Activities along the Mile 2-Kirikiri axis were brought to a standstill yesterday as a heavy traffic gridlock caused by truck movement from the Kirikiri area stretched towards Mile 2, disrupting the movement of motorists, residents and businesses in the area.

This is despite the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) introduction of a movement code to guide the movement of empty containers into seaport terminals and reduce traffic congestion caused by container trucks along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors

Vanguard’s visit to the area revealed that traffic was particularly difficult from Kirikiri Junction towards Mile 2, while the road from Kirikiri Junction through Coconut was relatively free-flowing.

Findings from the visit indicated that the gridlock was largely linked to the movement of container-laden trucks and trucks waiting to access terminals within Kirikiri for the evacuation or return of empty containers.

During visits to different terminals, which included HEZEGOVIN Logistics Limited, AGL Africa Global Logistics, and Bestaf Container Terminal, Vanguard discovered that several trucks were either lined up along access roads or waiting to gain entry into the terminals.

The situation created pressure on the adjoining roads, with trucks occupying significant portions of the available carriageway and slowing down traffic towards Mile 2.

A task force official monitoring the situation told Vanguard that the congestion was being exacerbated by activities around some of the terminals. He alleged that the gate of AGL Africa Global Logistics was locked at the time, leaving several container trucks lined up while waiting to be admitted. However, security personnel at the terminal dismissed the allegation, insisting that the facility’s gates were open for both entry and exit.

At HEZEGOVIN Logistics Limited, trucks were also seen lined up near the entrance, waiting to be called into the terminal. The management, however, maintained that operations within its facility were running smoothly and that it was not responsible for the traffic build-up outside its premises. The terminal’s position further fuelled the blame game over who was responsible for the worsening congestion along the axis.

The situation was noticeably different at Bestaf Container Terminal, where traffic flow around the facility was relatively smooth. Trucks were being admitted according to their unit numbers, a system that appeared to help regulate vehicle movement into the terminal. The trucks accessed the facility through Shokunbi Street, inward Otun Waterside, while they exited through Ikudehindu Street, formerly G.Cappa.

Residents and traders along Otun Street, however, said they had been bearing the brunt of the recurring traffic situation. A trader who spoke with Vanguard said, “We are driven to different locations at regular intervals. Sometimes the gridlock affects our businesses. When trucks take over the roads, customers find it difficult to come here, and we lose business.”

A truck driver, Ifeanyin Akachukwu, who was among those waiting in the queue, also expressed frustration over the situation, blaming the police, traffic management personnel and some terminal operators for failing to adequately coordinate truck movements.

“The terminals and the authorities need to work together. When trucks are allowed to queue indiscriminately or are not attended to on time, the whole road becomes blocked. The traffic does not only affect us; it affects everybody,” he said.

He pointed out that the development has renewed concerns over the coordination of truck traffic and terminal operations in the Kirikiri axis, with stakeholders trading blame over the source of the congestion.

“While some operators insist that activities within their terminals remain smooth, motorists and residents are left to contend with the consequences as truck queues spill onto public roads. Until there is better coordination among terminal operators, truck drivers, security agencies and traffic management authorities, the recurring gridlock could continue to disrupt economic activities around Mile 2 and Kirikiri,”’, he said.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day in commemoration of Isese Day, a day dedicated by the state government to celebrating the rich cultural and traditional heritage of the Yoruba people.

This was contained in a memo signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, conveyed through a statement released by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday.

According to the memo, the governor extended his felicitations to adherents of African Traditional Religion across Oyo State, Nigeria, and beyond, wishing them a successful and spiritually enriching celebration.

Governor Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness across all religions, expressing gratitude to traditional worshippers for their support of
his government over the past seven years.

The memo noted that “the work-free day will enable workers and residents to fully participate in the celebration of the state’s cultural heritage and pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the state in particular, and the country in
general.”

Recall that Governor Makinde introduced the Isese Day celebration as part of his administration’s visionary efforts to honour adherents of traditional religion, and to harness cultural tourism as a driver of economic growth, emphasising that cultural tourism remains one of Oyo State’s greatest strengths.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday declared that he has forgiven all those who offended him and called on his former opponents to join hands with his administration to move the state forward.

This was disclosed in a video shared by News Central on X.com, where Adeleke spoke after receiving his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission following his victory in the August 15 governorship election.

” As the governor-elect and of course current governor, as I told you, I’m the governor of all. Whatever happened in the past,let it be bygone because I have the fear of God.

“All the people that offended me, I forgive them. You know, what else do I want? The good Lord has fought my battle, and we have overcome,” Adeleke said.

The governor said Osun State had overcome, adding that his administration had brought light to the state and driven darkness away.

“Osun State has overcome. I brought the light to Osun State. And I drove darkness out of Osun State. Osun State will never see darkness again,” he said.

Adeleke further assured the people of the state that his administration would continue to move forward, saying nobody would turn the state around again.

We will keep moving forward. Nobody will turn us around again,” he said.

The governor also appealed to his fellow contestants in the governorship election to work with him in the interest of the state.

“I’m seizing the opportunity that all my other contestants, they should please come over, let’s join hands together, and let’s move Osun State forward,” Adeleke said.

Explaining the reason for his appeal, the governor said the state was bigger than any individual, while also remembering those who lost their lives during the election.

“Why I’m saying that, Osun State is bigger than anybody. And I’d like to seize the opportunity for those who lost their life during the election; may their soul rest in peace,” he said.

Adeleke also said his family would support the families of those who lost their lives during the election, stressing that the assistance would not come from government funds.

“And I’m telling you, and of course I’m telling you that all those who have lost their lives, I’m promising, the Adeleke family is promising to take them, not government money now,” the governor said.

The Federal Government has commenced the construction of 250 two-bedroom bungalows for federal civil servants under the Renewed Hope Civil Service Estate in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, said the project was part of the Federal Government’s broader housing intervention across the 36 states of the federation.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja, Darma said the civil service estate was designed to provide affordable housing for civil servants while improving efficiency within the public service.

He said, “I must mention that we have projects in all the 36 states of the federation of Nigeria and in Abuja here this particular one is representing one of the many projects we have in Abuja. This civil service estate has a unique character. It is a wider housing intervention because it has a focus on the people who are providing these housing units. So if you have a focus you must identify the people by providing cheap and affordable housing to civil servants.

“What we are doing is we are bringing efficiency into the civil service. We are contributing in the ministry to your aim and your objective of making this civil service corruption-free. Therefore, I must talk to the consultants, the supervising teams from the ministry, the contractors, the stakeholders around and all others to make sure that what we are providing today stands the test of time.”

The minister charged contractors, supervisors and consultants involved in the project to ensure quality construction and durability.

Darma also assured Nigerians that the ministry would deliver on the housing mandate of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stressing that the government would not only make promises but ensure their implementation.

The minister outlined several housing projects expected to be delivered between now and May 2027.

He said, “From today to the end of this year and the end of this government in May 2027 everything that you will see will now be action, action and action. We are acting today because we are doing groundbreaking. Before the end of this month we will do another ceremony to deliver 132 rent-to-own houses to the beneficiaries before the end of this month. In the month of September it will be a rundown of activities delivering houses to Nigerians.

“We will deliver 252 in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, another 300 units will be delivered in Abuja here, in October we will deliver 2800 units of housing in Karsana Abuja. My brother here mentioned how we are transforming Karsana. We will invite you all to come and witness the delivery of those projects in Karsana 2000 housing units. Also in September another set of 1500 housing units will be delivered to Nigerians. In December we will deliver another 2129 housing units to Nigerians. Therefore, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to deliver on the mandates that Mr. President assigned us to do.”

Also speaking, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, described the project as an important milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the welfare of civil servants.

She said, “I have so much joy in my heart as I witness an important milestone in our commitment to the welfare of federal civil servants, as we lay the foundation for 250 units of two-bedroom bungalows at the Renewed Hope Civil Service Estate here in Gwagalada.

“A public partnership between the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. And so this is more than a housing project. This estate represents a promise of a better future for civil servants and their families.”

The project is part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Programme, which was designed to provide affordable homes for Nigerians across different income groups.

The programme includes Renewed Hope Cities, Renewed Hope Estates and Renewed Hope Social Housing Estates, with the Renewed Hope Estates planned as 250-unit developments targeted at middle-income earners, including civil servants, teachers, healthcare workers, traders and artisans.

Two persons sustained gunshot injuries on Wednesday during an attempted arrest by police officers at the River Niger Head Bridge, Onitsha, Anambra State, causing panic and disrupting vehicular and pedestrian movement in the area.

The incident, which occurred around noon, caused gridlock along the busy Onitsha-Awka Expressway, as a confrontation reportedly broke out between the security operatives and some hoodlums.

Eyewitnesses near the scene said the victims were shot during the confrontation and later became unconscious before they were rushed to a nearby hospital.

One of the sources said, “The incident occurred this afternoon. It arose from a confrontation between the police officers and the victims. They were being stopped by the officers during questioning. In an attempt to arrest them, they resisted the arrest and the police fired some shots at them.

“The incident resulted in heavy skirmishes around the Bridgehead Market as people scampered to safety. The area remained in chaos until the arrival of another batch of police team. The victims were later rushed to a nearby hospital.”

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the incident occurred when the suspects allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in gunshot injuries.

Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, had visited the scene and addressed the crowd, adding that an investigation had commenced to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to him, the CP subsequently visited the victims at the hospital, where he assured them of the command’s support and pledged to personally ensure that their medical expenses were covered.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji, while addressing the crowd in Onitsha over the incident arising from a confrontation during an attempted arrest, stated that the immediate priority of the Command is to ensure that the victims recover fully.

“The incident occurred when suspects allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in gunshot injuries. The Commissioner of Police subsequently visited the victims at the hospital, where he assured them of the Command’s support and pledged to personally ensure that their medical expenses are covered.

“The CP further ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the events leading to the discharge of the firearm.

“He stressed that the investigation will establish the facts and ensure that appropriate action is taken based on its findings.

“The Commissioner of Police appealed for calm and urged members of the public to remain peaceful and allow the investigation to run its course.”

Ikenga reiterated the command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, respect for human life and the rule of law.

“Meanwhile, traffic and human movement around the Head Bridge area have been de-escalated, with free flow of vehicular and human movement now restored,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abel Enitan as the new Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, effective August 27, 2026.

Enitan will succeed Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who is due to retire from the Federal Civil Service after attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

Enitan, an indigene of Osun State, is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Education and the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

He has served as a Permanent Secretary for seven years and seven months, with postings to the Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Office of the Vice President.

Announcing the appointment in a statement on Wednesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Enitan brings extensive institutional experience and a deep understanding of the Federal Civil Service to the position.

“Mr Enitan, from Osun State, is the most senior Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service.

“He brings considerable institutional experience and a deep understanding of how the Federal Civil Service works to his new responsibility,” the statement read.

Tinubu thanked Walson-Jack for her service to the country and the reforms and innovations recorded in the Civil Service during her tenure.

The president wished her “a fulfilling and successful life after service” and conveyed the nation’s gratitude for her years of dedicated and impactful public service.

Tinubu charged the incoming Head of the Civil Service to consolidate the reforms and innovations already underway, deepen professionalism and efficiency across the service, and build a more effective and responsive Civil Service capable of delivering on his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The president further urged Enitan to lead a Civil Service that is “professional, merit-driven, accountable, innovative, and responsive to Nigerians’ needs and aspirations.”

Enitan was born on December 12, 1966.

He had his secondary education at Ajibode Grammar School, Ibadan, and the College of Arts and Science, Ile-Ife.

He attended the University of Lagos, where he graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Banking

In 2015, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Analysis from Nasarawa State University, Lafia.

Enitan will formally assume office on August 27, 2026, following Walson-Jack’s retirement.

The warning came as political parties and their aspirants across different political offices begin their campaign moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the timetable from the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Presidential and National Assembly campaigns commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for September 9, 2026.

According to a release issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Moses Jolayemi, the Technical Adviser to the NBC Director-General, Charles Ebuebu, cautioned radio and television broadcasters, in particular, to recognise that their platforms have “enormous influence on public opinion and the choices citizens make during elections” as they disseminate information to the public.

He called on these media outlets to uphold accuracy, fairness, professionalism and responsibility.

The commission called for a fair and balanced coverage of all political campaigns by licensed broadcasters through appropriate editorial verification to avoid any forms of promotion or suppression of a political party, candidate or political viewpoint, as well as “unverified presentation of political claims, allegations, statistics or assertions as facts.”

The NBC further advised presenters, anchors, reporters, producers and hosts to hold objective views, and avoid harassment of guests, suppression of opposing viewpoints or manipulation in favour of particular political interests.

The commission further stated that broadcasters must clearly distinguish “political advertising” from news, editorial content, analysis and independent programming, saying that it’s “subject to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and must meet the requirements of truth, decency, good taste and morality.”

The NBC advised that the political season must not be used as an avenue to incite hate or violence, as it cautioned against the “use of broadcast, digital and social platforms to spread inflammatory and divisive political content.”

The broadcasting umpire also warned broadcasters against making speculations on results gotten from polling units and unofficial sources.

“Election results and declarations of winners, it stressed, should only be broadcast as announced by the duly authorised electoral officer.

“The commission also reminded broadcasters of the statutory campaign silence period, directing that partisan political broadcasts, campaigns, jingles and announcements must cease not later than 24 hours before polling day.

“The NBC said its monitoring of political broadcasts would be intensified throughout the electioneering period. The monitoring will cover not only paid political advertisements but also news bulletins, current affairs programmes, political debates, phone-in programmes, interviews, commentaries, sponsored programmes, live broadcasts and other programming through which political content is disseminated.

The commission said particular attention would be paid to patterns of airtime allocation, fairness and balance, inflammatory content, misinformation, hate speech, incitement, presenter conduct, political advertising and compliance with the campaign silence period, the release stated, among others.

Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, disclosed that the reform is targeted at reducing suicide deaths and attempts by 15 per cent by 2030.

Briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting at the State House, Abuja, Pate said suicide remains a major public health concern in Nigeria and globally, citing World Health Organisation data showing it is responsible for more than 7,000 deaths annually in the country, with an estimated 300,000 suicide attempts recorded each year.

He revealed, “The impact extends beyond the individuals involved; it affects families, friends and communities, with over 450,000 Nigerians requiring psychosocial support annually. Globally, suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people.

Together with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, we worked towards an amendment of the Mental Health Act, and that has now been passed by the Federal Executive Council and will be transmitted to the National Assembly for enactment,” Pate said.

Explaining the reasons behind the amendment, Pate said the reform reflects a fundamental shift in how the state treats people who attempt suicide as a result of mental illness.

According to him, “Attempting suicide is not a crime. If someone, because of mental health illness, attempts to harm themselves within the context of those colonial-era laws, you can arrest them and prosecute them for breaking the law.

“But these are people that are actually ill. It’s like getting somebody who has tuberculosis and asking, ‘Why did you have tuberculosis?’ So it’s changing the paradigm to one whereby they require care and support.”

He said the bill emerged after extensive deliberation involving mental health advocates.

“After extensive deliberation, including by mental health advocates, there was consensus to actually make this amendment, and with the Attorney-General’s Office, the Ministry of Justice, ourselves, and the task force that was set up, in fact, with the support of the National Assembly, we think this bill will make a major difference from a public health perspective and help us deal with the burden of mental ill health that afflicts many Nigerians,” Pate said.

He expressed hope that the decriminalisation would reduce both attempted and completed suicides.

Hopefully, that will reduce episodes of suicides that are successful or even attempted. Our goal is to reduce by 15 per cent by 2030,” Pate said.

The Sokoto State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on banditry, kidnapping and motorcycle theft, recording a series of operational successes across the state.

The command said two suspected bandits were neutralised, several suspects arrested, firearms and ammunition recovered, while no fewer than 17 stolen motorcycles were recovered in operations targeting criminal syndicates.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatullah Shaffa, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on the command’s recent achievements in the fight against violent crimes and other criminal activities.

He said the latest breakthrough against banditry occurred on August 15, when the command received information about an attempted attack on Ndankaradu village in the state.

According to him, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Voluntary Vigilante Group Rescue and other tactical teams were immediately deployed to the area.

“The gallant operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel which lasted for a considerable period. Overwhelmed by the superior firepower and tactical manoeuvring of the joint team, the bandits fled into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds,” Shaffa said.

He added that a subsequent combing operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two magazines and 54 rounds of ammunition.

The police commissioner also announced the arrest of three suspected members of a motorcycle theft syndicate following credible intelligence.

He identified the suspects as Siba Abdullahi of Nimbisu village, Hassan Hassan of Tamaji and Osman Ishan of Ngorobu area, all in Sokoto.

Shaffa said five stolen motorcycles and a fabricated pistol were recovered from the suspects’ premises.

He disclosed that investigations were continuing, with efforts underway to arrest other members of the syndicate.

In a separate operation, the command arrested two suspects, Hamza and Yasser, following complaints by community leaders from Manababa, Mabira and Ngorongu areas over rising cases of motorcycle theft, extortion and illicit drug activities.

The CP said investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly worked with other individuals currently at large to steal motorcycles and sell them to buyers.

He said further investigation uncovered a network allegedly involved in forging documents for the stolen motorcycles.

Further investigation revealed that some suspects were responsible for forging documents of the stolen motorcycles, while buyers of the stolen motorcycles have also been arrested,” he said.

According to him, 12 stolen motorcycles have so far been recovered in connection with the syndicate, while a manhunt for fleeing suspects continues.

Shaffa also disclosed the arrest of a suspected bandit, Abdullah Habuba, alias Osho, during an operation in Tudun Diki village.

He said the suspect was arrested on August 8 following credible intelligence and allegedly confessed to being a key member of a kidnapping syndicate operating in Gwadabawa, Bodinga and other parts of the state.

