MADEIN
18th October, 2026

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to resign over the heaps of refuse littering major roads, residential areas and drainage channels across the state, PUNCH Online has learnt.

An insider within the agency, who spoke to PUNCH Online on condition of anonymity on Monday, said Sanwo-Olu had become increasingly dissatisfied with Gbadegesin’s handling of the waste management crisis and had advised him to resign.

According to the source, the governor’s displeasure followed concerns over the slow pace of waste evacuation and the agency chief’s alleged failure to act promptly on directives aimed at addressing the situation.

“The governor was at the Olusosun Dumpsite in Ojota a month ago and was dissatisfied with the state of things. He gave instructions that immediate action be taken on the matter, as he has declared a state of emergency on waste management.

“The governor was upset when he observed that the situation had not improved despite his clear directive. So, over the weekend, he asked him to resign, although he is begging and has reached out to some prominent Lagosians to beg on his behalf,” the source said.

For about six months, from August 2025 into early 2026, residents across Lagos have repeatedly complained about worsening waste collection, with refuse accumulating along road medians, streets and major highways.

The waste management challenge has been reported in several parts of the state, including Mushin, Egbeda, Surulere, Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Ojo, Obalende, Apapa and Mile 2, where residents have had to contend with decomposing refuse along streets and drainage channels.

The situation has raised concerns over environmental sanitation, public health and the impact of the waste crisis on businesses and the state’s image.

PUNCH Online in September reported that Sanwo-Olu declared a state of emergency on waste collection after inspecting the Olusosun dumpsite in Ojota, where he ordered immediate measures to address challenges affecting the sector.

The governor, accompanied by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, met with stakeholders in the waste management sector at the dumpsite to assess the challenges affecting municipal waste collection and outline immediate, medium- and long-term solutions.

Sanwo-Olu acknowledged the slow pace of waste collection across the state, attributing the situation partly to the failure of Private Sector Participation operators to meet their obligations in the preceding weeks.

He said waste compaction activities were ongoing at the Olusosun and Solous 3 dumpsites, adding that completing the exercise would facilitate faster waste evacuation.

The governor also explained that recent fire incidents at the dumpsites had slowed operations but noted that work had resumed, with contractors working to clear the sites for daily waste disposal.

According to him, completing the ongoing projects would enable each dumpsite to receive about 450 trucks of municipal waste daily, effectively doubling the capacity of the PSP operators.

However, the continued accumulation of refuse in several communities has intensified despite calls for urgent intervention to restore effective waste collection across the state.

Meanwhile, Gbadegesin, while giving a weekly update about waste management in the state on Saturday, wrote on his X handle that there has been major clearing in Mile 2, with three additional trucks deployed to Doyin-Orile and its environs.

“11 of the 15 routes in this week’s programme now have field updates. Key outcomes include: Mile 2 cleared with routine collection sustained; 3 additional trucks deployed on Doyin–Orile; daily service maintained on Ijesha Road and Itire–Ikate; Bucknor–Ijegun cleared with 3x-weekly collection.

“Okeira and Oluodo under LAWMA interim service following PSP termination; collection sustained at Ogolonto and Igbokusu; Obalende cleared, provided with a bin and placed under surveillance; and clearance continues at Iraye. Four routes remain awaiting field updates: Apapa, Abesan Estate, Idimu–Ejigbo Road and Isheri–Igando corridor. The objective is to progress from clearance to sustained collection and prevention of recurrence, not simply remove visible waste.”

Our correspondent made an attempt to get the reaction of the state Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, on the telephone on Monday, but one of his aides said the commissioner was in a meeting.

The aide asked our correspondent to call back in some hours.

Gbadegesin was reappointed the agency head by Sanwo-Olu following the governor’s re-election.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has maintained that skills development is central to economic renewal and social inclusion in Nigeria, as he urged the government to create the enabling platforms.

The governor, who made this known at the groundbreaking of NASENI Skill Development Centre at Rigachukun on Monday, noted that young persons in Nigeria possess the energy, ambition and ingenuity to tap into.

He pointed out that the centre’s value will depend on how effectively it complements existing institutions, responds to industry and equips trainees with capabilities that employers need.

He also noted that the centre represents an “investment in the knowledge, competence and enterprise through which individuals build secure livelihoods and societies achieve lasting prosperity.”

Sani said, ‘’Government has a responsibility to create conditions in which these qualities can flourish through relevant training, recognised qualifications and fair access to productive opportunities. This conviction informs our investment in the Kaduna State Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development.

In August, we celebrated 4,050 graduates from its campuses in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf. Their training covered 14 trades, including Electrical Installation, Aluminium Fabrication, Solar Installation, Mechatronics, Computer Hardware Repairs and Maintenance, Catering and Hospitality, and Fashion Design.”

Sani also disclosed that ‘’the institute secured accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education, while instructors received training as Quality Assurance Assessors and Internal Quality Assurance Managers.

These measures strengthen the credibility of assessment and certification, giving employers greater confidence in the competence of our graduates.

‘’Today, we lay the foundation for an institution that will expand opportunity, strengthen productive capacity and prepare our people for the demands of a changing economy.”

Sani expressed optimism that the skill development centre will deepen the efforts of the state government towards Human Capital Development.

He further said that the state government looks forward to programmes grounded in practical competence, credible certification and clear pathways into employment and enterprise.

‘’Access must be integral to that ambition. Women, persons with disabilities and young people in underserved communities must have meaningful opportunities to participate. Their inclusion will broaden our pool of talent and ensure that the benefits of development reach households too often excluded from opportunity,’’ he added.

‘’Kaduna State has provided the required site and remains fully committed to facilitating this project. I commend the contractors for mobilising equipment and demonstrating readiness to commence work.

‘’I urge NASENI, the project team and contractors to uphold agreed standards and timelines. Timely delivery and sound construction must be matched by careful preparation for effective operation,’’ he added, among others.

Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Halilu Khalil, said the centre was designed to bridge the gap between technical training and the practical skills required by businesses and industries, enabling young people to secure employment, improve existing trades or establish their own enterprises.

He said the facility would provide technical and vocational training tailored to the needs of industry, adding that access to skilled workers was essential for businesses seeking to improve production, maintain equipment and enhance the quality of their products.

“At NASENI, we understand that equipment alone cannot industrialise a nation. Every productive investment needs people who understand how it works, how to improve it, and how to keep it working,” Halilu said.

He explained that NASENI’s responsibilities extended beyond research and product development to building the technical capacity required to install, operate, maintain and eventually manufacture technologies locally, among others.

Wike made the appeal on Monday during an interactive meeting with Fubara’s supporters and youth leaders in Port Harcourt, where he called for reconciliation among political stakeholders and urged them to unite behind Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, to the FCT minister, Lere Olayinka, he said Wike explained that Rivers State stood to gain more political influence and development benefits by delivering a strong electoral performance for the President.

“All I want to hear in this state is Tinubu and nothing but Tinubu. If we play the role we are playing now, and we are one of the first three states that get the highest number of votes, we will get more of the appointments,” he said.

Wike noted that the Tinubu administration had already provided Rivers State with several high-profile federal appointments, expressing confidence that stronger electoral support would create more opportunities for the state, particularly its youths.

He urged party faithful and grassroots leaders to put past disagreements behind them, arguing that political cooperation with the Federal Government would strengthen Rivers State’s position in national affairs.

The former Rivers State governor also pointed to infrastructure projects, including the Bonny road, as evidence of the benefits of the current administration’s engagement with the state.

Wike said his interest was to ensure that Rivers remained relevant in national politics, stressing that his political activities were intended to advance the state’s development rather than secure another governorship ambition.

I am not going to be governor again; this is for your own interest. I want this state to grow. I want this state to play an important role in the politics of Nigeria,” he said.

He acknowledged that political realignments often generated disagreements and rumours but urged supporters to remain calm while reconciliation efforts continued.

According to him, committees had been established to address grievances and ensure that genuine members of the political group were not excluded from the emerging coalition.

“We are talking for survival and growth,” Wike said, urging local government youth leaders to return to their respective areas, reconcile aggrieved members and prepare for campaign committees and Tinubu’s planned visit to the state.”

The meeting was part of efforts to consolidate support for Tinubu through the Rainbow Coalition, which Wike said was bringing together political structures across different platforms.

Earlier, a former Mayor of Port Harcourt, Mr Ezebunwo Ichemati, who spoke on behalf of Fubara’s supporters, pledged the group’s readiness to work with Wike to secure Rivers State for Tinubu and other candidates under the coalition.

Ichemati described the meeting as a turning point in the state’s political landscape, saying it signalled a move towards unity between the Wike and Fubara camps ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the group was committed to supporting Tinubu and Mr Kingsley Chinda, whom he identified as a candidate for the governorship under the emerging political arrangement.

Describing the political crisis that divided the camps as a family dispute, Ichemati said the parties had resolved to put their differences behind them and work together.

“Every family has its own peculiarity in problems. What matters most is that the family comes together, the children watch what has divided them, and decide to move forward.

“If today a marriage faces a problem, some children will go to their father, some will go to their mother. But when a truce is made, the family comes back together—and that is what has happened today,” he said.

Ichemati acknowledged Wike’s influence in Rivers politics and credited both the minister and Fubara with facilitating the reconciliation that brought the rival groups together.

He also said Fubara was aware of and supported the meeting with Wike, describing the engagement as part of a broader effort to restore unity within the state’s political structure.
According to him, the reconciliation would extend to grassroots supporters, particularly youths who had served as political foot soldiers during the crisis.

The state has been held back for a very long time. Now that you are bringing this peace initiative down to the youths, who are the foot soldiers, I want to assure you that we commit ourselves to join our brothers in the rainbow coalition.

“What you see here today will transform into a force that will deliver. We don’t want to say much. All we can say is: test us, try us, and we will deliver,” he said.

he Nigerian Air Force has significantly reduced the water level at the site of its crashed ATR 42-500 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery operations entered their 14th day.

The aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in a swampy mangrove area in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, on October 5, 2026.

In a statement on Monday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said continuous pumping had significantly lowered the water level, while efforts were ongoing to remove most of the remaining water.

“Continuous pumping has significantly reduced the water level at the site, with the recovery team working towards removing most of the remaining water, subject to prevailing conditions,” the statement read

Ejodame added that the recovery team was reinforcing the embankment with sandbags to prevent collapse and maintain stability as the dewatering operation continued.

“Reinforcement of the embankment with sandbags is also ongoing to prevent collapse and maintain stability as dewatering continues,” he said.

The Air Force acknowledged the difficulties involved in the recovery operation, noting that the team had to sustain engineering and dewatering efforts in challenging conditions

The operation requires sustained engineering and dewatering efforts under challenging conditions, underscoring the scale and complexity of the recovery mission,” the statement added.

The service commended the recovery personnel and partner agencies for their efforts, with special recognition for Hitech Construction Company for its support.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, also praised the team for its commitment to the operation.

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended the recovery team for its resilience and professionalism, reaffirming the NAF’s commitment to completing the operation safely and methodically while supporting the ongoing aircraft accident investigation,” the statement said.

The Air Force also expressed sympathy for the families of those who died in the crash, acknowledging the grief they continued to experience.

“The NAF remains deeply conscious of the pain and anguish of the bereaved families and extends its heartfelt condolences to them,” Ejodame said.

The service reiterated its commitment to the recovery exercise and promised to keep the public informed.

“The Service remains committed to sustaining recovery efforts and providing timely, verified updates as the operation progresses,” the statement read.

It also appreciated the patience and cooperation of the Igbokoda community and the continued support of stakeholders involved in the operation.

PUNCH Online had reported that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos, when air traffic controllers lost contact with it at about 9:13am on October 5.

The Air Force later confirmed that all 25 people on board, comprising five crew members and 20 passengers, died in the crash.

Recovery efforts have been complicated by the swampy, waterlogged terrain where the aircraft went down. The operation involves the NAF, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, emergency responders and other supporting agencies.

Meanwhile, residents of Igbokoda have raised concerns about the possible environmental impact of the crash, including reports of a strong stench and potential contamination of the river used for domestic activities and fishing.

The recovery operation is continuing alongside the investigation into the cause of the crash.

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has sworn in Mr Olayemi Sanusi and Mrs Adenike Ademokun as commissioners, charging them to place the interest of the state above personal considerations, political differences and sectional loyalties.

Abiodun gave the charge on Monday during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where he urged the new commissioners to demonstrate integrity, humility, fairness and commitment to public service.

The governor charged them to remain accessible to the people, listen attentively to their concerns and exercise prudence in the management of public resources, stressing that their appointments must translate into tangible benefits for the people.

He also emphasised the importance of continuity in governance, urging the commissioners to preserve institutional knowledge, maintain proper records and ensure that ongoing projects and programmes were completed.

Abiodun advised them to familiarise themselves with the priorities of his administration, understand the status of existing projects and bring fresh energy, sound judgment and a strong sense of responsibility to their assignments

Public confidence grows when citizens can see that those they entrusted with leadership understand their needs and act to address them,” he said.

The governor further urged the new commissioners to embrace teamwork, respect the professionalism of the public service and collaborate effectively with the ministries, departments and agencies under their supervision.

Your ability to listen, inspire confidence, make informed decisions and translate policies into outcomes will determine the contribution you make to our collective mission.

“Bring your experience to bear, remain willing to learn and support your colleagues in the pursuit of common objectives,” he said.

Abiodun noted that the value of public office should be measured by the problems it helps to solve and the opportunities it creates, adding that the responsibility before members of the State Executive Council was to consolidate existing achievements, address unfinished priorities and leave behind a stronger and more prosperous Ogun State.

Describing the period as the final lap of his administration, the governor said the remaining months required urgency, discipline, political maturity and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

“We are now in the final lap of this administration. This period demands urgency, discipline, political maturity and a steadfast pursuit of excellence.

“Your appointments, therefore, come at a very significant moment. You are joining a government with substantial achievements and important responsibilities still to fulfil.

“History will assess our stewardship through the consequences of our decisions and the difference our service has made in the lives of the people.

Let us, therefore, approach the months ahead with a clear sense of purpose and a determination to make every opportunity count,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the newly sworn-in commissioners, Mrs  Ademokun expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in them, assuring the governor that they would not take the appointments for granted.

She pledged their commitment to giving their best in support of the administration’s efforts to sustain development and improve the welfare of residents across the state.

It will be recalled that Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Motunrayo Adeleye and her counterpart in the Ministry of Special Duties, Mrs Funmi Efuwape, contesting for the Ifo/Ewekoro federal constituency and Sagamu federal constituency respectively, had since resigned their appointments to pursue their 2027 political ambition

The founder of Gregory University, Uturu, and the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Abia State, Prof. Gregory Ibe, is dead.

Ibe’s death was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the royal family of HRH Eze Cyril Ibe of Okwelube I, Amaokwe Achara Autonomous Community, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.

According to the family, the educationist, industrialist and philanthropist died after battling health challenges.

The statement read, “With deep sadness, but with gratitude to Almighty God for a life of purpose, impact, and service, we announce the passing of our beloved father, brother, grandfather, patriarch, and an exceptional man, Prof. Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe, OFR.

“A distinguished academic, administrator, philanthropist, statesman, entrepreneur, and educationist, Prof. Ibe dedicated his life to expanding access to education, uplifting the less privileged, and serving humanity.”

Ibe founded Gregory University, Uturu, a private institution known for its focus on research, medical science, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Through his companies, including Skill ‘G’ Limited and Innov8 Hub, he provided tertiary institutions across the country with laboratory and technical equipment.

In politics, Ibe contested the 2023 Abia State governorship election as the APGA candidate, campaigning on a technology-driven blueprint to transform the state into an industrial hub.

He is survived by six children, seven grandchildren, and numerous mentees and beneficiaries.

The family thanked members of the public for their condolences and requested privacy as funeral arrangements were being finalised.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act, which grants eligible sub-Saharan African countries preferential access to the US market, has been renewed until the end of 2028.

South Africa is the scheme’s largest beneficiary, but its eligibility has come under scrutiny as Washington steps up criticism of Pretoria, including false allegations of discrimination against white Afrikaners that South Africa rejects.

“Congress has decided that we should be kept in AGOA. What now remains is the executive,” Ramaphosa said, referring to the pact now needing President Donald Trump’s signature after approval by Congress.

“And by the way, so that I prepare our people for this, if we ever have a choice, we are not the first and only country to be taken out of AGOA. And I believe we will not be the last,” he said in response to a question from an AFP journalist during a briefing.

Bilateral ties have deteriorated since Trump took office, with Washington cutting aid, expelling South Africa’s ambassador and berating Ramaphosa in the Oval Office over discredited claims of a “white genocide.”

Washington in mid-September announced restrictions on visas for South Africans who promote “race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation in South Africa” — all issues that are disputed between the two countries.

Last year, the United States launched a programme to resettle white Afrikaners who say they face persecution and violent crime in South Africa.

By September 30, the United States had admitted 16,287 South Africans under the programme over the preceding year. They were the only people granted refugee status by Washington during that period, apart from five Afghans.

Devastating’ impact –

The US president reviews countries’ eligibility for AGOA annually.

Any removal requires 60 days’ notice to Congress and the country concerned. To take effect on January 1, an exclusion must be announced by November 2.

Former president Joe Biden declared the Central African Republic, Gabon, Niger and Uganda ineligible on October 30, 2023, with the exclusions taking effect on January 1, 2024.

South Africa is going to look for alternative markets to minimise the impacts of such an exclusion, Ramaphosa said.

“I need, as president, to prepare us if it ever happens. So we should not go out and jump off tall buildings and think that this is the end of the world,” he said, conceding that the impacts would nonetheless be “devastating.

Within AGOA, Washington exempts South African cars from customs duties.

After precious metals, cars are the country’s second-biggest export earner to the United States, according to the South African tax authorities.

In 2025, the automobile employers’ organisation Naamsa said 86,000 jobs were directly tied to the accord at car manufacturers, a number that increases to 125,000 when including their sub-contractors.

AFP

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has signed four bills into law, including three aimed at reforming the state’s criminal justice system and an amendment to the law governing Abia State University.

The laws are the Abia State University Amendment Law No. 4 of 2026, Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 6 of 2026, Abia State Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026 and Abia State Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at Government House, Umuahia, on Monday, Otti thanked members of the state House of Assembly, the judiciary and staff of both arms of government for their contributions to the bills.

He said he had taken time to study the bills and was satisfied with their contents.

Otti said, “Sometimes we find it difficult to implement some of the things we have in mind, because when you go and check the law, you’ll find that the law does not allow you to implement strict consequence management.”

The governor said enacting laws was different from enforcing them, assuring residents that his administration had the political will to ensure compliance.

He said, “What we can assure you here is that we have the will to ensure that the laws are respected. When there are laws and people respect the laws, everything looks like clockwork.”

Otti also disclosed that his administration had begun relocating the Faculties of Law and Agriculture of Abia State University from Umuahia to the institution’s main campus in Uturu to take advantage of shared services and ongoing investments. He said the university’s teaching hospital in Aba would remain an exception.

Earlier, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, presented the four bills to the governor for assent and commended stakeholders who contributed to their passage.

Explaining the provisions of the three justice reform laws, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said they addressed prohibited conduct, procedures for handling criminal cases and ways of repairing harm caused by crime.

Otti also disclosed that his administration had begun relocating the Faculties of Law and Agriculture of Abia State University from Umuahia to the institution’s main campus in Uturu to take advantage of shared services and ongoing investments. He said the university’s teaching hospital in Aba would remain an exception.

Earlier, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, presented the four bills to the governor for assent and commended stakeholders who contributed to their passage.

Explaining the provisions of the three justice reform laws, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, said they addressed prohibited conduct, procedures for handling criminal cases and ways of repairing harm caused by crime.

Uwanna said, “These reforms respond to the concerns of our people, the fear of cult violence, kidnapping, destruction of public facilities, the suffering of victims of sexual violence, and the frustration of criminal proceedings that take too long.”

He explained that the Criminal Law strengthened measures against cultism by addressing membership, sponsorship and management of unlawful societies. It also provided sanctions for the vandalisation of public infrastructure, including transformers, boreholes and streetlights, while strengthening protections against rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and other forms of violence.

According to him, the law recognises male and female victims of rape, provides for a sex offenders register and addresses kidnapping, child exploitation and offences involving electronic records and digital assets.

Uwanna said the Administration of Criminal Justice Law established procedures for arrest, bail, remand, trial and sentencing. It also prohibited the arrest of one person in place of another and the use of arrest to pursue civil disputes.

He added that the Restorative Justice Law provided a framework for victims and offenders to voluntarily address responsibility and reparation under supervision, while excluding capital offences, kidnapping, terrorism, corruption and financial crimes.

Uwanna said, “No victim should be pressured to accept an agreement. Restorative justice must operate within the law and under safeguards it prescribes.”

He thanked the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai; the House of Assembly; the review committee; the Nigerian Bar Association; law enforcement agencies; and International IDEA and RoLAC II for their support.

He said International IDEA and RoLAC II had also supported a retreat for lawmakers and pledged assistance with translating the laws into Igbo.

Uwanna said the focus following the signing would be on implementation, circulation, translation and training for relevant stakeholders.

Katsina State Government says it is targeting the planting and nurturing of 11 million trees across the state by 2030, beginning with two million trees in 2026, under its Katsina-One-Tree Initiative.

Governor Dikko Radda announced the target on Monday during the flag-off of the initiative at Ladanawa, Rimi Local Government Area of the state.

He said the programme would cover all 34 local government areas and 6,652 Climate Intervention Areas across the state.

“Our target is clear: 11 million trees by 2030, beginning with two million trees in 2026. Our message is simple: One Person, One Tree, One Responsibility..

“A seedling distributed is an opportunity. A tree that survives is an achievement. We will not count ceremonies; we will count living trees,” according to Radda.

Radda said environmental protection is essential to agricultural productivity, food security and sustainable development, warning that desertification, climate change and flooding pose serious threats to livelihoods and community stability.

“Climate risk is a poverty issue. It drives up food prices, empties granaries, fuels conflict over land and water, and pushes young people out of our villages.

Trees help protect farmlands against wind erosion, improve soil fertility, provide fruits and animal fodder, and create additional income opportunities for rural communities.

“The administration’s environmental governance initiatives, including the State Climate Change Policy, the establishment of the State Council on Climate Change and climate expenditure tracking across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and local government councils.

“Katsina’s first-place ranking among Nigeria’s 36 states in the 2025 Sub-national Climate Governance Performance Ranking and recognition by the Forestry Association of Nigeria for its environmental governance efforts,” he highlighted.

Radda said interventions under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL) project, implemented in collaboration with the World Bank and the Federal Government, included stormwater drainage projects in Katsina metropolis and riverbank protection works in Jibia.

He further explained that the projects were helping communities strengthen their resilience against flooding and other climate-related risks.

To ensure effective implementation of the tree-planting campaign, the governor announced the establishment of a Central Steering Committee, three zonal monitoring committees covering Katsina, Daura and Funtua, as well as supervisory committees at local government and implementation committees at ward levels.

He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, farmers, pastoralists, women, youths and community leaders to take ownership of the initiative.

Governments can start a campaign, but only people can sustain it,” Radda said, urging residents to plant, water, protect and monitor seedlings and replace those that failed to survive.

The governor also directed schools, health facilities, MDAs and local governments to participate in the campaign.

He encouraged more than 3,800 schools in the state to organise tree-planting activities and promote environmental awareness among pupils.

Hospitals, primary healthcare centres, government offices and local government secretariats were similarly urged to plant and maintain trees within their premises.

On accountability, Radda called for transparent implementation, accurate registration and proper financial management, warning that committees must deliver measurable results.

He also urged residents to reduce their dependence on firewood and charcoal, particularly as the harmattan season approaches, and adopt cleaner cooking alternatives.

“I urge every household to embrace clean cooking: gas, improved cookstoves and other clean technologies. This government is working with partners to make clean cooking more affordable and available,” he said

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall, Alhaji Saleh Abubakar, who represented the Minister of Agriculture, Balarabe Hassan, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to combating desertification and restoring degraded lands.

Abubakar said the initiative would strengthen collaboration between the federal and state governments through technical support, institutional cooperation and spatial monitoring systems.

He explained that the monitoring systems would help track progress and improve environmental data for national climate records and carbon-finance frameworks.

He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, women and young people to take ownership of the programme, describing grassroots participation as essential to achieving lasting environmental and socioeconomic benefits.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change, Prof. Al’Ameen Muhammad, said the initiative aligned with the administration’s Building Your Future Strategic Policy, particularly its focus on natural resource management, ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation.

Muhammad said the programme would mobilise residents to plant and nurture 11 million trees by 2030 through seedling production and distribution, volunteer registration, monitoring and community participation.

He added that the initiative was expected to promote food security, agricultural development, employment generation and potential revenue from carbon credits.

He urged residents to ensure that planted trees were properly nurtured and protected.

Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Rimi Local Government Area, Hon. Muhammad Ali, commended Radda for introducing the initiative, describing it as an important intervention against desertification, land degradation and climate change.

Ali pledged to mobilise traditional rulers, councillors, youth and women’s groups, farmers, schools and other stakeholders to support tree planting and maintenance across the local government’s wards.

He said communities must go beyond planting seedlings to ensure their survival and maturity, assuring the governor of the local government’s commitment to achieving the 2030 target.

The event was attended by members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, APC leaders, local government chairmen, councillors, religious leaders, community representatives and climate and environmental stakeholders.

The Ogun State Government has taken Mistura Adebayo, a young girl reportedly found wandering on two occasions, into its custody and commenced medical investigations to assess her health and determine the appropriate care she requires.

The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development disclosed that its intervention followed reports brought to the attention of the former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, by Adetoun Adejobi.

According to the Ministry, Adeleye immediately contacted the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Adebimpe Folusho Obienu, who coordinated the deployment of social workers to the police station where the girl had been taken.

On arrival, the social workers were informed that Mistura had already been released to her grandmother.

The Ministry said it received another report the following day that the girl had been seen wandering again, prompting a fresh intervention that resulted in her being taken into government custody.

It added that medical investigations were ongoing to establish her health status and identify any underlying concerns requiring further attention.

The Ministry assured the public that it would continue to take the necessary steps to protect Mistura and provide an appropriate and sustainable care arrangement in her best interests.

Meanwhile, the Ministry urged members of the public to report cases of gender-based violence, child abuse, neglect, exploitation and other concerns affecting the safety and welfare of women and children.

It said residents could report such cases or seek assistance through its toll-free lines: Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, 0800 0000 666; Sagamu Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), 0800 0000 555; Ilaro SARC, 0800 0000 077; Ijebu-Ode SARC, 0800 0000 088; and Abeokuta SARC, 0800 0000 099.

The Ministry stressed that prompt reporting could help save lives and protect vulnerable persons, urging residents to speak up whenever they encountered situations that threatened the safety and welfare of women and children.

Signed:

Mrs Adebimpe Folusho Obienu
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
Ogun State

Shooters opened fire at the 36-year-old actor as he was leaving a private event in the city’s upscale Juhu area on Sunday evening, according to Police official Mohit Garg.

Aside from being India’s financial capital, Mumbai is also the heart of Bollywood, the country’s Hindi-language film industry.

Tiger Shroff is safe and Mumbai police has deployed different teams to investigate further,” Garg told reporters.

Two people were injured in the incident, including the actor’s driver, though Shroff did not sustain gunshot wounds, police said.

Three suspects have been rounded up in Rajasthan, another Indian state.

“Preliminary questioning revealed that two of them have one case each against them, one related to theft and the other under the Arms Act,” police official Tejaswani Gautam told reporters.

Police have yet to establish a motive for the shooting.

Shroff is known for action films including the “Baaghi” franchise and “War”.

AFP

The actress disclosed the sad development on Monday, October 19, 2026, in an emotional tribute shared on her official Instagram page, revealing that her mother died on Sunday, October 18.

Expressing her grief, Adunni Ade said she was announcing the loss with a heavy heart while submitting to the will of Almighty Allah.

“With a heavy heart and submission to the will of Almighty Allah, I announce the passing of my beloved mother, who returned to her Creator after a long battle with illness,” she wrote.

In her tribute, the actress prayed for Allah’s mercy upon her late mother, asking Him to forgive her shortcomings and grant her eternal rest in paradise.

“Ya Allah, forgive her shortcomings, have mercy upon her, make her grave spacious and filled with light, and grant her Al-Jannah Firdaus. Grant us sabr and strength as we navigate this painful loss. Ameen,” she wrote.

Ade also expressed her love for her late mother, praying for a reunion with her in the hereafter.

“Mum, I love you. May Allah grant you eternal peace and reunite us in Jannah. Ameen,” she added.

The actress further disclosed that details of the funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.

Adunni Ade had previously spoken publicly about her mother’s health challenges. In October 2019, she shared photographs of her mother receiving medical attention in a hospital, describing her as a strong woman and expressing hope for her recovery.

The actress’s announcement has drawn attention from fans and well-wishers, many of whom have offered prayers and condolences to her and her family during this difficult period.

Adunni Ade is known for her roles in both Yoruba and English-language Nollywood productions.

As the family mourns the loss, prayers continue to be offered for the repose of her mother’s soul and for strength for the bereaved family.

A Chinese state-owned firm has withdrawn from a $392 million joint venture to develop a major logistics hub at Sri Lanka’s main seaport, the key local partner said Monday.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) said China Merchants Port Holdings had decided not to proceed with the collaboration announced in 2023, but the project would continue.

“Following an assessment of the prevailing external circumstances, commercial considerations and the interests of the respective shareholders, a decision was reached not to proceed with the proposed joint venture,” the SLPA said in a statement.

China Merchants was to hold 70 per cent of the proposed joint venture, while the SLPA and a Sri Lankan private construction company were each to hold 15 per cent.

The SLPA said it was now seeking a new investor for the 150,000-square-metre logistics hub at Colombo Port, where China already has other investments.

The Chinese company said in a statement to Hong Kong’s stock exchange on Friday that “terminating the project would be in the best interests of the parties”.

China Merchants’ stake, agreed in April 2023, was the first major foreign investment announced after Sri Lanka’s economy collapsed in April 2022

Within Colombo Port, China Merchants already operate a $500 million deep-water container terminal.

They also manage the deep-water port complex at Hambantota, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast.

That port in Hambantota was widely regarded as one of the white-elephant projects launched by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who ruled the country for a decade until 2015.

Rajapaksa borrowed heavily from China for projects that many critics said created a debt trap and contributed to Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis.

Unable to repay a large Chinese loan taken in 2017 to build Hambantota port, Sri Lanka handed it over to China Merchants for $1.12 billion under a 99-year lease.

The $1.4 billion Port City Colombo real-estate development next to Colombo Port is also a Chinese investment.

India and the United States have expressed concern that China could gain a naval advantage in the Indian Ocean through its access to Sri Lankan ports

Sri Lanka has insisted that its ports will not be used for military purposes.

AFP

Twelve migrants died Monday attempting to cross the Aegean Sea, including six people whose bodies were found after their boat collided with a police vessel, authorities said.

A baby and four women were among six people who died off the island of Lesbos on Monday following the collision, a coast guard official told AFP.

The other six dead — five men and a woman — were on a small boat that capsized off the island of Samos, the coast guard added. Another 14 people from the boat, one of them a presumed Iranian organiser, were rescued.

The coast guard official said that in the incident off Lesbos, “a speedboat carrying migrants collided with the port side of a police patrol vessel”. The official said eight people were rescued.

The Aegean is a much-used route for migrants crossing from Turkey and hoping to reach Europe. There have been many deaths.

One person died and 25 remained missing after a boat filled with migrants sank off the island of Gavdos, near Crete in September.

AFP

Ikeja Electric Plc on Monday attributed the reduced hours of electricity supply across its network to a shortfall in power allocated to it from the national grid.

The electricity distribution company disclosed this in a public notice dated October 19, 2026, signed by its management.

“We wish to inform customers across Ikeja Electric network that the reduced hours of electricity supply is due to a shortfall in the amount of power currently allocated to our network from the national grid,” the notice read.

The company acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the reduced supply and appealed to customers for patience and understanding.

“We understand the inconvenience this may cause and sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding,” it stated.

Ikeja Electric said it was engaging relevant stakeholders to improve the amount of electricity available to its network.

“Please be assured that we are actively engaging the relevant stakeholders to improve the available power supply and will continue to distribute the power received from the grid as efficiently and equitably as possible,” the notice added.

The company also pledged to keep customers informed about developments.

“We remain committed to keeping you informed as the situation evolves,” it said

The University of Ilorin will confer degrees and other academic qualifications on 16,152 graduands at its 41st convocation ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic session, with 365 students graduating with first-class honours.

The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), announced the figures on Monday during a press briefing ahead of the ceremony, which will run from Wednesday, October 21, to Friday, October 23.

According to Egbewole, 11,213 students will receive first degrees, including 4,367 second-class upper division graduates, 5,102 second-class lower division graduates, 1,006 third-class graduates and 30 pass-degree recipients.

He said the graduating class also included students from several professional programmes, with 19 in Medicine and Surgery, 89 in Nursing, 73 in Pharmacy, 41 in Optometry, 89 in Physiotherapy and 32 in Veterinary Medicine.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that “4,939 graduands would receive higher degrees and diplomas, comprising 160 postgraduate diploma recipients, 901 master’s degree graduates, 114 professional master’s degree recipients, two Master of Philosophy graduates and 251 doctorate degree recipients”.

Another 3,511 students, he said, would graduate through the university’s Centre for Affiliated Institutions.

In a separate programme, Egbewole said 8,320 students had completed the university’s U-INSPIRE initiative, which equips participants with 21st-century skills in addition to their primary qualifications through partnerships with 10 industry partners.

He described the figures as evidence of the university’s commitment to academic excellence, professional training, research, innovation and the development of skilled graduates for national and global development.

Reflecting on his administration, Egbewole said the convocation provided an opportunity to assess the institution’s progress since he assumed office on October 16, 2022, and consider the legacy being prepared for the next vice-chancellor.

“When I assumed office as Vice-Chancellor on 16 October 2022, my first convocation ceremony was for both the 37th and 38th. I came into office with a clear commitment: to build on the strong foundations laid by my predecessors, preserve the University’s defining strengths, and move the institution forward with renewed ambition,” he said.

“Four years on, as we prepare for the 41st Convocation, I do so with gratitude to Almighty Allah and a deep sense of fulfilment. This is not simply a review of activities; it is an account of steady, substantial progress and of the institutional capacity, opportunities, and responsibilities we will bequeath to the next Vice-Chancellor, as a legacy,” he added.

The Vice-Chancellor said the university had maintained its tradition of stability, academic excellence and peace while making improvements in digital infrastructure, staff and student welfare, research, teaching and learning, campus facilities and external partnerships.

He added that the institution’s development strategy remained anchored on its Vision 1:10:500 ambition of becoming Nigeria’s number one university, ranking among Africa’s top 10 and securing a place among the world’s top 500 universities.

“The 41st Convocation is therefore both a celebration and a moment of reflection. It gives us an opportunity to recognise what we have accomplished, acknowledge the people whose work made it possible, and identify the foundations on which we can build the next phase of progress,” Egbewole said.

On the ceremony’s activities, the Vice-Chancellor announced that the convocation lecture, titled From Lecture Hall to Cabinet Room: The Journey from Academia to Public Leadership, would be delivered by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr Haja Ramatulai Wurie, on Friday, October 23, at 9am.

He disclosed that the university would stage its convocation opera, The Death of the Crown’s Escort, at the Performing and Film Arts Theatre on Tuesday, October 20, with performances scheduled for 4 pm and 6 pm.

According to him, graduands from four-year programmes would receive their degrees on Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22, while those from five-year and six-year programmes would be presented for their degrees on Friday, October 23.

Egbewole further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu, the university’s Visitor, was expected to commission completed projects on the campus at 2.30 pm on Friday.

The day’s programme would also include a convocation luncheon and merit awards for deserving members of staff at the university’s Multipurpose Hall at 4.30 pm.

The activities, which commenced with a special Jumat service on Friday, October 16, and an interdenominational church service on Sunday, October 18, will end with a thanksgiving service at St Thomas Aquinas Chaplaincy on Sunday, October 25.

A Catholic priest, Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari, has died after a large wooden cross fell on him while he was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The incident occurred on Saturday, during a service that was being livestreamed on social media, according to the Associated Press and Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo on Sunday.

The priest was at the altar when the cross hanging behind him became detached and struck him on the head.

The Associated Press reported that footage of the service showed “a heavy crucifix detaching from the wall above the altar and striking Sánchez on the head as he celebrated Mass.”

According to the AP report, the priest did not appear to notice the cross falling, while worshippers cried for help as the broadcast continued.

In its report published on Sunday, El Universo said, “Un sacerdote murió tras la caída de una enorme cruz de madera sobre su cabeza” — meaning a priest died after a huge wooden cross fell on his head.

The newspaper reported that Sánchez Molinari was celebrating Mass when the cross suspended above the altar became detached during a prayer.

It added that worshippers tried to assist him and desperately called for an ambulance. The incident was recorded because the religious service was being transmitted on social media.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death and identified him as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order.

The AP said the congregation was founded in 1732 and has a presence in 80 countries.

El Universo also reported that the Archdiocese expressed solidarity and condolences to the Redemptorist community, as well as the priest’s family and friends.

The priest had previously served for several years at San Lorenzo de Vinces parish, according to El Universo, which reported that the parish also mourned his death.

The circumstances that caused the cross to detach from the wall had not been officially established in the reports available at the time of publication.

The Associated Press reported that local authorities had not commented on the incident.

The death has drawn attention to the incident captured during the livestreamed Mass, with worshippers seen rushing to assist the priest after the cross fell.

Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has pledged to review the allowances of National Youth Service Corps members posted to the state.

The governor made the pledge on Monday when he visited the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Fanisau, Dutse, during the passing-out ceremony for the 2026 Batch C Stream corps members.

Namadi said the proposed increase was to appreciate the contributions of corps members to the development of the state and cushion the effects of the current economic challenges.

He said, “We will review up and increase NYSC corpers allowance posted to the state to encourage them to give their best.”

The governor congratulated the corps members on completing their mandatory six-week orientation course and urged them to be good ambassadors of the scheme.

He also announced an immediate N10,000 transport allowance for each corps member to ease movement to their places of primary assignment.

“We have provided N10,000 transportation allowance to each of you to ease your movement to your places of primary assignment,” he said.

Namadi said the government would consider constructing a bigger hall at the camp to accommodate more corps members during activities.

He said, “We will look at the possibility of construction of a bigger hall at this camp for your large gatherings.”

The governor also assured the corps members that the state government would procure a larger generator to address power supply challenges at the NYSC camp in Fanisau.

According to him, the intervention would improve the welfare and living conditions of corps members and camp officials.

He said, “We will procure a larger generator at the NYSC camp in Fanisau to ensure steady power supply.”

Earlier, the NYSC Jigawa State Coordinator, Muhammad Baba, commended the governor for his continued support for the scheme.

Baba said the Batch C corps members had been adequately trained and found worthy in character and learning to proceed to their primary assignments.

He said, “These corps members have completed the mandatory orientation course and are ready to contribute to the development of Jigawa State.”

The coordinator thanked the governor for the transport allowance and other interventions at the camp.

He appealed to the state government to sustain its support to enable the scheme to achieve its objectives.

Baba also urged the corps members to respect the cultures of their host communities and contribute meaningfully to their development.

The UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain hosting Barcelona in one of the standout fixtures of matchweek three, while Bayern Munich welcome Arsenal on Wednesday.

The two-day round of league-phase matches will also see Manchester City host AEK Athens, Liverpool take on Villarreal and Real Madrid face RB Leipzig as the 36-team competition continues, PUNCH Online reports from the UEFA website on Monday.

PSG will enter Tuesday’s encounter at the Parc des Princes looking to build on their 4-2 victory over Manchester City in their previous Champions League outing on October 14.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have won their opening two matches, including a 4-1 victory away to Galatasaray, and will seek to maintain their perfect start against the reigning European champions.

The meeting also brings Barcelona face-to-face with PSG manager Luis Enrique, who previously coached the Spanish club.

On Wednesday, Bayern Munich will host Arsenal in another heavyweight encounter, with both sides coming off contrasting results in their previous European matches.

Arsenal defeated Lille 3-0, while Bayern were held to a 3-3 draw away to Viking.

The fixture offers Arsenal an opportunity to test themselves against one of Europe’s established heavyweights, while Bayern will look to return to winning ways in the competition.

Tuesday’s fixtures

All times are Nigerian time (WAT).

– Fenerbahçe vs Slavia Prague — 5:45pm
– Sabah vs Borussia Dortmund — 5:45pm
– Roma vs Slovan Bratislava — 8pm
– Porto vs PSV Eindhoven — 8pm
– Liverpool vs Villarreal — 8pm
– Manchester City vs AEK Athens — 8pm
– Paris Saint-Germain vs Barcelona — 8pm
– Napoli vs Bodø/Glimt — 8pm
– Stuttgart vs Atlético Madrid — 8pm

Wednesday’s fixtures

– Como vs Manchester United — 5:45pm
– Lille vs Galatasaray — 5:45pm
– Aston Villa vs Viking — 8pm
– Club Brugge vs Lens — 8pm
– Bayern Munich vs Arsenal — 8pm
– Inter Milan vs Shakhtar Donetsk — 8pm
– Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig — 8pm
– Real Betis vs Feyenoord — 8pm
– Sporting CP vs LASK — 8pm

The league phase features eight matchdays, with the third round scheduled for October 20 and 21.

The league phase will conclude in January 2027, with teams competing for places in the knockout stage.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects over an alleged violent attack on a family following accusations of witchcraft in Gobirawa Village, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were arrested in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, house trespass, intimidation, attempted culpable homicide and mischief.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement made available on Monday, stating that the incident occurred at about 1 am on October 18, 2026, in Gobirawa Village, Gwana District, Alkaleri Local Government Area.

According to the statement, the suspects allegedly conspired with three others, identified as Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru, who are currently at large, to invade the residence of a 60-year-old man.

The statement read, “The suspects conspired with three others now at large, Maharazu Isah, Babangida Kadamaje and Yakubu Umaru. They criminally trespassed into the house and premises of a 60-year-old man of the same address, armed with machetes and sticks.”

The police said the attackers allegedly assaulted the victim’s son, Abubakar, whose other names were withheld, inflicting multiple fractures on his left hand and leg, alongside other injuries.

The victim’s 30-year-old son also sustained injuries, while two motorcycles belonging to the family were reportedly damaged during the attack.

The police explained that preliminary investigations linked the attack to the death of a 20-year-old man, Halilu Ahmad, on October 16, 2026.

The statement added, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the attack was allegedly triggered by the death of one Halilu Ahmad, male, 20 years old, of the same address, on October 16, 2026, which the suspects attributed to witchcraft or wizardry by the son of the victim.”

Following the incident, detectives attached to the Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters arrested the 17 suspects at about 3pm on October 18.

The suspects were identified as Dayyabu Umar, 18; Malam Sule Muhammadu, 50; Usman Dabo, 20; Umar Suleiman, 22; Aminu Ahmad, 18; Bello Umar, 20; Sani Ibrahim, 18; Abubakar Ayuba, 25; Auwal Abdullahi, 22; Ayuba Ahmad, 30; Halilu Ahmad, 22; Umar Rabi’u, 18; Dauda Rabi’u, 20; Ashiru Alhaji Abdulkarim, 20; Abubakar Lamiru, 25; Adamu Ibrahim, 22; and Bashiru Rabi’u, 20.

The police spokesperson said the victim was initially taken to the General Hospital, Alkaleri, but was later referred to Ihsan Hospital, Bauchi, after his health condition deteriorated.

The statement noted that “the case now borders on attempted culpable homicide.”

It further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had directed the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for further investigation.

According to the statement, the directive was intended to ensure that the fleeing suspects were apprehended and all those found culpable were diligently prosecuted.

The commissioner condemned resorting to self-help and jungle justice based on unverified superstitious beliefs.

He warned that the command “will not tolerate any act capable of causing a breakdown of law and order,” while assuring the victims and members of the public that justice would be served.

The command urged residents to report grievances and suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies rather than taking the law into their own hands.

Fuji veteran, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as KWAM 1, has stirred reactions after a video showed him presenting his daughter, Damilola Marshall, to Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, at an event.

In the now-trending footage, the veteran musician called his daughter, popularly known as Dami Marshal, forward before telling Hamzat, “I hand her over to you.”

Hamzat accepted the gesture with laughter and pointed Damilola towards her seat, while the lawyer appeared amused by her father’s action.

The footage, which circulated on social media on Sunday, captured KWAM 1 singing in Yoruba as he made the gesture, in what appeared to be a playful endorsement of his daughter’s political ambition.

Damilola is seeking election to the Lagos State House of Assembly to represent Surulere Constituency II in the 2027 general elections.

She declared her ambition on March 17, 2026, in a post on her Instagram page, saying she was ready to serve the constituency.

“I am excited to share that I, Barr. Damilola Ayinde Marshal, am stepping forward to serve the good people of Surulere Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly,” she wrote.

The lawyer said her 12 years of legal practice had shaped her understanding of governance, justice and the needs of her community.

She also pledged to represent young people, describing herself as prepared to serve and lead if elected.

Damilola, who is the daughter of the Fuji star, serves as Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism.

The United Nations University Scholarship Joint Master’s Programme is part of a selected group of international postgraduate programmes that benefits from the EPOS funding scheme offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The United Nations University (UNU) Scholarship joint M.Sc. programme provides postgraduate students with detailed knowledge, critical understanding, strategies and the tools required to take an interdisciplinary approach towards environmental risks and human security.

The scholarship covers the full fees of tuition and the costs of living expenses for selected candidates to study in Germany.

In this post, you will find more details about the United Nations University Scholarship, its eligibility, benefits, and step-by-step application guide.

United Nations University Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Germany
• Study Abroad: Study in Europe 
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: Developing Countries 
• Reward: Full Scholarship | €11,904 Stipends per year | Travel, Accommodation, and Research Costs | Family Allowance
• No IELTS Required 
• Deadline: October 31, 2026
  

2027 United Nations University (UNU) Scholarship Details:

The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations over 30 years ago in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University.

This Master’s programme is the output of the fruitful collaboration between the University of Bonn Department of Geography and the United Nations University.

It is a substantial contribution to the internationalization of the University of Bonn and is supported by the German agency, DAAD.

2027 United Nations University (UNU) Scholarship Requirements:

Eligible candidates should fulfill the following requirements in addition to the general eligibility criteria for the Master’s programme:

• Being a candidate from a “Developing Country” (according to the classification of the DAAD)
• Having at least two years of practical work experience (e.g. with an NGO, GO, or the private sector) in a field related to the study programme
• Having graduated with the Bachelor no longer than five years ago
• Having completed no other Master in a similar field of studies
• Aiming at a career as a practitioner in a field related to the programme of study

United Nations University Scholarship Duration and Reward

Successful applicants will be funded to cover all expenses directly related to the study programme as well as their cost of living in Bonn.

The scholarship is funded by by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), under the EPOS program.

• Depending on academic level, monthly payments of 992 euros for graduates or 1,300 euros (1,400 euros beginning with February 2026) for doctoral candidates
• Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
• Travel allowance, unless these expenses are covered by the home country or another source of funding

Under certain circumstances, scholarship holders may receive the following additional benefits:

• Monthly rent subsidy
• Monthly allowance for accompanying members of family

Required Documents for United Nations University (UNU) Scholarship

The following documents need to be submitted via email as one PDF package, not exceeding 8MB in size, and in this exact order.

• Online application form
• Motivation Letter
• Receent CV in Europass Format
• Academic degree certificate
• Transcripts of records
• English Language proficiency
• Recommendation Letters
• Copy of passport
• DAAD EPOS Checklist
• DAAD Scholarship application form
• Scholarship Motivation Letter
• Professional Reference from employer
• Work certificates

The sample of your academic work must be attached as a separate file, if necessary in a separate email. Incomplete documents, late, as well as paper applications sent via post will not be considered.

How To Apply for 2027 United Nations University (UNU) Scholarship (Step-by-Step)

READ HOW TO APPLY ON OUR NEW VERSION

Deadline: October 31, 2026

When the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator GodswillAkpabio, recently declared during debate on the proposed Suicide Prevention Bill 2026 that a person who attempts suicide should either succeed or face imprisonment, his remarks were undoubtedly disturbing, somewhat insensitive and reflect a fundamental misreading of tae essence of the Bill. The Senator’s comments raise a fundamental question about our society’s understanding of suicide, mental health and the proper purpose of the law. With due respect to the distinguished Senate President, the suggestion that someone who survives a suicide attempt should be sent to prison illustrates precisely why Nigeria must urgently reconsider its approach to this deeply sensitive public-health problem.

A person who has reached the point of contemplating or attempting suicide is likely experiencing profound psychological distress. That distress may arise from depression or another mental health condition, unbearable personal circumstances, financial hardship, bereavement, relationship difficulties, chronic illness or a combination of factors that have overwhelmed the individual’s ability to cope.  Not every suicide attempt is attributable to a diagnosable mental illness, but an overwhelming majority of suicidal behaviour is related to mental distress, and as such, every attempt on one’s life warrants serious attention, compassionate assessment and appropriate intervention.

In the existing legal framework related to attempted suicide in Nigeria, Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act criminalises attempted suicide, while Section 231 of the Penal Code similarly provides for punishment in jurisdictions where that provision applies. Under these provisions, a person who survives an attempt to end their life may face prosecution and imprisonment. This position runs at variance with, and cross purposes to, global best practice in mental-health care and is also out of tune with the more modern National Mental Health Act (2021) of Nigeria, which recognises the importance of appropriate intervention in mental health emergencies, including situations involving attempted suicide. Maintaining a punitive approach while advancing a framework for compassionate mental healthcare creates an inconsistency that responsible law-making should seek to resolve.

Nigeria will not be reinventing the wheel or doing anything novel by decriminalising attempted suicide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 59 countries have explicitly decriminalised suicide and suicide attempts worldwide, including at least six African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Lesotho, Zambia and Botswana). The WHO policy brief on suicide prevention identifies criminalisation as an obstacle to effective suicide prevention, particularly because fear of prosecution, stigma and shame can discourage people from seeking help. The question, therefore, is not whether suicide should be encouraged or condoned. It is whether criminal punishment is a rational, effective or humane way of preventing it. The evidence and principles of modern public health strongly favour a different approach.

To start with, criminalising suicidal behaviour may discourage people experiencing suicidal thoughts from seeking help. Someone who fears prosecution may conceal their distress from family members, avoid a hospital or hesitate to disclose suicidal thoughts to a healthcare professional. By the time intervention occurs, an opportunity for prevention may have been lost. In addition, it can discourage families from promptly seeking emergency medical assistance for a loved one who has attempted suicide. Also, fear of legal consequences and social embarrassment may encourage concealment when urgent medical attention is needed. Furthermore, prosecution can compound the suffering of someone who is already vulnerable. Imprisonment, a criminal record and the stigma associated with prosecution may deepen social isolation and undermine recovery, reintegration and future help-seeking. Moreover, criminalisation can undermine the collection of reliable information about suicide attempts. If incidents are concealed for fear of punishment, the resulting data will be incomplete, making it more difficult for public-health authorities to understand the problem and design effective interventions.

Indeed, the objective of suicide prevention should be to make it easier for people in distress to seek help, not to create additional reasons for them to remain silent. One argument sometimes advanced against decriminalisation is that removing criminal penalties may encourage suicide attempts. This concern deserves to be addressed, but it should not be confused with, in itself, evidence that punishment prevents suicide. Rather, it recognises that the person who attempts suicide should be treated first and foremost as someone whose life and wellbeing require protection. Decriminalisation changes the state’s response from punishment to prevention, assessment, treatment and appropriate follow-up.

Senator Akpabio is entitled to express reservations about a proposed law. Indeed, the legislative process should allow rigorous scrutiny of its provisions, including the relationship between federal legislation and applicable state laws, the practical arrangements for implementation and the resources required to deliver effective suicide prevention services. However, the suggestion that someone who survives a suicide attempt should be imprisoned—or, more disturbingly, that they should have succeeded in dying to avoid punishment—is difficult to reconcile with the principles of humane governance on the one hand and contemporary medical practice on the other. The purpose of criminal law is not to punish a person merely because they have survived a moment of extreme vulnerability.

Nor should the possibility of imprisonment become an additional burden for someone who may already be struggling to find reasons to live.

With respect, the argument that decriminalisation might encourage suicide should prompt a closer examination of the evidence rather than an automatic defence of existing law. If the objective is to save lives, we must ask which approach is more likely to achieve it: threatening survivors with imprisonment or ensuring that they receive timely, appropriate and sustained care. The Senate President’s remarks should not obscure the significance of the legislative process now underway. Senator AsuquoEkpenyong deserves commendation for sponsoring the bill and bringing this important issue before the National Assembly. He has graciously taken the notable position of the Federal Executive Council earlier this year in support of decriminalising attempted suicide beyond mere executive aspiration into the legislative arena. The Senate’s decision to allow the bill to proceed beyond second reading provides an opportunity for legislators, medical professionals, mental-health advocates, legal experts and the wider public to contribute constructively to its development.

The Nigerian Medical Association stands for the preservation of human life, the promotion of health and the protection of human dignity. From this perspective, decriminalising attempted suicide is not merely a technical amendment to the criminal law. It is an important step towards a society in which people experiencing severe psychological distress can seek help without fear of prosecution. A law is only as good as the lives it helps to protect.

Prof. Atilola, a practising psychiatrist in Nigeria…

Culled from Vanguard

France is reeling under the most violent protests in decades after the historic town hall of Limoges, a 19th-century landmark that survived two World Wars, was largely destroyed Saturday night, after masked protesters set it ablaze during nationwide demonstrations against the high cost of living.

Footage showed the moment the bell tower and roof collapsed as flames engulfed the 143-year-old building, inaugurated in 1883 and modelled after Paris City Hall.

What began last month as a peaceful student protest spiralled into a national crisis that caught the French government by surprise.

High school students had clashed with police over long hours, missing teachers, dilapidated classrooms and an opaque university admissions system. 

Pupils routinely miss months of teaching due to unfilled staff absences. For four weeks, they marched and barricaded schools.

On Saturday, the movement broadened with parents, teachers, grandparents, workers and members of the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) joining them. They carried banners saying the government was not listening and called for more money for public services, lower prices, higher pensions and boosted wages. 

Other demonstrators joined to voice anger over fuel prices after the Israeli-US war on Iran  caused the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz.

Tens of thousands marched peacefully in Paris, supporting the schoolchildren’s demands. But separately, masked groups staging moving gatherings, burning barricades and clashing with police overwhelmed the state.

According to the Haute-Vienne prefecture, about 2,000 demonstrators gathered in Limoges, with a group breaking into the town hall around 6pm, setting a police car on fire outside before smashing windows and starting the blaze inside.

AFP quoted the Haute-Vienne prefecture Prefect, Maurice Barate, as saying: “The roof has collapsed onto lower floors, except the west wing, and two-thirds of the exterior has already disappeared.” 

He described it as a “catastrophe for heritage” and a “deliberate act by hooligans.”

Other national symbols torched, destroyed 

Besides Limoges, other symbols of the French Republic were also torched, depicting the scale of destruction.

In Lyon, France’s third-largest city, protesters torched the historic tourist office on Place Bellecour. In Marseille, black-clad rioters stormed the city hall, overturned furniture and toppled a bust of Marianne, the female personification of the French Republic, and surrounded a municipal police station.

In Bordeaux, rioters broke into and ransacked the official residence of the prefect of Gironde, setting fire in the courtyard, forcing authorities to deploy the elite RAID unit. In Lille, municipal buildings were targeted and a group forced its way into the town hall, while attempts were also reported in Calais and Brest. 

Nothing justifies unbridled violence—Macron 

Reacting to the riot yesterday, French President, Emmanuel Macron, declared that nothing justified the violence seen in nationwide protests over the rising cost of living and other grievances, even as he called on political bodies to condemn violence.

Speaking in an address to the nation, Macron reiterated his earlier stance that people who destroyed government buildings would be held accountable and pay for their crime.

He noted that there must be a distinction between protesters with legitimate demands and those who destroyed, smashed, and looted.

He vowed to hold accountable those who ‘sought to bring down the Republic’

“Tonight, we all feel anger and shame.  Those who looted will have to pay back for the damage, and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable.”

He pointed to unrestrained violence”by “insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.”

In Grenoble, the city hall was also damaged, prompting the Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, and Prime Minister Lecornu to say there was “a clear aim to hit public buildings in many cities.”

Govt in crisis talks following violent protest 

Meanwhile, the French government was in crisis talks yesterday after a day of unrest left public buildings burned, hundreds of shops destroyed and more than 2,000 people arrested.

Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, said several hundred shops had been damaged, more than 600 police, firefighters and paramedics hurt, and over 2,000 people arrested. 

In Paris alone, police said a record 855 people were arrested. One 17-year-old boy had his right hand blown off by a crowd-control grenade in Saint-Étienne. One protester died after suffering cardiac arrest in Paris.

Ministers as well as police faced pressure for being caught unprepared, while politicians on the left and right called for Nunez’s resignation.