“Habuba is currently providing actionable intelligence to assist the police in tracking and arresting other members of the syndicate,” the CP said.

The command also recorded a breakthrough in a child abduction case after rescuing a 10-year-old boy, Mohammed Sofianu, who was reported missing in Gidambadi, Tangaza Local Government Area.

Shaffa said the child was allegedly lured into a room, injected with a sedative and forced into a sack.

The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was treated and discharged. One suspect has been arrested in connection with the case and is providing useful information to the police,” he said.

The CP said investigation into the incident was ongoing, while efforts were being made to apprehend other suspects allegedly connected to the crime.

Shaffa commended the officers and men of the Strike Force, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical teams for their professionalism, courage and swift response to criminal activities.

He assured residents that the command would sustain its operations against banditry, kidnapping, motorcycle theft and other forms of criminality.

“The command will not rest until all the fleeing suspects are apprehended and prosecuted,” he said.

The commissioner warned criminals operating in Sokoto State that they would be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Shaffa further warned members of the public against purchasing stolen motorcycles, stressing that buyers of stolen property would also face the law.

He called on parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against involvement in criminal activities, assuring residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state.

Premier League clubs have strengthened their squads with several new signings ahead of the 2026/27 season, bringing a host of players to England for their first taste of top-flight football.

Among the newcomers are highly rated young internationals, established players from European leagues and several exciting prospects who could make an immediate impact.

Here are 10 new Premier League players to watch this season, as listed by the Premier League on Wednesday

1. Johan Manzambi – Aston Villa

Swiss attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi joins Aston Villa from Freiburg after a breakthrough campaign.

The 20-year-old impressed during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping Switzerland reach the quarter-finals and becoming the youngest player in 60 years to record five goal contributions at the tournament, with three goals and two assists.

Manzambi was also named the UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Season after helping Freiburg reach the final.

He will be expected to help fill the void left by Morgan Rogers following his move to Chelsea.

2. Antonio Silva – Bournemouth

Bournemouth have brought in highly rated Portuguese centre-back Antonio Silva from Benfica as they prepare for life under new manager Marco Rose.

The 22-year-old will help replace Marcos Senesi, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur.

Silva has already established himself at international level, earning 20 senior caps for Portugal. He was also part of Benfica’s 2022/23 Portuguese title-winning side.

Former Premier League defender Abel Xavier has described him as a player with “security, maturity, game vision, assertiveness, aggression, and leadership”.

3. Mamadou Sangare – Brentford

Brentford’s new club-record signing Mamadou Sangare arrives after an impressive season with French club Lens.

The 24-year-old Mali international was one of the standout midfielders in Ligue 1 and won the Marc-Vivien Foe Award, given to the best-performing African player in the French top flight.

Sangare ranked second in Ligue 1 for tackles won and third for ground duels won last season.

He also created 38 chances and averaged 1.2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, making him a midfielder capable of contributing both defensively and in attack.

4. Luka Vuskovic – Brighton

Croatian centre-back Luka Vuskovic is set for his first Premier League campaign with Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 19-year-old joined Tottenham from Hajduk Split before spending the 2025/26 season on loan at Hamburg in Germany.

Vuskovic scored six goals in the Bundesliga last season, more than any other defender, and his spectacular overhead kick was named the league’s goal of the season.

He will replace Jan Paul van Hecke, who moved to Tottenham, and could quickly become one of Brighton’s most exciting young players.

5. Caleb Yirenkyi – Coventry City

Ghanaian midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi is one of Coventry City’s major additions following their return to the Premier League.

The 20-year-old joined from FC Nordsjaelland after being named Young Player of the Year in the Danish Superliga.

Yirenkyi has already earned 15 senior caps for Ghana and scored a stoppage-time winner against Panama on his World Cup debut.

He has also been compared with former Chelsea and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien, who worked with him as a coach at Nordsjaelland.

6. Hayden Hackney – Everton

Everton have signed midfielder Hayden Hackney following an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Middlesbrough.

The 24-year-old played a key role in Middlesbrough’s run to the Championship play-off final and was named the division’s Player of the Year.

Hackney made more than 150 appearances for Middlesbrough and scored five goals in each of his last two Championship seasons.

He also provided seven league assists last term and will give Everton additional creativity and energy in midfield.

7. Gonzalo Garcia – Fulham

Fulham have signed Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid, with the 22-year-old expected to play a key role in their attack this season.

Garcia made 30 LaLiga appearances for Real Madrid last season and scored six goals despite averaging just over 30 minutes per game.

He also made an impressive start to the 2025/26 campaign by scoring four goals at the FIFA Club World Cup.

With Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez having left Fulham, Garcia could be handed a much greater attacking role at Craven Cottage.

8. Victor Munoz – Liverpool

Spanish winger Victor Munoz joins Liverpool after an impressive season with Osasuna.

The 23-year-old, who previously came through the Real Madrid system, can operate on either wing or through the middle.

His pace and versatility could make him a useful option for Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola.

Munoz scored six LaLiga goals last season from 5.8 expected goals and has already earned two senior caps for Spain.

9. Bazoumana Toure – Newcastle United

Ivory Coast winger Bazoumana Toure arrives at Newcastle after impressing in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim.

The 20-year-old provided nine assists last season as Hoffenheim secured qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

Although naturally a left winger, Toure can operate in different attacking positions, giving new Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle another versatile option.

He also represented Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup, helping them reach the last 16.

10. Ousmane Diomande – Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest have added one of Europe’s most highly rated young defenders in Ousmane Diomande.

The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international arrives from Sporting Lisbon, where he won back-to-back Portuguese league titles in 2023/24 and 2024/25.

Diomande was also part of Sporting’s run to the 2025/26 Champions League quarter-finals.

Forest chief football officer George Syrianos described him as “a powerful, commanding defender…with a winning mentality”.

With his strength, passing ability and defensive intelligence, Diomande could play a key role as Forest begin a new era under head coach Oliver Glasner.

The 10 players are among the most intriguing newcomers to the Premier League this season, with their performances likely to attract plenty of attention as the 2026/27 campaign gets underway.

Five-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo on Tuesday became the first Black African to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In a glitzy ceremony under palm trees and picture-perfect California skies, Kidjo was feted by film stars and music industry titans as she unveiled the star on the busy thoroughfare.

We Africans don’t know what we’ve given to the world,” the 66-year-old said.

“Without us, there’s no music possible on this planet.”

After offering thanks to her team and family, Kidjo erupted into song as those present sat in rapt attention.

Born in Benin, Kidjo has built an international career spanning more than 40 years and 18 albums.

As well as being named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, she has also been nominated as one of Africa’s 50 most iconic figures by the BBC, and one of the 100 most inspiring people in the world by The Guardian.

Harvey Mason Jr. of the Recording Academy hailed Kidjo as a “rare artist.”

“Your example has elevated our global music community, and your work continues to remind us that music is more than entertainment; it’s connection,” he said.

“This star is a permanent symbol; it’s not going anywhere, and it’s a symbol of your achievements. But your legacy, it lives in the people that you’ve touched, that you’ve inspired, the barriers that you’ve broken, the connections you’ve created all around the world.”

Actor Willem Dafoe praised Kidjo’s immense energy on stage.

The first time I saw Angelique perform live, I thought her music, her dancing, her commitment were incredible,” the “Platoon” star said.

“She is, without a doubt, the hardest-working woman in show business.”

But, he said, more impressive was her dedication to the humanitarian work of her Batonga Foundation, which strives to empower girls and young women in Africa.

“This is not a token celebrity involvement; it is an extension of what she does with her music. She stirs us, lifts us up, and reminds us that we’re all connected, and that love and understanding is the way.”

hg/pnb

Armed police and soldiers on Wednesday blocked retired military personnel from converging in front of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, where the ex-servicemen had gathered to protest the non-implementation of consequential adjustments to their pensions.

The protesters had attempted to move towards the front of the ministry as part of their planned demonstration, but more security personnel were mobilised to prevent them from assembling at the location.

The development followed an earlier confrontation between serving soldiers and the retired military personnel after security operatives attempted to stop the ex-servicemen from staging their protest in front of the ministry.

The retirees are demanding the implementation of consequential pension adjustments arising from salary increases approved for serving military personnel.

Earlier, soldiers deployed to the ministry had moved against the protesters as they attempted to assemble at the premises, resulting in a confrontation between the serving and retired personnel.

The heavy security presence subsequently prevented the ex-servicemen from converging at the front of the ministry as planned

The Lagos State Government has declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a work-free day to enable residents to participate in activities marking the 2026 Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day celebration.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, announced the decision in a statement issued on Wednesday.

He said the work-free day was intended to allow Lagos residents and visitors to fully participate in the celebration, which is expected to attract more than three million traditional worshippers.

Aregbe described Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day as more than a public holiday, stressing its importance to Yoruba spirituality and cultural heritage.

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.

He noted that the Yoruba people, estimated to number more than 55 million globally, have continued to preserve their culture and pass it on to younger generations.

According to him, the preservation of Yoruba traditions has also sustained Ìṣẹ̀ṣe festivals in countries such as Cuba, Brazil and parts of the Caribbean where Yoruba descendants live.

“When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day marks the culmination of a week-long programme of traditional activities and has been observed as a work-free day in Lagos since 2023 following a request by the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has maintained the practice annually as part of his administration’s commitment to indigenous values and religious inclusiveness under the THEMES+ Agenda.

Aregbe commended the Governor for supporting the celebration and also paid tribute to traditional rulers and custodians of Yoruba culture for preserving the heritage.

“We thank His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. It takes real conviction for a leader to stand publicly with heritage, and he has done so without hesitation and without apology,” he said.

He also recognised the contributions of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, traditional chiefs, Babaláwo, Ìyánífá, Olóòrìṣà and other custodians of Yoruba traditions.

“Governments come and go. Custodians carry the culture,” Aregbe said.

The 2026 celebration will feature prayers, rituals, processions, drumming and cultural displays dedicated to the Òrìṣà. The activities will be coordinated by the Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas.

Aregbe urged participants to celebrate peacefully and respectfully, stressing that the event is intended to promote cultural pride and unity.

“Three million voices rising in honour of tradition is not noise. It is history, faith and cultural pride in harmony,” he said.

He added, “Whether you worship in a mosque, a church or a grove, Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day belongs to you, because heritage has no denomination. Lagos remains the city where every heritage finds its place.”

The command’s spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said in a statement on Tuesday that the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, directed that the officers involved be identified and invited for investigation, with those found culpable to be sanctioned appropriately.

“The Command wishes to clarify that routine roadblocks and stop-and-search operations has been curtailed , except where there is credible intelligence on the movement of criminals, arms, or other prohibited items.

“The Command, however, notes that the route in the video has previously been used by criminal elements, it’s a suburb of millennium city. It was along the same route that Police operatives previously recovered 20 AK-47 rifles,” the statement partly read.

Hassan stressed that no officer is permitted to use legitimate security duties as an avenue for extortion, harassment or any form of misconduct, and that those found guilty would face severe disciplinary and legal action.

In the statement, the CP also commended members of the public for their vigilance and urged them to continue reporting unprofessional conduct by police officers.

Reacting to the video on Wednesday, an Instagram user, #almu.stapha0012 wrote, “Come to bypass and see something…extorting tricyclist every goddamn day and they are fully dressed.” While #edmund_onoriode said, “#nigeriapoliceforce this shenanigans by your men happen all over the country.”

#vivianokugo2024 posted, “It’s happening everywhere in Nigeria; my dad experienced it just last week .” As #sussy_lords added, “No matter how much they increase police salary in Nigeria, they will do this because they are used to it.”

#kingdozi_ commented, “Always talking investigation, what’s there to investigate in a video like this? We have hundreds of this setup spread across the country right now.”

The Kaduna State Police Command said it remains committed to professional policing, accountability and the protection of the rights and safety of all residents of the state.

The All Progressives Congress has fixed Saturday, August 22, 2026, for its primary elections to select candidates for four restored State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi states and legislative bye-elections in Gombe, Bauchi, Delta and Kano states.

The party announced this in its timetable and schedule of activities signed by its National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, and shared on Wednesday.

The APC said the timetable followed the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission to restore “four previously suppressed State House of Assembly constituencies in Delta and Kogi States.”

It listed the affected constituencies in Delta as “Abraka, Isoko North II, and Ughelli South II State Constituencies,” while Yagba West II State Constituency was listed for Kogi State.

For the legislative bye-elections, the party listed “Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, Gombe State”; Disina and Sakwa State Constituencies in Bauchi; Udu State Constituency in Delta; and Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano.

The APC said, “the All Progressives Congress hereby releases its Timetable and Schedule of Activities” for the conduct of its primaries for the restored constituencies and the 2026 legislative bye-elections.

According to the timetable, the sale of forms will take place from Tuesday, August 18, to Thursday, August 20, while the last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is August 20

The party scheduled the screening of aspirants, publication of screening results and screening appeals for Friday, August 21, before the primary election on Saturday, August 22.

Election appeals are scheduled for Monday, August 24.

For House of Assembly aspirants, the APC fixed the expression of interest fee at N1m and nomination fee at N5m, bringing the total to N6m.

For House of Representatives aspirants, the expression of interest fee is N1m, while the nomination fee is N9m, totalling N10m.

The party stated that “Female Aspirants, Youth and Physically Challenged Aspirants are to pay for the Expression of Interest and 50% of the prescribed Nomination fees for each position.”

It further directed that “all payments should be made in full directly into the designated bank account of the All Progressives Congress.”

The development followed INEC’s restoration of the four previously suppressed constituencies in Delta and Kogi states after court judgments.

The affected constituencies had been suppressed for years, leaving residents without direct representation in the respective State Houses of Assembly.

The APC timetable also covers the forthcoming legislative bye-elections in Gombe, Bauchi, Delta and Kano states, including the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, where the seat became vacant following the death of lawmaker Tongo Yaya.

Canada has invited 1,000 candidates through its Express Entry system to apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class.

The invitation round was conducted on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, according to the latest ministerial instructions published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

The department said candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 523 to receive an invitation.

“Number of invitations issued: 1,000,” the notice stated.

It added that candidates ranked among the first 1,000 eligible foreign nationals in the group were eligible to receive invitations.

The round was conducted at 10:13:44 UTC on August 18, with a tie-breaking rule of August 17, 2026, at 22:09:00 UTC.

The tie-breaking rule means that “If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.”

The invitations were issued under the Canadian Experience Class, one of the classes managed through Canada’s Express Entry system.

The ministerial instructions, signed by Canada’s Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab, in Ottawa on August 18, stated that invitations could be issued between August 18 and August 19, 2026.

“Invitations may be issued to eligible foreign nationals who rank among the first 1,000 eligible foreign nationals in the group ranking,” the instructions stated.

Express Entry is Canada’s primary online system for managing permanent residence applications from skilled workers.

It covers three federal economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Candidates create profiles that are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System, which awards points for factors including age, education, language ability, work experience, and other human capital attributes.

The highest-ranked candidates are invited to apply in periodic rounds.

The Canadian Experience Class is designed for skilled workers who already have Canadian work experience and wish to become permanent residents. Eligibility generally requires at least one year (1,560 hours) of skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years in occupations under National Occupational Classification TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3, along with minimum language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3).

There is no education requirement and no need to show settlement funds. Applicants must plan to live outside Quebec.

The August 18 draw followed a pattern of frequent CEC-focused rounds in 2026. A previous Canadian Experience Class draw on August 5 issued 3,000 invitations with a lower CRS cut-off of 516.

The latest round’s reduced volume and higher cut-off of 523 mark one of the more selective CEC invitations so far this year.

As of mid-August 2026, IRCC had already issued well over 113,000 invitations through Express Entry, with a substantial share going to Canadian Experience Class candidates.

The Federal Government has explained how resources generated from the removal of petrol subsidy and foreign exchange reforms were distributed and spent between June 2023 and December 2025.

According to the Federal Ministry of Finance’s Nigeria Reform Scorecard presented on Wednesday, the reforms generated N15.8tn in subsidy savings for the Federation during the period.

However, the entire N15.8tn did not accrue to the Federal Government.

How was the N15.8tn shared?

The ministry’s presentation showed that the N15.8tn was distributed among the three tiers of government through the statutory allocation system.

The Federal Government received N5.4tn, representing 34 per cent of the amount.

States received N6.5tn, or 41 per cent, while local governments received N3.9tn, representing 24 per cent.

This means the Federal Government’s share of the N15.8tn was N5.4tn, while N10.4tn went to states and local governments.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the economy Taiwo Oyedele ,explained that the subsidy savings did not appear in the Federation Account as a separate item labelled “subsidy savings.”

“Between June 2023 and December 2025, subsidy savings mobilised a sum of N15.8tn in resources for the Federation,” Oyedele said.

He explained that the effect of the reforms was reflected through increased revenue collections.

“So, the subsidy savings showed up in the Federation accounts by way of higher revenue collections as a result of the reforms,” he said.

What happened to the Federal Government’s N5.4tn?

The ministry’s presentation showed that the N5.4tn subsidy savings was only part of the additional resources available to the Federal Government.

It recorded N3.1tn in other incremental revenue, mainly from remittances by government-owned entities.

The government also recorded N11.9tn in incremental borrowing.

Together, the N5.4tn subsidy savings, N3.1tn additional revenue and N11.9tn borrowing brought the Federal Government’s total incremental resources to N20.4tn.

Borrowing accounted for the largest share, at N11.9tn or 58 per cent. Subsidy savings accounted for N5.4tn, or 27 per cent, while other revenue contributed N3.1tn, or 15 per cent.

How was the money spent?

The ministry said total incremental expenses during the period amounted to N30.64tn.

The largest expenditure was wage adjustments, which accounted for N9.39tn. This covered the minimum wage, wage awards and allowances.

The second-largest category was external debt service, which amounted to N9.37tn, with the ministry attributing the increase to the impact of exchange rate depreciation.