In Limoges, Mayor Guillaume Guérin said the attackers “were not demonstrators that defend causes but people organised for war, who told a caretaker he would be killed and told officials they would burn.”

Guerin said:  “Around 3:30pm our municipal police, although present in number, found themselves no longer able to fight against the violence of rioters because they had run out of munition.’’

He called this a colossal failure of the state and threatened to resign if funds for repair were not provided.

In Marseille, where masked groups stormed city hall and a police station, Socialist Mayor, Benoît Payan, said: “Hordes of rioters and looters attacked our common buildings… with no real demands, but with the sole aim to wreck the demands of those who had demonstrated legitimately.” He said questions must be asked about policing tactics.

In Lyon, where the historic tourist office was torched, Green Mayor, Grégory Doucet, told Le Monde: “I’m stunned by the violence against public and state property. Shop-owners felt abandoned.”

President Emmanuel Macron, who is nearing the end of his second term and will leave office in 2027, wrote on social media there was “no place for violence” and will address the nation.

He vowed: “Those who carried out vandalism, attacked administrative offices or businesses, or carried out looting, even in our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished.”

His government and far-right frontrunner, Marie Le Pen, blamed ultra-left groups and criminals. 

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government would not be intimidated by violence. Radical-left leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, accused the government of organisational failings that “opened the door to chaos”.

Yesterday, burnt-out cars, smashed shop windows and the remains of barricades littered Paris, Lille, Bordeaux, Nice, Marseille and Strasbourg. 

Traders’ unions said over 1,500 shops were ransacked, with losses running into tens of millions of euros. Carrefour CEO said 50 of its shops were damaged, 20 looted

A pro-President Bola Tinubu support group, BAT-KOHrrect, has announced plans to distribute food items and essential relief materials to 1,000 vulnerable families as it commended the President’s economic policies on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The group said the planned outreach was intended to support the Federal Government’s poverty alleviation efforts, while urging Nigerians to remain patient with the administration’s economic reforms.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Victor Ganzallo, and obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, BAT-KOHrrect said the intervention would target vulnerable families in selected communities, describing the initiative as “a demonstration that nation-building is a collective task.”

The group also praised Tinubu’s handling of the economy, arguing that his administration had taken difficult decisions in pursuit of long-term prosperity despite the economic challenges it inherited.

We use this occasion to unequivocally commend His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his courageous, reform-driven, and people-centred efforts to make life better for ordinary Nigerians,” the statement said.

BAT-KOHrrect cited the expansion of social investment programmes and conditional cash transfers, the presidential palliative programme, wage awards, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, agricultural investments and support for small businesses as evidence of the administration’s poverty alleviation efforts.

“These interventions are clear evidence that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan, but a deliberate and practical roadmap to lift millions out of poverty and restore Nigeria’s economic dignity,” the group said.

Announcing its planned intervention, the group said, “In practical support of the Federal Government’s poverty alleviation drive, and in the spirit of this international day, BAT-KOHrrect will be carrying out a humanitarian outreach to distribute food items, staples, and essential relief materials to 1,000 vulnerable families in selected communities.”

It added, “This outreach is our token of solidarity with Mr President and a demonstration that nation-building is a collective task.”

The group made the announcement to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on October 17, which it said offered an opportunity to renew collective efforts towards a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.

BAT-KOHrrect described itself as a grassroots socio-political movement and citizens’ support network established around support for Tinubu and his administration.

Explaining its name and mission, the group said it was committed to correcting what it described as false narratives about the government and directing citizens towards information on its policies and achievements.

“The name is our philosophy: We stand to correct the false narratives, to correct the distortions about governance, and to direct the people towards correct information about the policies and achievements of the Renewed Hope administration,” the statement said.

It listed grassroots mobilisation and civic education, media advocacy, youth and women’s empowerment, humanitarian service, and good governance and accountability among its areas of focus.

The group also called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, patient and united, acknowledging that poverty eradication would take time.

“The journey to eradicate poverty is not an overnight one, but with consistent reforms and collective support, we will get there,” it said.

The matriculation ceremony, held on Friday, comprised 25 undergraduate students, nine master’s degree students and two Doctor of Philosophy candidates, according to a statement by the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Command.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Controller of Corrections, Lagos State Command, Daramola George, urged the students to remain disciplined and committed to their studies, describing the opportunity as a pathway to personal development and improved prospects after their release.

He encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity to acquire knowledge and recognised qualifications that could help them build productive lives beyond custody.

George said education remained a vital component of the Nigerian Correctional Service’s mandate to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate inmates into society.

He noted that access to education could equip inmates with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to make positive contributions to society.

The ceremony marked another milestone in the partnership between NOUN and the Nigerian Correctional Service to expand access to higher education within custodial facilities.

The Director of NOUN’s Lagos Study Centre, Victoria Island, Prof. Inua Ofe, formally welcomed the matriculants into the university community and administered the matriculation oath.

Also present were the representative of the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections, Zone A, Raphael Unazi, and a Deputy Controller of Corrections, Adebukola Adetula.

The event also attracted representatives of organisations supporting correctional rehabilitation, including Baptist Prison Ministry, House on the Rock, TREM and BITS BY MANI.

Their participation highlighted the role of faith-based organisations, private institutions and other development partners in supporting educational opportunities and the welfare of inmates.

In his vote of thanks, the Officer-in-Charge of the custodial centre, Deputy Controller of Corrections Ebereonwu Ogueri, expressed appreciation to NOUN, the leadership of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the partner organisations for their continued support.

He acknowledged their contributions to the educational development of inmates and efforts to strengthen rehabilitation within the correctional system.

The Lagos State Command said it remained committed to partnerships that promoted education, reformation, rehabilitation and the successful reintegration of inmates into society.

The command added that access to higher education would enable inmates to broaden their knowledge, earn recognised qualifications and prepare for productive lives after custody.

The statement was signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Corrections Onimisi Osho.

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, has sought royal blessings for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence that the party would retain Kwara State.

Yari spoke during consultative visits to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, as part of the council’s nationwide engagement with traditional rulers ahead of the elections.

A statement from Yari’s media office, made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, said the visits were aimed at deepening ties with traditional institutions, promoting mutual understanding and seeking royal leaders’ prayers, blessings and guidance as the council continues its nationwide consultations.

The statement read in part, “The delegation made it clear that it was not seeking political endorsement or mobilisation support, but rather the prayers and blessings of the royal fathers, underscoring the moral and spiritual anchorage traditional rulers provide in the nation’s political process.

The Director-General and his entourage departed from the private wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following an early-morning assembly of stakeholders, with departure scheduled for 11 am prompt

The delegation first paid a visit to the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, in Kwara State, before proceeding to Ile-Ife, Osun State, where it paid homage to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

“At the Ilorin palace, leaders reaffirmed confidence in the party’s strong footing in the state. Citing progress recorded since 2019—including the resolution of past challenges in education and healthcare delivery, the establishment of new hospitals, and far-reaching reforms—the leaders expressed optimism about consolidating the party’s dominance in Kwara State, which they estimated at 70 per cent against the opposition’s 30 per cent.

The leaders further noted that the campaign would leverage Kwara’s projected strength, alongside the Governor’s role as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, to extend its influence nationally.

The royal visits mark the formal commencement of a nationwide consultative tour to traditional and political leaders across the country, building consensus and gathering blessings ahead of key campaign activities leading up to 16th January 2027, a significant date in the electoral calendar.

“The council noted that the consultative visits underscore its recognition of the pivotal role traditional rulers play in promoting peace, unity and stability across the country, and reaffirmed its commitment to carrying all stakeholders along in the build-up to the elections.”

Yari was joined by the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; former national chairman, Dr Umar Ganduje; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari.

Other members of the delegation were Adamu Aliero, Ali Modu Sheriff, Rochas Okorocha, Ahmad Sani Yarima, Mohammed Badaru and Danjuma Goje, who previously served as governors of Kebbi, Borno, Imo, Zamfara, Jigawa and Gombe states, respectively.

The delegation also included former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

Ahead of the official launch of the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign in Kaduna State on October 24, Yari has been engaging key stakeholders.

Yari, accompanied by other APC leaders, has visited religious and traditional leaders across the country to seek their support for Tinubu’s re-election in January 2027.

Some patients and hospital staff members at the P and G Hospital in Abule-Egba, Lagos State, on Saturday, foiled an alleged attempt by a woman to steal a newborn baby.

It is learnt from the Lagos State Police Command on Sunday that the suspect had been detained and would be arraigned after the conclusion of investigations.

The suspect reportedly pretended to be pregnant by stuffing pieces of cloth under her clothing, while another woman allegedly posed as someone who had come to assist her with delivery.

In one of the viral videos seen by PUNCH Metro on Sunday, the suspect was forced onto a seat as the pieces of cloth she had stuffed under her clothing fell to the floor

As she was being dragged towards the seat, a man dressed in traditional attire was seen slapping her across the face, while other people questioned her.

Another viral video showed the suspect being held as she was made to enter a car.

Confirming the incident in response to an enquiry by PUNCH Metro on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said the suspect was in custody, while efforts were ongoing to arrest her fleeing accomplice

The alleged perpetrator is currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the accomplice and charge the case to court as soon as the investigation is concluded,” she said.

This is not the first time a suspected newborn theft case has been reported in Lagos State.

In 2023, news reported that a 49-year-old woman, Modinat Faniyi, was arraigned before the Yaba Magistrates’ Court for allegedly attempting to steal a newborn baby at Ahmadiya Muslim Hospital in the Ijaiye-Ojokoro area of the state.

Faniyi was arraigned on a one-count charge of attempted theft.

The prosecutor, Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the defendant entered the hospital on June 22, 2023, and allegedly attempted to abscond with the newborn while the mother was asleep.

The bank said the government needed to build on the reported progress by establishing a sustainable social protection system that would provide regular support to vulnerable Nigerians rather than relying primarily on emergency interventions.

The recommendation was contained in the latest Nigeria Development Update, titled ‘Beyond the Federal Purse: How Higher Revenues Shaped State Priorities’, analysed on Sunday, which examined economic conditions and the role of government interventions in cushioning households against financial hardship.

According to the report, the Federal Government used biometric and digital verification systems to identify beneficiaries and deliver payments under its direct cash transfer programme.

The World Bank said social protection and effective public service delivery could help protect households from the effects of economic pressures, but warned that the impact of such interventions would depend on the number of people reached, the adequacy of the assistance and the regularity of payments.

Social protection and service delivery can help cushion households against these pressures, though their effectiveness will continue to depend on coverage, adequacy, and continuity,” the report stated.

It noted that although the N658.9bn disbursement had reached millions of vulnerable households, the programme needed to be expanded and strengthened to improve its contribution to household welfare.

The Federal Government reported disbursing N658.9 billion in direct cash transfers by September 2026, reaching 10.46 million poor and vulnerable households, using biometric and digital verification for beneficiary identification and payment delivery,” the bank stated.

The report called for faster implementation and improvements in the reach, value and consistency of cash transfers to ensure that the programme provided more meaningful relief to beneficiaries facing economic hardship.

“These efforts need to be accelerated and deepened, with continued progress on coverage, adequacy, and consistency of transfers necessary to broaden and strengthen their contribution to household welfare,” it added.

The bank also urged the Federal Government and state governments to establish a long-term funding framework for social protection, arguing that sustainable financing would be essential to maintaining assistance to poor and vulnerable households.

“Building on this progress, the next step is to move from an emergency response toward a regular, sustainable social protection system, with dedicated budget lines at the federal and state levels, gradually increasing financing from government resources, and a shared overarching vision,” the report stated.

The recommendation places responsibility on state governments to complement federal interventions with their own budgetary commitments, rather than leaving the burden of supporting vulnerable households largely to the Federal Government.

Dedicated budget allocations at both levels of government would help make cash transfers more predictable and reduce dependence on temporary interventions, while a coordinated national framework could improve the delivery and monitoring of social assistance.

The bank called for a shift towards a more predictable social protection system backed by government resources and coordinated action between federal and state authorities, to ensure that vulnerable Nigerians receive sustained support.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission at the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged failure to account for more than N126.46bn appropriated for electoral operations.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, seeks an order of mandamus compelling INEC to disclose details of the expenditure, utilisation and disbursement of the funds earmarked for the procurement of election materials, equipment and vehicles, as well as other electoral services.

SERAP is also seeking an order compelling the electoral commission to provide a comprehensive financial and documentary account of the funds, including the amounts released and paid, the beneficiaries of the payments, and the identities of contractors and their beneficial owners.

The organisation instituted the action following allegations contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026.

According to the report, the alleged irregularities covered transactions undertaken between January and December 2022, with some extending to December 31, 2023.

In the suit filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, SERAP said that the allegations raised serious concerns about the management of public funds by the electoral commission.

It stated, “Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated.”

The organisation added that the allegations were particularly disturbing because of INEC’s constitutional responsibilities and the importance of the funds to the administration of Nigeria’s electoral system.

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s report identified several transactions in which billions of naira were allegedly paid without compliance with procurement requirements or sufficient evidence that the contracted goods and services were supplied.

The suit stated that INEC allegedly paid N112,155,597,845 for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials without competitive bidding or a certificate of no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

It quoted the Auditor-General as stating that there was “no evidence that the items were procured” and that the contracts were awarded to companies whose “competences, experience, capacities, addresses and factory locations were unknown.”

The Auditor-General reportedly expressed concern that the funds “may have been diverted” and recommended their recovery.

SERAP also alleged that the commission paid N1.058,925,000 for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 model vehicles without advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or a certificate of no objection from the BPP.

The organisation quoted the Auditor-General as expressing concern that the money “may have been lost” and that the contracts “may have been inflated.”

On payments for election materials, SERAP said the report identified N3,136,806,050, allegedly paid to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were awarded.

It stated that the Auditor-General raised concerns that the funds “may have been diverted” and recommended their recovery and remittance to the treasury.

The suit further alleged that INEC paid N9,245,965,502.60 for 22 contracts covering similar goods and services, with the contracts allegedly split to circumvent procurement procedures and awarded on the same day.

According to SERAP, the Auditor-General questioned whether the payments were made for items that were never supplied.

The organisation also cited an alleged payment of N129.375m to 19 accounting firms for financial audit services without evidence of utilisation, requests or expenditure by the consultants.

It said the Auditor-General raised concerns that the money “may have been diverted” and called for its recovery.

Another transaction identified in the report involved N504,492,641 allegedly paid for accreditation devices without due procurement procedures.

SERAP stated that the Auditor-General questioned the value for money because the APG had expired before the security licence key was delivered, while the software was valid for only four months.

The report also identified an alleged payment of N235,103,000 to contractors described as unqualified for the supply of sleeping mats and digital archiving services.

According to the suit, the Auditor-General raised “serious concerns regarding the eligibility and capacity of the contractors” and expressed concern that the funds “may have been lost.”

SERAP argued that INEC should provide documentary and physical evidence showing that the more than N112bn identified as irregularly paid was used to procure the electoral materials concerned.

It also urged the court to compel the commission to account for the present location and status of the materials.

The organisation maintained that Nigerians were entitled to information about the management of public funds by institutions responsible for conducting elections.

“Nigerians have a right to know every public act, everything that is done in the public interest, by their public institutions including INEC,” it stated.

SERAP further urged the court to direct INEC to ensure that no electoral equipment, material or other public asset covered by the Auditor-General’s findings was disposed of, transferred, destroyed, written off or otherwise dealt with in a manner that could frustrate accountability.

It also called for the publication of the names of contractors, suppliers and consultants who allegedly received the funds irregularly, as well as any public officials who authorised, processed, facilitated or benefited from the transactions.

The organisation said Nigerians had the right to know whether the contracted goods and services were supplied, whether payments corresponded with deliveries and whether contracts were deliberately divided to evade procurement requirements.

SERAP noted that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions, including INEC, to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.

It also cited Section 13 of the Constitution, which imposes clear responsibility on INEC to observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the Constitution, alongside Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The organisation argued that the alleged irregularities raised questions about compliance with constitutional provisions, anti-corruption laws and international obligations relating to transparency, public procurement and financial management.

“Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party, protect citizens’ rights to participate in public affairs,” SERAP stated.

It added that transparency was particularly important ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“With the 2027 general elections approaching, transparency and accountability in the management of these funds are essential to safeguarding public confidence in the electoral process and ensuring that resources intended to support credible elections are properly utilised,” SERAP stated.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to local government autonomy, institutional strengthening and financial viability, amid calls for reforms to improve grassroots administration.

Uzodimma, who is also the Imo State Governor, gave the assurance in Abuja at the 2026 General Assembly of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, where he said effective local government administration remained crucial to translating government policies into tangible benefits for citizens.

According to a statement issued by ALGON on Sunday, Uzodimma, who attended the meeting alongside the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, said the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to extend to the third tier of government.

“He pledged the President’s support for issues affecting local governments, particularly their autonomy, institutional capacity and fiscal viability.”

The assurance comes amid continuing debates over the implementation of local government autonomy and the ability of councils to exercise their constitutional responsibilities and deliver essential services at the grassroots.

The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment delivered on July 11, 2024, affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas and ordered that allocations from the Federation Account be paid directly to democratically elected local government councils rather than being controlled by state governments.

However, the implementation of the judgment has remained a major issue in discussions about strengthening local government administration, particularly regarding direct allocations, the conduct of council elections and the capacity of councils to manage public funds effectively

The ALGON General Assembly, the association’s highest decision-making organ, was presided over by its National President, Bello Lawal, and attended by representatives of local governments across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In his address, Lawal said the gathering demonstrated the association’s commitment to strengthening local administration and repositioning councils within Nigeria’s governance structure.

The assembly reviewed reports on projects, programmes and activities undertaken since its previous general assembly in March 2021, while deliberating on challenges affecting the association’s operations and the effective functioning of local governments.

It also considered and approved the association’s annual budgets, adopted reports presented by its principal officers and discussed proposed amendments to provisions of its constitution that members said were hindering effective administration.

According to the statement, the proposed amendments were approved through a resolution supported by an absolute majority of members of the assembly.

The meeting further resolved to reconstitute the association’s Board of Trustees to fill vacancies created by the deaths of some members, in accordance with its constitutional provisions.

The assembly also approved a change in the designation of the association’s administrative head from Secretary-General to Director-General, as part of efforts to strengthen the efficiency of its national secretariat

Lawal urged local government officials to build their institutional capacity and improve administrative efficiency, stressing the need for the third tier of government to reclaim its place in Nigeria’s governance structure.

He said the association would align its reforms and activities with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to improve service delivery across the 774 local government areas and area councils.

The Deputy National President of ALGON and Chairman of the Constitution Amendments Planning Committee, Ikenna Adikibe, commended Uzodimma for attending the assembly, describing the governor’s participation as significant to the event.

The assembly also recorded the presence of Mohammed Abubakar, whom the association described as a former promoter of a factional ALGON leadership.

At the end of the meeting, the association reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local government administration, deepening grassroots governance and improving service delivery to Nigerians.

t are his greatest legacy, says Tunji-Ojo

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to local government autonomy, institutional strengthening and financial viability, amid calls for reforms to improve grassroots administration.

Uzodimma, who is also the Imo State Governor, gave the assurance in Abuja at the 2026 General Assembly of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, where he said effective local government administration remained crucial to translating government policies into tangible benefits for citizens.

According to a statement issued by ALGON on Sunday, Uzodimma, who attended the meeting alongside the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, said the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to extend to the third tier of government.

“He pledged the President’s support for issues affecting local governments, particularly their autonomy, institutional capacity and fiscal viability.”

The assurance comes amid continuing debates over the implementation of local government autonomy and the ability of councils to exercise their constitutional responsibilities and deliver essential services at the grassroots.

The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment delivered on July 11, 2024, affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas and ordered that allocations from the Federation Account be paid directly to democratically elected local government councils rather than being controlled by state governments.

However, the implementation of the judgment has remained a major issue in discussions about strengthening local government administration, particularly regarding direct allocations, the conduct of council elections and the capacity of councils to manage public funds effectively

The ALGON General Assembly, the association’s highest decision-making organ, was presided over by its National President, Bello Lawal, and attended by representatives of local governments across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In his address, Lawal said the gathering demonstrated the association’s commitment to strengthening local administration and repositioning councils within Nigeria’s governance structure.

The assembly reviewed reports on projects, programmes and activities undertaken since its previous general assembly in March 2021, while deliberating on challenges affecting the association’s operations and the effective functioning of local governments.

It also considered and approved the association’s annual budgets, adopted reports presented by its principal officers and discussed proposed amendments to provisions of its constitution that members said were hindering effective administration.

According to the statement, the proposed amendments were approved through a resolution supported by an absolute majority of members of the assembly.

The meeting further resolved to reconstitute the association’s Board of Trustees to fill vacancies created by the deaths of some members, in accordance with its constitutional provisions.

The assembly also approved a change in the designation of the association’s administrative head from Secretary-General to Director-General, as part of efforts to strengthen the efficiency of its national secretariat

Lawal urged local government officials to build their institutional capacity and improve administrative efficiency, stressing the need for the third tier of government to reclaim its place in Nigeria’s governance structure.

He said the association would align its reforms and activities with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to improve service delivery across the 774 local government areas and area councils.

The Deputy National President of ALGON and Chairman of the Constitution Amendments Planning Committee, Ikenna Adikibe, commended Uzodimma for attending the assembly, describing the governor’s participation as significant to the event.

The assembly also recorded the presence of Mohammed Abubakar, whom the association described as a former promoter of a factional ALGON leadership.

At the end of the meeting, the association reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening local government administration, deepening grassroots governance and improving service delivery to Nigerians.

One person sustained minor injuries following the partial collapse of a five-storey building under construction on Durban Street, Wuse II, Abuja, the National Emergency Management Agency has said.

NEMA, through its Abuja Operations Office, said it received an alert about the incident at approximately 6:30 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

In a statement issued by its Press Unit on Sunday, the agency said it immediately activated relevant stakeholders, including the FCT Fire Service, while its AYA Emergency Response Ambulance Bay team was deployed to coordinate search and rescue operations at the scene.

“Findings at the scene indicated that the incident was minor and involved a five-storey building under construction that had been partially pulled down,” the statement partly read.

The agency confirmed that no life was lost in the incident, adding that the injured worker was evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

The incident comes weeks after a three-storey building collapsed in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, on September 7, 2026, hours after officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Department of Development Control reportedly sealed the property and ordered occupants to vacate it over concerns about its structural safety.

According to reports, the building had shown signs of distress before the collapse. No casualties were reported in the initial updates on the incident, which prompted the deployment of emergency responders to the scene. .

The Wuse incident followed a more fatal building collapse in the Durumi 3 area, near Gudu Market, Abuja, on May 16, 2026. A three-storey building under construction collapsed, killing at least five people and injuring several others.

Following the incident, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike ordered an investigation into the collapse, with the developer and an engineer linked to the project facing possible arrest. The minister also warned developers to comply with building regulations and allow relevant authorities to inspect construction sites.

The Federal Road Safety Corps has announced the death of its Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, following a brief illness.

The Ogun State Sector Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Route Commander Afolabi Odunsi.

The command described Ogunjobi’s death as a great loss to the corps, his colleagues and the road safety community, noting that he would be remembered for his leadership, commitment to road safety administration and dedication to the organisation’s mandate.

According to the statement, the late sector commander contributed to efforts to promote safer roads, improve public enlightenment, strengthen stakeholder engagement and enhance compliance with traffic regulations during his service.

The statement read, “The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS2.2 Ogun State Sector Command, announces with profound sadness the passing of its Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, following a brief illness.

His passing is a great loss to the Corps, his colleagues, and the entire road safety community. He will be remembered for his service, leadership, commitment to road safety administration, and dedication to the mandate of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

“During his time in service, he contributed to the Corps’ efforts towards promoting safer roads, enhancing public enlightenment, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and improving compliance with traffic regulations.

His demise is deeply regretted, and the Command extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, colleagues, and associates during this difficult period.

“Further details regarding funeral arrangements will be communicated as appropriate. May God grant his soul eternal rest and give his family, the Corps, and all those affected by his passing the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has thanked President Bola Tinubu, the people of Ekiti State and Nigerians at large for their support and goodwill during his inauguration for a second term in office on Friday.

This is just as he promised shared prosperity for the state in the second term.

Oyebanji said he was “deeply humbled by the overwhelming show of love, solidarity and goodwill that accompanied the historic occasion.”

This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, made available in Ado Ekiti on Sunday.

He said the successful inauguration marked the beginning of another phase of service to the people of Ekiti State.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building on the achievements of its first term and pursuing policies and programmes that would promote shared prosperity, inclusive development and improved living standards for all citizens of the state.

“Together, we shall continue to work towards shared prosperity for all Ekiti citizens and make our dear state the number-one destination of choice for those seeking a place to live, work, invest and relax,” Oyebanji said.

The governor stated, “We owe Mr President a huge debt of gratitude for his love and support for Ekiti State. The impact of his policies and the resources made available to subnational governments have contributed significantly to the achievements recorded by our administration.”

He also thanked Vice President Kashim Shettima for attending the inauguration on behalf of the President and presiding over the ceremony, noting that the Vice President’s presence marked his third visit to Ekiti State in 2026.

Oyebanji also appreciated the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau; All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; and members of the party’s National Working Committee for their support and participation in the historic event.

He also thanked the state governors and deputy governors in attendance, as well as former governors of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni and Dr Kayode Fayemi, for their presence and support.

He also appreciated former governors from other states, as well as National and State Assembly members who graced the event.

He thanked the judiciary in Ekiti State, under the leadership of the Chief Judge, Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye, for its support, with particular acknowledgement of Justice Ogunmoye for administering the oaths of office and allegiance during the inauguration, as well as the retired Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, for her presence and support.

Oyebanji also thanked traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado; and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejuyigbe, as well as other eminent personalities, political leaders and co-contestants in the 2026 Ekiti governorship election who honoured him with their presence at the inauguration.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, has summoned four operatives of the command who were recorded assaulting a young man in a viral video to the state police command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.

The spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

A video posted on social media showed about three police personnel pinning a young man to the ground, after which he was handcuffed.

The incident, which reportedly occurred at Ijagba, Sango-Ota, drew outrage from members of the public who were angered by the conduct of the police officers.

A voice accompanying the video said the young man was allegedly arrested for wearing a camouflage knicker, questioning why the police were treating him with such cruelty.

However, responding to the incident, Babaseyi said, “The officers involved have been identified, and the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, has ordered immediate action in line with established procedures.

“The command remains committed to accountability, professional discipline and the highest standards of policing.

The four officers are already on their way to the headquarters. Further updates will be communicated as developments warrant.”

“It’s like we had a war,” a 78-year-old resident in central Paris, Mehmet Ozeden, told AFP amid burnt street barricades from the protests.

The convulsion raised the stakes for President Emmanuel Macron, who is in his final months in power before elections to replace him in six months’ time. It followed weeks of student protests that had also turned violent at times.

Macron will address the nation Sunday evening, his office said.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said 1,800 people were arrested, with investigations under way “to identify the perpetrators of these acts so they can be brought to justice.”

In Paris, where police said a record 855 people were arrested, torched cars, smashed shopfronts and burnt debris scarred numerous streets.

The capital experienced “a level of violence that we have never, I believe, seen before,” said Paris deputy mayor Lamia El Aaraje.

Hundreds of shops were looted in Paris and other cities, including Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice and Strasbourg, during the protests over the cost of living.

Around 1,500 businesses were damaged, causing losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros, according to the Retail and Trade Federation.

One Paris resident, Anita Gras, out for a jog between the debris, said she saw young men loot a sports shoe retailer.

“They stayed until 1:00 am, we were afraid they were going to throw things at us,” she said.

“It’s appalling, terrifying — groups of young people came here yesterday (Saturday), looting, smashing everything, with total impunity,” said another resident, 57-year-old Cecile Rogue, surveying a pile of charred bicycles.

– ‘Wild horde’ –

The city of Limoges lost its 19th-century town hall to a fire. The local prefect, Maurice Barate, told news channel LCI it had been deliberately set by “a wild horde” and was only brought under control early Sunday.

The mayor of Lyon, Gregory Doucet, said that “the chaos that reigned in the city for several hours was abominable.”

A tourist office in the centre of Lyon was set ablaze during the protests, which saw multiple clashes and looting.

Political recriminations quickly followed, with the government and far-right leader Marine Le Pen blaming ultra-left groups, while far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon accused authorities of inflaming tensions.

Paris’s Socialist deputy mayor El Aaraje accused Le Pen’s party of “acting like a pyromaniac firefighter” over the protests to further her presidential ambitions.