Another N6.47tn went into strategic infrastructure development.

The government also spent N3.14tn on the incremental cost of electricity subsidy, while N1.24tn went into domestic debt service linked to the impact of monetary policy rate increases.

Other expenditures included N423.8bn for social welfare transfers, N419.1bn for FCT development, the Ecological Fund and natural resource investments, and N201.26bn in higher naira costs of foreign obligations.

Where did the remaining money come from?

The ministry’s figures show that the N30.64tn total incremental expenses were not funded entirely from the N20.4tn in incremental resources.

Of the spending, N20.404tn was funded from incremental resources, while N10.236tn came from the existing revenue base.

In other words, the N5.4tn Federal Government share of the subsidy savings was part of a wider pool of N20.4tn in incremental resources used to fund various government expenditures.

What does the government say the reforms achieved?

The ministry also presented a comparison between Nigeria’s current economic position and what it estimated could have happened without the reforms.

It said debt service-to-revenue had fallen from about 100 per cent in 2022 to a projected 50 per cent in 2026, while the number of states unable to pay salaries had fallen from 27 in 2023 to zero in 2026.

The ministry also reported higher foreign exchange reserves, improved capital importation, stronger GDP growth and increased oil production.

However, it acknowledged that household welfare remains a work in progress, with poverty still high and the cost of living having risen significantly following the reforms.

The government said its next priorities include reducing inflation, maintaining a unified exchange rate, lowering poverty, improving food security and ensuring that the macroeconomic gains translate into better living conditions for Nigerians.

Erling Haaland will begin the 2026-27 Premier League season as the leading contender for the Golden Boot, but several of the division’s top forwards will be hoping to challenge the Manchester City striker.

Haaland scored 27 league goals last season and has won the award three times in his four Premier League campaigns. He is again the clear favourite ahead of the new season.

Here are some of the leading contenders according to a list compiled by BBC Sport on Tuesday

Erling Haaland – Manchester City

Haaland remains the man to beat. His goalscoring record since arriving in England has been extraordinary, and he will be looking to claim the Golden Boot for a fourth time.

A new manager in Enzo Maresca could bring some tactical changes at City, but Haaland is still expected to be their main source of goals.

Alexander Isak – Liverpool

Isak is among the strongest challengers to Haaland. The Liverpool striker has already demonstrated his ability to score heavily in the Premier League and will be expected to play a major role in his side’s attack.

His form and fitness will be key after an injury-hit campaign.

Igor Thiago – Brentford

Thiago announced himself as a serious goalscorer last season by scoring 22 Premier League goals, finishing second behind Haaland.

The Brazilian will now be under pressure to show that his tally was not a one-season wonder.

Viktor Gyokeres – Arsenal

Gyokeres scored 14 league goals in his first Premier League campaign with Arsenal.

With a full season of experience in English football behind him, the Sweden international will hope to improve significantly on that tally and challenge for the Golden Boot.

Joao Pedro – Chelsea

Joao Pedro is another contender after scoring 15 league goals last season.

The Chelsea forward could benefit from playing in an attacking side under Xabi Alonso and will be hoping to take another step forward in his goalscoring numbers.

Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa

Watkins has consistently produced goals for Aston Villa and remains one of the Premier League’s most reliable forwards.

He scored 12 league goals last season and will need a significant improvement to enter serious Golden Boot contention.

Benjamin Sesko – Manchester United

Sesko could emerge as an outside contender if he can maintain his strong goalscoring form over a full season.

The Manchester United striker has the physical qualities and finishing ability to produce a big campaign, while greater consistency could put him among the league’s leading scorers.

Others to watch

Players including Dominic Solanke, Antoine Semenyo and Morgan Gibbs-White could also enter the conversation if they enjoy prolific campaigns. Recent rankings have identified a wide group of potential challengers to Haaland.

With Haaland chasing another Golden Boot and several forwards capable of scoring 20 or more goals, the race for the Premier League’s top-scorer award promises to be one of the major storylines of the 2026-27 season.

The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has lifted its suspension on onion exports from Nigeria to Ghana with immediate effect, following renewed engagements aimed at resolving challenges affecting cross-border trade.

The association, in a public notice signed by its President, Aliyu Maitasamu, on Wednesday, said the decision followed consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the ministries of trade of Nigeria and Ghana, diplomatic authorities, the Economic Community of West African States and other institutions.

NOPPMAN had earlier suspended onion exports to Ghana over unresolved difficulties confronting Nigerian and Nigerien onion traders and exporters in the Ghanaian market.

The challenges reportedly centred on the reception, allocation and offloading of onion consignments at Kotoku Market, as well as concerns over the safety and uninterrupted movement of legitimate cross-border traders.

Explaining the decision to lift the suspension, Maitasamu said the association acted after “subsequent engagements and consultations with relevant stakeholders” and in view of steps being taken to establish a more sustainable framework for cross-border onion trade.

“Onion exports from Nigeria to Ghana may resume with immediate effect,” he said.

The NOPPMAN president, however, urged Nigerian exporters and transporters to operate peacefully and comply with applicable laws, regulations, trade procedures and agreed market arrangements.

He also advised exporters to maintain proper documentation and comply with AfCFTA, ECOWAS, phytosanitary, customs and other relevant trade requirements.

The association called on stakeholders in Ghana to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring the safe reception, lawful movement, fair market access and uninterrupted offloading of legitimate Nigerian and Nigerien onion consignments.

“Any disagreement or dispute arising from the conduct of onion trade should be addressed through dialogue, consultation and the appropriate dispute-resolution mechanisms, rather than through intimidation, obstruction, violence or retaliatory measures,” Maitasamu said.

The suspension came amid growing concerns over difficulties encountered by onion traders and exporters from Nigeria and Niger in accessing the Ghanaian market, particularly at Kotoku Market, a major destination for onion consignments.

The development had raised concerns among traders and other stakeholders over the impact of disruptions on the movement of agricultural commodities across West African borders.

Nigeria and Ghana are major participants in regional trade under the ECOWAS framework, while the African Continental Free Trade Area provides a broader platform for strengthening intra-African commerce.

NOPPMAN said the latest decision was intended to support efforts towards a permanent and mutually acceptable framework that would protect producers, exporters, transporters, marketers and consumers across the affected countries.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House of Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has petitioned the state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, over the formation of a breakaway faction by some members of the family, urging the government not to have anything to do with the group as far as the selection process for the new Awujale of Ijebuland is concerned.

The family also called on Governor Abiodun to lift the over seven-month-old embargo halting the selection of the new Awujale and allow the kingmakers to resume the process so that the people of Ijebu Ode can have a befitting royal father.

In the petition dated August 15 2026, and signed by the Chairman of the ruling house, Otunba Abdul Lateef Adebayo Owoyemi; Deputy Chairman, Otunba Oladokun Ajidagba; Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf; and General Secretary, Pastor Prince J. Bola Salami, the family urged the governor not to recognise what it described as an “illegal and lawless group.”

Copies of the petition, which was submitted to the Governor’s Office on Monday, were also sent to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Secretary to the State Government; Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government; and Chairman of the Awujale Afobajes Council.

The petition alleged that the breakaway group was led by Adeleke Adeyemi, whom the ruling house said previously belonged to the Otunba Ajidagba Unit, one of three units that worked together in nominating candidates for the vacant Awujale stool.

The petitioners claimed that Adeyemi and his associates had embarked on activities capable of causing division within the ruling house.

“We wish to bring to Your Excellency’s attention the unorthodox formation and unlawful activities by some rebellious contestants to the Awujale stool, led by one Adeleke Adeyemi,” the petition stated.

Among the allegations contained in the petition was that Adeyemi had convened meetings purportedly in the name of the Olori Ebi of the Ajidagba Unit and, in collaboration with one Ridwan Oduneye, constituted a “Fact Finding Committee” allegedly aimed at damaging the reputations of some leaders of the ruling house.

The petitioners also alleged that the committee’s activities contravened a subsisting judgment of the Ijebu-Ode High Court in Suit No. HCJ/18/2014, which they said prohibited one unit of the ruling house from interfering in the affairs of another.

The ruling house further accused Adeyemi’s group of convening a meeting at which it sought to remove the three recognised Olori Ebis of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House—Owoyemi, Ajidagba and Yusuf.

According to the petitioners, the three leaders played key roles in the nomination of candidates for the vacant Awujale stool.

The petitioners described the nomination process as “lawful and peaceful” and said it was conducted in compliance with the relevant law, declaration and tradition.

They also referred to an earlier petition submitted to the governor by counsel to Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, Dr Wahab Shittu, SAN, in January 2026.

The ruling house, which is to produce the next Awujale of Ijebuland, alleged that Oduneye’s name featured in that petition as one of the members purportedly disenfranchised from the nomination exercise.

The ruling house, however, argued that Oduneye and some others were not selected to participate in the exercise by their family, citing the limited capacity of the venue.

The petition further alleged that Oduneye and his father had previously admitted to going to KWAM 1’s residence to sign a Fusengbuwa Ruling House membership form on behalf of the musician in an attempt to make him a contestant for the Awujale stool. The ruling house described this as sacrilegious because, according to it, the Fuji musician was never a member of the ruling house.

The ruling house said "We are reliably informed that the Adeleke Adeyemi’s illegal and unlawful breakaway unit has commenced entering into correspondence with Your Excellency and government for the purpose of seeking recognition, legitimizing their obnoxious activities and overturning all the successful attainments we have so far achieved in completing the candidates’ nomination and forwarding same to the Afobaje as acclaimed by all stakeholders.

"The aim of these renegades is to precipitate crises and deny our Ruling House from producing the next Awujale & Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, which God and our ancestors would not allow. We are convinced beyond every iota of doubt that they are being used.

"We are, therefore, earnestly urging Your Excellency not to accommodate nor have anything whatsoever to do with this illegal and lawless group and other rebellious groups that may raise their ugly heads under one guise or the others now or in the near future.

"We do not doubt that Your Excellency would have seen that the genuine Fusengbuwa Ruling House and the large majority of the people of Ijebu Ode are firmly in our support as the lawful leaders of Fusengbuwa Ruling House and have largely expressed their expectation that Your Excellency will not collaborate nor accommodate or tolerate any dissident or rebellious group to divide, damage and or destroy our Ruling House.

"We passionately urge Your Excellency to discountenance these distracting and destructive elements and direct the Afobajes to return to and complete their assigned role in this historic process. We earnestly pray that you remain on the side of history as we remain your loyal, law-abiding and respectful citizens".

Reacting to the petition on behalf of the breakaway group, Oduneye debunked the allegations made by the leadership of the ruling house, saying they were using the petition to create a distraction and confuse members of the public.

He explained "I am aware of the petition, we are only talking about the restructuring of our house and not about the selection process. This is not a matter that has anything to do with the government.

"We are only saying that they should come and defend the allegations of financial inducement among others against them. The truth is that our decision concerning their removal stand because it was a family decision".

Recall that the trio of Owoyemi, Ajidagba and Yusuf had recently rejected their removal as leaders of the ruling house by the breakaway unit and promised legal action against the Fact Finding Committee, which allegedly removed the leaders over claims of financial inducement in the Awujale selection process.

The three leaders had rejected these allegations describing them as falsehood and promised a legal redress against the activities of the committee.

Responding, the Secretary of the Fact Finding Committee, Oduneye, said the committee stood by its decision and that the three leaders remained removed, as announced during the family meeting held on August 9, 2026.

He also disclosed that the family members welcomed the proposed court action, adding that "Litigation is a civil way of seeking redress. The court will be the best place to establish who has betrayed the House and who is pursuing personal interest at the expense of the collective".

“We must be frank: the epidemic is far from being under control,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told an emergency meeting on the outbreak.

It had a big head start, and we are still playing catch-up.”

His comment came after the DRC on Monday said the outbreak had killed more than 2,300 people out of nearly 5,000 cases, making it the deadliest in the country’s history.

Declared on May 15, the DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak is thought to have already been spreading for several weeks by that point.

It has hit regions in the north and east where the presence of the state is weak, health infrastructure is largely lacking and myriad armed groups have roamed for decades.

The outbreak “is being fuelled by insecurity and displacement, and intense population movement along roads, rivers and mining routes”, Tedros said, according to a transcript of his remarks.

He called for governments to cooperate in fighting the outbreak, and said new recommendations would be issued to DRC and other countries at risk in the coming days.

– Unprecedented speed –

The virus, which spreads through contact with bodily fluids and causes a haemorrhagic fever, “is moving faster than any previous Ebola outbreak”, he warned.

Three months after it was declared, seven times more cases and five times more deaths were recorded in the DRC than during the first three months of the largest Ebola outbreak in history, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CD

That outbreak hit west Africa in 2013-2016, killing more than 11,300 people, mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is moving faster than any previous epidemic of the disease and risks spreading to more countries, the head of the World Health Organization warned Tuesday.

“We must be frank: the epidemic is far from being under control,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told an emergency meeting on the outbreak.

“It had a big head start, and we are still playing catch-up.”

His comment came after the DRC on Monday said the outbreak had killed more than 2,300 people out of nearly 5,000 cases, making it the deadliest in the country’s history.

Declared on May 15, the DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak is thought to have already been spreading for several weeks by that point.

It has hit regions in the north and east where the presence of the state is weak, health infrastructure is largely lacking and myriad armed groups have roamed for decades.

The outbreak “is being fuelled by insecurity and displacement, and intense population movement along roads, rivers and mining routes”, Tedros said, according to a transcript of his remarks.

He called for governments to cooperate in fighting the outbreak, and said new recommendations would be issued to DRC and other countries at risk in the coming days.

– Unprecedented speed –

The virus, which spreads through contact with bodily fluids and causes a haemorrhagic fever, “is moving faster than any previous Ebola outbreak”, he warned.

Three months after it was declared, seven times more cases and five times more deaths were recorded in the DRC than during the first three months of the largest Ebola outbreak in history, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

That outbreak hit west Africa in 2013-2016, killing more than 11,300 people, mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea

A 2018-2020 outbreak in the DRC, previously considered the country’s deadliest, killed 2,299 people out of 3,381 confirmed cases, according to WHO figures based on Congolese data.

Tuesday marked the second meeting of the WHO emergency committee since it declared on May 17 the outbreak a so-called Public Health Emergency of International Concern — its second-highest alert level.

It remained unclear when the committee would release its recommendations.

Currently, the United Nations health agency assesses the public health risk level at “very high” at the national level in the DRC, “high” for Uganda and other bordering nations, and “low” for the rest of Africa and the world.

His comment came after the DRC on Monday said the outbreak had killed more than 2,300 people out of nearly 5,000 cases, making it the deadliest in the country’s history.

Declared on May 15, the DRC’s 17th Ebola outbreak is thought to have already been spreading for several weeks by that point.

It has hit regions in the north and east where the presence of the state is weak, health infrastructure is largely lacking and myriad armed groups have roamed for decades.

The outbreak “is being fuelled by insecurity and displacement, and intense population movement along roads, rivers and mining routes”, Tedros said, according to a transcript of his remarks.

He called for governments to cooperate in fighting the outbreak, and said new recommendations would be issued to DRC and other countries at risk in the coming days.

– Unprecedented speed –

The virus, which spreads through contact with bodily fluids and causes a haemorrhagic fever, “is moving faster than any previous Ebola outbreak”, he warned.

Three months after it was declared, seven times more cases and five times more deaths were recorded in the DRC than during the first three months of the largest Ebola outbreak in history, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

That outbreak hit west Africa in 2013-2016, killing more than 11,300 people, mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

A 2018-2020 outbreak in the DRC, previously considered the country’s deadliest, killed 2,299 people out of 3,381 confirmed cases, according to WHO figures based on Congolese data.

Tuesday marked the second meeting of the WHO emergency committee since it declared on May 17 the outbreak a so-called Public Health Emergency of International Concern — its second-highest alert level.

It remained unclear when the committee would release its recommendations.

Currently, the United Nations health agency assesses the public health risk level at “very high” at the national level in the DRC, “high” for Uganda and other bordering nations, and “low” for the rest of Africa and the world.

– High risk of spread –

Cases have so far been reported in six DRC provinces, including near the border with South Sudan, as well as in neighbouring Uganda.

“The risk of further national and international spread remains high,” Tedros warned.

No specific vaccine or treatment exists for the Bundibugyo strain behind the current surge of Ebola, although clinical trials are underway.

The WHO chief said that what concerned him most was “where people are dying: at home, in their communities, outside treatment centres, and outside known contact lists”.

“Every death like that points to a chain of transmission we have not yet found,” he said, warning that “until every chain is found and broken, the epidemic will continue”.

The wariness in communities explained “the rise in cases and in deaths over the past three or four weeks,” Dieudonne Mwamba, head of the DRC’s Institute of Public Health (INSP), told AFP. Addressing that would require “other strategies”, he said.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, WHO expert Thierno Balde described efforts to ramp up and decentralise the response to bring it closer to communities where the virus is spreading.

Among other things, he said the organisation was striving to better protect motorcycle taxi drivers who transport patients, and integrate them into the surveillance system.

“WHO and partners aim to see an impact of the scale up in the next months but cannot put a timeline on when the epidemic will be brought under control,” he told reporters in Geneva, speaking from Bunia.

The chairman of Hong Local Government Area, Dr Aliyu Saad, confirmed the attack to The PUNCH in an interview via telephone on Tuesday.

“The attackers came on the night of Monday and launched a bloody attack on two houses, burnt the houses and killed one police officer and seven civilians during the attack,” he said.

He disclosed that military, police, hunters and other security agencies had been deployed to the area in a manhunt for the attackers.

The state police command spokesman, SP Suleiman Nguroje, also confirmed the attack to The PUNCHon the telephone on Tuesday.

“The report we received from the area on Monday night was that five dead bodies were recovered, four civilians and an inspector of police, after the attackers left.

We are still waiting for an update. Troops have been deployed with all the security agencies, including vigilante and hunters, to hunt for the attackers.