US Vice President JD Vance also waded in, implying on X that the unrest was because France had “imported the third world.”

– Half a million demonstrators –

In Paris, startled tourists were seen Saturday running with suitcases along streets filled with tear gas and protesters.

“It was awful, I was so afraid,” a tourist who declined to give her name said Sunday.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said more than 500 people were in custody, most facing charges of receiving stolen goods, association with intent to commit violence, and vandalism.

Around 500 police, firefighters and paramedics were hurt in the protests, the interior minister said, adding that the figure was provisional. He was to visit Marseille on Sunday to survey the extensive damage caused there.

The violence took place on the sidelines of nationwide protests that the interior ministry said were attended by 550,000 people. The CGT union said 800,000 people participated.

A 17-year-old boy had his right hand blown off by a crowd-control grenade in the southern city of Saint-Étienne.

Analyst Mujtaba Rahman of the Eurasia Group think tank said on X that Saturday’s “terrible scenes” were “not political protest in any true sense. Most of the real demonstrations against high oil prices and failing schools were peaceful.”

France’s Yellow Vest movement, which staged street protests eight years ago against Macron’s government over planned fuel-tax hikes, had called Saturday’s “yellow and youth” demonstrations.

The principal grievance was the cost of living, pushed up in part by the war in the Middle East, which has helped send inflation soaring in Europe as elsewhere.

AFP

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has vowed to investigate a suspected internet fraud syndicate in Abuja accused of impersonating popular content creators to defraud victims seeking to recover lost funds.

This followed revelations by a US-based online scam-baiter and YouTuber, NanoBaiter, who alleged that the suspects impersonated popular content creators, including MrBeast, Airrack, and himself, to lure victims into paying for fake recovery services.

NanoBaiter, in a series of posts and a video documentary published on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, said he uncovered the activities of suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja who allegedly impersonated popular content creators and offered fake recovery services to previous scam victims.

The content creator, who targets online scammers, tech-support impersonators, and recovery fraudsters, said the suspects monitored comment sections of online videos where people complained about being scammed.

NanoBaiter disclosed that evidence gathered during his investigation had been submitted to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, the spokesman for the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, said he could not confirm whether the matter had been formally reported to the commission.

He assured, however, that the commission would investigate the allegations, adding that its investigation would go beyond the findings of the YouTuber.

If they have reported the matter to us, as they claim in that video, you can be very sure that we are going to investigate the matter even beyond what they may have uncovered.

“Whether there is such a report or there is no such report, we are never relenting. Every day we are ensuring that all these cases of cybercrime are brought to their knees,” he said.

Oyewale described internet fraud as a serious offence with far-reaching economic consequences, warning that such crimes could damage Nigeria’s international reputation.

“This kind of fraud is worrisome and causing Nigeria reputation damage. The issue of cybercrime is beyond the ordinary consideration of what the so-called ‘Yahoo boys’ are doing.”

“Cybercrime is a major fraud, and it is clear that there is a potential for forcing many millions of dollars to the nation, and that is why we keep on appealing to Nigerians that we cannot fold our hands and say that these are small boys,” he said.

NanoBaiter had alleged that the syndicate lured their victims to Telegram accounts, offering to help them recover their lost funds.

According to him, the suspects promoted and sold fund-recovery software, exploiting the desperation of victims seeking to retrieve their money.

“This kind of fraud is worrisome and causing Nigeria reputation damage. The issue of cybercrime is beyond the ordinary consideration of what the so-called ‘Yahoo boys’ are doing.”

“Cybercrime is a major fraud, and it is clear that there is a potential for forcing many millions of dollars to the nation, and that is why we keep on appealing to Nigerians that we cannot fold our hands and say that these are small boys,” he said.

NanoBaiter had alleged that the syndicate lured their victims to Telegram accounts, offering to help them recover their lost funds.

According to him, the suspects promoted and sold fund-recovery software, exploiting the desperation of victims seeking to retrieve their money.

He identified one of the suspects as Kemi.

The YouTuber also claimed that, during an operation to expose the syndicate, he cost one of the suspected fraudsters about $13,000 by redeeming thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards during a live webcam confrontation.

This group of Nigerian scammers are currently on the phone with us trying to steal $13,000, but what they don’t realise is that I have been spying on them for the last month, and now they are about to lose thousands of dollars live on camera.

“The type of scam they run is a celebrity impersonation scam, also known as a recovery scam. However, these scammers don’t just impersonate anybody, they impersonate YouTubers like @MrBeast, @airrack, and many more channels.

“Kemi is a young guy from Nigeria, and we managed to find him while going through the comment section of one of our videos,” he said.

Narrating how he uncovered the operation, NanoBaiter said he initially encountered the suspects while reviewing comments on videos where people sought help after being scammed.

He alleged that after a suspect attempted to defraud him, he worked on reversing the remote connection to the suspect’s computer, eventually gaining access to the system and its webcam.

The YouTuber said he captured images of the suspect’s face and retrieved files and photographs that allegedly provided evidence of the operation.

He also said he examined the suspect’s Telegram contacts and computer files, which reportedly contained images linked to previous scams, cash, gift cards, and cryptocurrency transactions.

NanoBaiter explained that he used information from the computer’s active Wi-Fi connection, including basic service set identifiers, to narrow down the location of the suspected operators.

The information, he said, helped him trace the operation to Abuja.

He disclosed that access to the suspects’ systems also provided him with footage of their activities, including attempts to complete identity verification for cryptocurrency transactions.

According to the YouTuber, his team created a website through which the suspects were led to believe they could claim Bitcoin.

To complete the purported withdrawal, they were required to verify their identities.

The resulting footage, he said, helped his team identify individuals allegedly connected to the operation.

The YouTuber said his findings indicated that gift cards obtained through fraudulent activities were converted into cryptocurrency through an over-the-counter exchange arrangement, a method he alleged was used to obscure the movement of proceeds from the fraud.

In the video, the voice of the alleged fraudster was heard instructing NanoBaiter not to redeem a gift card.

The fraudster further instructed that the code should be sent to him, but NanoBaiter repeatedly redeemed the codes, taunting the fraudster.

A “serious incident” at a military base in western Canada killed and injured multiple people and sparked a huge blaze on Saturday, the government said.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X that “a serious incident creating a major fire” had occurred at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in western Alberta.

There were “both fatalities and injuries” as a result of the incident, the country’s defence minister, David McGuinty, said at a news conference.

Neither offered details on the number of casualties or the nature of the incident.

We will have more to say in the coming hours and days,” McGuinty added

A doctor at a hospital in the city of Edmonton, about 200 kilometres (110 miles) northwest of the base, told public broadcaster CBC that Wainwright’s health-care facilities were “completely overwhelmed” by the number of patients requiring care.

“It is more patients than any of us want to count right now,” Warren Thirsk said. “It’s a disaster. It’s a one in every 15 to 25-year disaster.”

The Municipal District of Wainwright posted on social media that the fire had “spread rapidly due to high winds.”

It said later on Saturday that the blaze was “being held at this time,” though firefighting crews would continue to monitor the area.

Carney said the government was working closely with Alberta officials and local authorities.

“Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” he said on X.

The fire also disrupted advance voting ahead of Monday’s referendum on a future poll on whether Alberta wants independence from Canada.

Alberta’s office responsible for overseeing provincial elections said the advance voting station in Wainwright had closed.

AFP

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted a female passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State, with a gallon of palm oil containing parcels of cannabis weighing 511.75 grammes.

She was arrested during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa.

The incident occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026, when Fatimah told operatives that the gallon was given to her by her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, who was promptly arrested at the airport car park.

The NDLEA operatives also discovered 8,725kg of powdered tramadol worth over N6.98 billion in street value during a search of a shipment at the Apapa Port in Lagos State, according to the agency’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement issued on Sunday.

“At the Kano airport, NDLEA officers on Friday, 16th October 2026, intercepted a female passenger, Fatimah Ahmad, with a gallon of palm oil containing parcels of cannabis weighing 511.75 grammes during the outward clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, via Addis Ababa. Fatimah told operatives the gallon was given to her by her cousin, Abubakar Yahaya, who was promptly arrested at the airport car park,” the agency stated.

In a series of operations across the country, the agency also seized thousands of kilogrammes of cannabis and large quantities of opioids in Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna states, arresting dozens of suspects.

“Following a joint examination with the Customs Service and other agencies at the APM terminals in Apapa, Lagos, NDLEA operatives on 2nd October uncovered a large shipment of powdered tramadol from India, declared as maize starch.

A confirmatory test at the NDLEA forensic laboratory showed the cargo to be tramadol hydrochloride powder. When it was separated from its concealment on Wednesday, 14th October, it came to 349 bags with a gross weight of 8,725kg, worth over N6.98 billion.

“In a separate operation at the Tincan port in Lagos on Monday, 12th October, NDLEA officers, in the course of a joint examination of a container with Customs and others, discovered 55kg of Canadian Loud worth N165 million. The drugs were packed in brown cartons and hidden inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle conveyed in the 40-foot container.

Elsewhere in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday, 14th October, raided Idumota market where they arrested Elizabeth Chidera Kalu, and recovered 10,600 ampoules of diazepam injection and 6,500 tablets of Molly from her store. The following day, Thursday 15th October, two 35-year-old men were arrested in the Mushin area of the state: Idowu Daudu, with 59.95kg of skunk, and Ahmed Oniyinde, with 61.23kg of the same substance.

“In another interdiction operation in Lagos, operatives acting on credible intelligence on Thursday, 15th October intercepted a truck coming from Trade Fair market with illicit drug consignments along Iyana Oba.  Two suspects: Tajudeen Adeduntan, the loading manager and his assistant, Azeez Sikiru. A search of the truck led to the recovery of 18,000 pills of tramadol 250mg, concealed in cartons labelled as Rambo insecticide,” the statement partly read.

In Edo, NDLEA operatives raided Warake, Ivhiaro and Ewe/Irue communities in Owan East LGA between October 15 and 16, arresting six suspects.

“They include 85-year-old Grace Ehimeka, arrested with 179kg of skunk at Warake; Ayo Aigberadion, 53, with 220.8kg at Ewe/Irue; Ali Garba, 57, with 5.852kg; Habib Braimoh, 45, with 100g; Musa Mubid, 35, with 2kg of cannabis, cannabis seeds, tramadol, Swinol and diazepam; and Hope Okoro, 35, with 237 grams of loud.”

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, the agency said its operatives “raided a cannabis farm in Okemoro Isinbode camp forest, Ondo State, and destroyed 7,500kg skunk on three hectares”, where five suspects were arrested

Exhibits recovered included 92 bags of skunk weighing 1,267kg, 11kg of cannabis seeds and 3kg of fresh stems, a total of 1, 281kg.

“In the Owo area of the state, operatives on Friday, 16th October, trailed 53-year-old Okunebe Ndidi to his hideout in Ameyinti, where they recovered 25 bags of cannabis weighing 375kg.

“Not less than 894,800 tramadol capsules and exol-5 tablets were recovered from Shamsu Garba, 35, at Ragwam village, Katagum LGA, Bauchi State, when NDLEA officers intercepted his Volkswagen Golf wagon car on Wednesday, 14th October.

“The same day, operatives on patrol along the Bauchi-Gombe road recovered 291 blocks of cannabis weighing 265kg from an abandoned car at Tudun Natsira village,” among other operations.

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Zuru Emirate, Kebbi State, have reaffirmed their support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Nasir Idris, declaring their readiness to work for their re-election in 2027.

The stakeholders said their support for the two leaders was driven by what they described as the governor’s interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare and agriculture, as well as his efforts to improve residents’ welfare.

The declaration on Sunday came barely a week after residents of Fakai, Sakaba, Danko/Wasagu and Zuru local government areas reportedly gave Idris a rousing reception during his tour of the emirate, expressing support for his second-term ambition.

The latest endorsement was made during the launch of a palliative distribution programme organised by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Zuru, for residents of Rafin Zuru Ward in Zuru Local Government Area.

Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, a member of the Kebbi State APC Executive Committee, Alhaji Muhammad Saleh, assured Tinubu and Idris of the emirate’s commitment to their electoral success in 2027.

Saleh said, “The governor’s efforts to address infrastructure deficits through road construction and rehabilitation, alongside investments in schools, healthcare and agriculture, had strengthened his standing among the people.”

He described the interventions as “significant contributions that deserved appreciation”, adding that the people of Zuru Emirate were prepared to reciprocate the governor’s efforts with their political support.

Saleh also commended Idris for “inspiring political appointees and associates, including Sadaukin Zuru, to assist vulnerable residents and contribute to the socio-economic development of their communities.”

He said the governor had earned recognition beyond Kebbi State for what he described as his compassion, generosity, integrity and selflessness.

Also speaking, the Zuru Local Government APC Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Abiola, congratulated Sadaukin Zuru for supporting the less privileged and following what he described as the governor’s example of generosity.

Abiola described Idris as a “General Commander of welfare and generosity” and urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the financial assistance.

He encouraged those engaged in petty trading to invest the money in their businesses to increase their capital and improve their livelihoods.

In his remarks, Sadaukin Zuru thanked Governor Idris for giving him the opportunity to serve and contribute to the welfare of residents in his community.

He also acknowledged the support of the Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Muazu Haruna, for the initiative.

The empowerment programme, organised under the Sadaukin Zuru Empowerment Initiative for the Needy, provided financial assistance ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 each to more than 400 beneficiaries.

The beneficiaries included elderly men and women, youths and other vulnerable residents. The assistance was intended to help them meet basic needs or increase their business capital.

The event attracted APC stakeholders, supporters of Governor Idris, market women, youth and women’s organisations, students and associates from Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

The accident reportedly occurred at Yalwan Duguri in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

The deceased’s children were identified as Hajara, Usman, Rukayya and Maryam, while another son, Suleiman, reportedly survived the accident.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to the statement, Mohammed expressed condolences on behalf of his family, the state government and the people of Bauchi State, describing the incident as a devastating loss.

The statement quoted the governor as saying, “The death of Ibrahim Duguri represents a monumental loss to Bauchi State, particularly the health sector, where he distinguished himself through dedication, commitment, and an unwavering passion for improving access to healthcare services for the people.”

Mohammed said the deceased played a significant role in advancing the state’s health contributory management system and supporting efforts to make healthcare more accessible, particularly to less privileged residents.

He added that Duguri had also contributed to the state’s medical team during pilgrimage exercises in Saudi Arabia, where he demonstrated commitment to the health and well-being of pilgrims.

The governor described the deceased as a close personal friend and classmate, saying his death was a personal loss beyond the loss of a dedicated public servant.

“His death, therefore, represents not only the loss of a valued public servant but also the painful departure of a beloved family member and trusted companion whose life was marked by service, loyalty, and dedication to humanity,” the statement quoted Mohammed as saying.

The governor expressed particular sadness over the deaths of the four children in the same incident, noting that the tragedy had compounded the family’s grief.

He said, “The loss of four young members of the same family in one tragic incident makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking. No words can adequately express the pain and anguish of the bereaved family at this difficult moment.”

Mohammed prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased, accept their good deeds and grant Ibrahim Duguri and his children eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus.

He also prayed for the surviving son, Suleiman, and other members of the bereaved family to find the strength to bear the loss.

The governor urged residents of the state to remember the family in their prayers and extend compassion and solidarity to them during the period of mourning.

The statement added that the funeral prayer for the deceased would be held at the palace of the District Head of Yalwan Duguri on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 11 am.

The APC Youth Network West Africa has inaugurated its secretariat as part of efforts to strengthen its organisational structure, expand youth mobilisation and promote active participation in community development ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the secretariat, the Director-General of the APC Youth Network, Tunde Igbasan, described the occasion as more than the commissioning of a building, saying it represented a commitment to providing the organisation with a permanent base, a shared vision and a platform for effective leadership.

According to him, although the network began developing its structures only a few months ago, it has established an active network, initiated community programmes and commenced the development of its headquarters.

“This secretariat would serve as a central point of contact for members and visitors travelling through Lagos from different parts of West Africa, while providing a lasting institutional foundation for the organisation,” he said.

Igbasan emphasised that the initiative was designed to foster a sense of belonging among members and establish a foundation for sustainable growth.

He also highlighted the political journey of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as a source of inspiration for young people aspiring to leadership positions.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Tayo Ayinde reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the party’s political structures, mobilising young Nigerians and communicating the New Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

He said the network had an important responsibility to expand political engagement, strengthen grassroots structures and ensure that the administration’s policies and objectives were effectively communicated to the public, particularly young Nigerians.

According to him, the newly inaugurated secretariat must serve a purpose beyond ceremonial gatherings and become a centre for coordinating activities, engaging communities and communicating the group’s message to the people.

“The success of this office will be measured not by today’s ceremony, but by the work that follows,” he said.

The Chief of Staff further urged members of the network to take an active role in shaping political discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing the need for them to understand government policies, explain their objectives and communicate their expected outcomes to citizens.

“The President should be held accountable for federal policies and performance, governors and local government leaders must also answer for responsibilities within their respective jurisdictions,” he said.

movement tasks committee with grassroots mobilisation, unity and expansion, unveils plans for Ogun-East mega rally

The Yayi Progressives Movement (YPM), a leading political support group in Ogun State, has inaugurated a 300-member campaign council as part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The inauguration, held on Saturday at the YPM grounds in Iperu, Ogun State, also formalised the appointment of Hon. Kehinde Odeneye, a two-term member of the House of Representatives as Director-General of the council.

The event was attended by the movement’s apex leaders, state executive members, local government coordinators and other members of the newly inaugurated campaign council.

Speaking at the ceremony, the convener of the movement, Armstrong 'Tope Akintunde, said the appointments reflected the appointees’ commitment to the movement and their contributions to its development.

Akintunde explained that the selection of members for the campaign council was not intended to diminish the contributions of other members, but to recognise individuals whose longstanding involvement and commitment had earned them the responsibilities.

He urged the newly inaugurated council members and the Director-General to work together to achieve the movement’s objectives, particularly in grassroots mobilisation, membership expansion and organisational unity.

The convener also announced plans for an upcoming mega rally in Ogun East, alongside inauguration programmes for the movement’s artisan, student, women and youth groups.

He called on committee members, particularly those responsible for mobilisation and local government coordination, to intensify their engagement efforts and promote unity ahead of the planned activities.

In his remarks, the state coordinator of the Movement, Hon. Olusegun Kaka, stressed the importance of strengthening the movement’s presence at the grassroots.

Kaka urged members to engage communities actively and ensure effective coordination at the polling-unit level ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the responsibility of advancing the movement’s political objectives rested on all members, not only the state executive officers and coordinators.

According to him, the movement’s success would depend on the collective efforts of its members to support the candidates it intends to promote in the forthcoming elections.

The Director-General of the campaign council, Hon. Kehinde Odeneye, commended Akintunde, the movement’s apex leaders and the state coordinator for their contributions to the group’s growth.

He also offered prayers for the success of candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

The movement announced the following persons as heads of various committees:

(1) Armstrong 'Tope Akintunde — Finance, Planning and Strategy Committee

(2) Hon. Yakubu Lookman Olanrenwaju — Transport Committee

(3) Hon. Amoje Olajide — Special Duties Committee

(4) Yeye Biliki Oseni T. — Inter-Ethnic Committee

(5) Comrade Oluseun Oduneye — Media and Publicity Committee

(6) Comrade Ojuri Olatunde — Welfare Committee

(7) John Akogun — Security and Protocol Committee

(8) Hon. Shobayo Hakeem — Stakeholders Engagement Committee

(9) Comrade Osularu Olabanjo Muyiwa — Mobilisation, Contact and Engagement Committee

(10) Princess Mosunmola Odujole — Inter-Group Committee

(11) Dr. Adeniran Adeyemi — Medical Committee

Two policemen were killed and three other persons injured when gunmen attacked the Uratta Police Station in Aba, Abia State, in the early hours of Saturday, setting parts of the facility and vehicles ablaze.

The attack, which reportedly occurred around 2 am, left the station severely damaged, while a Hilux van and other vehicles were burnt.

A source familiar with the incident said the attackers appeared to have targeted the police armoury but found it empty. The assailants allegedly took away some police uniforms during the attack.

The source further claimed that one of the gunmen was shot dead but was taken away by his colleagues.

The state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, confirmed the killing of two officers and the injury to three people while inspecting the scene alongside Governor Alex Otti on Saturday.

Afolabi said the injured victims, including a civilian, were receiving treatment at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba.

“The hoodlums came. Some of the shelters above were set ablaze,” the police commissioner said.

He disclosed that he arrived at the scene around 4 am, adding that the immediate priority was to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.

For now, we have not made any arrests, but we are working on that,” he said.

The commissioner assured residents that the police would pursue the attackers and bring them to justice.

The governor later visited the injured victims at the hospital.

The latest incident has renewed concerns over attacks on police facilities in the area. On February 23, 2021, gunmen attacked the same Uratta Police Station, killing a police sergeant identified as Okezie and setting ablaze a patrol vehicle donated by the state government.

As of Saturday, the police had not announced any arrests in connection with the latest attack.

The National Association of Nigerian Students, Ogun State Joint Campus Committee, has threatened mass protests at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, if the management fails to explain within 24 hours the circumstances surrounding the death of a Post-Basic Nursing student, Taiwo Godwin.

The student body also demanded an independent investigation into the incident, citing concerns about the hospital’s medical facilities, emergency response capacity, and quality of care provided to the deceased before his death.

The demands were contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Chairman of NANS Ogun JCC, Comrade Faruq Olabode.

Describing the incident as alarming, the association said the circumstances surrounding Godwin’s death raised serious questions about patient safety and healthcare delivery at the federal medical facility.

Consequently, NANS Ogun JCC hereby gives the management of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, 24 HOURS to publicly explain the circumstances surrounding the death of the student and clarify the medical attention he received before his demise,” the statement read.

The association called on the Nigerian Medical Association, security agencies, and relevant medical regulatory authorities to investigate the incident and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable in accordance with the law.

 It also demanded an independent autopsy review to establish the cause of death and determine whether negligence or any failure in medical care contributed to the incident.

According to NANS, the process should be conducted by qualified professionals, with appropriate consent and in compliance with the law, to guarantee transparency and credibility.

 The association further appealed to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, to intervene urgently.

 It warned that failure by the hospital management to provide a satisfactory explanation within 24 hours could trigger a mass protest involving students across Ogun State.

 “Should the hospital management fail to provide a satisfactory explanation within the stipulated 24 hours, NANS Ogun JCC will consider mobilising Nigerian students across the Gateway State for a massive protest at the facility in demand of transparency, accountability, and justice,” it said.

 Meanwhile, the hospital management has announced that it has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Godwin’s death.

 In a statement issued on Saturday, the hospital expressed sadness over the student’s death, which occurred while he was receiving treatment at its General Medical Practice Unit.

 The management assured students, staff members, and the general public that the investigation was ongoing and would be conducted in accordance with established procedures.

The statement, signed by the hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiola Ajibola, on behalf of the Acting Provost and Medical Director, said the management was committed to expediting the investigation and ensuring that it is thorough, impartial, and transparent.

 It added that necessary measures would be taken to establish the facts, address any issues identified, and ensure that justice was served.

 “We further assure all concerned that every necessary step will be taken to establish the facts, address any issues identified, and ensure that justice is served,” the statement read

The Oyo State Police Command has rescued a one-month-old baby girl allegedly sold for N2m and arrested two suspects, including the baby’s mother and the owner of the health facility where she was delivered.

The incident occurred in Ido Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The suspects are the baby’s mother, 23-year-old Cecilia Amos, and the owner of Ebepraise Health Centre, Ido, Dr Adeleke Ebenezer, 40.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the statement, the case was reported on October 15, 2026, at about 6pm, by Mary Amos of Ogunwade area, Ido, who reported that her daughter gave birth to a baby girl on September 6, 2026, at Ebepraise Health Centre.

Mary reportedly told the police that her daughter disappeared with the baby about seven days after delivery and could not give a satisfactory account of the child’s whereabouts, raising suspicion that the baby had been sold.

The PPRO said police operatives subsequently arrested Cecilia for questioning, adding that she confessed during interrogation that Ebenezer and another suspect, Hassan Oludunni, lured her into the arrangement and facilitated the sale of the baby to one Odunayo Folawewo.

The police said investigation revealed that the baby was sold for N2m, with Cecilia receiving N1m, while Ebenezer and Oludunni allegedly received N500,000 each.

Following the police investigation, the baby was rescued, while Ebenezer was also arrested.

The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest Folawewo and bring all those involved in the alleged transaction to justice.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons, urging members of the public to promptly report suspected cases of child trafficking and related offences.

Members of the public can contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre on the toll-free line 615 or the Oyo State Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413.

The statement was signed by Ayanlade on October 16, 2026.

Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez completed successful surgery on a fractured jaw late on Saturday night after a heavy collision during Chelsea’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton.

The incident occurred in the second half at Hill Dickinson Stadium when Martínez raced off his line to punch clear a free-kick.

He collided forcefully with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and collapsed.

Medical staff treated the Argentine for nearly ten minutes on the pitch, administering oxygen and fitting a neck brace before stretchering him off to warm applause from both sets of supporters.

Young goalkeeper Mike Penders replaced him and helped preserve the clean sheet as Chelsea secured three valuable points.

In a post by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano on X on Sunday, Martinez was quoted as saying,”The most important things are 3 points and clean sheet. I’ll be back in few weeks!”

For now, the focus remains on recovery. Martínez’s immediate priority, as ever, was the result and the clean sheet. True to form, the World Cup-winning goalkeeper has already turned his attention to the return.

Ondo State Governor,. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has renamed the International Centre for Culture and Events, popularly known as The Dome, in Akure, after former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

The facility will henceforth be known as the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko International Centre for Culture and Events, in recognition of the former governor who constructed it during his administration.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa announced the renaming on Saturday, at a birthday celebration organised in honour of Mimiko in Abuja.

“The facility would now officially bear the former governor’s name,” the statement read.

Mimiko governed the state from 2009 to 2017, during which the cultural and events centre was built.

The renaming places the former governor’s name on the facility, which was established during his tenure as part of the state’s infrastructure for cultural activities and public events.

The statement confirmed that the International Centre for Culture and Events in Akure would henceforth be called the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko International Centre for Culture and Events.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Jide Kosoko, has revealed that he has been living with diabetes since 1996, saying his decades-long experience with the condition has given him a better understanding of his health.

The 72-year-old actor made this known in an interview on African-a-list uploaded on YouTube on Saturday.

“I became diabetic in 1996; I understand my health better than some doctors do. Do not misquote me. I am not saying I know how to do everything, I just do not want to die,” Kosoko said.

The veteran actor also spoke about his personal life, disclosing that he had lost three wives, including the mother of his daughter, Bidemi Kosoko, who died during childbirth.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Jide Kosoko, has revealed that he has been living with diabetes since 1996, saying his decades-long experience with the condition has given him a better understanding of his health.

The 72-year-old actor made this known in an interview on African-a-list uploaded on YouTube on Saturday.

“I became diabetic in 1996; I understand my health better than some doctors do. Do not misquote me. I am not saying I know how to do everything, I just do not want to die,” Kosoko said.

The veteran actor also spoke about his personal life, disclosing that he had lost three wives, including the mother of his daughter, Bidemi Kosoko, who died during childbirth.

I lost my wife during childbirth; that’s Bidemi’s mother. I have lost three wives,” he said.

Kosoko, who began his career in theatre as a child, also reflected on his contribution to the Nigerian film industry.

“I started theatre at age 10, in 1964, and formed my own group in 1972. I can confidently say that I am one of the pioneers of this industry,” he said.

The actor also offered advice on parenting, urging parents to treat their children equally and ensure that each child feels valued.

“Treat your children equally; let them know they’re equal in your mind,” he said.

Speaking about social media, Kosoko recalled that people were initially apprehensive about the platform but said it had since become useful to many.

“When social media was coming, we were afraid. But now we use it to our advantage. Some use it uselessly. Must you shake your bumbum and talk about that jargon?” he asked.

Seven-Up Bottling Company, one of Nigeria’s leading beverage manufacturers, has come under criticism from consumers over its communication regarding changes to the bottle caps of some of its drinks, with some fearing the products could be fake.

The company recently introduced bright yellow caps on its plastic bottles of Pepsi, Mirinda, 7UP, Teem and Supa Komando.

However, some consumers criticised the company for failing to inform the public about the change before the products appeared in the market, urging it to improve its communication and marketing strategies to prevent confusion over the authenticity of its products.

The concerns gained attention on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, when a LinkedIn user, Okafor Gambo, posted a picture of a Pepsi bottle with a bright yellow cap.

Gambo said he had seen the drink being sold to the public and asked the company to clarify whether the change was an official packaging update.

He wrote, “Hello, Seven Up Bottling Company, PepsiCo. I found this on the streets, and it’s been sold out publicly.”

Gambo queried the company, “I doubt if this is a change or original. If there’s a change, why wasn’t it announced?”

So, we need to be careful out there,” sounding a note of caution to consumers.

Responding to the post on Wednesday, October 14, the company said the yellow caps were part of a “major new exciting initiative” involving its plastic-bottled drinks.

It assured consumers that the products retained their original contents and taste, describing the new caps as a “vibrant new detail.”

“Thank you for looking out for us! The yellow covers you’re seeing across our plastic bottle portfolio, including Pepsi, Mirinda, 7UP, Teem and Supa Komando, are part of a major new exciting initiative.

Rest assured, it’s the exact same refreshingly great-tasting product inside, just with a vibrant new detail. Full details will be revealed very soon. Stay tuned!” the company wrote.

The company’s clarification and assurance came under scrutiny as some users lamented the time at which such a critical public notice was made.

Gambo, the original poster, said, “Thanks for this. This is more educating. At least, let it be posted.”

One user, Nnamdi Gabriel, asked the company, “Why wait to be called out before the clarity on rebranding. (It) doesn’t speak well for the company.”

Another user, Margaret Ejiro-Edoja, cautioned the company to ensure that consumers are earlier informed about any initiatives.

She noted that such has effects on the consumer’s “trust, confidence and purchasing decisions.”

“This initiative should have been communicated to consumers in advance to ensure they are aware of, and informed about your efforts. In an era where counterfeit products are increasingly prevalent, proactive and transparent communication with consumers is essential,” she wrote.

Another user, Okechukwu Nwabuko, noted that based on the circulation of fake products in the market, “it’s right to keep consumers well-informed when changes are made.”

Gambo further noted in a comment that he decided to make the call-out post after reaching out to the company “privately, yet didn’t get a response from them,” and that no public awareness was made on the rebranding.

One Raphael Echiye, noted that he and four other people, couldn’t purchase the Pepsi drink on a particular day because they doubted the authenticity of the product.

The marketing team needs to do more,” he advised.

Later on Wednesday, the company made a post in its LinkedIn handle, announcing the change in the colour of the capped bottles.

The company said the reason behind the change was to “delight” their customers, among other reasons.

“The products you know and love, remain the same, with the same taste and refreshment.

“We believe that staying connected to our consumers means continuously looking for new ways to engage, surprise and delight them. These yellow covers are part of something exciting for lovers of Seven-Up Bottling Company, and our brands. We look forward to sharing more soon,” it said.

Following up on the company’s announcement, one user, Onyeka Amanze, stated that the company ought to have put the horse before the cart, and not otherwise.

He wrote, “Thanks for the information, though this is coming a bit late because this change in your product packaging is already in the market, and consumers are concerned about the integrity of the product.

For product reliability and integrity, this communication should come before introducing the product into the market.”

Gabriel further lamented that the yellow caps on Pepsi drinks looked “weird,” as he cautioned that the company’s initiative could be an avenue of doing its competitors a “favour.”

Our correspondent observed that other consumers also raised concerns on Pepsi Nigeria’s X page, prompting assurances from the company’s account about the drinks with the new caps.

On October 9, one X user identified as Adeleke Ifeoluwa, tweeted, with a picture of a yellow-capped Pepsi drink, “Hello #Pepsi, please can you confirm if this Pepsi bottle is authentic? I noticed the cap is yellow, and I’m wondering when you changed the cap colour to yellow. Is this an official packaging change? Kindly clarify.”

In its response, Pepsi Nigeria tweeted, “The yellow cover bottles are the same Pepsi you love. We’ve got something exciting coming. So keep buying and stay locked in.”

On Pepsi Nigeria’s Facebook page, one user, Godfrey Daniel, lamented, “I went to buy this for someone. When I arrived, the person sent me back to return the four packs and get the normal blue cover. I told her that I saw the SON logo there, but she insisted I return them.”

Another Facebook user, Prince Adeniti, said that he saw a Pepsi drink with a yellow cap but thought “the Pepsi was fake

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has described its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as a true Pan-Nigerian leader and a detribalised statesman.

It said the former Vice President deserves victory in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

According to a statement on Saturday by the Director of Media and Publicity of the council, Kola Ologbondiyan, he spoke while receiving the leadership of the Grassroots Mobilisation Network, led by its National Coordinator, Sadiq Lwafu, during a visit to his office.

Ologbondiyan said Atiku represented a unifying national figure whose political relationships and personal outlook transcended ethnic, religious and regional boundaries.

Atiku Abubakar, on the other hand, is a natural Nigerian devoid of ethnic, religious or sectional inclination. He is a leader for all tribes and regions,” he said.

He argued that Atiku’s family, business and political relationships reflected the diversity of Nigeria.

“Check the people around him over the years. Take a close look at his immediate family, his businesses and his political associates. Atiku represents Nigeria and Nigeria is in him.

He is married across the Niger, his children represent our diversity, and his associates cut across every tribe and religion. That is the definition of a Pan-Nigerian leader,” he said.

Ologbondiyan contrasted Atiku with President Bola Tinubu, whom he accused of sectionalism.

In the last three years, Tinubu has shown clannishness in governance. His appointments, his policies, his body language—everything screams sectionalism and exclusion,” he alleged.

He also accused the All Progressives Congress of exploiting Nigeria’s ethnic and religious differences for political advantage.

“The APC has so much capitalised on our fault lines to divide the country. They don’t care about the welfare of the people as far as they can remain in power,” he said.

He added, “They are not concerned about our unity but about winning elections against the peace and harmony of the nation.”

The council director maintained that the administration’s alleged sectional approach had failed to translate into improved governance or better living conditions for Nigerians. He said the government could not justify its approach without delivering tangible results.

He said Atiku’s record, policy proposals and commitment to economic recovery made him the best candidate to address the country’s challenges.

Atiku Abubakar’s track record speaks for itself. Nigeria is at a crossroads and needs Atiku for the task ahead. He is the only one with a clear blueprint for our economic recovery,” he said.

On fuel subsidy, Ologbondiyan said an Atiku administration would restore the policy under a transparent and properly managed framework designed to protect vulnerable Nigerians and stimulate production.

“Atiku is going to bring back subsidy in a transparent and well-managed manner that will directly benefit the poor and stimulate production,” he said.

He added that other candidates had no solutions to the challenges confronting the country. “Atiku is clear, consistent and prepared,” he said.

Lwafu said the network was embarking on a nationwide mobilisation campaign to rally Nigerians behind Atiku’s presidential ambition and ensure the defeat of the APC in the 2027 election.

He lamented that the Tinubu administration had subjected Nigerians to severe economic hardship, worsening insecurity and what he described as an increasingly authoritarian political environment.

President Tinubu’s administration has made life so difficult for Nigerians. The hardship is too much. Nigerians are now living in fear of insecurity.

“It appears that governance has collapsed, as a group of greedy politicians have ganged up against the poor, and democracy has been abused and replaced with an authoritarian regime,” he said.

He warned that Nigeria was drifting towards the path of failure, like some African countries where, in his view, democratic institutions had been weakened and political power increasingly concentrated.

“The only man who can rescue Nigeria is Atiku Abubakar, and we are on a mission to ensure that the APC is thrown out of power through the ballot box next year,” he said.

Lwafu described the ADC as a credible platform that brings together experienced politicians, patriotic Nigerians and leaders committed to national development.

“ADC is the only platform with great minds and patriotic leaders. Look at our National Chairman, David Mark; Atiku Abubakar; Rotimi Amaechi; Tunde Ogbeha; Rauf Aregbesola; Kashim Imam; Senator Austin Akobundu; Senator Aminu Tambuwal; Emeka Ihedioha; Ralph Nwosu; Dele Momodu; Dino Melaye and others,” he said.

Ologbondiyan commended the network for its commitment to national development and grassroots mobilisation.

The council assured the group that it remained committed to working with grassroots organisations interested in ending what it called APC misrule, restoring public confidence in governance and rebuilding the country.

The Oyo State Police Command has said a man seen being arrested in a viral video in Ibadan was suspected of involvement in cult-related activities.

The command also said members of the public could report any officer’s conduct they believed deviated from established procedures.

The command made the statement on Saturday in a reply on X to a user, @de_shinor, who shared the video and made claims about the operations of an anti-cultism formation in the Apete area of the city.

“The individual seen being apprehended was suspected of involvement in cult-related activities and was arrested by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit,” the command said.

It said the video appeared to have been recorded by a passerby.

“Regarding the video in question, it appears to have been recorded by a passerby who may not have been aware of the circumstances surrounding the arrest,” the command said.

The command added that the audio in the footage reflected the uncertainty around the incident.

The background audio itself reflects the uncertainty surrounding the incident, as someone can be heard asking what the individual had done,” it said.

In his post, the user said the arrest took place at Danax, close to Adamasingba, in Ibadan. He said, “This is Danax very close to Adamasingba and this police squad are popularly known as Anti Squad Mangarawa.”

The user also said he had a previous encounter with the squad. “I was once a victim (2018) + I witness this exact modus operandi this week on Thursday,” he wrote.

He further claimed that officers of the unit frequent Apete. “They come to apete at least twice a week,” he wrote.

Responding to the claim, the command said its operations in the area were intelligence-driven.

“Given the significant student population and concerns about cult-related activities in parts of Apete, the Command considers proactive policing necessary to prevent crime and protect lives and property,” the command said.

On the name used by the user for the squad, the command said it was not an official designation.

For clarification, there is no police squad officially known as the Anti-Squad Mangarawa in the Oyo State Police Command. The formation located in the Magara area is the Anti-Cultism Unit, which is responsible for combating cultism and other related vices,” it said.

The command said it took concerns about police conduct seriously and invited the public to report specific cases.

“Members of the public are encouraged to contact the Command whenever they have specific information about an operation or believe that an officer’s conduct may have deviated from established procedures and rules of engagement. Such concerns will be given the necessary attention,” it said.

It added that its commitment was to “protect law-abiding residents, prevent crime, and ensure that all police operations are conducted professionally and in accordance with the law.”

The command thanked the user for raising the matter. “Thank you for bringing this to our attention,” it said.

The Nigerian Communications Commission has explained why Nigerians need to verify their phones, citing consumer protection, compliance with statutory requirements and the need to improve network quality.

The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the NCC, Edoyemi Ogoh, stated this during an interview on Arise TV on Friday.

Ogoh said the initiative was necessary because the Nigerian Communications Commission Act 2003 required the commission to conduct type approval to ensure that devices entering the country were genuine and functioned as intended.

He said the measure would also protect consumers from purchasing counterfeit phones or imitation devices at prices meant for genuine products.

One, it’s a statutory requirement. The NCC Act of 2003 actually specifies that we carry out type approval, and that’s the whole intent of that is to ensure that every device coming into the country is actually genuine and works the way it should work,” he said.

Ogoh added that the commission had discovered, during assessments of complaints about poor quality of service, that some of the problems were linked to the devices consumers used.

He said the findings informed the need to ensure that phones and other devices connected to telecommunications networks met the required standards.

And from that perspective, we knew that we had to do something very important in line with both the statutory requirement for protecting consumers as well as ensuring that quality of service is assured for every user,” he said.

According to him, using devices that have not received type approval or do not function properly could affect not only their owners but also other people using telecommunications services in the same environment.

“When consumers utilise devices that are not type-approved, or that are operating in a way that should not operate, it does not just impact them, it also impacts others that are within the same environments that they are using those services,” he added.

The NCC has advised consumers to check their phones’ approval status before purchasing devices to ensure they meet the commission’s requirements for use on Nigerian telecommunications networks.

The initiative comes as the commission intensifies efforts to regulate devices connected to mobile networks. The NCC has reported registering about 231 million devices and taking steps to prevent unapproved devices from accessing telecommunications networks.

The commission has also provided guidance on checking phones’ approval status as part of efforts to help consumers identify devices that meet its requirements.

On Thursday, October 15, 2026, Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster equipped with rocket-style thrusters developed with SpaceX.

The demonstration showed the sports car lifting into the air, turning mid-flight and landing, while the company said production would begin in 2028.

However, the demonstration did not establish that the vehicle could fly over long distances like an aircraft.

The unveiling reflects a pattern in Musk’s career: backing ambitious technologies that aim to change how people communicate, travel, access information and interact with machines.

Although Musk is often associated with these products, he did not personally invent every technology. His role has varied across the companies he founded, co-founded, financed or leads.

Here are some of the major ventures and innovations associated with him, from his early internet businesses to his latest automotive ambitions.

1. Zip2: Bringing maps and business directories online

Before electric cars and rockets, Musk’s first major business venture was Zip2, an online city guide and mapping service he co-founded with his brother, Kimbal Musk, in 1995.

The company helped newspapers establish online directories and provide maps and directions to users at a time when the internet was still developing as a mainstream commercial service.

Compaq acquired Zip2 in 1999 in a deal valued at more than $300m, giving Musk capital to pursue other ventures.

Zip2 was not the invention of online maps, but it was an early attempt to make digital directories and location information commercially useful.

2. X.com and PayPal: Making online payments easier

After the sale of Zip2, Musk co-founded X.com in 1999, an online financial services and payments company

X.com later merged with Confinity, whose products included a digital payment service.

The combined business became PayPal, which was acquired by eBay in 2002 for $1.5bn in stock. Musk was among PayPal’s largest shareholders.

Musk did not invent PayPal single-handedly. His contribution came through X.com and his involvement in the business that evolved into the online payment company.

The sale also provided him with funds to invest in more ambitious projects, including space exploration and electric vehicles.

3. SpaceX: Reusable rockets and commercial spaceflight

Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with the goal of reducing the cost of space travel and eventually enabling human settlement beyond Earth.

The company helped advance the use of reusable rockets, including Falcon 9 boosters that return to Earth and land after launch. Reusing major rocket components can reduce the need to build an entirely new rocket for every mission.

SpaceX has also developed the Dragon spacecraft, which transports cargo and astronauts, and is developing Starship, a fully reusable transportation system intended for missions to Earth orbit, the Moon and Mars.

Musk’s role has included leading the company and overseeing its engineering and product development, while the technologies themselves are the work of large teams of engineers and scientists.

4. Tesla: Electric cars for the mass market

Tesla is perhaps the company most closely associated with Musk. He joined the electric vehicle company as an early investor in 2004 and became its chief executive in 2008.

Tesla’s first vehicle, the Roadster, debuted in 2008. The company subsequently introduced models including the Model S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y, helping bring electric cars into the luxury and mass-market segments.

Tesla did not invent the electric car, which existed long before the company was founded. Its contribution has been developing and commercialising electric vehicles, battery systems, charging infrastructure and driver-assistance technology at scale.

The company has also expanded into energy storage, with products designed for homes, businesses and electricity networks.

5. Starlink: Internet delivered by satellites

Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite internet service, designed to provide broadband connectivity in places where conventional internet infrastructure is limited, unreliable or expensive.

Instead of relying solely on cables and ground-based networks, the service uses satellites in low Earth orbit to connect users through ground terminals.

SpaceX says its satellite constellation is intended to deliver high-speed internet access to users around the world.

6. Neuralink: Connecting computers to the human brain

Neuralink is developing brain-computer interface technology intended to allow people to control computers and other devices through signals from their brains.

Its system uses an implant to record neural activity, alongside electronics and software that interpret those signals.

The company says one of its aims is to help people with paralysis interact with digital devices.

The technology is part of a wider field of research into brain-computer interfaces, which involves scientists and companies beyond Neuralink.

It also raises questions about the safety of implanted devices, clinical evidence, privacy and the long-term effects of connecting neural signals to computer systems.

7. The Boring Company: Tackling traffic underground

Musk founded The Boring Company to develop tunnels and underground transport systems as an alternative way to move people through congested cities.

The company develops tunnel-boring technology and operates transport projects such as the Vegas Loop, which uses tunnels and vehicles to move passengers between destinations.

The idea is to create additional transport routes underground rather than relying entirely on surface roads.

8. xAI and Grok: Artificial intelligence

Musk founded xAI in 2023 to develop artificial intelligence systems. One of its products is Grok, an AI assistant associated with his social media platform, X.

The venture places Musk in competition with other companies developing AI models and chatbots for answering questions, generating content, analysing information and assisting with tasks.

Unlike Zip2, Tesla or SpaceX, xAI is not primarily about transport or physical infrastructure. It is focused on developing software and AI systems.

9. The new Tesla Roadster: Musk’s flying-car ambition

The redesigned Tesla Roadster, unveiled on October 15, 2026, is the latest example of Musk’s interest in pushing vehicle technology beyond conventional limits.

According to Reuters, the demonstration featured a car equipped with rocket-style thrusters developed with SpaceX.

The vehicle lifted into the air, turned during the demonstration and landed. Tesla said it intended to begin production in 2028.

Musk described the unveiling as evidence that the future includes flying cars. But the demonstration showed short airborne manoeuvres, not sustained flight over long distances.

Musk’s ventures span online maps, digital payments, electric vehicles, rockets, satellite communications, brain-computer interfaces, underground transport and artificial intelligence.

Some of the technologies associated with him were developed by companies and research communities that existed before his involvement. Others have been advanced by engineering teams at companies he founded, co-founded or leads.

Yilwatda made the prediction on Saturday at the commissioning of the Arewa for Asiwaju secretariat in Abuja, where he urged people in the region to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing infrastructure projects, appointments and other initiatives of the President’s administration.

The APC chairman listed road projects across northern states, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, irrigation dams, railway projects, healthcare initiatives and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund among the interventions he said should encourage the North to support Tinubu for a second term.

He said, “Today is a time for us to renew a mandate that was largely supported by the North, and the North, again, will largely support the return of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.

We have many reasons to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so many reasons. Our son, our father, our leader, the Vice President, is one reason why we should support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“He has built an inclusive environment, bringing all of us together, ensuring that whether you are Christian, Muslim, or of a different faith, religion or tribe, he has brought us together under one shelter, always talking to us and engaging us.

“So, we have a reason to back him, to support him, and the two of them, the joint ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Shettima, should be returned for a second term.”

Yilwatda cited road projects across the North, including the Trans-Saharan Super Highway and routes linking Maiduguri, Biu, Gombe and Bauchi, which he said covered more than 1,000 kilometres.

He said, “We have the job that has been completed. The one from Abuja here, Abuja to Kaduna, Kaduna to Kano, over 441 kilometres, and from Kano to Maiduguri, over 500 kilometres. Those two roads alone are over 900 kilometres, more than the 700 kilometres of Lagos Road. Just two roads in the North.

“Apart from the one from Ilorin, Ilorin coming into Niger, Niger to Kebbi, Kebbi to Sokoto, Sokoto to Illela. Just over 700 kilometres. Just that bridge, that wing alone, apart from the one from here to Lokoja, Lokoja, you go down to Benin, the one from Kano heading to Taura, the one from Danja coming back to Zaria, the one from Plateau heading back to Taraba, you can keep on going on with the road network job in the North done by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I can’t mention all of them, but President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done wonderfully. He has covered all the geopolitical zones in the North in terms of road projects.”

Yilwatda also cited railway and healthcare projects in the North, including the construction of health centres and free medical services for pregnant women, as reasons the region should support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He said, “Having said that, I want to move that the entire Arewa, because everybody is here. All the former governors are here. All serving governors are here, except one. All the former senators are here. Most of them. Most of the former speakers, former Senate President, former Deputy Senate President, they are all here.

If we win only in our respective hometowns and polling units, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure over 70 per cent of the votes in the North. So, we have no reason not to return Mr President.”

In his remarks, former Kebbi State Governor and Director-General of Arewa for Asiwaju, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, said Tinubu’s record in infrastructure, education, social investment and security justified a second term.

Abubakar said the A4A campaign would mobilise support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket across the North, reaching communities at the ward, local government and state levels.

He said, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, leadership is judged by what is delivered. And when we look at what this administration has delivered, the record speaks for itself.

“On infrastructure, roads, bridges, rail and power projects that had been talked about for decades are now taking shape, connecting our markets, our farmers and our communities to opportunity. On social investment, this administration has chosen to stand with the vulnerable, so that the ordinary Nigerian, the trader, the farmer and the young person starting out, feels the hand of government in their daily life.

“On education, the student loan initiative has opened the doors of the university to young people who would otherwise have been shut out by the cost of tuition, and no talented child of Arewa should ever again be denied a future because of a lack of money.

“And on security, the question that weighs most heavily on every home in the North, there has been a significant improvement. Our people are returning to their farms. Roads once feared are being travelled again. Communities that lived in dread are rebuilding in hope. Much work remains, and we will not pretend otherwise, but the direction is clear, and the progress is real. To our men and women in uniform, and to every security agency that has paid a price for this progress, we say thank you.”

Abubakar said Tinubu’s administration had taken difficult but necessary decisions for Nigeria’s future, adding that the group would continue to support the President’s re-election bid.

He said A4A would mobilise support for Tinubu across the North through governors, legislators, traditional institutions and youths.

Abubakar also described the group’s campaign headquarters as a three-block complex comprising three-storey buildings, with offices, a conference room and a situation room for monitoring and directing campaign activities.

He continued, “With the inauguration of this edifice, the work begins in earnest. From the national level to the states and the local governments, from the wards down to the polling units, the A4A family will mobilise, will listen and will explain.

“We will go to the markets, to the farms, to the campuses and to the mosques and churches. We will speak to the youth and the women. We will tell the story of what has been done, and we will listen to what remains to be done.”

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, on Friday commissioned the first of 3,700 sites under the Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project in Bende, Abia State.

The project aims to provide reliable broadband and communication services to unserved and underserved rural and riverine communities across Nigeria.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said, “Through Nigeria Universal Communication Access Project, NUCAP, which is the project we are launching today, we are delivering 3,700 of the towers across the entire country. But today, we are commissioning the first of these sites here in Bende. And more of it will come in so many parts of Nigeria.”

He highlighted the project’s potential benefits in education, commerce, agriculture, healthcare and other aspects of Nigerians’ socio-economic lives, stating, “we believe we must change that, starting from Bende”.

Tijani also commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for attracting the project to Bende.

According to the minister, “the President made resources available for us to buy all the towers that we need to connect to our community. And across Nigeria, many more communities are still waiting to be connected. They are the reason why we do the work that we do. Our president would always talk about the need for us to grow a $1 trillion economy”.

Speaking at the event, Kalu described the commissioning as “opening a new channel of opportunity for the people of Bende”.

He said it “will present the possibility of a clearer conversation, a successful banking transaction, a lesson assessed online, a medical consultation, and an emergency call that gets through when it matters most”.

Kalu said the President was innovative and meant well for Nigerians, stating, “Mr. President, when others are not thinking, you are thinking about building legacies, and this is one of those legacies”.

He added, “for too long, this community, and almost 20 million people around this area, have suffered a lack of connectivity. We want to say thank you”.

“I commend the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the implementing agencies, network providers, the engineers, and all partners responsible for these interventions,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Commercial Officer of IHS Nigeria, Akeem Adeshina, described the occasion as “an important milestone in our collective efforts to expand digital access and bring the opportunities of connectivity closer to underserved communities across Nigeria”.

He said, “Through this initiative, GICL, a subsidiary of IHS Towers is supporting the deployment of rural telecommunications infrastructure, alongside Public Wi-Fi and Smart Village solutions, beginning with seven locations across Abia, Delta, Enugu, Plateau, Katsina and Ogun States.

“We therefore commend the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Universal Service Provision Fund for their commitment to extending digital services to underserved communities”.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived at the newly established Arewa for Asiwaju Campaign Head Office in Abuja to officially unveil the facility and inaugurate the movement’s campaign structure.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a post on X on Saturday.

Nkwocha wrote, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived to unveil the Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) Campaign Head Office and formally inaugurate the movement’s campaign structure.”

“The event will bring together the leadership and members of the Arewa for Asiwaju movement, alongside other stakeholders.

Nkwocha added that the occasion would also offer an opportunity for engagement on the Bola Tinubu administration’s economic reforms.

According to him, “The occasion will also provide an opportunity for engagement on the Tinubu administration’s ongoing economic reforms, infrastructure development and efforts to expand investment and economic opportunities across Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

A4A is a mobilisation platform formed by northern political leaders, former governors and lawmakers to back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, operating across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Its 14-member Board of Trustees is chaired by a former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged Special Marshals of the Federal Road Safety Corps to adopt data-driven strategies, strengthen partnerships and improve professionalism to reduce road traffic crashes and save lives across Nigeria.

The Sultan made the call on Saturday through his representative, Aminu Bala Sokoto of the Sultanate Council, at the 2026 Special Marshals Zonal Conference of FRSC RS-10, held in Sokoto.

The conference, themed “Repositioning Special Marshals for Greater Impact Through Strategic Partnership and Data-Driven Road Safety Interventions,” brought together Special Marshals and stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving road safety advocacy and volunteer services.

The Sultan said Special Marshals must move beyond traditional volunteer activities and embrace a coordinated, proactive and results-oriented approach to addressing road safety challenges.

He stressed that effective collaboration among government agencies, transport unions, private organisations, schools, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community groups was essential to expanding public awareness and promoting compliance with traffic regulations.

“Strategic partnership involves working closely with government agencies, transport unions, private organisations, schools, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community groups to pool resources, share expertise and expand road safety awareness,” he said.

The monarch described road traffic crashes as a major concern because of their consequences, including loss of lives, injuries and economic hardship, adding that tackling the problem required collective responsibility and evidence-based action.

He said Special Marshals played important roles in public education, traffic management support, community engagement and emergency response but needed regular training, adequate safety equipment, motivation and a clear understanding of their responsibilities to perform effectively.

The Sultan also emphasised the importance of reliable data in identifying accident-prone locations, dangerous driving behaviours and vulnerable road users.

He urged Special Marshals to collect and report accurate road safety observations through approved FRSC channels to enable relevant authorities to identify high-risk areas and develop targeted interventions.

According to him, adopting digital reporting tools and GPS technology would improve communication, documentation and the deployment of road safety resources.

On accountability, the Sultan said the performance of Special Marshals should be assessed based on the quality of their activities, public awareness achievements, hazards reported and improvements in road safety practices.

He advocated standardised reporting procedures, continuous public enlightenment and recognition for volunteers who made outstanding contributions to road safety.

“Our success should not be measured merely by the number of campaigns we conduct but by the positive impact we make in protecting lives and preventing road traffic crashes,” he said.

The Sultan urged stakeholders to work together to build a safer road transport environment, stressing that road safety was a shared responsibility.

Similarly, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, represented by the Zonal Commanding Officer of RS-10, Assistant Corps Marshal Fredrick A. Ogidan, called for stronger partnerships and improved use of data to address emerging road safety challenges.

He identified population growth, increased vehicle ownership, urban expansion and changing road-user behaviour as factors requiring modern, evidence-based and technology-driven interventions.

The responsibility of promoting road safety cannot be borne by the Federal Road Safety Corps alone,” he said.

He urged Special Marshals to strengthen collaboration with government institutions, transport operators, educational institutions, professional bodies, faith-based organisations and community leaders to improve road safety education, emergency response and post-crash care.

The Corps Marshal also encouraged members to improve data collection, documentation and reporting to ensure that interventions were guided by reliable information rather than assumptions.

“As community-based volunteers and road safety advocates, Special Marshals are uniquely positioned to support data collection, research activities, public feedback mechanisms and observational studies that contribute to evidence-based decision-making,” he said.

Mohammed further highlighted the 2025 Special Marshals Guidelines as an important framework for strengthening accountability, transparency, leadership development and coordination within the scheme.

He urged stakeholders to sustain capacity-building initiatives and provide the necessary support to enable volunteers to contribute more effectively to national road safety objectives.

He also commended Special Marshals for their sacrifices and contributions, noting that their volunteer services complemented the Corps’ efforts to protect lives on Nigerian roads.

Earlier, the Sokoto State Coordinator of Special Marshals, Sanusi Usman Wadata, said the conference provided an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to road safety through public enlightenment, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based interventions.

“Today is not merely a gathering, but a celebration of service, partnership and our shared commitment to saving lives on our roads,” Wadata said.

The National Coordinator of Special Marshals, Engineer Adaji Usman, whose message was delivered by Wadata, also urged members to remain dedicated to their volunteer responsibilities, particularly public enlightenment and traffic control.

The conference was attended by representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Immigration Service, as well as sector commanders and Special Marshals from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

Honorary Special Marshals were also identified for decoration at a subsequent ceremony.

The management of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, has launched an investigation into the death of a 22-year-old Post-Basic Nursing student, Taiwo Godwin, who died while receiving treatment at the facility.