“If there is a new development concerning the attack, I will surely contact you for briefing,” he said.

This is the eighth time Hong LGA will suffer insurgent attacks this year.

A proposed military barracks to be located in Garaha, near the main Boko Haram route into the Sambisa Forest, is yet to take off.

Hong is the home town of two former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal and Mr Boss Mustapha.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday received briefings from the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Darma, at the State House, Abuja.

The trio discussed the management and disposal of houses seized nationwide by the anti-graft agency, the State House media office revealed in a terse statement/photo release late Tuesday.

It read, “Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Ola Olukoyede, and Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the management and disposal of seized houses nationwide, under the rules of transparency and Accountability at the State House, Abuja. Tuesday, August 18, 2026.”

The meeting is the first public engagement between Tinubu and Olukoyede since the President publicly overruled the commission earlier this month over its handling of a court order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts, just days before the state’s governorship election.

The EFCC had, on August 5, 2026, obtained a court order freezing Osun’s accounts, citing an investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling of ecology funds, intervention funds, and the state’s Federation Account Allocation Committee allocations, running to about N11bn.

The Osun State Government challenged the freeze in a suit filed the same day at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to nullify the order and claiming N2bn in exemplary damages, while accusing the commission of conducting an unproven “witch-hunt” against the state since March.

Two days later, in a statement he personally signed, Tinubu directed the EFCC to return to court and vacate the freeze order, saying he was “deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action,” coming just 10 days to the August 15 poll.

The President said he had deliberately avoided interfering in the commission’s operational activities in the past, but could not allow any federal institution to create the impression that it was being deployed to influence the outcome of the election.

Governor Ademola Adeleke went on to win re-election in the August 15 poll.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics shortly after his victory was announced, Adeleke disclosed that he had directed the state’s Attorney General to withdraw the suit against the EFCC, crediting Tinubu’s intervention for the resolution.

“I’m putting them behind. What else do I want? I have instructed my Attorney General to drop it. Mr President has done well. He called me. What more do I want?” Adeleke said.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday launched the South-West Zonal National Community Food Bank in Ogun State, urging state governments across the region to replicate the initiative to strengthen the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition.

Speaking at the launch held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Senator Tinubu said the programme was designed to ensure that vulnerable Nigerians, particularly children and pregnant and lactating women, have sustained access to nutritious food.

She called on governors in the South-West to establish community food banks in their respective states in partnership with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), stressing that such collaboration would facilitate the supply of food items and provide the operational support needed to sustain the initiative.

The First Lady described the National Community Food Bank Programme as a deliberate and sustainable response to food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households, noting that it specifically targets children under six years of age, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

She expressed optimism that the programme would be sustained, saying its ultimate objective was to ensure that every Nigerian child is adequately nourished and given a healthy foundation for the future.

According to her, the initiative is consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly its commitment to food security, improved healthcare, social protection and human capital development.

Senator Tinubu commended Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his commitment to the welfare and development of the people, citing the newly commissioned Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence and the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate as examples of projects that directly impact citizens’ lives.

She also clarified the distinction between a food bank and a food hub, explaining that the food bank is specifically designed to serve disadvantaged and vulnerable persons, with services provided free of charge.

She stressed that state governments were expected to take ownership of the facilities, adding that the Federal Government’s vision extended beyond the establishment of the initial food banks.

The First Lady further advocated locating food banks close to Primary Healthcare Centres to make them easily accessible to vulnerable families.

In his remarks, the chief host, Governor Dapo Abiodun, said the programme demonstrated the shared vision and common purpose of the Federal Government and Ogun State in building a more prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.

He said the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate and the Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence were in keeping with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which, he noted, was not merely about formulating policies but translating government intentions into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens through housing, healthcare, nutrition, social protection and human capital development.

Governor Abiodun said the philosophy underpinning his administration’s Building Our Future Together agenda was founded on the belief that government must create an environment where citizens can live with dignity, access essential services, pursue legitimate aspirations and face the future with confidence.

He maintained that development loses its moral value when economic growth rises while the basic needs of the people remain unmet.

According to him, the true measure of government is not only the number of projects commissioned but the number of lives positively transformed by such projects.

“The hospitals become useful when they save lives; the houses fulfil their purpose when they shelter families,” he said.

Governor Abiodun also said locating food banks within Primary Healthcare Centres would enable government to identify vulnerable households more effectively, support children at risk of malnutrition, assist pregnant women and nursing mothers, and ensure that interventions reached those who needed them most.

In his goodwill message, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the National Community Food Bank Programme would not only provide food to vulnerable Nigerians but also create a sustainable link between farmers and consumers.

He said the initiative reflected the commitment of the Tinubu administration to tackling food insecurity while protecting the dignity of vulnerable families.

Senator Kyari noted that food security was no longer being treated as a sectoral issue under the present administration, recalling that President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency on food security and placed the issue at the centre of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He explained that the significance of the Community Food Bank Programme went beyond food distribution, as the initiative was also designed to strengthen agricultural production through structured procurement and distribution.

“A food bank that hands out food solves a meal. A food bank tied to a farm solves a season,” he said.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, described the National Community Food Bank Programme as a critical platform for addressing health challenges associated with food insecurity and ensuring that no child or woman goes without food.

He commended the Federal Government for establishing the programme and urged governors across the South-West to key into and scale up the initiative to achieve its objectives.

In a technical presentation, the Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, said the agency would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to strengthen food production and ensure the availability of nutritious food for Nigerians.

Dr. Aina said the programme targets pregnant women and children from six months to six years of age and would be domiciled within the country’s 13,500 Primary Healthcare Centres.

Also speaking, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Gbadebo, said the initiative had the potential to provide significant succour to vulnerable members of society.

He commended the First Lady for ensuring that Ogun State benefited from the programme.

The First Lady’s visit also featured the commissioning of the National Community Food Bank at Makun, Sagamu, the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate and the Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence, all in Ogun State.

Political parties and presidential and National Assembly candidates on Tuesday signed the first National Peace Accord on issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging to shun violence, hate speech, misinformation, personal attacks and other conduct capable of undermining the electoral process.

The accord was signed in Abuja at a ceremony organised by the National Peace Committee in partnership with The Kukah Centre, barely 24 hours before the statutory commencement of public campaigns and rallies for the elections.

The event brought together the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Joash Amupitan; political party leaders; presidential candidates; National Assembly candidates; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and representatives of the diplomatic community, among other stakeholders.

Those who signed the accord included President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi; the Social Democratic Party candidate, Adewole Adebayo and his African Action Congress counterpart,  Omoyele Sowore.

Other participants were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda; the presidential candidates of the Peoples Redemption Party, and Labour Party, Donald Duke, Chibuzor Okereke, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin; the PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; federal and state lawmakers, party leaders and other candidates.

The event also featured goodwill messages from diplomatic representatives, including the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff.

However, some major political actors, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, were absent from the ceremony. Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, while Makinde is the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples’ Movement.

The Chairman of the National Peace Committee, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), was represented by a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Agwai (retd.).

The ceremony was held against the backdrop of growing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, with the economy, insecurity, unemployment, poverty, infrastructure deficits and the credibility of the electoral process expected to dominate the campaigns.

According to INEC’s revised timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Speaking through Akume, President Tinubu urged political parties and candidates to place national interest above personal and partisan ambitions, warning that the struggle for political power must not become a do-or-die affair.

He also cautioned political actors against exploiting ethnic and religious sentiments to mobilise voters, insisting that the 2027 campaign should be based on competing ideas, policies and programmes.

“Signing this peace accord is a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people that we, as leaders, will put the nation’s interests above personal or partisan ambitions,” Tinubu said.

The President acknowledged that political campaigns naturally generate disagreements and intense competition, but insisted that such disagreements should not threaten national unity.

“It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing missions for our country. We may exchange occasional political jabs, but as members of the same household, the same national family, we must never resort to divisive and primordial sentiments of ethnicity or religion as tools for seeking power,” he stated.

Tinubu urged the candidates to concentrate on the issues affecting Nigerians and offer competing solutions to the country’s challenges.

“Let us campaign on superior ideas. Let us debate issues and promote the best policies to expand opportunities for our people,” he admonished his opponents.

The President said the APC remained committed to the provisions of the accord and would reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, incitement and digital manipulation.

“Our party rejects violence, hate speech, the spread of misinformation, including through artificial intelligence, and all forms of incitement, especially via social media.

“We are committed to peaceful, transparent elections that will strengthen political stability, social harmony, economic progress, and our nation’s prosperity. I encourage other political parties and political actors to do the same.’’

Tinubu also commended the National Peace Committee for sustaining its interventions in the electoral process since 2014, noting that the initiative had helped bring political actors together to publicly commit themselves to peaceful elections.

He said Nigeria had also recorded improvements in election management, particularly through the adoption of technology by INEC.

The President cited the Permanent Voter Cards, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic accreditation processes as measures that had strengthened confidence in the electoral system.

He also referred to recent off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States as evidence of improvements in electoral administration and voter participation.

Campaigns not wars

The INEC chairman, Amupitan, described the signing ceremony as more than a symbolic gathering, saying it was an opportunity for political actors to define the ethical boundaries of the 2027 contest before the campaigns officially commenced.

He said the timing of the accord was significant because Wednesday (today), marks the statutory commencement of public campaigns and rallies for the elections.

“Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19, 2026, marks the statutory commencement of public campaigns and rallies for the 2027 general election.

“Before the first campaign flag is unfurled, before the first rally is staged, and before political rhetoric fills our public space, it is necessary that those who seek to lead this nation first gather to establish the ethical boundaries of their contest,” Amupitan said.

According to him, Nigerians were expecting political parties and candidates to use the campaign period to discuss the challenges confronting the country rather than engage in personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric.

The INEC chairman said information gathered by the National Peace Committee’s Election Security Information Hub had shown an “alarming resurgence” of hate speech, toxic polarisation, coordinated misinformation and personality-driven political discourse.

He said the trend was particularly disturbing as Nigeria approached what was expected to be one of the most fiercely contested elections since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

Amupitan challenged the candidates to make the economy, national security, infrastructure, healthcare, education and social inclusion central to their campaigns.

He likened elections to a competition for public office rather than warfare.

“Electoral contests in a constitutional democracy are not total wars; they are competitive job interviews before the electorate. Nigerians do not want insults; they want solutions,” he said

The INEC chairman also warned political parties and their supporters against premature declarations of victory and the circulation of unverified information on social media.

He said the growing use of artificial intelligence and digital platforms had created new challenges for electoral management, particularly through disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference.

Amupitan challenged presidential candidates, party leaders and campaign organisations to ensure that their supporters and online teams complied with the spirit and provisions of the accord.

“Leadership attained at the expense of public peace, institutional integrity, or human life is a hollow victory,” he warned.

The INEC chairman assured political parties that the commission had no preferred candidate and would provide a level playing field for all contestants.

“For the Commission, our moral authority to demand decorum from political actors rests squarely on our own administrative and technological preparedness,” he said.

Amupitan disclosed that INEC was preparing to deploy approximately 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general elections across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.

He said the commission was drawing lessons from recent off-cycle elections, including the governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory Area Council election, to improve its preparations for 2027.

The INEC chairman, however, stressed that technology and administrative preparedness alone could not guarantee peaceful elections, insisting that the conduct of political parties, candidates and their supporters remained critical.

“We provide the pitch and the refereeing, but the quality of the game depends on the players,” he said.

He called on the political class to recognise that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend not only on INEC’s conduct but also on the willingness of the candidates to accept democratic rules and respect the institutions responsible for administering the polls.

Abubakar said the National Peace Committee had facilitated 30 peace accords since 2015, comprising five national-level accords and 25 subnational agreements.

He added that the committee had also established faith-based peace structures in 23 states to complement its national peace-building efforts.

According to him, the issue-based peace accord was conceived in response to the increasing tendency of political campaigns to rely on sentiments, personal attacks and character assassination rather than manifestoes, policies and programmes.

Abubakar  further noted that the accord was intended to encourage candidates and political parties to compete on ideas, debate opposing views respectfully, organise supporters peacefully, protect voters, respect electoral institutions and reject hate speech and misinformation.

He lamented the declining quality of political discourse in the country.

“Over the years, political campaigns and rallies have neglected the significance of party manifestos and programmes, and created a platform for political parties to resort to name-calling, personal insults, and character assassination,” he said.

He explained that the provisions of the accord were anchored on the Constitution, the Electoral Act and other relevant laws, stressing that the agreement was therefore more than a political declaration.

The former head of state also disclosed that the National Peace Committee had established the Election Security Information Hub to monitor electoral offences and security developments and provide early warning and evidence-based analysis to stakeholders.

He urged parties, candidates, campaign councils and spokespersons to use the campaign period to address issues of concern to Nigerians and avoid inflammatory statements.

Obi observed that politicians should not need a peace accord before conducting themselves responsibly.

The former Anambra State governor argued that anyone seeking high public office should demonstrate exemplary conduct even before being elected.

“We don’t even need to sign this. We’re seeking an office where we should be exemplary. You can’t answer ‘His Excellency’ without being an excellent person,” Obi said.

Asked whether he still had faith in the peace accord in view of reports of violence during the recent Osun governorship election, Obi said his participation was driven by his desire to change the system from within.

“Because I want to change the process, I have to go through it, so I have to believe in it,” he said.

Obi said the central issue was not what the agreement was called but whether candidates would allow their personal conduct to reflect the offices they sought.

“Whatever it is, whether we call it a justice accord or a peace accord, the personal conduct of the candidate must reflect the office he is seeking. His behaviour, his person, any day, any time, must reflect that office,” he added.

He urged the candidates to make their campaigns responsive to the problems confronting Nigerians.

“We must, for the sake of this country, ensure that our conduct reflects the office we’re seeking, our behaviour, and that we do the right things and campaign on issues that Nigerians are going through today,” Obi said.

Reacting to the deaths recorded during the recent Osun governorship election, Obi called for remembrance and accountability rather than political point-scoring.

“Let us not forget those who died in ensuring that the election in Osun was achieved the way it went. We should visit them.

“We should condole with their families, and we should remain prayerful and conduct ourselves in a way that, in our democracy, nobody needs to die for an election. It shouldn’t be. It is painful, and I wish it never happened again.”

Asked what concerned him most about the 2027 election, Obi said his primary worry was the integrity of the vote.

“I don’t have any fear, except to say that, please, for the sake of the children of Nigeria, can we have an election where people’s votes will count?” he asked.

On what sanction should be imposed on candidates or parties that violate the peace accord, Obi said the electorate should have the final say.

“The punishment is that Nigerians should not vote for them,” he said.

Sowore dismisses accord

The AAC candidate Sowore dismissed the peace accord as a ritual with little practical value.

Sowore said his participation should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the effectiveness of the process, arguing that previous accords had not prevented violence.

“I don’t have faith in it. I’m bringing faith to the system. Those are two different things,” he said.

He questioned the characterisation of the recent Osun governorship election as peaceful, alleging that about 50 people died in connection with the poll.

“How can you say, in good conscience, that an election that led to the death of 50 citizens of any country is a peaceful election?” Sowore asked.

He added, “We are here in an election that involves less than two million people in Osun State. Fifty people had to die as a result of that, and you are calling it a peaceful election.”

Sowore also criticised INEC’s handling of the electronic transmission and uploading of results from the Osun election.

“As we speak, INEC is yet to complete the upload of all the election results three days after,” he alleged. ‘’If we are going to have free and fair elections, you can’t have it halfway. You have to upload all the polling units into your portal timeously. It must be completed before you announce election results.”

The AAC candidate argued that the experience of Osun showed that signing a peace pact without effective sanctions could amount to little more than a ceremony.

“The people who signed the peace accord in Osun State killed 50 people after they signed the peace accord. So, if you meant anything at all, why would you sign the peace accord and then go and carry a gun after that and kill 50 people?

“What will you be expecting after signing today’s peace accord? We conclude the ritual and move on to campaigning,” Sowore said.

He described the accord as “a ritual of sorts” and an opportunity for Nigerians to see the candidates and assess their disposition towards peaceful elections.

Sowore called for what he described as a “justice accord”, which would provide enforceable consequences for candidates or political actors who breached the peace agreement.

He questioned why the deaths allegedly recorded during the Osun election had not generated stronger political accountability.

“I don’t know why nobody is talking about these 50 people that died in Osun State. It’s like we have just sacrificed them to the gods of politics, and we should all go home,” he said.

Sowore also criticised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu following his re-election, particularly the explanation that the endorsement was based on ethnic identity.

He nevertheless commended voters in Osun for turning out despite the violence, describing an estimated 40 per cent turnout as evidence of civic consciousness.

Police pledge neutrality

IG Disu, represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Umar Shehu, pledged that the police would provide security for voters, candidates and other participants throughout the electoral process.

Shehu said the police were not interested in which candidate or political party won the election but in ensuring that eligible Nigerians exercise their franchise without intimidation.

“The Nigeria Police is not interested in who wins or loses but is interested and committed to a peaceful election where Nigerians of eligible age will exercise their franchise without fear,” he said.

The police leadership urged political parties and their supporters to cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions that could trigger violence before, during and after the elections.

IPAC urges restraint

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Dantalle, also appealed to political parties, candidates, campaign councils and spokespersons to respect the terms of the accord.

He urged political actors to avoid fake news, personal attacks, and insults, and instead promote tolerance, civility, and constructive political debate.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled an international cocaine trafficking cartel that allegedly used Nigeria as a transit hub for moving illicit drugs to the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia.

The agency also arrested the alleged Nigerian arrowhead of the syndicate, a self-styled luxury goods dealer and social media influencer, Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known online as “KC Luxury,” as he attempted to flee the country.

A statement by the agency spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), disclosed this while addressing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.