The hospital also expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, colleagues and the nursing community over the incident.

The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Ajibola Abiola, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

A media report on the incident alleged that Godwin, who had asthma, was brought to the hospital after experiencing difficulty breathing while playing football

The report also quoted a colleague as alleging that oxygen was not administered to the student despite his deteriorating condition. The circumstances surrounding his death have yet to be established.

The incident has reportedly raised concerns because it was said to be the second death of a nursing student from the same school at the facility this year.

Reacting, the hospital management said an investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding Godwin’s death at its General Medical Practice Unit.

We recognise the profound grief and distress this unfortunate incident has caused and extend our sincere sympathies to all those affected.

We wish to assure the students, staff, and the general public that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident is ongoing,” the statement said.

The management added that the investigation would be expedited and conducted thoroughly, impartially and transparently in line with established procedures.

“We further assure all concerned that every necessary step will be taken to establish the facts, address any issues identified, and ensure that justice is served. The Hospital will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities and stakeholders as required,” it said,

The hospital also urged the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to proceed without prejudice to its findings.

It reaffirmed its commitment to patient safety, professional accountability and maintaining high standards of care.

The management prayed for strength for the bereaved family, friends and colleagues, and for the deceased to rest in peace.

The Kano State Government has allocated 75 shops to traders affected by the 2023 demolition at the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground, the chairman of the Association of Shop Owners at the ground, Auwal Sa’id Umar, has said.

Umar disclosed this on Saturday during a prayer gathering at the Eid ground, explaining that the allocation represented 25 per cent of the land earmarked for the affected traders.

He expressed gratitude to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, for writing to the state government to seek land allocation and compensation for the victims of the demolition.

Umar also thanked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the intervention but appealed for additional assistance, saying many affected traders could not afford to build shops and resume their businesses.

He said the gathering was organised to mark the completion of 111 recitations of the Holy Quran and offer prayers for the emir and the governor in appreciation of their efforts on behalf of the traders.

We are deeply grateful for what has been done for us. We thank His Royal Highness the Emir and His Excellency the Governor for showing us compassion,” Umar said.

However, he appealed to the governor to provide further support, noting that many affected traders lacked the financial means to rebuild their businesses despite the allocation.

We are all his people, his subjects. We appeal to His Excellency the Governor out of his compassion because many of us do not have the means to build on this site,” he said.

Umar explained that many members depended entirely on their businesses to provide for their families, adding that some affected traders had died since the demolition, leaving their families in difficult circumstances.

The development follows the demolition of shops at the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground in June 2023, shortly after Yusuf assumed office. The exercise formed part of the administration’s wider demolition of structures it considered illegal within the Kano metropolis. Reports at the time also documented the destruction of shops and the looting of goods by hoodlums.

The demolition prompted affected traders to seek compensation through the courts. In September 2023, a Federal High Court in Kano ordered the state government to pay ₦30bn in compensation to the shop owners.

Umar said the traders remained grateful for the steps taken to address their concerns but maintained that additional support was necessary to help more victims return to business and restore their livelihoods.

He also expressed confidence that the association and people connected to the traders’ businesses could contribute significantly to the governor’s support base ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

“I give His Excellency the Governor the good news that from the people of the Eid ground alone, at a minimum, we will give him 500,000 votes. That is the minimum,” Umar said.

He pledged the association’s support for Yusuf in 2027 while urging the government to consider the plight of traders who were still unable to recover from the demolition.

Abiodun gave the charge while presenting the Certificate of Appointment and Staff of Office to the monarch at his official installation ceremony in Iperu Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Oladunjoye Hamzat, described the appointment as a call to service and urged the new monarch to deploy his experience and managerial skills towards advancing the socio-economic development of the community.

He also called on the people of Iperu Remo to support the monarch and work collectively with him to sustain peace, unity and development.

According to Abiodun, Oba Adenaike's emergence followed the death of his predecessor, Oba Adeleke Adelekan Idowu-Basibo, who joined his ancestors on February 6, 2025.

He explained that the nomination and selection process that produced the new monarch complied with the provisions of the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law, 2021.

The governor congratulated Oba Adenaike, the Remo Traditional Council and the people of Remo Land for their cooperation and peaceful conduct throughout the selection process, describing the installation as an opportunity to strengthen the traditional institution and accelerate development across Iperu Remo and Ogun State.

Abiodun noted that the monarch's status as a first-class traditional ruler, a high-ranking member of the Remo Traditional Council and a permanent member of the Ogun State Council of Obas placed significant responsibilities on him.

He urged the monarch to extend a hand of fellowship to every segment of the community, including the princes who contested the throne with him.

"I implore you to be the father of all, irrespective of political, religious and social directions, while ensuring that your hand of love and fellowship is extended to all sons and daughters of the soil, including those who contested the stool with you," the governor said.

He further urged Oba Adenaike to mobilise the people in support of the state government's development agenda, stressing that collective participation was essential to achieving sustainable progress.

The governor also encouraged the monarch to maintain cordial relations with neighbouring communities and promote civic responsibility among his subjects.

Reaffirming his administration's commitment to industrial growth and investment attraction, Abiodun said the government would continue to pursue initiatives aimed at improving the economic prospects of Ogun State for the benefit of its residents.

He also commended the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, for his continued support and contributions to the development of Remo Land.

Abiodun expressed optimism that the new monarch's reign would usher in greater peace, prosperity and development for Iperu Remo and its environs.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Adenaike expressed gratitude to Almighty God, whom he referred to as Olodumare, and appreciated the individuals and institutions that supported him throughout the nomination and selection process.

The monarch pledged to lead with humility, fairness and a strong sense of responsibility, assuring residents that his reign would be guided by justice, accessibility and a commitment to the collective interests of the community.

He stressed that religious differences and political affiliations must not become sources of division among the people of Iperu Remo.

"Our diversity in faith should never become a source of division; rather, it should strengthen our collective commitment to peace, mutual respect and the development of Iperu," he said.

Oba Adenaike specifically extended a hand of fellowship to the princes who contested the throne alongside him, acknowledging their courage, patriotism and commitment to the community.

He said the contest was over and urged all parties to set aside their differences and work together for the advancement of Iperu Remo.

"This is the time to put our differences aside, embrace one another, and demand for peace, progress and development of Iperu," the monarch stated.

He added that the true measure of success would not merely be the emergence of a new king but the ability of the community to become more united, prosperous and better positioned for future generations.

"Let us remember that the true victory is not simply that one person has emerged as king, but that Iperu Akesan Land emerges stronger, more united and more prosperous," he said.

The monarch also appealed to the various ruling houses in Iperu to sustain the spirit of brotherhood, mutual respect and understanding, stressing that their shared heritage should take precedence over individual differences.

He specifically acknowledged the Fibigbuwa, Agbonmagbe, Amororo (Mogunsen) and Odoru royal dynasties, urging them to work together to preserve the community's traditions and build a stronger future.

Oba Adenaike thanked the kingmakers and other stakeholders who participated in the selection process, noting that their support and prayers had encouraged him throughout the process.

He also pledged to protect the dignity of the Alaperu throne, describing it as a royal heritage that transcends any individual occupant.

Outlining his vision for Iperu Remo, the monarch identified community welfare, cultural preservation, youth empowerment, opportunity creation and the strengthening of traditional institutions as key priorities of his reign.

He called on captains of industry, professionals, artisans, youth groups, women's organisations and other prominent indigenes to partner with the palace in advancing the town's development.

He also appealed to Iperu indigenes living outside the community and in the diaspora to renew their commitment to their ancestral home by contributing their knowledge, experience, resources and connections to local development.

The monarch assured residents that his palace would remain open to all those willing to contribute positively to the advancement of the community.

According to him, stronger cooperation in education, healthcare, commerce, youth development and other sectors would enable Iperu Remo to make greater contributions to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria.

He expressed confidence that the town's rich history, human resources and emerging development opportunities could be harnessed to build a more prosperous community.

Oba Adenaike also commended Governor Abiodun for upgrading the Ogun State Cooperative College in Shasha, Iperu, to offer National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes.

He further noted that the Gateway International Airport project in the Iperu-Ilishan axis had enhanced the strategic importance and development prospects of the area.

The monarch assured the governor of Iperu Remo's readiness to contribute more to the state's economic growth, adding that stronger partnerships among government, traditional institutions, private investors and residents would help unlock the community's development potential.

The Ebi of Idena, Oba Lukman Oluwadamilare Adebambo Salami, who represented the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo Land, also called on the people of Iperu Remo to sustain unity and strengthen relationships across the different sections of the community.

He noted that Iperu comprises several sections, including Idena, Idarika and Afukon, and urged residents to preserve their common identity while working together for the town's progress.

His appeal underscored the importance of cooperation among traditional institutions and community groups in maintaining peace and promoting development.

Other traditional rulers at the event included the Odemo of Isara Remo, Oba Peter Oluwole Ogunbayo; the Akufon of Idarika, Oba Olugbenga Somade; and the Onimeji of Imeji, Oba Babatunde Kayode Olayebo.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, an indigene of Iperu, was also present to support the commissioner during the presentation of the instruments of office.

The Chairman of Ikenne Local Government Area, Hon. Jamiu Mohammad Asimi, urged the people of Iperu Remo to give the new monarch the necessary support to succeed on the throne.

He also urged residents to support the Ogun State Government's development initiatives and called on them to back the administration's political platform, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in forthcoming elections.

The ceremony attracted members of the Association of Remo Oloris (Queens), the Iperu Regency led by the Olisa of Iperu, High Chief Rotimi Odutona, other high chiefs, religious leaders and representatives of various sectors of the community.

The Alaperu's Multipurpose Hall was filled to capacity as traditional rulers, government officials, community leaders and well-wishers gathered to witness the presentation of the Staff of Office. Security personnel were also on hand to maintain order throughout the ceremony.

The installation of Oba Adenaike marks a new chapter in the traditional leadership of Iperu Remo, with the monarch's emphasis on reconciliation, inclusive leadership and collective responsibility setting the tone for his reign.

The success of his vision will depend on sustained cooperation among the ruling houses, traditional institutions, government, indigenes at home and abroad, and the wider community as Iperu Remo seeks to strengthen its cultural heritage, deepen unity and accelerate socio-economic development.

University of Bradford Scholarships For International Students are available for high-performing International Students from all countries who want to pursue a bachelor, or postgraduate degree in any field of study. 

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun Command has called for a media-security alliance with journalists to safeguard critical infrastructure and enhance public trust. 

This was highlighted during an engagement between the NSCDC and the executive members of the  Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ on Friday in Abeokuta.

​Speaking on the imperative of media-security synergy, the State Commandant, Commandant (Dr.) Remilekun Ekundayo, described the media as an indispensable pillar in Nigeria’s national development architecture and overall security governance.

​Ekundayo noted that effective national security is not just about tactical operations, but also about engaging people and communities, and about sharing verified facts.

​She emphasised that safeguarding critical national assets such as petroleum pipelines, telecommunications infrastructure, power grids, and public utilities, requires active public cooperation, which can only be achieved through responsible media reportage.

​“National security agencies across the federation must build structured partnerships with journalists to combat misinformation, stem public panic during emergencies, and uphold operational integrity.

​“To ensure seamless coordination and verified information flow, the Command’s Public Relations Office will maintain open operational lines with national correspondents stationed in the state,” she said. 

​Ekundayo added that while law enforcement agencies must remain committed to transparency, media practitioners must equally balance the right to information with operational confidentiality and national stability.

​Responding on behalf of the media delegation, 
Comrade Yetunde Fatungase, Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, reaffirmed reporters' commitment to ethical journalism and patriotism.

​
Highlighting the NSCDC's key roles in civil protection, internal security, and private guard regulation, Fatungase assured that journalists remain committed to supporting national stability through fair report

“As journalists, we understand the importance of accurate and responsible reporting in security matters. 

“We also recognise the vital contributions of the NSCDC in protecting critical national assets, safeguarding lives and property, and supporting efforts to maintain peace and order.

​“Institutional collaboration between security agencies and news organisations is vital to fostering public confidence and bridging communication gaps between the populace and law enforcement,” she said.

​NAN reports that the engagement concluded with a joint commitment by both institutions to forge closer nationwide synergy in public enlightenment, infrastructure protection, and community-driven security advocacy.

(NAN)

Operatives of the Department of State Services, the military, and the police on Friday arrested five suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the abduction of 20 National Youth Service Corps members in Imo State on Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day.

The suspects were arrested during a series of intelligence-led operations conducted at different locations in Rivers and Abia states between October 10 and 14, 2026.

Three other suspects reportedly escaped during the operations with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

Security sources disclosed that the operations were carried out in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and the Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State.

A DSS source familiar with the development confirmed the arrests to Saturday PUNCH on Friday.

The source disclosed that security operatives were intensifying efforts to arrest other members of the gang, particularly those who escaped with gunshot injuries.

“Five among those responsible for the abduction of the graduates have been arrested in a joint operation carried out by operatives of the DSS, police, and the Army.

“Three of them escaped into the bush with gunshot injuries sustained during the encounter with security operatives, and efforts are ongoing to arrest them,” the source said.

The source added that rounds of ammunition, AK-47 rifles, and an English pistol were recovered from the suspects.

The source, however, remained silent on whether the ransom reportedly paid to secure the release of the victims was recovered.

The 20 prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, near Umunoha in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, while travelling in two commercial buses belonging to Uko Akwa Ibom Motors.

They were heading for Abia and Akwa Ibom states. The kidnappers subsequently demanded N50m per graduate.

The police last Wednesday announced the rescue of the abducted graduates at Amakohia Ubi Village in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

The families, however, disputed the police rescue claim, insisting that a ransom was paid to secure their release.

Tension erupted at the Ogolonto Bus Stop along Ikorodu Road, Lagos State, on Friday after an angry mob set a Bus Rapid Transit bus ablaze following a fatal accident involving a motorcyclist.

The mob also attacked the BRT driver before police officers and officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps intervened and rescued him.

The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Amodu Shakiru, confirmed the incident to Saturday PUNCH.

He said the fire service received a distress call at about 10:21 a.m. and that personnel arrived at the scene to find the BRT bus engulfed in flames.

The information got to us at about 10:21 hrs, and on arrival at the scene, we met the BRT bus at Ogolonto Bus Stop, along Ikorodu Road, and we were able to douse the fire on the bus.

It was reported that some aggrieved persons set the bus on fire because of an accident the BRT bus was involved in. The driver was beaten, but he is still alive. He was rescued by security operatives and has received medical attention,” he said.

Shakiru added that he could not provide further details about the accident.

A video seen by Saturday PUNCH showed the BRT bus engulfed in flames as firefighters battled to put out the fire.

An X user, @kinglammyjames, who shared details of the incident, wrote, “Live at OGOLONTO. A bike man was crushed to death by the BRT bus, and in turn, the street boys burned down the BRT bus.”

Another X user, @AkinlabiOlabod1, also reported that a BRT bus was set ablaze by residents in the Ogolonto area.

He wrote, “A BRT set ablaze by Ogolonto boys along Ikorodu Road. The okada rider is rumoured to be a prominent member of the Eiye confraternity in the area, reportedly their number 1.”

The claim about the identity of the deceased, however, could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.

The circumstances surrounding the crash, including the identity of the deceased motorcyclist, were also yet to be officially confirmed.

The burning of the bus coincided with another road crash reported in the Ogolonto area.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, in a post on X, said a sixty-tyre mini truck loaded with perishable goods had earlier crashed into two Toyota Coaster buses at Ogolonto, inward Agric, at about 4:53 p.m.

LASTMA said the crash was reportedly caused by brake failure and that no casualties were recorded.

The agency added that the vehicles had been moved to one side of the road while its officials worked to resolve the incident and manage traffic flow in the area.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has seized and destroyed counterfeit and unwholesome products worth more than N5.3bn in a week.

The agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Christiana Obiazikwor, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH on Friday, detailing operations involving suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages, repackaged products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, tomato paste and biscuits.

According to her, NAFDAC seized suspected counterfeit alcoholic drinks and illegally brewed or repackaged products valued at N2bn at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex on October 13.

The agency also seized suspected fake drinks and packaging materials worth more than N700m in Aba, Abia State, while goods valued at N2.6bn were destroyed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday.

Obiazikwor said operatives uncovered more than 20 illegal stores at Zamfara Plaza, within the Trade Fair Complex, where they discovered activities involving the counterfeiting of popular alcoholic beverage brands, the revalidation of expired drinks and the stockpiling of banned imported products.

She added that two suspects were arrested during the operation and the seized products were evacuated from the premises.

Fake drinks, packaging materials uncovered in Aba

In Aba, NAFDAC operatives raided five shops at Old Court Road Market over suspected counterfeit alcoholic beverages and packaging materials.

Obiazikwor said the products seized during the operation were valued at more than N700m.

According to the agency, the materials included fake labels, corks, packs and outer packaging bearing the names of established brands.

NAFDAC said its officers encountered resistance from traders during the operation, affecting the evacuation of the materials.

The agency added that the shop owners were absent and the premises were placed on hold to prevent interference with the items left behind.

Speaking on another discovery, Obiazikwor said NAFDAC officials uncovered a suspected alcoholic beverage counterfeiting operation at No. 25 Omenazu Street, Aba, on October 15.

She said the facility was allegedly used to produce spirits and herbal liqueurs under unhygienic conditions.

According to her, the operator fled after officials arrived at the facility following a tip-off, abandoning his car.

She said a vehicle there contained labels and products bearing the names Sir Edwards Scotch Whisky and Scottish Hills Whisky, as well as empty bottles in the boot.

“A drum containing about 200 litres of liquid and a product branded Café Rum Whisky were also found,” Obiazikwor added.

She said operatives also discovered 200-litre drums containing ethanol, plastic buckets, pieces of tree bark, packaging materials, corks, tanks containing liquid mixtures, dirty sieves, sealing machines, bottles bearing popular brand names and cartons.

Obiazikwor said the materials and facility were valued at more than N500m.

N2.6bn goods destroyed in Port Harcourt

In a separate exercise in Port Harcourt, NAFDAC destroyed products valued at N2.6bn, according to Obiazikwor.

The goods included pharmaceutical products, chemicals, tomato paste, biscuits and other items the agency described as unwholesome. They were intercepted and seized by the Nigeria Customs Service at Onne Port between 2025 and 2026.

The Chairman of the Federal Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods in Nigeria, Dr Martins Iluyomade, who represented NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, spoke at the destruction site on Friday.

Iluyomade, who is also NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, said the exercise demonstrated cooperation between the agency and the Nigeria Customs Service in disposing of seized goods.

He said the process began in 2025 and that both agencies had signed memoranda of understanding to facilitate the destruction of the products.

“This gesture corroborates the existing good relationship we have between NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service. We have MoUs signed, but we have people who have to work behind the scenes to make sure that the MoUs work.

“The willingness of the officers of the two agencies to make the MoU work is what has led to what we are doing today,” he said.

Iluyomade said the exercise was the first phase, adding that more seized goods were expected to be brought from the port for destruction.

What you see here right now, this is the flag-up; others are still coming out of the port, and I want to urge the Nigeria Customs Service to quickly facilitate the remaining containers to be here on time for destruction,” he added.

He called for cooperation among government agencies involved in the fight against counterfeit products and illicit activities, warning against inter-agency rivalry.

Representing the Enforcement Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Area II Command, Superintendent of Customs Elizabeth Abosede commended NAFDAC for the exercise.

The South-South Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Chukwuma Oligbu, represented by his deputy, Rita Chukwuma, said the exercise was part of the agency’s regulatory functions.

She added that the objective was to rid communities of fake and substandard products.

Public health risks

A public health expert, Olusoji Aramide, said adulterated alcoholic beverages could expose consumers to harmful substances.

He added that counterfeit or substandard medicines might contain incorrect ingredients, inadequate quantities of active ingredients or contaminants, potentially undermining treatment and putting patients at risk.

Aramide said counterfeit packaging could also make products appear genuine and conceal their origins, expiry dates or contents.

NAFDAC has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant about suspicious products and report illegal manufacturing, repackaging and sales activities to the agency.

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested two suspected bandits and recovered more than 150 livestock suspected to have been rustled at Gidan Mutum Daya in Kusada Local Government Area of the state.

The police also dismissed reports that bandits blocked the Katsina-Kano highway in the area, explaining that the temporary disruption of traffic occurred when security operatives moved the recovered livestock across the road.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and local vigilantes arrested the suspects during a routine patrol based on actionable intelligence at about 5pm on Thursday.

The suspects were identified as Abdulkadir Umar, (23) and Suleiman Baiti, (21).

The Katsina State Police Command is aware of a false report circulating on social media alleging that armed bandits blocked the Katsina-Kano Highway at Gidan Mutum Daya in Kusada Local Government Area, Katsina State.

The Command wishes to state categorically that this report is false, misleading, and entirely unfounded.”

To set the record straight: On October 15, 2026, at about 5pm, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and local vigilantes on routine patrol, acting on actionable intelligence, arrested two suspected armed bandits at Gidan Mutum Daya, Kusada LGA.

“Upon preliminary interrogation, both suspects confessed to belonging to a syndicate of armed bandits terrorizing parts of the state.

“Following their confession, at about 6pm on the same day, police operatives attached to the Kusada Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, mobilised jointly with the KSCWC and local vigilantes to a location identified by the suspects. The operation led to the successful recovery of over 150 suspected rustled livestock, comprising cattle, goats, and sheep, which were subsequently moved to a secure facility.

“During the movement of the livestock, vehicular traffic along the Katsina-Kano Highway was briefly halted by security operatives to allow the large herd to safely cross the road. Normal traffic flow was restored immediately afterward.”

The Command insisted that at no point was there an attack by bandits, a road blockade by criminals, or any threat to commuters.

The suspects, identified as Ayomide Lukeman, 22; Shuaib Aremu, 22; and Abdul-Rasheed Mufeed, 23, were arrested by operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit, Saki Operational Base, following intelligence received on September 29, 2026.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, directed the Monitoring Unit to verify the intelligence and take appropriate action, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.

Olayinka said preliminary investigation showed that the suspects allegedly admitted to engaging in homosexual acts.

He added that two of the suspects allegedly confessed to having sexual relations with the third suspect on several occasions, with the latter allegedly regarded by them as their “wife.”

The PPRO said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations and determine whether other persons were connected to the case.

The Oyo State Police Command reiterates its commitment to conducting investigations professionally, impartially, and in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

The command urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to the police to aid crime prevention, detection and investigation.

For emergencies, residents can contact the Oyo State Call Response Centre on 615 or the Police Command Control Room on 08081768614 and 07055495413.

President Bola Tinubu has nominated four national commissioners and two resident electoral commissioners for the Independent National Electoral Commission to fill vacancies created by expiring tenures.

He urged the Senate to confirm the nominees quickly ahead of the general elections in January.

A statement on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Senate would screen all six nominees.

The new national commissioners are Prof. Mustapha Aliu (North-West), to replace Prof. Abdullahi Zuru; Bashir Umar (North-Central), to replace Prof. Muhammad Adamu; and Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola (South-West), to replace Prof. Cornelius Ajayi, whose tenure expires on October 24.

Babalola is currently the resident electoral commissioner in Osun State.

The two resident electoral commissioners are a retired permanent secretary, Dr. Samuel Akinjide Akinleye, who will represent Ekiti State, and Zahradden Basiru Sanusi, from Jigawa State, who will replace Prof. Saidu Ahmed Babura.

Tinubu asked the Senate to expedite the confirmation because of the elections in January, the statement said.

President Tinubu urged the Senate to expedite the nominees’ confirmation in view of the forthcoming General elections next January,” the statement read.

Supporters of the Kwankwasiyya Movement on Friday protested in Kano over the alleged omission of the National Democratic Congress governorship candidate from the list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

 The protesters, led by the deputy governorship candidate, Mustapha Kwankwaso, representing the candidate, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, marched to the INEC state office, where he submitted a formal petition demanding the reinstatement of their candidate.

Kwankwaso said the group had fulfilled all rules and regulations laid down by the commission regarding the nomination of candidates, describing the exclusion as unjust.

Addressing the protesters, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, Abdu Zango, said the commission had noted the reason for the omission and that there was still a window for appeal until October 24.

Basically, what they came to do is to present a complaint about the omission of their candidates.

“Luckily, INEC has made the point very clear: the reason for the omission, and the fact that there is a window of appeal that has been provided up to the 24th of October.

“We received all the complaints and assured the delegation that their petition will receive the necessary attention, and we are going to forward it to our national headquarters for consideration. As far as we are concerned in Kano here, we are very neutral.

Zango commended the group for adopting a peaceful and orderly approach in presenting their grievance rather than resorting to violence.

He also spoke on the ongoing Permanent Voter Card collection, which commenced on October 9, expressing satisfaction with the turnout so far.

Zango assured that collection points would be extended to Registration Areas to make it easier for citizens.

Also speaking, the spokesperson for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Habib Mohammed, said the petition went beyond the omission of their candidate, as it included allegations of forgery and collusion by an INEC staff member.

“Another reason is a petition against a staff member here, whom we believe colluded with some unauthorised people to hide a decision which led to the substitution of some of our candidates.”

“There is a regulation on the activities of the party and even authorised officers that are supposed to be engaging INEC. In a situation where multiple letters were submitted, some with suspected forged signatures, that is why we feel the need to bring it to light.”

He alleged that unauthorised letters were submitted to the INEC headquarters, leading to the substitution of their candidates in Kano.

This officer you are talking about, is he an officer of INEC?” he said. “Yes, he is an officer of INEC, who is supposed to have dealt with authorised people. We have seen multiple letters delivered to INEC headquarters. Those things constitute part of the reason why some of our candidates were actually substituted.”

Mohammed said the group had asked INEC to investigate the officer before taking further action, adding that they were satisfied with the assurances given by the Resident Electoral Commissioner.

“We thank God he received us very well and has assured us that he is going to do the needful within his own power.

“We are expecting him to escalate this particular petition up to the headquarters, which he assures us he is going to do today,” he said.

The Department of State Services has arrested Faisal, son of the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, and handed him over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Security sources disclosed that Faisal’s arrest followed intelligence indicating that he had secretly returned to Nigeria.

“His arrest followed credible intelligence which indicated that Faisal had secretly returned to the country,” a source said.

The source added that DSS operatives tracked and arrested him in the Karsana area of Abuja before handing him over to the EFCC.

Faisal had been on the run since 2020 after being arraigned by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering.

In October 2021, the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted him on money laundering charges and sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment.

The trial judge, Okon Abang, held that the EFCC had established that Faisal operated a fictitious bank account with the United Bank for Africa through which his father allegedly laundered N58.1m.

The court said the money was deposited into an account operated in the name of Alhaji Faisal Farm 2 and withdrawn by Faisal and his father between October 2013 and June 2019.

In November 2022, the Court of Appeal upheld Faisal’s conviction but reduced his sentence from 14 years to seven years, ruling that the trial court should not have imposed the maximum sentence on a first-time offender.

His father, Maina, served a prison sentence for laundering pension funds before his subsequent release and later troubles with the law.

...pledges grassroots mobilisation for APC candidates

The Convener of I-Women (Ijebu Women for Development and Empowerment Initiatives), Mrs. Yinka Ogundimu, has welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to sponsoring executive bills aimed at improving women’s representation in elective and appointive positions, describing it as a commendable step towards inclusive governance.

I-Women, a network of professional Ijebu women at home and in the diaspora, urges state governments, particularly the Ogun State Government, to take a cue from the President by creating more opportunities for women to participate meaningfully in governance.

Mrs. Ogundimu commended the President for recognising women’s contributions to democracy and stressed that women must not only be mobilised during elections but also given greater opportunities to occupy leadership positions.

She particularly applauded the APC gubernatorial candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), for demonstrating commitment to women’s inclusion through his nomination of a woman as his deputy, describing the decision as an encouraging example of putting words into action.

She assured President Tinubu and the leadership of the APC of I-Women’s readiness to intensify grassroots mobilisation, particularly across the Ijebu hinterland, in support of all APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

These include Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), the APC gubernatorial candidate; Governor Dapo Abiodun, the APC senatorial candidate; and all other candidates flying the APC banner across Ijebu Federal Constituency.

Mrs. Ogundimu reaffirmed I-Women’s commitment to women’s political empowerment, grassroots engagement and the advancement of Ijebu communities, noting that sustained mobilisation and inclusive leadership are essential to democratic progress.

The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour, Chief Titi Atiku Abubakar, wife of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has said Nigerian girls are becoming a nuisance in foreign countries, a situation she said has contributed to international partners’ support for anti-human trafficking efforts in Nigeria.

Abubakar made the statement on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of NACTAL’s review of the 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the United States Department of State.

Explaining the motivation behind the support from international partners, she said they wanted Nigerian girls to remain in the country rather than migrate abroad and become a burden on their host countries.

“You see, why our partners are actually helping us? Because they want our girls to stay at home. Our girls are becoming nuisance in overseas countries. So that is why these partners are helping us,” she said.

She added that the partners were supporting both Nigeria’s anti-trafficking efforts and the girls to enable them to remain in their country.

“They are supporting us, they are supporting the girls. They want them to stay at home and do whatever they want to do in their homes, in their country,” Abubakar said.

The NACTAL board chair also called for stronger collaboration among civil society organisations, saying the network could not tackle human trafficking, abuse and child labour without broader participation

She described the organisations working with NACTAL as frontline actors in the fight against trafficking and related offences.

NACTAL has about 286 foot soldiers, those are the CSOs that are working with NACTAL because NACTAL alone cannot do it. So we must bring everybody on board to help in this fight,” she said.

Meanwhile, the immediate past president of NACTAL and regional representative of the West African Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, Abdulganiu Abubakar, said the network’s review of the 2025 US report found that the contributions of the Nigerian government, development partners and civil society organisations were underrepresented.

He said the review was commissioned after the report’s release to examine its assessment of Nigeria’s efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly in victim protection, rehabilitation and shelter provision.

According to him, development partners had supported policy development, provided assistance to victims and helped refurbish shelters operated by civil society organisations and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.

Abubakar said about 10 NAPTIP shelters had benefited from refurbishment support, but the interventions were not adequately captured in the US report.

He added that the contributions of more than 289 NACTAL member organisations and Nigeria’s role in regional anti-trafficking initiatives in West Africa deserved greater recognition.

However, he acknowledged that Nigeria continued to face challenges in implementing anti-trafficking policies, citing inadequate funding, weak political will and shortcomings in the prosecution of cases, particularly high-profile cases.

He urged the Federal Government to increase funding for ministries, departments and agencies responsible for combating human trafficking and demonstrate stronger commitment to enforcing existing policies.

“The government of Nigeria needs to do a lot in terms of funding. The political will and commitment should improve,” he said.

Abubakar also called on the government to create an enabling environment for civil society organisations and development partners to operate independently while complementing government efforts.

He further urged the authorities to recognise investigative journalists who expose human trafficking cases and alleged perpetrators.

In his remarks, NACTAL President, Osita Osemene, announced plans to increase the network’s membership from about 286 civil society organisations to 500 within the first three months of his administration and at least 1,000 within one year.

Osemene said the expansion would strengthen local participation and improve support for victims and vulnerable groups.

He maintained that the fight against human trafficking should not be left to international partners, urging Nigerians to take greater responsibility for addressing the problem.

“The fight against human trafficking is a collective responsibility, and everybody must come together to ensure that this fight is won,” he said.

Osemene added that his administration would prioritise capacity-building programmes to equip more civil society actors with the professional skills required to respond to human trafficking and child labour cases.

He said the initiative would combine an expansion in membership with training to improve the quality of interventions available to victims.

The House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities has called for increased funding for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project to enable it to complete outstanding projects under the Ogoni cleanup exercise.

The committee, led by its chairman, Dumnamene Dekor, made the call on Thursday after a two-day oversight visit to some HYPREP project sites in Ogoniland, Rivers State, while speaking to journalists.

Dekor said the initial funds provided for the cleanup had been utilised, adding that the level of project implementation had exceeded initial expectations.

He said, “We hear, read on the pages of newspapers and see on social media every day all kinds of millions and dollars. The funds are not available.

Let us understand that for this project to be sustainable, and for even the cleanup and all of that to be completed, much more funds are needed.

“So we call on all those who have a responsibility of ensuring that funds are provided to do the needful. The initial fund was like a take-off grant. So we have taken off much more than was expected.

“Those who polluted should come back to pay. I understand the NNPC, now Renaissance, formerly Shell, all of the other partners made this contribution. It is time for them to continue. So if they brought a billion dollars before, we’d be asking for much more than a billion dollars.”

He added, “There are some sites, mostly those very complex sites. Work will need to take off on those sites.”

The lawmaker also disclosed that the committee had initiated a bill to extend the cleanup exercise to other oil-polluted communities in the Niger Delta.

“Let me first of all inform you that this is a pilot scheme. And aside from the fact that we have issues of environmental degradation, as you can find in all other parts of the Niger Delta.

“What we have decided to do, because we have presided over all host communities, all bearing communities, what we have done is that the committee has come up with a bill, which we have also got HYPREP involved, the Ministry of Environment and all of the people that are supposed to be involved, they are involved in it,” Dekor said.

He commended HYPREP for its commitment to the cleanup, expressing satisfaction that all the projects visited were more than 80 per cent complete.

Dekor also praised the agency for empowering Ogoni youths with specialised skills that could be in demand globally.

“Many younger Ogoni have been trained in very specialised skills, skills that are sought after all over the world. I understand about 2,400 of them are listed, and the centres where they have been trained.

And we interacted with the students, and we are proud to see that in a couple of years from now Ogonis will be littered with all kinds of young professionals who have decided to devote themselves and take full advantage of the opportunity that HYPREP has provided,” he said.

Meanwhile, HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, said the agency had established more than 120 project sites covering various aspects of the intervention in Ogoniland.

Zabbey said the projects included environmental remediation, shoreline cleanup, provision of potable water, strengthening of hospitals, job creation and skills training for youths and women.

He said, “And today we are very excited to have the House of Reps Committee on Host Communities come to visit our project sites.

“We have over 120 project sites cutting across all the thematic areas that HYPREP is intervening in, from remediation to shoreline cleanup, to provisioning of potable water, strengthening of hospitals, creating jobs, providing skills for the youths and women of Ogoni.”

He added that the visit would give the committee first-hand knowledge of the projects and enable its members to make recommendations on areas requiring improvement.

Zabbey said, “So for us, it provides an opportunity for the committee on Host Communities to visit by themselves and be able to judge and make recommendations as to what we need to improve. So we are happy to host them.”

The Bauchi State Police Command has warned political parties against abusive language, hate speech and political violence, urging them to adopt issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The command also assured political parties of adequate and impartial security during the electioneering period.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement made available to Punch on Friday.

Habib said the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Abdulmajid Isah, gave the warning during a meeting with political party leaders at the police headquarters in Bauchi

The commissioner urged the parties to prioritise peace and promote their policies rather than engage in personal attacks.

“Politics is a contest of ideas. Bauchi State is bigger than any election, and we must all work to keep the peace,” the CP was quoted as saying.

The statement said the meeting was attended by 12 representatives of 10 registered political parties in the state.

The commissioner urged party leaders to promote their policies and manifestos rather than attack political opponents.

He also cautioned them against using abusive language against opponents, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, traditional institutions and security agencies.

The police boss further warned political parties against blocking roads, disrupting opponents’ rallies and violating approved venues, time limits and sound restrictions during campaign activities.

He said political parties must also desist from taking arms, dangerous weapons and illicit drugs to political gatherings, as well as mobilising thugs, Sara-Suka groups and vigilantes.

Habib added that the command had warned political parties that their online activities would be monitored by its Cybercrime Unit.

“The command also reminded political parties that cyberspace is being monitored. Its Cybercrime Unit will monitor online campaigns, and parties will be held responsible for the actions of their agents, supporters and media handlers,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the commissioner highlighted relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the Cybercrimes Act, which prescribe sanctions for offences including political thuggery, violence, destruction of campaign materials, hate speech, incitement, cyberbullying, stalking and the deliberate spread of false information.

In their responses, the party representatives commended the police for the engagement and called for equal and fair treatment of all political parties.

They also urged the command to caution political parties against indiscriminately placing posters, banners and billboards in public spaces.

The representatives expressed concern over campaign materials obstructing traffic at roundabouts and junctions across the state, warning that the practice could cause road accidents.

The statement said the command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all political parties.

The police also urged the parties to appoint peace and compliance officers to liaise with divisional police officers and area commanders and prepare to sign the Bauchi State Peace Accord before the commencement of full campaigns.

The commissioner further urged political leaders to call their supporters to order and use their platforms to promote peace, tolerance and unity in the state.

President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria has assembled a pipeline of 65 investment projects seeking $78.5bn in funding, inviting local and international investors to explore the opportunities.

Tinubu disclosed this in a statement on Friday, following the presentation of the projects by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, at the Nigeria Investors Forum, held on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok.

The President also welcomed the World Bank Group’s efforts to mobilise up to $5.79bn in private financing for Nigeria, saying the partnership would support investment in agriculture, digital infrastructure and business expansion.

He said, “We undertook our economic reforms to build a stronger foundation for investment and give more Nigerians the opportunity to earn a better living.

“I welcome the World Bank Group’s work to mobilise up to $5.79 billion in private financing for Nigeria. This partnership supports our efforts to help businesses expand and attract investment into agriculture and digital infrastructure.

Nigeria has gone a step further to put together a pipeline of 65 bankable projects seeking $78.5 billion in investment. Our Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, presented these opportunities alongside CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso at the Nigeria Investors Forum, on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok.

“I invite Nigerian and international investors to examine these projects and engage directly with their sponsors through Projects Nigeria. Our administration will work with you to resolve obstacles and move viable investments into execution, creating jobs and expanding opportunities for our people.”

Tinubu said the government would work with investors to address obstacles to viable investments and facilitate their implementation.

The statement was signed by the President, Bola Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria has assembled a pipeline of 65 investment projects seeking $78.5bn in funding, inviting local and international investors to explore the opportunities.

Tinubu disclosed this in a statement on Friday, following the presentation of the projects by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, at the Nigeria Investors Forum, held on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok.

The President also welcomed the World Bank Group’s efforts to mobilise up to $5.79bn in private financing for Nigeria, saying the partnership would support investment in agriculture, digital infrastructure and business expansion.

He said, “We undertook our economic reforms to build a stronger foundation for investment and give more Nigerians the opportunity to earn a better living.

“I welcome the World Bank Group’s work to mobilise up to $5.79 billion in private financing for Nigeria. This partnership supports our efforts to help businesses expand and attract investment into agriculture and digital infrastructure.

Nigeria has gone a step further to put together a pipeline of 65 bankable projects seeking $78.5 billion in investment. Our Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, presented these opportunities alongside CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso at the Nigeria Investors Forum, on the sidelines of the 2026 IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok.

“I invite Nigerian and international investors to examine these projects and engage directly with their sponsors through Projects Nigeria. Our administration will work with you to resolve obstacles and move viable investments into execution, creating jobs and expanding opportunities for our people.”

Tinubu said the government would work with investors to address obstacles to viable investments and facilitate their implementation.

The statement was signed by the President, Bola Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The TolaOluwa Foundation has apologised for a fundraising appeal it shared following the death of Nigerian gospel singer, Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, admitting that the timing of the appeal was insensitive and caused distress to the bereaved family and others mourning him.

The foundation, in a statement posted on Instagram on Friday, said the appeal was intended to provide support for the late singer’s wife and children but acknowledged that it should have exercised greater caution before making the request public.

“Our intention was to offer support to his wife and children. However, we recognise that posting an appeal so soon after his passing was insensitive and caused distress at a time when his family, friends and community are grieving,” the statement read.

It admitted that it should have considered the timing and possible impact of the appeal more carefully, adding that it ought to have waited for approval from the relevant parties before publishing it.

“We should have considered the timing and impact of our actions more carefully, and awaited approval from the necessary parties,” the foundation stated.

The fundraising appeal also raised questions about its legitimacy, prompting the foundation to address concerns about its operations and status.

It maintained that it was a registered charity with the Corporate Affairs Commission and had a history of providing assistance to people in need.

We also understand that the post raised concerns about the legitimacy of the appeal. We have a track record of offering help to those in need as a registered charity with the Corporate Affairs Commission,” it said.

Despite defending its record, the foundation acknowledged that its previous work did not excuse how it handled the appeal following the singer’s death.

“Nonetheless, we take responsibility for how we communicated on this occasion,” the statement added.

The foundation further disclosed that it had contacted the relevant parties and resolved the issue. It said it would now prioritise the family’s privacy and give them the necessary space to mourn their loss.

We have been in contact with the necessary parties and have resolved the issue. Our priority now is to respect the family’s privacy and give them space to grieve,” it stated.

It also pledged to take a different approach to any future fundraising initiative connected to the family, promising that such efforts would be guided by the family’s wishes and accompanied by clear information on the management of donations.

“Any future support initiative we share will be guided by the family’s wishes, with clear communication about how any funds would be managed,” the foundation said.

Apologising to the singer’s family, friends and others who were hurt by the appeal, the organisation thanked members of the public who raised concerns about the post.

“To his family, loved ones and everyone hurt by the previous post, we are truly sorry. Thank you to those who expressed their concerns and held us accountable in love,” it said.

The statement ended with a call for the late singer’s memory to be respected, saying, “May his memory be honoured with love, dignity and respect.”

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the family of Bolaji announced his death in a statement posted on the singer’s TikTok account on Wednesday.

The family said the gospel minister died in the early hours of October 14, 2026, describing him as “a dearly loved husband, family member, and gospel minister.”

“With deep sorrow, the family announces the passing of Minister Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, Toluwani Gospel Music Ministry (TOGOMM), who passed away in the early hours of 14 October 2026,” the statement read.

The family also appealed to fans, colleagues and well-wishers to remember his wife, relatives and loved ones in their prayers during the difficult period. It said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

The singer’s death prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes on social media, with fans and colleagues expressing sorrow over his passing.

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has said President Bola Tinubu ended promotion backlogs in the services under the ministry and approved lifetime salaries for retired Comptrollers-General and Deputy Comptrollers-General of Immigration.

Tunji-Ojo said this at the closing ceremony of the Specialised Border Control and Immigration Management System (BCIMS) Training at the Immigration Headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

He commended Tinubu for addressing promotion backlogs, noting that no fewer than 50,000 personnel had gained new ranks and offices within three years.

“It has never happened before, but Tinubu did it. He also increased the volume of recruitment, where we now have no fewer that 40,000 new recruits at once.

When it comes to salary increment, Mr President has done it. In terms of hazard allowances, peculiar allowance, he also did,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo also praised the President for his commitment to the welfare of active and retired personnel, highlighting the increase in pensions for retired Comptrollers-General of Immigration.

“Previously, CGs had a pension of about N130,000, it was not encouraging. But what did the president do? He signed, and approved salary for life for CGs and DCGs.

This president has cared for the services more than any president in the history of Nigeria. He has given you his all.

And all he asks from us in the service is to do our jobs well and make Nigerians happy. Everything we have asked of him, he has done. This the least we can do,” he added.

The minister also described Tinubu as a visionary leader whose policies were intended to have long-term and lasting positive impacts.

Tunji-Ojo noted that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu was building a system that would stand the test of time and remain effective even after he left office.

“President Bola Tinubu has never been about the immediate, but the future. He understands that the most prosperous nations do not boil, cook, and eat their seeds, they plant them.

“What this president is doing is planting the seed so that there will be abundance for the future,” he said.

The minister said Tinubu acknowledged that he would not be in office forever, but institutions would remain, adding that what mattered was what would be handed down through generations.

NAN

A forum of governorship candidates of the Democratic Leadership Alliance from across the country has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, pledging to deploy their grassroots political networks to mobilise support for his re-election.

The forum, led by the DLA’s Taraba State governorship candidate, Hon. Aboki Bayonga, announced the endorsement at a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

The candidates also said they would partner with Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A) to garner support for the President.

Those present included the forum’s secretary, Alhaji Adamu Idrisu Chado (Kaduna); Hon. Bekky Folorunso James (Osun); Prof. Valdya Tame (Adamawa); Hon. Ibrahim Musa (FCT); Hon. Sam Umar (Plateau); Alhaji Sani Mohammed (Gombe); Hon. Nnamdi Ugwu (Enugu); and Hon.Brent Micheal (Bauchi), among others.

However, the candidates ruled out defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), clarifying that their endorsement of Tinubu was limited to the presidential election.

They maintained that they would pursue their ambitions for governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly seats under the DLA platform.

Bayonga said the decision followed consultations among party members, who resolved to support Tinubu because the DLA would not field a presidential candidate in the 2027 election

He stressed that the endorsement did not signify an abandonment of the party, noting that the candidates would remain in the DLA and contest their respective elective positions under its platform.

Bayonga stated, “As the Forum of Governorship Candidates of DLA, we are here today declaring our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our Presidential candidate in 2027. Not that we have dropped our aspirations under our own platform. But as for the presidency, we are for Asiwaju 100%. We will work for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to come back. We will do everything possible to make sure that Asiwaju is back in 2027.

“There are so many reasons for our decision, but time will not permit us to sit down and mention them. But if I can mention a few, like the NELFUND that places our children, whether you pay their school fees or you don’t pay their school fees, they depend on themselves. In terms of agriculture, recently, trailers of fertilisers were moving around the country, and they would give you a fertiliser and add 50,000. It helped the farmer, especially those in the rural areas.

“Again, in terms of road construction, you can see what the President is doing concerning the road network. He is making solid roads that, in years to come, will still be permanent.

“And for us, because we don’t have a presidential candidate, but apart from that, we looked at all the presidential candidates. We said, look, you cannot leave the opposition and go and join the opposition. You will not succeed. Therefore, looking at all of them, we compared them and found out that the present government has a lot of things that, if given another four years, it will achieve, and Nigeria will be better.”

Bayonga argued that four years may not be enough to implement programmes that require long-term planning and funding, adding that another term would allow the administration to complete its projects and achieve its goals.

“We want continuity. Four years is not enough to complete every programme, especially projects that require long-term planning and funding,” he said

Asked whether the endorsement had the backing of the DLA national chairman and other governorship candidates, Bayonga said: “Yeah. I am the chairman of the forum of governorship candidates of DLA. And you can see all of us are here. And we agree, and we had a meeting, a general meeting yesterday. We agreed upon what we are doing here.”

He expressed optimism that their established political structures and connections with voters in their respective states would help generate support for the President, noting that grassroots influence extended beyond party affiliation.

The governorship candidate added that several of the candidates had built strong ties with their communities before joining the DLA and planned to leverage those relationships to boost Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

Addressing concerns that Tinubu’s re-election could pave the way for a life presidency, Bayonga dismissed the suggestion, maintaining that the office of the President was governed by the Constitution and the will of the Nigerian people.

He stressed that no individual owned the presidency or could remain in office beyond the constitutionally prescribed tenure.

“The presidency belongs to the Nigerian people. Nobody owns it, and nobody can remain there beyond what the Constitution allows,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress on Tuesday unveiled the membership of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign council, featuring leaders of the ruling party and some opposition figures.

Prominent opposition figures on the list include Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party; and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The APC also indicated that more opposition figures were expected to support Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027.

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund has urged Nigerian academics and researchers to move beyond publishing scholarly papers to developing practical innovations that address societal challenges and create economic opportunities.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Dr Sonny Echono, made the call on Friday through the Assistant Director of Research and Development, Dr Hadiza Ismail, at the closing ceremony of the 35th cohort of the Research for Impact Initiative in Abuja.

Echono said the initiative, implemented in partnership with Innov8 Technology Hub, was part of the fund’s strategy to institutionalise research and development in public tertiary institutions and strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and government.

He said, “We must empower our scholars to create local solutions for our societal problems. This is why a commitment to education is a commitment to our nation’s future, ensuring that our people are not just consumers of foreign technology, but innovators who can drive sustainable growth.

The executive secretary said Nigeria needed to strengthen its capacity to develop home-grown technologies rather than continually depend on innovations from other countries.

He noted that technological advancement had become a major driver of economic transformation, adding that countries seeking sustainable development must invest in quality education, research and innovation.

“At TETFund, we are refocusing and reinvigorating our intervention activities to drive the institutionalisation of Research and Development in public tertiary institutions, enhance research capacity, and support research-industry linkage, among others,” he said.

According to him, the Research for Impact Initiative was designed to reposition public tertiary institutions as drivers of a knowledge-based economy through innovative practices and solution-driven research.

Echono commended Innov8 Technology Hub for providing technical expertise and mentorship to participating academics, urging them to apply the knowledge acquired during the intensive training to develop solutions for their institutions and communities.

He disclosed that some innovations from previous editions of the programme were showcased at the maiden TETFund National Research Fair and Exhibition in November 2024.

He said the second edition of the fair would hold from November 23 to 27, 2026, at the Abuja Trade and Convention Centre, Airport Road, providing opportunities for researchers to showcase their innovations, connect with industry players and explore partnerships to commercialise their research outputs.

The Deputy General Manager of Innov8 Hub, Dr Deji Ige, said the initiative was designed to establish a culture in which research and development drive innovation, enterprise creation and national development.

Ige said the programme was encouraging academics to rethink the purpose of research by developing practical solutions with potential benefits for industry and society.

“Innovation thrives in a culture where research and development are the primary languages of interaction. If we can learn, understand and revive this culture, the outcomes will include inventions, solutions, technological advancement, enterprise development, job creation, wealth generation, meaningful impact and societal development,” he said.

He described the programme as a shift towards stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry and society, adding that research without practical impact could limit the contribution of tertiary institutions to technological advancement.

“Impact-driven research and development is what keeps it afloat and enables it to navigate safely. Without impact flowing from research and development, academia becomes an immobile vessel, bereft of progress, possibilities and the power to navigate,” Ige said.

He added that the partnership between TETFund and Innov8 Hub was helping to strengthen the connection between academic knowledge and practical innovation.

One of the participants, Farida Adamu Mohammed of the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, said the programme had changed her understanding of research by shifting her focus from academic publications to solutions that could be commercialised.

Mohammed said the 10-day intensive training equipped her with skills in identifying real-world problems, selecting viable ideas, understanding users’ needs and developing prototypes.

She said the training also exposed participants to the responsible use of artificial intelligence, the Business Model Canvas, user co-creation and effective communication for pitching ideas to potential funders and collaborators.

“Indeed, R4i has completely changed my perspective on research, shifting my focus from research for publication to research that creates impact, drives commercialisation, and generates profit,” she said.

Mohammed added that the lessons would help her develop research outputs that deliver practical value and have greater prospects for commercialisation.

Similarly, an engineer, Austine Omoraka, of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State, said the programme had strengthened his commitment to applying engineering research to practical challenges in Nigeria, particularly in his state.

Omoraka said the combination of research, prototyping, market validation and business planning had given him a more structured approach to developing ideas into potentially marketable solutions.

“The training has encouraged me to view research not merely as an academic exercise but as a pathway to innovation and societal transformation,” he said.

He added that applying the knowledge gained could contribute to the development of affordable local technologies, entrepreneurship, employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth.

Members of Cohort 35 were divided into six teams to develop and present their innovations.

Team One unveiled Bake Check, a web-based application designed to screen bread for bromate by analysing colour changes in a test solution using image capture and calibration.

Team Two developed EcoCeramix, a bio-absorbent clay geofilter cartridge made from locally calcined clay, silica and rice husk ash. The cartridge is designed to fit standard household water-storage buckets.

Other innovations included Ecosort, a hardware-based device designed to scan piles of waste at dump sites and recycling facilities; Agrivault, a cooperative-operated storage facility; a real-time delivery-tracking application; and a solar-powered, mosquito-responsive device.

The Research for Impact Initiative was established by TETFund and Innov8 Hub in 2022 to help academics and researchers translate research ideas into practical innovations, prototypes and potentially commercial products.

The programme provides hands-on training in problem identification, ideation, testing, prototyping, business planning and pitching, with the aim of helping researchers develop solutions that can be adopted and commercialised.

The Federal Government has approved N40.76bn for the third-quarter 2026 disbursement under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, an increase of N7.88bn over the previous quarter’s allocation of N32.88bn.

The government also announced an extension of health insurance coverage to inmates.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the decisions reinforced the Federal Government’s commitment to improving access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians.

In a statement dated October 16, 2026, the minister said, “The decisions reinforce the Federal Government’s commitment to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, particularly for poor, vulnerable and underserved populations, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).”

The latest allocation represents an “increase of approximately N7.88bn from the N32.88bn allocated for the second quarter of 202

The Basic Health Care Provision Fund is designed to support the delivery of basic healthcare services in Nigeria.

Further details on the implementation of the third-quarter allocation and the arrangements for extending health insurance coverage to inmates were not included in the material provided.

Financial technology company Onafriq said it is shutting down its Baxi agent banking business in Nigeria, citing rising operating costs, currency depreciation, and growing competition that have weakened the economics of its offline payments operations.

The decision affects only its agent banking operations and does not signal an exit from the Nigerian market, the pan-African payments company said in an email to PUNCHOnline on Friday.

According to fintech, changes in Nigeria’s economic environment and the rapid adoption of instant account-to-account transfers had made the business increasingly difficult to sustain.

Onafriq said trading conditions changed significantly from 2024, as the depreciation of the naira and broader macroeconomic pressures altered the economics of running the business.

The company also pointed to the rapid growth of instant account-to-account payments, which changed the mix of transactions processed through agents’ point-of-sale (POS) terminals. Increased competition and the resulting pressure on transaction margins further weakened the business.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Onafriq, Dare Okoudjou, said, “We entered Nigeria with conviction and commitment, but did not achieve the outcome we set out for. Closing this business was a difficult decision to arrive at, one that affects colleagues, agents, and business partners across Nigeria who poured their hearts and soul into building out the Baxi network.

Onafriq entered Nigeria’s agent banking market in 2021 by acquiring Baxi, also known as Capricorn Digital Limited, to expand its presence in the country’s payments industry through a network of point-of-sale agents. The company said it continued investing in the business through 2023 to expand the network and promote digital alternatives to cash-based transactions.

Further, the company pointed to the rapid growth of instant account-to-account payments, which changed the mix of transactions processed through agents’ point-of-sale terminals. Increased competition and the resulting pressure on transaction margins further weakened the business.

Agent banking networks provide access to financial services through third-party outlets equipped with POS terminals, allowing customers to conduct transactions such as cash withdrawals, transfers, and bill payments without visiting bank branches. Their commercial viability depends partly on transaction volumes and the margins operators earn after paying agents and covering operating costs.

As more customers adopt electronic transfers, the volume and types of transactions handled by agents can change, putting pressure on operators whose business models depend on POS activity. Rising costs can further squeeze margins when transaction income fails to keep pace.

Following a review of its long-term strategy and the sustainability of the operation, Onafriq said it concluded that winding down the agent banking business was the appropriate course of action.

The closure will affect employees with roles connected to the agent banking business. However, it assured that every affected employee will be consulted, treated fairly, and supported through the transition.

“We are committed to honesty, fairness, and a well-managed transition for everyone impacted. Nigeria remains central to our mission, and we will continue to serve the market as a Payment Solution Service Provider through the Onafriq payments network and our card issuing services,” the executive added.

The fintech company said agents onboarded via the Baxi payments platform have been transitioned to another principal bank and we have asked our agents to transfer their funds to their preferred principal bank within 30 days.

“Onafriq’s teams are available to provide support and guidance throughout the process. The company will continue to honour its commitments to affected stakeholders and communicate openly during the transition.”
Onafriq entered Nigeria in 2021 by agreeing to acquire Capricorn Digital Limited, which operates under the Baxi brand, to establish a foothold in the country’s digital payments market. The acquisition was completed in March 2022 after receiving approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Founded in 2014, Baxi had built a network of more than 90,000 agents before the acquisition, providing services including cash withdrawals, money transfers, bill payments and account opening. The network offered Onafriq a way to reach Nigerian consumers and small businesses through physical outlets, complementing its wider African payments infrastructure.
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Onafriq, then known as MFS Africa, said the acquisition would connect Nigerian businesses to its cross-border payments network and enable transactions between Nigeria and other African markets. The company had previously focused on connecting banks, mobile money operators and other financial service providers across African countries

The University of Toronto offers graduate funding packages to students pursuing Masters and PhD studies in the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)

The University of Toronto graduate funding package is up to $40,000 including tuition and incidental fees for every selected candidate. The funding also comes with an health insurance scheme.

In this post, we will discuss the details of the scholarship, its eligibility requirements, benefits, and how interested and qualified candidates can apply.

University of Toronto OISE Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Canada 
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: Full Scholarship | $40,000 Award
• No IELTS Required
• Deadline: November 2, 2026

University of Toronto OISE Graduate Funding Package Details:

The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) offers OISE funding packages to students in full-time PhD programs and non-professional MA programs (referred to as the funded cohort). 

OISE funding is designed to provide students in the funded cohort with a minimum level of financial support to offset the cost of graduate education.  

Students in the funded cohort can expect to receive a letter providing the details of their funding package between August 15th and September 30th of each year in which they are a funded student.