Marwa described the operation as one of the most significant narcotics investigations undertaken by the agency in recent times, saying it led to the seizure of 184.50kg of cocaine, the largest cocaine seizure made through a courier company in Nigeria.

According to him, the operation began with the interception of the cocaine consignment concealed for onward export through a courier logistics channel in Lagos.

He said following the seizure, he directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team to trace the entire network behind the shipment, from the couriers to the masterminds.

Marwa said the cartel hoped to realise as much as N39bn from the consignment through its international distribution network.

The operation began with the interception of a consignment of 184.50 kilograms of cocaine concealed for onward export through a courier logistics channel in Lagos. Given the scale of the seizure, I immediately directed the constitution of a Special Investigation Team, with a mandate to trace the entire network behind the shipment, from the couriers to the masterminds. The cartel was hoping to realise as much as N39 billion from the consignment through their international distribution network,” the statement quoted Marwa as saying.

Working with the management of the courier company involved, Marwa said NDLEA operatives unravelled a network of intermediary companies and individuals used to process the consignment, leading to the arrest of two key suspects, among others.

“The first, Lawal Mujab Kehinde, a staff member of the logistics firm through which the cocaine was processed, was found to have a direct and sustained relationship with the cartel’s Nigerian coordinator. Investigation also established that he packages and processes consignments for the syndicate, routes them to the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia, and was paid in cash.

“The second and more prominent suspect is Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known online as “KC Luxury,” whom investigations identified as the Nigerian arrowhead of the cartel. Parading as a social media influencer and businessman dealing in gold, jewellery, and luxury goods, Afolabi used his glamorous public image to disguise a criminal enterprise moving cocaine along a pipeline stretching from South America, through Nigeria, to the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia,” Marwa said.

Marwa said Afolabi was arrested at the boarding gate of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on August 13, 2026, after intelligence indicated that he planned to flee the country on a business-class flight to Paris.

He said the suspect was found in possession of €7,750, £2,800 and N100,000 cash, as well as expensive jewellery.

A subsequent search of his luxury apartment on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, also led to the recovery of exotic vehicles, according to the NDLEA boss.

Marwa said investigations further showed that the cartel used false identities to conceal the true consignors of its shipments and relied on financial facilitators who moved billions of naira on its behalf.

He added that the syndicate maintained criminal contacts in the UK, some of whom had been arrested by British authorities in connection with the same cartel.

The NDLEA boss linked the operation to recent successes against transnational drug networks, including the dismantling of the Switzerland-based Simon Amadi drug cartel, which allegedly laundered millions of dollars through dark web marketplaces, as well as the takedown of two Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine syndicates operating clandestine laboratories in forests in Ogun and Oyo states.

Marwa said the latest operation demonstrated that drug traffickers could no longer hide behind luxury lifestyles, forests, ports or courier companies.

“These operations send an unmistakable signal that this Agency’s reach extends into the ports, the forests, the luxury apartments, and the departure lounges alike, and that no sanctuary exists anywhere in Nigeria for those who traffic in poison,” he said.

He noted that drug trafficking organisations had recently shifted from seaports and airports, where scrutiny had intensified, to courier and logistics companies, which they allegedly considered less monitored channels for moving narcotics across international borders.

Marwa said the dismantling of the cartel, from the interception of the cocaine consignment to the arrest of its alleged Nigerian coordinator, demonstrated the agency’s capacity to detect traffickers wherever they operated.

There is no alternative route into or out of Nigeria for illicit drugs that this Agency cannot police,” he stated.

The NDLEA chief also described the operation as a product of international cooperation, noting the near-simultaneous arrests of suspected cartel members in Nigeria and the UK.

He commended the agency’s international partners and members of the Special Investigation Team, coordinated by the Director of Operations and General Investigation, for their professionalism in unravelling the syndicate.

Marwa warned individuals who use luxury brands, glamorous lifestyles and social media personas to conceal drug trafficking activities that the agency would track them down.

“To those who believe they can hide behind luxury brands, glamorous lifestyles, and social media personas while trafficking poison into our communities and across our borders, this Agency will find you,” he said.

At least nine people were killed and several others injured in a fire at a hotel in the Indian city of Kolkata on Wednesday, a senior fire department official said.

“Nine people were killed, including a child, in the fire that broke out early on Wednesday,” Anuj Sharma, the fire services director of West Bengal state, told AFP.

“Thick smoke enveloped the hotel. Some victims were found in the bathrooms.”

Preliminary information suggested an air conditioner in the budget hotel may have exploded and caused the blaze, Sharma said.

He added that nine people — six men, two women and a child — were rescued and taken to hospital.

Some victims seemed to be Bangladeshi nationals who had travelled to Kolkata for medical treatment, Santosh Pathak, a member of West Bengal’s ruling party, said.

“We are trying to confirm the nationality of the victims,” he told reporters.

A total of 60 guests were in the hotel when the fire broke out.

Building fires are common in India due to a lack of firefighting equipment and routine disregard for safety regulations.

AFP

It has also opened an investigation into possible price manipulation in Nigeria’s cement industry after a three-month inquiry raised concerns that prevailing market conditions may not fully explain the cost of the building material.

The preliminary findings followed a cross-border study conducted by the commission’s Anticompetitive Practices Department in response to widespread complaints over the rising cost of cement.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the commission said its investigation compared Nigeria’s cement market with those of Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Togo.

An analysis of findings in the FCCPC report showed that the cost of cement in Nigeria is higher than the prices of the same quantity of the commodity in neighbouring African countries.

This, however, came as building sector leaders and economists explained that the factors behind the high cement prices in Nigeria are compounded.

The study examined the availability of limestone, population, production capacity, consumption and retail prices. The statement read, “Findings from an industry-wide investigation conducted by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission suggest possible manipulation of prices of cement in the Nigerian market.

This is the preliminary summation of the 40-page field reports collated following a three-month cross-border study by the Anticompetitive Practices Department of the Commission, undertaken in response to widespread public complaints over the high cost of cement, a common staple in the country’s construction industry.”

The commission noted that Nigeria has substantial limestone deposits and installed cement production capacity estimated at between 60 million and 65 million metric tonnes annually, against domestic consumption of about 25 million to 30 million metric tonnes.

Despite the reported excess capacity and Nigeria’s position as a net exporter to neighbouring countries, the commission said domestic prices had continued to rise.

Market intelligence reviewed by the FCCPC showed that a 50kg bag of cement, which sold for between N9,300 and N9,700 in January, rose to between N10,500 and N13,000 by mid-year. By July, prices of between N13,000 and N15,000 were reported in some parts of the country.

The commission also found that cement sold at lower prices in some African markets. In Kenya, where the population is about 58.6 million and cement demand was estimated at 9.3 million metric tonnes in 2025, a bag sold for about $5.40, or N7,344.

In Tanzania, with a population of about 66.3 million and similar cement demand, a bag sold for about $4.80, or N6,528. In Togo, which the commission said has no limestone deposits, cement retailed at about $6.75, or N9,180 per bag.

The FCCPC said the price disparity had raised questions about why Nigeria’s significant production capacity and raw material endowment had not translated into greater downward pressure on prices.

It said industry players had attributed the high prices to energy costs, naira depreciation, imported machinery and spare parts, as well as transportation and logistics expenses.

However, the commission said it was testing those explanations against verified information on production costs, pricing, capacity utilisation and other market conditions.

“Of particular concern to the commission is that this level of production capacity has not resulted in the downward pressure on domestic prices that might ordinarily be expected in a competitive market with substantial excess capacity.

“Information provided by industry participants has identified energy costs, depreciation of the Naira and its effect on imported machinery and spare parts, as well as transportation and logistics costs, among the factors contributing to cement prices.

“The commission is testing these explanations against verified information on costs, production, pricing and market conditions. However, the weight of preliminary findings provides sufficient grounds for the investigation to continue,” the statement said.

The FCCPC said the preliminary findings provided sufficient grounds to continue the investigation and determine whether cement prices were driven by legitimate costs or by anti-competitive practices.

The probe will examine possible coordinated conduct, abuse of market power, restriction of domestic supply and anti-competitive distribution practices.

Accordingly, the commission has issued Notices of Commencement of Investigation and Summons to Produce to key players in the sector, demanding records on pricing methodologies, production, capacity utilisation, exports and commercial relationships.

“Next is to determine whether prevailing cement prices can be explained by legitimate costs and market conditions, or whether there is evidence of coordinated conduct, abuse of market power, restriction of domestic supply, anti-competitive distribution practices or other conduct contrary to the provisions of the FCCPA,” it added.

Commenting, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the investigation was necessary because of cement’s strategic importance to the economy.

“Cement occupies a strategic place in the Nigerian economy. Its price affects the cost of building a home, developing commercial property, delivering public infrastructure and, ultimately, the cost of doing business. When concerns persist about how such an important market is functioning, the Commission has a duty to look beyond assumptions and establish the facts,” Bello said.

He stressed that the investigation was not aimed at dictating how companies should conduct their businesses or limiting legitimate profits.

“Businesses are entitled to make legitimate commercial decisions and earn returns on their investments. Competition law does not prevent that. Its purpose is to protect the competitive process, so that prices, output and other market outcomes are determined by genuine competition rather than conduct that unlawfully restricts it,” Bello said.

The investigation comes amid growing pressure on the construction sector, where rising cement prices have increased the cost of housing and infrastructure projects across the country.

OPS, economists react

Building sector leaders and economists explained that the factors behind the high cement prices in Nigeria are compounded; on the one hand, it is largely structural, including transportation of limestone on impassable roads, and on the other hand, it could be influenced by monetary policy, including taxes.

They noted that there is only so much that the FCCPC could do, especially because any government intervention risks could impact free trade.

In separate phone interviews with The PUNCH, business leaders including the Chairman of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Construction Group, Soji Adeniji, explained that his experience in a recent project confirmed the FCCPC report

He said, “I was in Canada recently, and a friend of mine who is having a project in Canada was contemplating buying cement from abroad. He was of the opinion that, why can’t we buy cement from Nigeria, as in he wants to import cement from Nigeria and stuff like that.

“By the time he did his calculations, he found out that cement is not as cheap in Nigeria, and that we could arrange for the importation. Eventually, as the report stated, he found out that Turkey is more price-friendly. He was able to establish a relationship with Turkey. Of course, the Tanzania, Kenya market too was a bit preferable, which boils down to the fact that the price of cement in Nigeria is high. But then the question would be, what is the location of that kind of high cost?”

Adeniji also acknowledged that the cement market in Nigeria is experiencing a moment of scarcity, but noted that the given reasons may not be as satisfying.

Why are we having scarcity? Some people are saying because it was raining and therefore limestone deposits, well, that is not, I mean, for me, for the past two weeks now, since the beginning of August, there has not been much rainfall to affect any production. But what is happening to the limestone would be another thing,” the LCCI construction group leader stated.

He noted that other business factors could play a role, adding, “If you check the production line and look at that production chain line, you look at it from limestone to the facility that is an infrastructure facility for production.

“You look at the economy, which is stable, so we cannot be saying that things are changing. The economy is stable, and has been consistent for too long a time. Then other challenges, maybe with the manufacturer.

“You’d notice that Lafarge has just changed. A company called HBM has just bought over Lafarge, meaning that maybe the management issue or something like that. So, when you look at that production, up to the level of distribution, you’ll ask again, why are we experiencing this? They will be telling you logistics, transportation for delivery, and that kind of thing.

He noted that taxation could be another factor. “Some people from the manufacturer’s side too might be talking about the issue of double taxation, and things like that. If the tax regime is not favorable, there’s nothing definite.”

These experts urged the government to invest in improving supply to meet increasing demand, which may have caused exorbitant prices. They recommended working with researchers and the private sector to develop alternatives to cement for concrete making.

On his part, Professor of Economics and Public Policy, University of Uyo, Prof Akpan Ekpo, said the housing sector, the housing sector, is a very crucial part of investment where the cement issue could be a supply problem. He said, “This could be more demand than supply. So what the government should do is that you look at that sector properly and see whether you can help that sector.

Ekpo called on the government to help people who need access to finance in order to be in the cement business. “Otherwise,” he said, “you’d keep having this problem of high cost of cement.”

A member of the Nigerian Institute of Building and Yaba College of Technology researcher, Samuel Shonibare, said, “I urged the government to look for alternatives to the use of cement in construction. There has been a lot of research that studied other materials that can be used to replace cement partially in concrete production.

“I’m trying to look at the probability of using rice shells as partial replacements for cement in concrete production. It’s one research project I’m currently working on. Not that I’m even trying, I’m on it.

He explained that if the country reduces the use of cement in construction, of course, there will be a drastic reduction in the price of cement that is being used in construction. “So the recommendations I would make for now is telling the stakeholders in the construction industry to focus on research that will yield an alternative material to cement. If the producers of cement have discovered that there’s a shift in the usage, I think that will lead to a reduction in the price,” Shonibare noted.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, urged the government to carry out more rigorous research to ensure a detailed solution.

He said, “In order for a balanced view, it is important to hear from the FCCPC what the producers and distributors of cement have to say. Secondly, we need to know the cost structure of the cement producers and suppliers in the foreign countries. It will help us gain clear insight.”

Yusuf noted that understanding what factors impact the pricing of cement in the other countries will enrich the FCCPC inquiry.

He added, “The report needs to be more rigorous and show us the cost structure in the other countries. We need to know their cost of production, taxes, logistics and energy. Having the factors that underlie the prices will help (the probe), since it is presented as a comparative report.”

The All Progressives Congress candidate in the Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, has yet to respond to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s call for him to congratulate him on his re-election, despite calls from prominent political figures and groups for him to acknowledge the victory.

President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, several APC governors and other party leaders have since congratulated Adeleke on his victory.

On Monday, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, also urged Oyebamiji to congratulate Adeleke, following the governor’s victory in Saturday’s election.

In a statement made available on Tuesday, the APC candidate, instead, appreciated the party loyalists and supporters and urged security agencies to intervene and halt alleged attacks on members and supporters of the party.

Oyebamiji, in a statement obtained by The PUNCH in Osogbo on Tuesday, noted a growing trend of hostility and violence against members and supporters of the APC.

He, however, commended the members for their steadfastness, commitment, sacrifice, and tireless efforts throughout the governorship election.

“Dear supporters, members and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, I commend you all for your steadfastness, commitment, sacrifice, and tireless efforts throughout the just-concluded governorship election.

Your unwavering support for my candidacy and your belief in the prosperity agenda we presented to the people of Osun are experiences I will forever cherish.

“Although we had hoped for a different outcome in the election, in the meantime, we respect the position of the electoral umpire, and I totally support the decision of our party in its ongoing review of the outcome of the election.

“Consequently, I appreciate the many people who believed in and supported the alternative vision we articulated. I am deeply grateful to every voter who placed his or her trust in our vision.

To the volunteers who gave their time and energy, and to our committed party members and leaders across the state who turned out to energise our campaign, I appreciate you all,” Oyebamiji said.

He called on his supporters to continue adding value, saying the causes championed by him are still alive.

He promised to continue to work for effective, inclusive and rapid development of Osun, urging all those who stood by the party and campaign to keep working for the APC.

Oyebamiji further said, “As events unfold, I urge all of you to remain calm and peaceful as you go about your daily activities in the post-election period.

At the same time, I wish to alert the state government and security agents to the growing trend of hostility and violence against our members and supporters.

“The violent attacks on our members witnessed in the build-up to the election have taken another dimension in the last 24 hours.

“Consequently, I urge the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene and arrest this ugly trend without delay.”

The  reports that the incumbent Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, was returned elected by the State Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday, Prof Joshua Ogunwole.

Adeleke won the governorship poll with a total of 511,067, to defeat Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes

The continuous refusal by truckers to use truck parks provided by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) at Onne Port is creating serious challenges for both the port management and the host community, while also contributing to delays in cargo evacuation.

Speaking to Vanguard on the development, the Traffic Manager at Onne Port, Mr. Siraj Agbolade, said four truck parks in and around the port are currently under-utilised by truckers, adding that instead of using the designated parks, the truck drivers prefer to park their trucks along the roads and pay community youths.

He explained that the parks serve as transition areas where trucks are processed and scheduled to access the port for cargo evacuation or loading through the Electronic Call-Up System.

The Traffic Manager also said a meeting with various stakeholders operating at Onne Port has been scheduled for this week to discuss the issues and agree on possible solutions.

The development comes against the backdrop of a planned withdrawal of services by some transport unions and freight forwarders, who have threatened to withdraw their services if the roads are not rehabilitated as promised by the NPA.

Also commenting on the matter,   Ifeanyi Isikaku, Chairman Onne branch of ANLCA and titled “The Brink: Onne Freight Forwarders, Transporters Threaten Shutdown Over Road, E-Call-Up Crisis,” warned that unless urgent measures are taken to rehabilitate the deteriorating roads, commercial activities along the Onne Port corridor could grind to a halt.

The group further alleged that freight forwarders and importers are losing millions of naira as trucks conveying valuable consignments reportedly fall or are involved in accidents along the corridor.

Part of the statement reads: “The crisis engulfing the Onne Port corridor appears to be deepening, as freight forwarding associations and maritime transport operators have raised the alarm over what they describe as the deplorable condition of the port access roads, indiscriminate truck parking and mounting losses suffered by freight forwarders, importers and transport operators.

“For years, the Onne port corridor has served as a critical artery for the movement of cargo into and out of the Eastern maritime economy. But stakeholders say the deteriorating state of the road has transformed what should be a vital logistics corridor into a daily ordeal for truckers, freight forwarders, importers and residents.

Freight forwarders and importers, it said, are losing millions of naira as trucks carrying valuable consignments reportedly fall or become involved in accidents along the corridor.

For businesses operating on tight delivery schedules, every additional day spent waiting on the road translates into additional costs, demurrage, vehicle maintenance, loss of business and, in some cases, damaged cargo.”

The Kwara State Government has unveiled a roadmap aimed at eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat in the state by 2030.

The Viral Hepatitis Elimination Roadmap, themed “Let’s Break It Down,” was unveiled in Ilorin on Monday as part of efforts to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, treatment, surveillance and public awareness of the disease.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Press Secretary of the Kwara State Ministry of Health, Saad Hamdalat, and made available to PUNCH Online.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, described the launch as a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare and achieve Universal Health Coverage.

She said, “Viral hepatitis remains a silent killer in our communities. Recent data indicates that Nigeria accounts for approximately 15 per cent of the global burden of Hepatitis B, with an estimated 20 million Nigerians living with chronic Hepatitis B or C infection.”

El-Imam noted that thousands of people in Kwara, as in other parts of the country, could be living with the infection without knowing their status, putting them at risk of complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

She said the burden of the disease should not be viewed as a reason for despair but as a call for stronger and more coordinated action.

The commissioner explained that the roadmap would serve as a strategic blueprint for ending viral hepatitis as a public health threat in Kwara by 2030, in line with the World Health Organisation’s global elimination targets.

“The roadmap is not a standalone document but an operational extension of the ‘Kwara Model’ of health system strengthening, designed to align our response with the WHO’s 2030 elimination targets,” she said.

According to her, the global targets include diagnosing 90 per cent of people living with viral hepatitis and ensuring that 80 per cent of those eligible for treatment receive it.

El-Imam said the state government would intensify screening programmes to determine the prevalence of viral hepatitis in the state and ensure infected persons were identified and linked to appropriate care.

She also announced plans to scale up Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination, noting that improved coverage remained a key priority in preventing mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

“The roadmap will integrate hepatitis screening and care into existing Primary Health Care centres, Maternal and Child Health services, and HIV/TB clinics,” the commissioner said.

She added that care would be decentralised through the state’s network of PHCs and general hospitals to make hepatitis services more accessible to residents.

El-Imam further disclosed that the roadmap would establish a stronger surveillance system to monitor the incidence and prevalence of viral hepatitis, as well as treatment outcomes.

“This will ensure that our decisions are driven by data rather than assumptions,” she said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, described viral hepatitis as a significant health concern in Nigeria.

Abdullahi said the roadmap would provide direction for strengthening healthcare services and reducing the disease burden in Kwara.

He appealed to traditional, religious and community leaders to intensify awareness about viral hepatitis and encourage members of their communities to undergo early testing.

“Stakeholders must continue to take the message of hepatitis prevention and early testing to the grassroots because awareness remains critical to reducing the burden of the disease,” Abdullahi said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Technical Working Group, Prof Abdulfatai Olokooba, said the committee developed the roadmap using available data and in line with the WHO template.

Olokooba expressed optimism that faithful implementation of the document would significantly reduce the burden of viral hepatitis in the state.

He said the roadmap covered key areas including treatment, surveillance, data management for evidence-based decision-making and capacity building for healthcare workers.

“The roadmap provides a structured approach to tackling the disease through treatment, surveillance, data management and capacity building,” Olokooba said.

The Programme Coordinator, HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and Other STIs Control Unit, Dr Rasheed Muhammad, described viral hepatitis as a major health scourge that causes inflammation of the liver.

Muhammad said about eight out of every 100 Nigerians were estimated to be positive for Hepatitis B, adding that the infection commonly affects young people.

“Hepatitis B is a silent infection because many infected persons may not know their status and could unknowingly transmit the virus to others,” he said.

He explained that Hepatitis B could be transmitted through exposure to infected blood, sexual contact, sharing of needles and other contaminated materials.

He stressed the importance of testing, prevention and early treatment to reduce transmission and prevent complications associated with the disease.

The statement said the launch of the “Let’s Break It Down” Viral Hepatitis Elimination Roadmap marked a renewed commitment by the Kwara State Government to strengthening prevention, early detection and access to treatment.

It added that the ultimate goal was to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat in the state by 2030.

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has approved the removal from office of the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area, Alice Allen Tangi, and her Vice-Chairman, Sufade Jefferson Tobi, over alleged gross misconduct.

The decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary following consideration of a petition against the two elected local government officials.

The Speaker of the House, Abraham Ingobere, said the resolution was reached in accordance with the Bayelsa State Local Government Administration Law, 2000, and other relevant legal provisions.

Ingobere said the petition bordered on the alleged failure of the chairman to present monthly transparent briefings and the annual budget before spending public funds, as well as her failure to honour invitations by the House to respond to the allegations.

He said the House secured the required two-thirds majority for the removal, with 17 of the 20 lawmakers present voting in favour of the resolution.

The Speaker said, “The resolution of the House will be communicated to the executive arm of government for necessary action.”

He added that the affected officials had allegedly failed to appear before the House despite several invitations to respond to the issues raised in the petition.

The Assembly also cited relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Bayelsa State Local Government Administration Law in arriving at its decision.

In another development, the Assembly approved Governor Douye Diri’s request for the payment of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance to staff of the state-owned universities.

Supporting the request, the Leader of the House, Monday Obolo, said the approval was necessary because of the challenges confronting the state-owned universities.

Obolo said the allowances would improve the welfare and productivity of academic and non-academic staff while ensuring that Bayelsa’s institutions remained competitive with universities in other states.

He said, “Due to the enormous challenges faced by state-owned universities, the approval is necessary in order to enhance the productivity of lecturers and non-lecturers.”

According to him, the projected monthly financial implication of the allowances across the three state-owned universities is N564,842,691.58.

He said the amount would be incorporated into the state’s salary structure, with payment expected to commence next month.

Lawmakers representing Ekeremor Constituency II and Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency, Living Mitin and Wisdom Fafin, respectively, also supported the approval.

They said the allowances would improve staff welfare and prevent disruptions in the state’s tertiary education system.

The House also approved a new chart of accounts to accommodate newly created ministries, departments and agencies of the state government.

The measure, according to the lawmakers, is in line with international best practices and is intended to promote transparency in tracking government revenue and expenditure and improve budgetary planning.

Similarly, lawmakers approved the 2027–2029 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper submitted by Diri.

Explaining the importance of the document, Obolo described the MTEF-FSP as a precursor to the annual budget, saying it would enable the government to plan using key macroeconomic indicators, including crude oil prices, exchange rates and inflation.

He said the economic parameters contained in the document were realistic and achievable.

The Deputy Leader of the House, Bernard Kenebai, commended Diri for submitting the MTEF-FSP on time, saying the projections were realistic.

The Assembly also conducted first readings of the Universal Basic Education Board Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Senior Secondary Education Board Bill, 2026.

It described the strong investor response as a vote of confidence in both the bank and Nigeria’s domestic capital market.

The bank issued the bond through its BOI Financing SPV Plc under its $1bn Multi-Currency Instruments Programme.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a statement he signed Tuesday titled ‘Bank of Industry Lauds President Tinubu over N250bn Series 1 Bond Oversubscription.’

BOI Chief Executive Officer, Olasupo Olusi, said the swift oversubscription would not have been possible without incentives personally approved by the President.

Olusi said, “The strength of the investor response is a vote of confidence not only in BOI, but also in the capacity of Nigeria’s domestic capital market to mobilise long-term capital for productive investment.”

“As a Development Finance Institution, we could not have received the strong investor demand for the bond in five working days without the support of President Tinubu, who gave his executive approval for various incentives to encourage investors.

This became a leverage and a positive signal to discerning investors. Mr President deserves the honour for this feat,” he added.

Olusi disclosed that a separate N100bn fund approved by the President for the bank would be used to blend the bond’s pricing and cushion the impact of high interest rates for manufacturers and other BOI customers.

He also described the intervention as further testament to the President’s support for Nigeria’s productive sector.

He said the ultimate objective of the transaction was to translate investor confidence into increased financing for Nigerian enterprises, with potential impact on industrial expansion, job creation, domestic value chains and economic competitiveness.

The bank described the transaction as a significant broadening of its funding architecture, complementing its established track record in international capital markets with deeper mobilisation of long-term capital from domestic institutional investors.

It said the transaction demonstrated the growing capacity of Nigeria’s domestic capital market to channel long-term institutional savings into productive sectors of the economy.

BOI and its transaction advisers said final subscription and allotment figures would not be disclosed at this stage, as the final allotment remains subject to Securities and Exchange Commission approval, with the transaction still progressing toward completion.

According to the bank, the immediate significance of the transaction lies in the strength and quality of investor demand, the pricing achieved and the breadth of the investor base.

It said these factors point to sustained institutional appetite for high-quality, long-term domestic assets.

“Proceeds from the issuance will enhance BOI’s capacity to provide long-term financing to eligible enterprises across priority sectors, supporting investments in productive capacity, local value addition, employment creation and economic diversification,” the statement read.

The bank described the successful transaction as another milestone in developing Nigeria’s domestic market for long-term development capital, further strengthening its position as a credible and repeat capital markets issuer.

The Kebbi State Government has commenced a four-day capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening treasury operations, financial controls and records management across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The programme, titled “Strengthening Treasury Operations, Financial Controls and Office Record Documentation,” is scheduled to hold from August 19 to 22, 2026, in Sokoto.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the governor, Abdullahi Zuru, said the initiative was part of efforts to improve public financial management, institutional accountability and the effective documentation of government transactions.

He said the programme reflected the administration’s commitment to ensuring that public resources were managed transparently, responsibly and in accordance with established financial regulations.

He said, “Efficient treasury operations, sound financial management and effective records administration are fundamental to promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in the public service.”

Zuru explained that participants would receive practical training in financial documentation, internal controls, risk management, audit preparedness and compliance procedures.

He said the knowledge acquired would enable treasury personnel and MDA officials to maintain accurate financial and administrative records while strengthening accountability mechanisms within their respective institutions.

The first phase of the training will focus on public financial management and documentation standards, with emphasis on transparency, accountability, value-for-money principles and the legal framework governing the management of public funds.

The second phase will concentrate on office records documentation and control systems, particularly the proper management, preservation and retrieval of financial and administrative records throughout their lifecycle.

Zuru stressed the importance of proper documentation to effective governance, saying, “maintaining complete, accurate and reliable records is essential for effective decision-making, regulatory compliance, accountability and audit processes.”

The participants will also be trained on internal control mechanisms and risk management, including approval procedures, supervisory controls, financial reporting and appropriate responses to audit queries.

The government said the training would combine classroom sessions with practical exercises, case studies, simulations and group discussions to enable participants to identify documentation gaps, address control weaknesses and apply the lessons to their daily responsibilities.

It expressed optimism that the programme would improve the state’s audit readiness, strengthen financial reporting and enhance public confidence in government institutions.

The government further said improved financial and records management systems would facilitate more productive engagement with civil society organisations, professional bodies, development partners and other stakeholders.

It noted that “the commitment to transparency and accountability requires continuous strengthening of institutional systems and professional capacity.”

The state government also emphasised that prudent management of public resources should not be viewed as the responsibility of a single institution, stressing that “responsible management of public resources is a collective institutional responsibility.”

It added that effective internal controls, reliable records and accurate financial reporting remained critical to strengthening governance and improving public service delivery.

The programme is being held under the theme: “Gaskiya da Rikon Amana – Ginshikin Kyakkyawan Shugabanci” — Transparency and Accountability: The Foundation of Good Governance.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord Party won the recent Osun State governorship election because President Bola Tinubu allowed the poll to be free and fair.

Wike made the declaration while speaking during an inspection tour of flood-affected areas in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday.

Reacting to the August 15 Osun governorship election, Wike dismissed claims that the Federal Government manipulated the poll, arguing that Tinubu allowed the democratic process to take its course.

According to The Nation, the minister said the outcome of the election demonstrated that the Federal Government did not deploy its influence to undermine the opposition.

Wike said, “The President called him… congratulating him (Adeleke). What does it tell you? If Tinubu did not allow a free and fair election, would they have won? No!”

The minister also pushed back against claims of federal might being used to influence elections, drawing from his experience of previous electoral contests.

He said, “When you say force of the federal government… ask those who have survived it, though—people like me who survived federal might. It’s not by saying ‘they say, they say.’ It’s not true.”

Wike urged political observers to distinguish between state governorship elections and presidential elections, arguing that the outcome of an off-season governorship poll should not automatically be interpreted as an indication of what would happen in a presidential contest.

The minister’s comments came days after Adeleke defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the Osun governorship election.

Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji scored 444,815 votes, giving the incumbent a margin of 66,252 votes.

Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11.

Wike also addressed the recurring flooding in parts of the FCT, saying the problem should not be politicised without examining its underlying causes.

According to the minister, some critics had used the recent flooding to attack the administration instead of acknowledging its achievements in other areas.

He added that government officials and residents also had roles to play in preventing flooding.

The minister also rejected suggestions that poor residents were responsible for major structural encroachments on waterways and other restricted areas.

According to Wike, many of the structures obstructing drainage channels were built by wealthy Nigerians and had existed for years before the current administration.

The All Progressives Congress chairmanship candidate for Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Osborn Umahi, has rallied supporters ahead of the August 22, 2026 local government election.

Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, led the campaign in Ohaozara on Monday, August 17, as supporters gathered at the St Margaret Umahi Pavilion, Uburu, to express their support for his candidacy.

Umahi had earlier obtained the APC nomination and expression-of-interest forms to contest the Ohaozara chairmanship election and subsequently emerged as the party’s candidate.

The campaign was part of preparations for the Ebonyi State local government election scheduled for Saturday, providing an opportunity for residents and party supporters to rally behind their preferred candidates.

According to a Tuesday statement signed by the Minister of Works’ Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the gathering demonstrated growing support for Umahi’s ambition.

The statement said, “The people of Ohaozara Local Government Area have demonstrated strong support and enthusiasm for the emergence of their young and vibrant son, Engr. Osborn Umahi, as a new generation of leadership.”

It said the campaign was “widely seen as a strong demonstration of the growing acceptability of Engr. Umahi across the council area.”

Umahi was described in the statement as an engineer, financial expert and seasoned leader, with a combination of engineering expertise, financial knowledge, leadership experience and broad exposure.

The statement said these qualities had positioned him to provide “purposeful and responsive leadership” if elected.

It added that the atmosphere at the campaign reflected a growing desire among residents for leadership anchored on competence, experience, fresh ideas and an understanding of their needs.

“For many of those present, the campaign was not simply about political mobilisation. It was an expression of confidence in one of Ohaozara’s own and a statement of expectation for a new chapter of leadership,” the statement said.

The campaign also highlighted Umahi’s connection to the local government and presented his candidacy as an opportunity for a new generation of leadership in Ohaozara.

As the election draws closer, the statement said attention had shifted from the candidate’s acceptability to securing victory at the polls.

“As the August 22 election draws closer, the focus now shifts from acceptability to victory at the polls. The massive support witnessed at the campaign, supporters say, must be translated into votes on Saturday,” it said.

The Ebonyi State local government election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 22, 2026.

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has categorically ruled out running for public office in the future, citing deep-seated systemic flaws, high political stress, and risks of electoral manipulation in Nigeria.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on News Central TV on Tuesday, the award-winning musician reflected on his intense digital advocacy during the recently concluded Osun State governorship election and explained why he has no interest in pursuing a political career.

When asked if his active political involvement during the Osun election signalled a transition into politics, Davido dismissed the idea, pointing out the frustration of competing in a flawed electoral framework.

“With this system? I mean, my own vexing… no be me dey run, see as I dey tweet. I can’t even do this with this system, the high blood pressure that… How can you wake up in the morning knowing that the people want you, and you can get rigged out? It cannot happen anywhere else in the world,” he stated.

Reaffirming his commitment to his primary profession, the music star emphasised that while non-politicians can achieve political success globally, his focus remains strictly on music.

“I’m comfortable in my current… My job? Or why am I famous? Music, yeah. I defeated 17 governors with all their power, with all their immunity, with all their escort commander, with all their DSS, with all their billions. I defeated them with what? Just a phone, “Davido asserted.

Addressing public expectations and social media pressure following his uncle Governor Ademola Adeleke’s successful re-election, Davido clarified that he will not be pressured into taking sides in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.

For now, I feel like I did what I had to do for the Osun people and for my family. The next day, a lot of people were tweeting at me, trying to rage-bait me. ‘Make sure you do this for the president.’ You can’t come and tell me what to do. You can’t force me to have a presidential candidate. Personally, I don’t want to be involved in it,” he said

He further noted that while his uncle may maintain political and administrative ties with the Federal Government for the benefit of Osun State, those decisions do not influence his independent stance.

“My uncle might have his personal reasons for the gain of the state. I’m sure a governor being in good terms with the president… maybe more allocation. But that’s for the governor to decide. He’s been re-elected,” Davido added.

News report that Davido has disclosed that he currently has no preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, firmly ruling out any alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure has urged young Nigerian innovators to develop practical and marketable solutions capable of addressing the country’s pressing challenges.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Khalil Halilu, gave the charge as 60 young innovators from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones commenced the virtual hackathon phase of the FutureMakers by NASENI innovation programme on Tuesday.

Halilu said Nigeria needed to deliberately support young innovators with the infrastructure, mentorship and platforms required to transform ideas into products.

“These 60 innovators represent what is possible when young Nigerians are equipped with the right infrastructure, mentorship and platform to solve the problems closest to them,” he said.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at helping Nigeria move from a consumer economy to a producer economy by empowering young Nigerians to develop solutions to challenges in their communities.

The four-day virtual hackathon, which runs from August 17 to 20, will enable participants to develop prototypes and refine technology-driven solutions addressing challenges peculiar to their regions.

The North-West cohort is focusing on gender-related barriers to innovation and creative thinking, while participants from the North-Central are developing solutions to food security challenges linked to regional insurgency.

In the North-East, innovators are working on conflict and security solutions, while the South-West cohort is addressing the rising cost of education for average Nigerian families.

Participants from the South-South are tackling weak connections between academia and industry, while those from the South-East are developing solutions to the increasing involvement of children in trading at the expense of schooling.