Requirements for University of Toronto OISE Graduate Funding Package

To be considered for the University of Toronto OISE Graduate Funding Package, you must:

• be enrolled in eligible full-time PhD programmes and non-professional MA programmes at OISE.
• meet the entry requirements of the OISE and that of the university.
• satisfy the English Language requirements of the University of Toronto.
• be an international or a Canadian student.
• satisfy the university’s terms and conditions each year to continue receiving funding

Benefits of University of Toronto OISE Scholarship 2027

The funding arrangements outlined by OISE include the following:

• PhD and SJD students: A base funding commitment of CAD $40,000, inclusive of tuition and incidental fees, for eligible students in the funded cohort.
• First-year MA students: A minimum funding package of CAD $26,892.39 for the 2026–2027 academic year.
• International students: Funding packages are increased to cover the mandatory University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), according to the university’s stated policy.
• Multiple funding sources: Packages may comprise fellowships, grants, awards, scholarships and employment income.
• Potential teaching and research employment:Eligible students may be required to apply for Graduate Assistantship (GA) or Teaching Assistantship (TA) positions as part of their funding arrangements.

The stated funding values should not be interpreted as cash payments after tuition and fees. The PhD/SJD commitment explicitly includes tuition and incidental fees, and the exact composition of each student’s package depends on their circumstances and applicable funding conditions.

Eligible Programmes for OISE Graduate Funding Package

OISE identifies eligible programmes across four academic departments.

• Applied Psychology and Human Development (APHD)

Eligible programmes include Counselling and Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Education, and School and Clinical Child Psychology. Funding for MA students varies by programme and admission cohort, while eligible PhD students may receive funding for up to four years under the applicable arrangements.

• Curriculum, Teaching and Learning (CTL)

Eligible programmes include Curriculum and Pedagogy and Language and Literacies Education. The published eligibility table lists funding for the first year of the MA and Years 1–4 of the PhD.

• Leadership, Higher and Adult Education (LHAE)

Tour Colleges

Eligible programmes include Adult Education and Community Development, Educational Leadership and Policy, and Higher Education. The published table lists first-year MA funding and funding for Years 1–4 of eligible PhD programmes.

• Social Justice Education (SJE)

Students in Social Justice Education may qualify for funding in the first year of the MA programme or Years 1–4 of the PhD programme, subject to the university’s eligibility requirements.

How to Apply for OISE Graduate Funding Package 2027 (Step by Step)

READ HOW TO APPLY ON OUR NEW VERSION

Deadline: November 2, 2026

A $7bn-plus deep seaport deal, a proposed $10bn LNG project, more than 1,600 kilometres of roads and a cargo airport underscore Ogun State’s ambition to become a leading investment and industrial hub.

By Kayode Akinmade

Ogun State is positioning itself for a new phase of industrial expansion, with a potential investment pipeline exceeding $17 billion anchored by a proposed deep seaport and special economic zone backed by global logistics giant DP World, alongside renewed efforts to revive the long-delayed OgunLNG project with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

The initiatives reflect Governor Dapo Abiodun’s determination to transform the state’s geographical advantages, established industrial base and expanding infrastructure into a powerful magnet for local and international investment.

Since assuming office on May 29, 2019, Abiodun has pursued an economic strategy built around infrastructure development, private-sector partnerships and an enabling business environment. His objective is to move Ogun beyond the advantages of its proximity to Lagos and establish it as a major destination for manufacturing, maritime trade, logistics, energy and industrial production.

The emerging investment pipeline could mark a defining moment in that ambition. A deep seaport, an expansive special economic zone and a major liquefied natural gas project offer the prospect of opening new economic frontiers, attracting businesses, stimulating industrial activity and creating thousands of jobs.

The more than $17 billion, however, represents the potential value of proposed investment initiatives, not funds already deployed. The projects remain at different stages of development, and their ultimate contribution to the economy will depend on implementation.

Nevertheless, their scale, viewed alongside the administration’s investments in roads, aviation and other infrastructure, underscores Ogun’s growing industrial ambitions.

INFRASTRUCTURE AS THE FOUNDATION OF GROWTH

At the heart of Abiodun’s economic agenda is the recognition that sustainable industrialisation requires more than investor-friendly policies. It demands roads that connect factories to markets, efficient transportation systems, reliable logistics and an environment in which businesses can operate and expand.

Since 2019, the administration has constructed and rehabilitated more than 1,600 kilometres of roads across Ogun State, improving connectivity among communities, commercial centres, agricultural areas and industrial clusters.

The road programme has extended across the state’s 20 local government areas, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on infrastructure as an instrument of economic development.

For manufacturers and distributors, efficient road networks can reduce transportation costs, improve access to raw materials and markets, and strengthen supply chains. For farmers and agricultural processors, better roads facilitate the movement of produce and improve access to commercial outlets.

Ogun’s location next to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial and industrial hub, provides a considerable advantage. The administration has sought to complement that proximity with infrastructure capable of supporting a wider range of economic activities and attracting businesses looking to establish or expand operations.

Rail connectivity through the Lagos-Ibadan standard-gauge railway adds to the state’s transportation options, while road projects, including the rehabilitation of the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode-Ore Road, are intended to improve access to markets and strengthen economic links, particularly in Ogun East.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway could further enhance regional connectivity upon completion.

Another major component of the administration’s infrastructure programme is the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport at Iperu-Remo, developed during Abiodun’s first term and subsequently commissioned for operations.

The airport is intended to support cargo transportation, agricultural exports and logistics, creating opportunities for businesses that require efficient air connectivity. Its strategic importance lies in its potential to complement road and rail infrastructure and strengthen Ogun’s participation in domestic and international trade.

In June 2025, Abiodun outlined his ambition to make Ogun the most connected subnational entity in Nigeria through an integrated network of road, rail, air and water transportation.

The strategy recognises that infrastructure is not an end in itself. Its value lies in its ability to support productive activities, attract private capital, facilitate commerce and improve the competitiveness of businesses.

This infrastructure-led approach provides the foundation for Ogun’s pursuit of major maritime and energy investments.

DP WORLD DEAL PUTS OGUN’S COASTLINE IN THE GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT

A major milestone in Ogun’s investment drive came on September 24, 2026, when the state government signed memoranda of understanding with DP World MEA FZE in Paris, France, for the proposed development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone. President Bola Tinubu witnessed the signing.

The proposed development involves an initial investment of more than $7 billion, placing Ogun’s Atlantic coastline at the centre of an ambitious plan to expand Nigeria’s maritime, logistics and industrial capacity.

For a state whose economic profile has traditionally been associated with manufacturing, commerce and its proximity to Lagos, the proposed deep seaport represents an opportunity to establish a stronger presence in international maritime trade.

The accompanying Blue Marine Special Economic Zone is expected to cover more than 10,000 hectares, providing space for industrial facilities, logistics operations and businesses seeking to benefit from proximity to port infrastructure.

The project is projected to generate more than 50,000 direct jobs, although actual employment will depend on the scale and pace of development and the number of businesses that establish operations within the zone.

The significance of the proposed investment extends beyond the construction and operation of a port.

Deep seaports can serve as catalysts for wider economic activity by attracting shipping services, freight operators, warehousing businesses, manufacturers, exporters and distribution companies. Supported by efficient transport links and a competitive business environment, they can help create industrial ecosystems around port facilities.

The proposed special economic zone could reinforce these benefits by attracting businesses involved in manufacturing, processing, assembly, storage and international distribution.

For Ogun, the combination offers the prospect of linking maritime trade directly with industrial production, enabling businesses to move raw materials and finished products more efficiently while accessing domestic and international markets.

The state government has indicated that construction is expected to commence in November 2026, following groundbreaking, with substantial completion projected within approximately two and a half years. The timeline remains subject to implementation arrangements and progress on the project.

If delivered as envisaged, the development could transform the economic significance of Ogun’s coastline, attract new industries and strengthen the state’s position in Nigeria’s maritime and logistics value chain.

It would also represent a significant step in Abiodun’s efforts to attract international investors by combining Ogun’s location, land resources, industrial base and infrastructure plans into a compelling proposition for global businesses.

OGUNLNG REVIVAL ADDS A $10BN ENERGY DIMENSION

While the proposed deep seaport and special economic zone have placed maritime development in the spotlight, renewed engagement over OgunLNG has introduced an equally significant energy dimension to the state’s industrial ambitions.

During discussions with NNPC representatives at Iperu, in Ikenne Local Government Area, Abiodun disclosed a proposed initial investment of $10 billion by the national oil company in the long-delayed liquefied natural gas project associated with the Olokola coastal corridor.

The renewed engagement has revived attention on a project whose development has been delayed for years, raising fresh prospects for investment in gas infrastructure and related industrial activities.

NNPC was represented at the meeting by its Chief Financial Officer, Adedapo Segun, on behalf of the Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.

Discussions surrounding the initiative have highlighted the need for approximately 1,728 hectares of land and about 2.5 kilometres of Atlantic coastline. The Ogun State Government has indicated its willingness to cooperate on land facilitation and relevant incentives to advance the project.

OgunLNG remains a proposed investment under active discussions. Its eventual development will depend on further agreements and the successful completion of the necessary implementation processes.

Even so, the renewed engagement is significant because energy infrastructure is central to the competitiveness of modern industrial economies.

Manufacturing, processing and other energy-intensive industries require dependable energy supplies to operate efficiently and remain competitive. Investment in gas infrastructure can also create opportunities in processing, engineering, construction, maintenance, transportation and related services.

If realised, OgunLNG could complement the proposed deep seaport and special economic zone, strengthening the economic case for industrial development along the coast.

The potential relationship between the projects is important. Maritime infrastructure can facilitate the movement of goods, a special economic zone can accommodate industrial and logistics businesses, while energy investment can support the requirements of an expanding productive economy.

Together, they offer the prospect of a more diversified industrial base, with economic activities extending beyond the state’s existing manufacturing clusters.

BUILDING A COASTAL INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR

The proposed Gateway Deep Sea Port, Blue Marine Special Economic Zone and OgunLNG project are distinct initiatives, but their potential benefits could reinforce one another.

The deep seaport could improve access to international shipping routes. The special economic zone could attract businesses requiring port access and large-scale industrial facilities. The LNG project could support energy-related investment and create opportunities for industries that depend on reliable gas supplies.

If successfully implemented, the combined effect could extend well beyond the projects’ immediate locations.

Transport operators, construction companies, engineering firms, equipment suppliers, professional service providers and small businesses could benefit from the economic activities generated by the developments. Local manufacturers could find new opportunities to expand production, while agricultural processors and exporters could benefit from improved logistics and access to markets.

The proposed coastal investments could complement Ogun’s established industrial base, which includes manufacturing, consumer goods, construction materials and food processing.

Improved access to maritime facilities, logistics services and energy infrastructure could make the state more attractive to investors seeking to establish new operations or expand existing businesses.

This is the broader objective of Abiodun’s investment strategy: to leverage infrastructure, strategic partnerships and Ogun’s natural advantages to attract capital, expand productive capacity and create employment.

Rather than relying solely on its proximity to Lagos, the administration is seeking to strengthen Ogun’s appeal through its infrastructure, industrial opportunities and long-term economic potential.

The success of that strategy will depend on whether the proposed developments translate into functioning commercial facilities and productive industrial activity.

FROM INVESTOR INTEREST TO TANGIBLE ECONOMIC BENEFITS

The prospect of more than $17 billion in investment is significant, but the ultimate test of Ogun’s industrial ambition will be the economic value the projects deliver.

The figure combines the proposed initial investment of more than $7 billion associated with the DP World development and the proposed $10 billion NNPC investment in OgunLNG. It should not be interpreted as money already invested or as evidence that the full value of the projects has been secured and deployed.

The initiatives remain at different stages of development, and their realisation will require sustained engagement with investors, financing arrangements, regulatory approvals, construction and effective coordination among relevant institutions.

For Ogun residents, the most important outcomes will be employment, business opportunities, improved infrastructure, stronger public revenue and an expansion of the state’s productive capacity.

The projected 50,000-plus direct jobs associated with the proposed DP World development would be significant if achieved. Beyond direct employment, construction and subsequent commercial operations could generate additional opportunities for suppliers, contractors, transport operators and service providers.

Ensuring that local communities benefit will be equally important. Skills development, local employment, opportunities for indigenous businesses and effective engagement with host communities can help spread the economic benefits of large-scale investment.

A predictable policy environment, efficient administrative processes, dependable infrastructure and transparent implementation arrangements will also be essential to sustaining investor confidence.

The next phase of Ogun’s investment drive will require more than the signing of agreements and the announcement of investment figures. It will demand consistent progress from proposals to implementation, from construction to commercial operations, and from projected benefits to measurable improvements in residents’ lives.

Abiodun’s administration has sought to establish the foundations for that transition through road development, aviation infrastructure, investment promotion and efforts to improve the state’s business environment.

The emerging investment pipeline presents an opportunity to build on those foundations and translate them into projects capable of supporting long-term economic growth.

A NEW CHAPTER IN OGUN’S INDUSTRIAL AMBITION

Since taking office on May 29, 2019, Abiodun has pursued an economic agenda centred on infrastructure development, investment attraction and the expansion of opportunities across Ogun State.

The administration’s approach is reflected in the more than 1,600 kilometres of roads constructed or rehabilitated, the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport and the pursuit of major maritime and energy investments.

The proposed DP World development has brought Ogun’s maritime ambitions into sharper focus, while renewed engagement with NNPC has reopened discussions around the long-delayed OgunLNG project.

Together, these initiatives present the prospect of a more diversified economy in which manufacturing, maritime trade, logistics, energy and related services reinforce one another.

They also underscore the administration’s determination to position Ogun as a destination of choice for investors by combining its geographical advantages with infrastructure, strategic partnerships and an investment-oriented approach to governance.

The challenge ahead is to sustain investor confidence, advance the projects through their respective stages of development and ensure that the anticipated economic opportunities translate into tangible benefits for the people.

For a state with an established industrial base, a strategic location next to Lagos and access to the Atlantic coastline, the prospect of a stronger maritime and energy economy offers an opportunity to attract new businesses, expand employment and deepen industrial development.

More than $17 billion in proposed investment, over 1,600 kilometres of roads delivered and ambitious plans for maritime and energy infrastructure place Ogun’s industrial drive at a pivotal moment.

The vision is ambitious. Its ultimate significance, however, will be determined not by the size of the investment figures announced, but by the projects completed, the industries established, the jobs created and the prosperity sustained for the people of Ogun State.

Kayode Akinmade is Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the Ogun State Governor.

The Nigerian Army, on Thursday, arrested a 35-year-old man, Clifford Maisamari, for allegedly impersonating a military officer and defrauding two women in Gombe and Bauchi states of more than N700,000.

 Maisamari, who hails from Zonkwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested by soldiers of the 301 Artillery Regiment, Gombe, following a report of impersonation.

 The suspect allegedly obtained more than N500,000 from a 34-year-old businesswoman in Gombe and about N210,000 from another woman in Bauchi under circumstances involving romantic relationships and claims of financial difficulties.

 Speaking during an interview, Maisamari admitted that he had presented himself as a military personnel but denied deliberately using romantic relationships to defraud the women.

He narrated his side of his story to our correspondent: “Yes, i told the lady that I am a military personnel. When we started dating, she noticed that I made calls mostly concerning finances and that the account I used for transfers did not bear my name.”

 He narrated further that the woman initially gave him N50,000, which he described as a gift, before she gave him N100,000 and N250,000 respectively at subsequent occasions.

 According to him, the woman provided the money after he told her he needed financial assistance, including money for an unspecified purpose in Abuja.

However, he acknowledged that the total amount he received from her exceeded N500,000.

 The suspect also admitted that he was not a serving military officer, explaining that he had used the identity to conceal aspects of his personal circumstances.

 “I know it is a big thing to say you are an army officer when you are not an officer. I agree to that, and I apologise,” he said.

 Maisamari claimed that he had never forged military identification cards or uniforms to support his claims, adding that he usually found ways to avoid questions when the women asked him to identify himself.

 He said he was a patent medicine dealer in Kaduna State and had moved to the North-East in search of better business opportunities.

 The suspect further claimed that he intended to repay the money he collected, insisting that he had not entered the relationships with the intention of running away with the women’s money.

I was not dating her with the intention of leaving or running away. I had plans of paying the money back,” he said.

However, the Gombe-based businesswoman, who requested anonymity, said she became suspicious after seeing a Facebook post warning women about a man alleged to be a fraudster and fake military personnel.

 She said she confronted Maisamari with the post, but he allegedly dismissed it as an attempt by a former girlfriend to frame him.

 The woman said their relationship lasted about a month and that she initially trusted him because of his confidence and the explanations he gave about himself.

 “He came clean and was straightforward about what he wanted. The way he presented himself and how confident he was made me feel comfortable around him,” she said.

 She confirmed that the first N50,000 she gave him was intended as a gift, explaining that she considered the amount affordable enough to give without expecting repayment.

 However, she said subsequent financial requests resulted in losses exceeding N500,000.

 The businesswoman disclosed that she contacted military personnel she knew after seeing the social media post and asked them to verify a promotion letter Maisamari had shown her.

According to her, the military contacts told her that the number on the document did not correspond with their records.

She said she subsequently decided to conceal her suspicions and maintained a cordial relationship with the suspect to prevent him from escaping before he could be apprehended.

 “I needed to act normal if I wanted to get him. If he suspected anything, he would run away, and I had no information about him to know where to start looking for him,” she said.

 The woman pointed out that she invited Maisamari to her office on the morning of his arrest under the pretext of allowing him to collect her car, which he had been driving.

 She said soldiers arrested him when he arrived at the office.

 Asked whether she was interested in recovering her money, the businesswoman said she would welcome a refund but was more concerned about preventing other women from becoming victims.

 “The money is not actually my main concern, but if I am able to get it, I will. What I am more concerned about is that he has been captured and will not do the same thing to other people,” she said.

She advised young women to exercise caution in online relationships, warning that confidence and convincing personal stories should not be taken as proof of someone’s identity or intentions.

 “You can trust, but there should be a limit to it. These people come fully informed, as if they already know what they are doing. Please, let’s be careful out there,” she added.

 Maisamari also spoke about a separate relationship with a woman in Bauchi, from whom he said he received about N210,000.

 He claimed that the money was given to him during discussions about their relationship and possible marriage arrangements.

 According to him, disagreements later developed between them, after which the woman demanded repayment.

 He said he asked for more time to repay the money but eventually blocked her after their exchanges became contentious.

 The suspect denied that he routinely used romantic relationships to obtain money, insisting that he had genuine intentions towards the women involved.

Speaking on the arrest, an Army official at the 301 Artillery Regiment, old barracks Gombe, said troops apprehended Maisamari following a report of impersonation.

 The official said that preliminary investigations had been conducted, adding that further questioning would be carried out to establish whether the suspect had accomplices and to also determine the extent of his alleged activities.

 “We are still going to question him more to know if he has a syndicate and the extent he has gone in his duplicitous act,” the official said.

 He explained that the Army intervened because the suspect allegedly impersonated a military officer, noting that cases of impersonation involving the military required attention to protect the institution’s reputation.

 “Otherwise, if it was just a case of duping, we would take him straight to the police. But since he impersonated a military personnel, that is why it concerns us,” he clarified.

 The official added that the Army would hand the suspect over to the civil police after completing its preliminary investigations.

 He said Maisamari had admitted during questioning that he received approximately N200,000 from one woman and about N500,000 from another.

The Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediwa, said in a statement on Thursday that Tinubu’s decision not to attend campaign rallies across the country showed his reluctance to face public resentment over his administration’s performance.

Tinubu on Wednesday indicated that he might not join the All Progressives Congress campaign trail across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said he intended to concentrate on governance rather than accompany the campaign team on its nationwide tour.

Reacting, Makinde’s campaign organisation said Tinubu should be willing to defend his record before the electorate if he believed he had performed well.

The statement read, “The decision not only constitutes a serious affront to the Nigerian electorate, but also makes a caricature of democratic ethos.

“Besides, Mr President’s decision and his confabulatory statement further confirm fears by Nigerians that he is not fit to face the rigours of governing a nation like Nigeria.

The decision not to campaign around the country also reinforces public apprehension that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not ready for a free, fair and credible election but plotting to circumvent and compromise the process against the Will of the people.

“A President who believes he has performed well should be confident to defend his record before the people. However, having failed in all of his promises and having no meaningful achievements to boast of, President Tinubu is now fishing for excuses not to face the people.

“If governance was truly his priority, as he claimed, President or ‘Governor’ Tinubu would not have been globe-trotting and staying away from the theatre of governance. In fact, he should be eager to use the opportunity of the campaign to face Nigerians and take responsibility for his failures.”

The council accused Tinubu of failing to improve electricity supply, alleging that power supply had worsened and tariffs had risen under his administration.

It added, “The reckless removal of petrol subsidy, poorly executed floatation of the Naira and other policies without adequate protection for vulnerable citizens have plunged millions of households into punishing hardship.

Hunger has intensified, purchasing power has eroded, and poverty has become an unbearable reality for countless Nigerians.

“The administration’s economic prescriptions have imposed enormous sacrifices on citizens without delivering the relief and prosperity they were promised.

President Tinubu also promised to ensure more effective security, but sadly, under his ineffective watch, terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements are having a field day, ravaging our country, killing thousands of compatriots and holding many more hostage.

“The monumental failures in security, economic management and governance explain why President Tinubu is reluctant to take his re-election campaign directly to Nigerians.”

Makinde Campaign insisted that Tinubu should not seek re-election without campaigning across the country and accounting to Nigerians for the prevailing economic and security conditions.

“If President Tinubu is so fatigued that he cannot go round the country to canvass for votes, then he should withdraw from the race, as Nigerians are not ready to continue with an absentee and lethargic president that lacks the capacity and capability to lead from the front.

“Nigerians at this moment earnestly desire a youthful, energetic and active President with stamina for leadership.

“This is why they are clamouring for the Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, whose Reset Nigeria Agenda offers solutions for the security, economic and social challenges confronting our nation.

Unlike President Tinubu, Makinde is competent, resourceful and has been going round the country, meeting with the people, vigorously campaigning and soliciting for votes with his sterling record of achievements and vision for the nation under the Reset Nigeria Agenda.”

The Allied People’s Movement presidential candidate, Makinde, also criticised the Federal Government’s economic reforms, arguing that rising poverty showed the need to assess leadership by its impact on citizens rather than by improvements in economic indicators.

He said one presidential term was enough for Nigerians to determine a leader’s priorities and decide whether the government deserved another mandate.

In a newsletter released on Thursday, in which he compared his administration’s approach to governance in Oyo State with the Federal Government’s handling of the economy under Tinubu, Makinde acknowledged that the removal of petrol subsidy and the adoption of a more flexible foreign exchange regime were backed by economic arguments but insisted that the consequences for ordinary Nigerians must also be considered.

“Policies tell you what a government wants to change. The order in which it chooses to make those changes tells you how that government thinks,” Makinde said.

He added, “There are never enough resources for government to meet every need at once. So, leadership is about what you choose to do first, what you are prepared to postpone, and who bears the cost of those choices.”

The governor said his administration, which took office in 2019, prioritised the payment of workers’ salaries, pensions and inherited gratuity arrears while pursuing infrastructure development.

According to him, the state’s development roadmap focused on the economy, education, healthcare and security, with the government seeking to ensure that workers and pensioners received their entitlements despite competing demands on public finances.

We could have said government needed the money for infrastructure and asked workers and pensioners to wait.

“Instead of choosing between paying people and building infrastructure, we chose to do both. We paid salaries consistently. We regularised pension payments. We began clearing inherited gratuity arrears,” he said.

Makinde said personnel costs alone accounted for about 70 per cent of Oyo State’s federal receipts during the four years, adding that his administration explored alternative financing arrangements to fund infrastructure projects.

He cited the Alternative Project Funding Approach, under which contractors financed selected projects upfront while the state government repaid the costs over an agreed period.

“Going back to our test of leadership, you can see clearly what we chose to do first – meet our obligations. And we accepted the fiscal cost of that choice,” he said.

Turning to the Federal Government’s economic policies, Makinde argued that reforms should not be assessed solely by their impact on macroeconomic indicators but also by their effects on citizens’ livelihoods.

“Reform is not only about fixing the numbers. It is also about how people survive the transition,” he said.

The governor claimed that poverty had risen from about 56 per cent in 2023 to around 62 per cent in 2026, representing approximately 23 million additional Nigerians living in poverty.

He said the Federal Government had highlighted assessments by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund indicating improvements in macroeconomic stability but argued that the benefits had not translated sufficiently into improved living standards.

“These 23 million are not just numbers. They are our parents, neighbours, friends and children. Macroeconomic stability has not translated at the same pace into jobs, lower poverty and improved living standards for the majority of Nigerians,” he said.

“And if, after four years, a leader has not been able to make those choices work for the people, Nigerians have every right to say: let us try someone else,” he said.

Four men have died fighting wildfires in a national park on Indonesia’s Java island, the forestry ministry said Friday, as the southeast Asian country battles a months-long crisis of blazes and toxic smoke.

The four were overwhelmed while battling flames Thursday in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, a ministry statement said, without providing details on who the individuals were.

Two others suffered serious burns.

Two of the fallen men were national park officers and two were security guards helping them, according to national park spokesman Endrip Wahyutama.

They had been trapped by flames and thick smoke. Three died at the scene and a fourth fourth later in hospital

A volunteer firefighter and a security guard from a nearby hotel who also jumped in to help were receiving medical treatment, said Endrip.

A volunteer firefighter and a security guard from a nearby hotel who also jumped in to help were receiving medical treatment.

This incident serves as a reminder that forest and land fire extinguishing is a high-risk operation,” said the ministry.

It said there had been a jump in hotspots detected by satellites as areas of unusually high temperatures but do not necessarily translate into individual fires.

By Thursday evening, the number of hotspots stood at 799 nationally, up from 372 a day earlier.

Most were in Central Kalimantan, a province on Borneo island that Indonesia shares with Malaysia and Brunei, followed by the south of Sumatra island.

“Central Kalimantan recorded the largest increase (in hotspots), so field operations are being strengthened,” said the statement.

The ministry expressed particular concern about an area around the Tanjung Puting National Park, an important habitat for endangered orangutans.

Water-bombing and cloud-seeding operations to make rain have been hampered by low visibility due to smoke from the fires, it added.

The ministry said several locations in Sumatra and Kalimantan were experiencing “unhealthy to very unhealthy conditions, even locally hazardous” due to the haze emitted by the blazes, turning the sky in some areas orange.

“If air conditions worsen, people are advised to reduce outdoor activities and wear masks when outside,” it said.

AFP

The All Progressives Congress has proposed a nationwide rally schedule ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the campaign activities expected to begin in Kaduna State on October 24, 2026, and end with a major rally in Lagos on January 9, 2027.

The proposed schedule, shared by the ruling party on Thursday, lists rallies across the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with 12 locations designated for expected presidential attendance.

The party said the schedule was designed to cover the country’s six geopolitical zones, although it did not name the president in the graphic as the person expected to attend the highlighted rallies.

The schedule, however, stated: “This is a proposed schedule and is subject to official confirmation.”

The first rally is scheduled for October 24 in Kaduna, Kaduna State, followed by Calabar, Cross River State, on November 2, and Gombe, Gombe State, on November 3.

Other locations listed for November include Lafia, Nasarawa State; Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Abakaliki, Ebonyi State; Dutse, Jigawa State; Akure, Ondo State; Benin City, Edo State; Jos, Plateau State; Yenagoa, Bayelsa State; Damaturu, Yobe State; Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State; Uyo, Akwa Ibom State; Ibadan, Oyo State; Maiduguri, Borno State; Enugu, Enugu State; and Bauchi, Bauchi State.

For December, the schedule lists Makurdi, Benue State; Katsina, Katsina State; Abeokuta, Ogun State; Sokoto, Sokoto State; Umuahia, Abia State; Lokoja, Kogi State; Osogbo, Osun State; Ilorin, Kwara State; Asaba, Delta State; Gusau, Zamfara State; Minna, Niger State; Kano, Kano State; Jalingo, Taraba State; Abuja, the FCT; and Owerri, Imo State.

The proposed activities are scheduled to continue into January, with a rally in Yola, Adamawa State, on January 4, followed by the major closing rally in Lagos on January 9.

The 12 locations marked for expected presidential attendance are Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Jos, Ibadan, Maiduguri, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Asaba, Kano, Yola and Lagos.

Recall that Tinubu said he would not accompany the APC Presidential Campaign Council to every campaign event ahead of the 2027 general election, citing the need to prioritise governance, economic obligations and efforts to attract investors.

Tinubu made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council, urging its members to lead the party’s mobilisation efforts across the country while he continued to attend to matters of state.