The Hub Manager of NASENI Innovation Hub, Busola Beckley Perez-Folayan, said the regional structure was designed to ensure that participants worked on problems directly affecting their communities.

She said the virtual format had also widened access by removing the cost and logistical barriers associated with physical participation.

“The regional structure allows participants to develop solutions based on challenges directly affecting their communities,” she said.

The innovators are receiving technical guidance and mentorship throughout the hackathon as they work towards developing practical prototypes.

All 60 participants will proceed to the FutureMakers Pitch Sessions scheduled for August 24 to 26, where they will present their solutions to a panel of judges and industry leaders.

The pitch sessions will be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook.

The top three innovators in each geopolitical zone will receive N1.5 million, N1 million and N500,000 respectively.

The six zonal winners will subsequently compete at the NASENI Invention Fest for a N5 million grand prize, a fully funded international study tour and scholarships to two leading Nigerian universities.

NASENI said the initiative goes beyond prize money, with successful innovators gaining access to its SparkLab prototyping facility, technical training and personalised mentorship.

Selected participants will also have the opportunity to participate in an international study tour with the NASENI EVC/CEO.

The agency said the FutureMakers campaign had generated more than 2.6 million impressions and attracted over 20 media placements.

The programme is being implemented in collaboration with academic and ecosystem partners, including MIVA Open University and the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja.

NASENI said FutureMakers was conceived as a talent pipeline for early-stage Nigerian innovators, providing access to funding, mentorship, training and engineering and prototyping infrastructure to help turn ideas into commercially viable solutions.

A former Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, Dele Momodu, has cautioned against comparing Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, with his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara.

Momodu, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, stated this via his X handle on Tuesday while reacting to an online publication titled ‘Wike: I’d have been in Osun if Tinubu wanted APC victory at all cost.’

“Osun people would have demystified you mercilessly. Adeleke is not Fubara!! My kobo advice, stop equating yourself to God,” Momodu wrote.

According to the publication which Momodu reacted to, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress wouldn’t have lost the Osun State governorship election if President Bola Tinubu had “wanted to win the Osun State election at all costs.”

“I would have been there, and we would have won it, and there’s nothing the governor can do,” Wike stressed.

The PUNCH Online reports that Adeleke, contesting on the platform of the Accord Party, won a re-election into office for a second term, having polled  511,067 votes against the APC’s candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who had 444,815 votes.

In his first tenure in office, Adeleke, then a PDP governorship candidate, defeated former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, in the 2022 governorship election.

The publication, as earlier referenced, noted that Wike made the statement on Tuesday while responding to questions on the outcome of the Osun governorship election, as he addressed journalists during an inspection of flood-prone areas in Maitama, Abuja.

“Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has been a prominent member of the G5 group of PDP governors who opposed the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election. Since Tinubu appointed him FCT minister, Wike has maintained his membership of the PDP while publicly supporting the President and some policies of his administration.

His latest comment underscores his claim that the APC could have secured victory in Osun had the President chosen to deploy greater political effort towards the election.

“Wike has also remained politically active despite serving in an APC-led federal administration, maintaining that his support for Tinubu does not amount to abandoning the PDP,” the publication read.

On August 11, 2026, Momodu revealed his support for Adeleke of the Accord Party in Osun State for a second term, despite being a member of a rival opposition party.

Momodu insisted that opposition parties must set aside individual interests and align behind Adeleke ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

The former presidential aspirant said he remained a proud member of the ADC, saying that he joined the party on the basis that prominent opposition figures decided to form a broad coalition against what he described as the “APC cankerworm.”

I joined ADC on the basis that prominent members of opposition parties in Nigeria decided to form a broad coalition of forces against the APC cankerworm that has almost destroyed our economy, social cohesion, religious tolerance and democratic institutions and separation of powers.

It would be foolhardy not to see that with the manner APC has turned Osun State into a theatre of war, the only sensible strategy is for all opposition parties to align immediately and back the Accord Party candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“I make this declaration without equivocation, or any fear of contradiction,” the statement partly read.

The Ondo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has fixed the cut-off marks for admission into public Junior Secondary Schools across the state for the 2026/2027 academic session.

According to a Tuesday statement signed by Press Officer, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Bisi Lawani, the cut-off marks were based on candidates’ performance in the admission assessment, which was scored over a total of 300 marks.

The ministry stated, “The cut-off marks are based on a total score of 300 marks obtained by candidates in the admission assessment.”

The assessment is a prerequisite for admission into public secondary schools across the state and is aimed at ensuring that only qualified candidates are considered for admission.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, who chaired the meeting, emphasised the importance of the exercise and commended the smooth conduct of the examination.

Ajibefun said the examination was conducted without any major hitch, while the prompt release of the results demonstrated the ministry’s commitment to ensuring a credible and efficient admission process.

He said, “The examination was conducted smoothly and without any major hitch, with the results released promptly.”

The commissioner added that the development underscored the ministry’s commitment to a transparent admission process.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Akindele Ige, said the exercise was designed to promote merit in the admission process.

He said, “The exercise is aimed at fostering a transparent and merit-based admission process that rewards hard work while ensuring that qualified candidates have access to quality secondary education in the State.”

Following the conclusion of the assessment, principals of public secondary schools have been directed to commence the admission process for eligible candidates who meet or exceed the approved cut-off marks.

The ministry also directed the Zonal and Area Education Offices to coordinate the admission process in their respective local government areas.

Parents and guardians were advised to obtain relevant information and guidance on the admission process from the appropriate Education Offices or their children’s respective primary schools.

They were also urged to adhere strictly to the guidelines issued by the ministry.

Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has described the re-election of his uncle, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, as a remarkable victory achieved against formidable political opposition.

Davido spoke on Tuesday while addressing journalists at his country home following the governor’s victory in the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

Congratulating his uncle, the singer described the contest as a difficult battle, claiming that several prominent political figures rallied against the incumbent governor.

“Let me congratulate my governor for his re-election for the hard-fought battle. Let me not say battle but war, where you have 17 governors, 50 senators, House of Reps, I don’t know how many they were against one man and he came out victorious. God is good,” Davido said.

The singer attributed Adeleke’s victory largely to the support of Osun voters, whom he praised for standing by the governor and protecting their votes during the election.

He said the level of support for the Adeleke family was overwhelming, adding that he became emotional several times while witnessing the events of election day.

“I can’t remember how many times I cried that day because the love was massive,” he said.

Davido said the governor’s victory should serve as a lesson to political leaders across the country, arguing that leaders who genuinely serve their people would enjoy their support at the polls.

“My uncle should be an example to all other people out there. It shows all other governors out there that if you work for the people, the people will be with you and God,” he said.

The singer also thanked the people of Osun State for supporting Adeleke and his family despite what he described as attempts at intimidation and vote-buying during the election.

Beyond the election, Davido announced plans to intensify his involvement in youth and sports development in the state.

As chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund, he said he deliberately postponed some of his planned initiatives until after the governorship election.

As chairman of the Sports Trust Fund, I want to do a lot of things but waited for the election to be over,” he said.

According to him, one of the initiatives being considered is the development of a recreation centre for young people, with facilities including football pitches, swimming pools and basketball courts.

Davido said the proposed centre would provide young people with opportunities to discover, develop and showcase their sporting talents while promoting healthy recreation.

The singer has remained one of Adeleke’s most vocal celebrity supporters and was actively involved in the governor’s campaign ahead of the election.

Adeleke secured a second term after defeating his major challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, in the August 15 poll.

Following the conclusion of the election, Davido said his focus would now shift towards initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for young people in Osun State, particularly through sports and recreation.

Nigerians interested in acquiring digital skills can apply for free training through the Federal Government-backed Digital Training Academy, which offers government-sponsored learning licences in partnership with Coursera.

The programme is part of the National Skilling Project and is designed to help Nigerians develop skills that can improve their employability and opportunities in the digital economy.

According to the academy’s official website, 36,000 Nigerians are to be enrolled in the programme, with training covering more than 10 skill areas across all 37 states. The programme is fully sponsored by the Federal Government, meaning successful participants do not pay for the learning licence.

What can Nigerians learn?

The Digital Training Academy lists several high-demand areas, including:

* Software Development
* Cloud Technologies
* Cybersecurity
* IT Automation
* AI and Machine Learning
* Connected Technologies
* FinTech
* Parallel Computing
* Quantum Computing
* Natural Language Processing (NLP)

The AI and Machine Learning track, for instance, focuses on building intelligent systems using artificial intelligence, machine learning and deep-learning technologies.

The academy says the courses are delivered through Coursera, allowing participants to learn from global experts.

Who can apply?

The programme is targeted at Nigerians seeking to acquire or improve digital and professional skills. Students, job seekers and working professionals can participate, making it suitable for people looking to enter the technology industry or upgrade their existing skills.

How to apply

Interested Nigerians can apply through the Digital Training Academy portal.

The registration process begins with creating an account using a National Identification Number and phone number.

Applicants are then required to complete their profiles by providing information about their background, interests and career goals.

After completing the profile, applicants take a pre-assessment designed to determine their existing skill level and help place them on an appropriate learning path.

The academy’s official website outlines the process as, create an account using your NIN and phone number, complete your profile with your background, interests and career goals, take the pre-assessment to determine your current skill level, and start learning after receiving your assessment result and learning pathway.

Is the training really free?

Yes. The Digital Training Academy states that the programme is fully sponsored by the Federal Government of Nigeria and provides free learning licences.

The academy also says training centres have been established across the country with internet access and learning devices, meaning applicants without personal computers or reliable internet access can still participate.

Will participants receive certificates?

The programme provides certificates to participants who successfully complete the required training and assessments. The academy currently lists 36,000 certificates to be awarded alongside the 36,000 learners to be enrolled.

How long does the training take?

The duration depends on the selected learning track and level. The programme combines online learning with other forms of support, including facilitated learning and practical activities.

Applicants should note that the academy does not publicly list every individual Coursera course under each track. The specific learning pathway becomes available through the learner’s dashboard after registration and assessment.

Where can I register?

Interested Nigerians can register through the official Digital Training Academy portal: https://dta.education.gov.ng/onboarding

The African Democratic Congress says it collaborated with the Accord Party during the August 15 Osun State governorship election to prevent the All Progressives Congress from reclaiming power in the state.

National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed this on Trust TV on Monday while reacting to the party’s performance in the election.

The ADC’s governorship candidate, Najeem Salaam, polled 17,180 votes in the election, while incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party won with 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, who secured 444,815 votes.

Asked why the party’s performance was below expectations, Abdullahi said the ADC had identified the possibility of opposition votes being divided, which could have given the APC an advantage.

The reasoning, according to the scribe, led the coalition to work with the Accord Party.

He said, “We saw the possibility of collaboration. We saw the possibility earlier on that if we decided to go full throttle, the possibility that the opposition would divide the votes and APC would take the victory was there.

“And that was why we saw the opportunity to work together. And that was what happened.”

He said the ADC did not consider its governorship candidate’s performance a failure because the party’s primary objective was to prevent the APC from returning to power in the state.

“That is why we can confidently celebrate what is going on in Osun, because for us, victory means that APC was defeated.

“So we don’t see the fact that our governor did not emerge as an indication of defeat or failure. For us, the failure, the defeat of the APC, was a real victory for us,” he said.

Asked whether the ADC had directed its supporters to vote for Adeleke, Abdullahi said, “We co-operated with the Accord Party.”

According to him, the decision was deliberate and had the backing of the ADC leadership.

Abdullahi said the development demonstrated that opposition parties could defeat the ruling APC in the 2027 presidential election if they worked together.

“It’s something that was deliberate, and we are glad that the outcome has justified the confidence that everyone has put in the process, and it has proved that the opposition working together can actually defeat this incumbent, no matter how awesome they are,” he said.

He, however, said the ADC would not claim sole credit for Adeleke’s victory, stressing that the people of Osun deserved the credit.

“But I’m saying that we are not taking credit. We are saying that the credit belongs to the people of Osun State,” Abdullahi said.

“The victory belongs to Ademola Adeleke. And in spite of all odds, he still managed to emerge as the governor of Osun State.”

The ADC spokesman also dismissed claims that the party’s poor performance was linked to resentment against its national secretary and former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

“That is not true. That is not true. Anybody saying that is not being charitable, because the entire leadership of the party was in Osun in the days leading to the election.

“And we saw the kind of overwhelming support that Rauf Aregbesola still controlled in Osun State,” he said.

Abdullahi described claims about Aregbesola’s treatment of civil servants while in office as “oppositionality”, saying Aregbesola remained popular in the state.

He said the ADC’s decision to collaborate with Accord was deliberate and not motivated by resentment or a desire to punish any political actor.

“It’s something that was deliberate, and we are glad that the outcome has justified the confidence that everyone has put in the process, and it has proved that the opposition working together can actually defeat this incumbent, no matter how awesome they are,” he said.

US President Donald Trump has declared the Strait of Hormuz a “new US territory” in a social media post, escalating his comments over control of the strategic waterway amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Trump on Tuesday shared a map graphic on Truth Social, a social media platform he owns, labelling the Strait of Hormuz a “NEW U.S. Territory”.

The same graphic was also posted by the official White House account on X.

The image shows a blue-highlighted map of the strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with a circle around the narrow passage and the words “NEW U.S. Territory” displayed prominently.

The development follows Trump’s recent comments that he would declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory after defeating Iran.

Speaking at a political rally in New York State on Friday, Trump said, “After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated — pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.”

“It’s true,” he added.

Trump had also described the idea as “a great idea” and “an excellent idea”, citing the US naval presence and blockade in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil and gas typically flows.

The latest development comes amid an ongoing standoff between the United States and Iran over the waterway, with Iran restricting access to much of the strait while the US Navy maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.

Trump had previously said, “We have the blockade. No ships get through unless we want them to.”

Iranian officials have rejected claims of U.S. territorial control.

Iranian Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Ghalibaf, and other figures have stated that the strait will remain closed or under Iranian authority until the United States lifts the blockade, eases related sanctions, and meets other commitments.

Iranian statements have dismissed efforts to claim the waterway through social media posts or military assertions.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has transmitted the names of six commissioner nominees to the  State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

Zape Upaa, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Alfred Emberga, stated this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The statement read in parts, “The governor, in the letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, said the move was intended to strengthen the State Executive Council and inject additional expertise and capacity into the administration.

“The nominees include Hon. Kuma Yenge, Hon. Roy Terna, Hon. Angwa Monday, Hon. Elizabeth Ogenyi, Hon. Solomon Iorpev and Hon. Nick Eworo.”

The governor requested the House to give the nominees prompt and favourable consideration in accordance with its constitutional responsibility.

The statement stated that the submission of the commissioner nominees comes as the Alia-led administration continues to consolidate its cabinet and strengthen the machinery of government for effective service delivery across the state.

The nominees are expected to replace some of the executive council members who resigned to contest various elective offices during the primary elections.

In July 2026, Alia challenged state governors nationwide to fully implement local government autonomy.

Alia, who declared that the constitutional provision had transformed governance in Benue, argued that his state had become the most compliant in the federation.

The former clergyman stated this during the meet-the-press briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the State House, Abuja.

He also warned politicians against converting insecurity into a partisan weapon.

“I encourage every other person who is not on this path to move into it as well, because it works. Benue State is number one compliant on autonomy.

“Our local government autonomy is sacrosanct, and they have it. The judiciary also have their own autonomy. These are verifiable facts,” he said.

A doctor, Olusina Ajidahun, has spoken on claims by the daughters of veteran Yoruba actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, that hospitals have refused to continue treating their father, who is battling stage-four cancer.

The doctor, identified on X as The Bearded Dr Sina, said the daughters’ description of their father’s treatment could be misunderstood, particularly their claim that hospitals had refused to treat him.

Reacting to the development on Monday, he explained that patients with stage-four cancer may be moved to palliative care after chemotherapy and other available therapies have been explored.

He wrote, “They don’t want to treat my father again. This is a dangerous statement and can set the tide against the medical team treating her Dad.

“When patients have stage 4 cancer and chemo and/or other therapies have been explored. There is a form of care called PALLIATIVE CARE.. which is end-of-life care and care for terminal diseases because at the point of the disease you cannot treat it, but you can manage associated symptoms and give the person a good quality of life before death.”

According to him, describing the situation as hospitals refusing to treat the actor could create a negative perception of healthcare workers and potentially trigger hostility against medical professionals.

“Saying they don’t want to treat my father makes it look like they are intentionally rejecting him, and in the context of recent happenings in the health sector, it can trigger an insurrection and put a bad label on health care workers,” he said.

The doctor also cautioned the public against recommending herbal remedies for stage-four cancer, warning that unverified concoctions could cause further complications.

He said, “IF YOU HAVE HERBS that treat cancer. Don’t do this.. There are no herbs that will treat a stage 4 cancer. These concoctions will end up damaging more organs and causing more complications. You’d end up wasting money and causing more problems.”

He further explained that stage-four cancer meant that the disease had spread beyond the organ where it initially developed.

“People need to understand that Stage 4 cancer means the cancer has left the primary organ and gone to other sites. Your Doctor knows what’s best, and it is good you work hand in hand with the team to give the best productivity,” he said.

He also expressed sympathy for Ogogo’s family and said he hoped they would work closely with the medical team treating the actor.

“I do hope Ogogo’s daughter and family see this. Wishing the family all the best throughout the trying times,” he added.

The doctor clarified that he was not involved in Ogogo’s medical care and was commenting independently on the daughters’ videos.

Online had reported that Ogogo’s daughters, Lima and Kira Taiwo, separately appealed for help on Instagram over their father’s health condition.

In a video posted on her Instagram page on Monday, Lima said the actor’s condition had deteriorated and claimed that hospitals had refused to treat him.

“Hello everybody, good evening. I’m here to ask for help from my daddy. He has cancer and it’s really, really bad.

“And the hospitals are refusing to treat him. At least, please, give this man a chance. Nobody wants to do anything,” she said.

Lima said the family only discovered the extent of the actor’s condition about three weeks earlier, adding that his outward appearance had not reflected the severity of his illness.

You see him, you can’t even know that. Something is wrong that bad. It’s just starting to show. We didn’t even know until like three weeks ago,” she said.

She reiterated that the family was seeking medical assistance and not financial donations, appealing to anyone with connections to healthcare providers who could take on her father’s case.

Please, I’m begging you. If you know somebody that knows somebody that will be willing to treat him, anything, we’re willing to try anything. We’re not here to ask for money. Nobody’s here to ask for money,” she said.

Lima also acknowledged the support the family had received from a relative during the crisis.

“My big uncle has helped a lot. He has been of great help. Like, nobody even knew that he would show up for us this way,” she said.

The actress’ daughter ended her video with an emotional appeal, saying she could not bear to watch her father die.

“But if he’s willing to do anything, please, if you know somebody that knows somebody that will be willing to treat him, would you really appreciate it? Please, I can’t watch my daddy die. I can’t. I can’t. Please. Please, I’m begging you. Please. Please,” she said.

In a separate Instagram video, Kira also appealed for help, disclosing that her father’s cancer was at stage four.

“Hello everyone, I’m here for my daddy. He has cancer and is in stage 4. The hospital is saying that they cannot treat him again, like they can’t give him chemo again,” she said

Kira appealed to anyone who could provide cancer treatment for the actor, including chemotherapy, to contact the family.

She stressed that the family was not seeking money but medical intervention that could give their father another chance.

“What I’m here for, what I’m here for is that if you can treat my daddy, if you can start chemo for him, whether it’s medical or herbs, please, I’m begging you, guys, I’m begging you, any help, anything, anybody that you know that can treat cancer, please, please, I’m begging you,” she said.

She urged anyone who knew a medical professional or facility capable of treating cancer to contact her, her sister or the actor directly.

“Please, please, if you can treat my daddy, please send me a DM. I’ll be checking my phone. Please, I don’t want my daddy to die,” Kira said.

She became emotional while speaking about her father’s condition, saying she had never seen him in such pain.

“God, give me strength. I’m suffering so bad. There’s no money, but if you know anybody that can treat my daddy, Andrew, please,” she said.

Kira added that her father had expressed his fear of dying.

“He’s saying that he doesn’t want to die. Please, I’ve never seen my daddy in that kind of pain before,” she said.

Hassan, 66, is a veteran of the Nigerian film industry whose career spans more than four decades. He has featured in more than 300 films and is one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba cinema.

The results of the assessments demonstrated significant progress in Nigeria’s maritime security performance and implementation of the ISPS Code, ultimately leading to the lifting of the CoE.

Oyetola described the lifting as a major milestone for Nigeria’s maritime sector and an affirmation of the progress made in strengthening maritime security and implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code across the country’s ports and facilities.

He said the development followed sustained efforts by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and other stakeholders to strengthen maritime security and ensure compliance with international standards.

He said, “Nigeria’s maritime sector has achieved a major milestone: the United States Coast Guard has lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry imposed on vessels arriving in the U.S. from Nigeria.

“This is a strong affirmation of the progress we have made in strengthening maritime security and implementing the ISPS Code across our ports and facilities.

“I commend our agencies and stakeholders for their sustained collaboration. This achievement will enhance port competitiveness, improve vessel turnaround and schedule reliability, reduce costs and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global maritime economy.

“We will sustain this momentum and ensure Nigeria remains a safe, secure and competitive destination for international shipping.”

Meanwhile, NIMASA, in a statement on its social media pages, said the lifting of the CoE was expected to improve port competitiveness, enhance vessel turnaround and schedule reliability, reduce additional security-related costs and strengthen Nigeria’s position in global shipping.

Oyetola commended the Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the development.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed Saturday, September 19, 2026, for the conduct of the bye-election to fill the vacant Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

The seat became vacant following the death of the lawmaker, Tongo Yaya, who represented the constituency.

INEC disclosed this in a timetable and schedule of activities released on Tuesday, ahead of the election, stating that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

The timetable was signed and released by the Public Affairs Officer, Mohorret Bigun, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner.

According to the timetable, the commission will publish the Notice of Election on Thursday, August 20, while political parties participating in the election are expected to conduct their primaries between August 21 and 25.

INEC said the list of nominated candidates would be published on September 8, while campaigns would commence on September 9 and end on September 17.

The commission urged political parties to comply strictly with the timetable and conduct their activities in accordance with the law

The Commission calls on all political parties to strictly adhere to the timetable and schedule of activities and conduct their activities in accordance with the provisions of the law,” the statement partly read.

INEC also assured stakeholders that it would provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates participating in the election.

The commission said the election would cover 903 polling units, 31 registration areas and three local government areas within the constituency.

“The Commission further assures all stakeholders across the 903 Polling Units, 31 Registration Areas and 3 Local Government Areas that it remains committed to providing a level playing field for all political parties and candidates and to conducting a free, fair, and inclusive bye-election,” it said.

INEC urged eligible voters in the Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency to participate in the electoral process and exercise their civic responsibility peacefully.

The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the August 15 governorship election.

Governor Abiodun described Adeleke’s re-election as a reflection of the choice of the people of Osun State, noting that the outcome of the election has once again demonstrated the strength and resilience of Nigeria’s democracy.

He commended the people of Osun State for their peaceful conduct before, during and after the election, urging all stakeholders to continue to place the peace, unity and development of the state above partisan interests.

The Ogun State governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating that he is a true democrat by ensuring a level playing field for all the political parties and candidates who participated in the election.

According to him, the President’s commitment to democratic values and the independence of the electoral process has further strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s democracy and demonstrated that the ballot remains the most important instrument for determining the choice of the people.

Abiodun also congratulated all the candidates who participated in the election for contributing to the democratic process, while urging them and their supporters to accept the outcome in the spirit of sportsmanship.

He wished Governor Adeleke a successful second term in office and expressed confidence that he would work with all stakeholders to advance the development and prosperity of Osun State.

As Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Governor Abiodun reaffirmed his commitment to promoting democratic values, good governance, peaceful coexistence and regional cooperation in the overall interest of the people of Southern Nigeria.

The German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD is currently accepting applications from interested and qualified students to pursue a postgraduate degree in Germany.

The DAAD Masters Scholarships are offered as full scholarship awards providing living stipend of 11,208 Euros per year, travel allowance, and a monthly rent subsidy for selected candidates. 

The DAAD is the world’s largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers. Read more about the details, criteria, and application procedure for the DAAD Study Scholarships for All Disciplines in this post.

DAAD Masters Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Germany
• Study Abroad: Study in Europe 
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: Full Scholarship | €11,908 Annual Stipends | Travel Costs | Accommodation
• Deadline: August 31, 2026

DAAD Study Scholarships for All Disciplines Details:

The DAAD Postgraduate Scholarship programme offers you the opportunity to continue your education in Germany with a postgraduate or continuing course of study in all fields.

The DAAD Scholarships also promote the exchange of experience and networking amongst colleagues.

The funding of postgraduate studies is possible in the so-called 2nd cycle (usually a four-semester Master’s degree) or a 3rd cycle which usually takes place in two semesters (concert examination, masterclass or PhD in an artistic subject).

2027 DAAD Masters Scholarship Requirements:

To be considered for the 2027 DAAD Masters Scholarship, you have to fulfil the following requirements:

• You can apply if you have gained a first university degree at the latest by the time you commence your scholarship-supported study programme;
• a Master’s degree/postgraduate degree leading to a final qualification, or
• a complementary course that does not lead to a final qualification (not an undergraduate course)In this study programme, you can complete at a state German college of music of your choice.
• As a rule, your university degree should not date back more than 6 years at the time of the application deadline.
• The respective college of music is responsible for deciding age limits for admission, whereby differing rules may be applied depending on the applicant’s academic level and chosen subject.
• Your application cannot be considered, if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
• You should have a knowledge of the language of instruction that corresponds to the requirements of the chosen university at the latest by the time you start the scholarship. 

DAAD Masters Scholarship Duration and Reward

Value

• A monthly payment of 992 euros
• Travel allowance
• One-off study allowance
• Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover

Under certain circumstances, you can apply for the following additional benefits after the start of funding:

• Monthly rent subsidy 
• Monthly allowance for accompanying members of the family. 

Duration:

• One academic year is being funded. In individual cases, the scholarship can be extended on request
• Start: usually on 1st October of the following year, or earlier if a German language course is taken prior to the study programme

Required Documents for DAAD Study Scholarships for All Disciplines

To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;

• Application Form
• CV
• Reports, certificates
• Transcripts
• Letter of Motivation
• Research Proposal

How To Apply for 2027 DAAD Study Scholarships for All Disciplines (Step by Step)

To apply for the 2027 DAAD Masters Scholarship, interested and qualified applicants should;

• Click the green button below to visit the scholarship application website
• Register in the DAAD portal
• Apply online in the DAAD portal
• Prepare application documents
• If necessary, translate documents (unless they are already in German or English).
• Scan paper documents and save in PDF format. Please note that you can only upload PDF files to the portal.
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Deadline: August 31, 2026

The Bauchi State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, following the arrest of three security personnel attached to the First City Monument Bank, Bauchi, who allegedly conspired to make false claims against police officers and attempted to obtain N1.2m by false pretence.

The command stated that the suspects were identified as: 30-year-old Usman Usman of Guru, Bauchi; 30-year-old Aliyu Musa of Yelwan Lebura; and 35-year-old Haruna Adamu of Rafin Tambari.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Nafiu Habib, explained via a statement issued on Wednesday, that

the incident occurred on August 9, 2026, when Usman and Musa reported at the E Division, Yelwa, alleging that police officers had impounded their Bajaj motorcycle and demanded money for its release.

He said the suspects further alleged that after returning with the money, the motorcycle could not be found, prompting them to accuse the police of stealing it and thus, went ahead  to demand N1.2m as compensation.

The statement read in part, “On 9th August, 2026 at about 2330hrs, Mr Usman Usman, 30-year-old of Guru, Bauchi, and Mr Aliyu Musa, also 30-year-old of Yelwan Lebura, both security personnel attached to First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Bauchi, reported an incident at ‘E’ Division, Yelwa.”

The PPRO explained further that an intelligence-led investigation launched after the report established that the three suspects had allegedly conspired to remove the motorcycle from the police impoundment area using a spare key.

He said the suspects allegedly took advantage of the police officers’ attention being focused on other offenders to secretly remove the motorcycle and conceal it at Adamu’s residence in Rafin Tambari.

Habib added that the trio later reported the matter to the police and deliberately made false allegations against the officers in an attempt to obstruct them from performing their duties and damage the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.

“All the suspects have been arrested, and the motorcycle has been recovered while investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of preliminary investigation,” he stated.

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged criminal conspiracy and deliberate misinformation against police officers.

He added that the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to professionalism, integrity and accountability.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority is seeking greater involvement from youth organisations in its campaign to change how residents handle waste, with two clubs pledging to support initiatives promoting recycling and environmental responsibility.

The commitment came during a visit by representatives of the Rotaract Club of Ikoyi and Achiever Leo Club to LAWMA’s headquarters in Ijora-Olopa recently.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, used the meeting to outline the authority’s approach to reducing waste sent to landfills while expanding opportunities to recover materials and derive economic value from discarded items.

Gbadegesin said the authority was strengthening collection, recycling and resource recovery as part of a wider shift towards more sustainable waste management.

He pointed to the planned Material Recovery Facilities in locations including Badagry and Agbowa as part of that effort, saying the facilities would improve the sorting and recovery of recyclable materials while supporting economic activity around waste processing.

The LAWMA chief also drew attention to the authority’s Academy, which he described as an avenue for introducing children and young people to practical approaches to waste management and sustainable living.

He displayed products created by interns at the academy from discarded materials, arguing that the work demonstrated how recycling could simultaneously promote environmental awareness and develop entrepreneurial skills among young people.

Gbadegesin said government could not achieve sustainable waste management on its own, stressing the importance of participation by residents, businesses, civil society and youth organisations.

The clubs’ representatives, led by the President of Achiever Leo Club, Agboola Yussuf, and Vice-President of Rotaract Club, Ikoyi, Olayori Fawaz, said the visit allowed them to better understand LAWMA’s operations and environmental programmes.

They commended the authority’s recycling and environmental initiatives and pledged to work with it on programmes aimed at increasing public awareness and encouraging responsible waste disposal.

The engagement puts youth participation alongside infrastructure and recycling as an important component of Lagos’ attempt to build a waste management system in which discarded materials are increasingly treated as resources rather than simply refuse.

In a goodwill message signed on behalf of the Club, its President, IRE Asiwaju Dr. Adesola ADEWUNMI, congratulated the leadership and entire members of the Traditional Worshippers Association on the important celebration, holding on Thursday, 20th August, 2026, while acknowledging their significant role in the preservation of indigenous culture and traditional heritage.

The Club noted that traditional worshippers constitute an important part of Nigeria's cultural ecosystem, particularly through their efforts to preserve indigenous knowledge, traditional festivals, ancestral heritage, cultural practices, oral traditions and the philosophical values that have been transmitted from one generation to another.

According to the Club, the Isese Day Celebration goes beyond religious observance, as it provides an opportunity for people to appreciate and reconnect with their cultural roots, promote peaceful coexistence, strengthen communal bonds and encourage younger generations to understand and value their indigenous heritage.

“Isese represents an important dimension of our identity, history and cultural heritage. It reminds us of the need to preserve our indigenous values while embracing the ideals of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, responsible citizenship and community development.
“We therefore commend the Traditional Worshippers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Branch, Iperu Chapter, for its commitment to keeping our cultural heritage alive and for providing a platform through which our people can celebrate and appreciate the richness of our indigenous traditions,” the Club stated.

The Iperu Royalist Elites Club further urged traditional worshippers and cultural custodians to continue to promote the positive values embedded in indigenous traditions, while working with other stakeholders to foster peace, unity, tolerance and sustainable development within Iperu Remo, Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

The Club also extended its warm greetings and goodwill to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo ABIODUN, CON, on the occasion of the 2026 Isese Day Celebration, commending the State Government for its recognition of the importance of culture, tradition and indigenous heritage in the development of the State.
The Club prayed that the celebration would usher in greater peace, unity, progress and.prosperity for Ogun State, Iperu Remo and the entire traditional community.

The Iperu Royalist Elites Club, while wishing the Traditional Worshippers Association a memorable and peaceful celebration, called for continued collaboration among traditional institutions,  cultural organisations, religious bodies, government and community stakeholders in preserving the rich cultural heritage of the people.

IRE Temitope OYEKAN
Publicity Secretary
Iperu Royalist Elites Club 
17th August, 2026

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has called for deeper collaboration with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals as concerns mount over the growing links between illegal mining, organised crime and terrorism across Nigeria, West Africa and the Sahel.

The call was made during a strategic visit by a UNODC delegation to the Mining Marshals Corps, where the international body commended the specialised unit for its expanding role in tackling illegal mining and related criminal activities.

The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps, John Attah, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

The UNODC delegation was led by the Chief of the Africa Section of the Terrorism Prevention Branch, Tullio Santini, who praised the Mining Marshals for their enforcement efforts.

“The rising number of arrests and prosecutions is evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to tackling the illicit trade,” he stated.

The visit was part of a broader UNODC mission to strengthen partnerships in Nigeria, engage development partners and review ongoing field operations.

A major focus of the meeting was the introduction of the UNODC Coordination through Operational Networks against the Crime-Terrorism Nexus initiative by a law enforcement expert from the Swedish Police, Robert Haslinger.

The CONNECT Initiative is designed to strengthen cooperation among governments and law enforcement agencies in disrupting the financial and operational links between organised criminal networks and terrorist groups.

Nigeria is among the countries invited to participate in the initiative, which is scheduled for launch in November 2026.

Responding, Attah, who represented the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof Ahmed Audi, welcomed the UNODC delegation and described the organisation as a critical partner in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Mining Marshals.

He said, “The previous UNODC-supported training programmes had significantly improved collaboration between the Mining Marshals and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, enhancing the ability of both institutions to coordinate investigations and intelligence-led operations against illegal mining syndicates.

The Mining Marshals occupy a unique position within Nigeria’s security architecture, reporting to the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and the NSCDC.

“While their primary mandate remains the suppression of illegal mining activities, the officers, drawn from the NSCDC, also support broader national security operations when required.

“We also use this opportunity to advocate for the formal inclusion of the Mining Marshals in the CONNECT Initiative because disrupting the financial foundations of terrorist organisations requires greater attention to the illegal exploitation of mineral resources.”

Attah said the growing nexus between illegal mining and terrorism had become increasingly relevant to Nigeria’s national security calculations.

He added that the development partly explained the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the mining sector, with the Mining Marshals emerging as a key enforcement instrument in the fight against illegal exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.

The Marshals commander also called for expanded capacity-building programmes covering terrorism-related concepts, regional intelligence cooperation and peer-learning opportunities to enhance the unit’s ability to tackle evolving threats associated with illicit mining.

Illegal mining has increasingly attracted security concerns in Nigeria, with authorities warning that proceeds from illicit exploitation of mineral resources can fuel organised criminal activities and insecurity.

The UNODC officials commended the institutional structure of the Mining Marshals, describing it as a notable model within Nigeria’s law-enforcement ecosystem.

They noted that the unit had an unusually broad operational mandate, allowing it to handle illegal mining cases from intelligence gathering and prevention to arrest, investigation and prosecution.

The officials also highlighted the unit’s use of non-kinetic measures, including stakeholder engagement and community outreach, in addressing illegal mining.

The meeting ended with an exchange of publications, a commemorative photograph session and renewed commitments to strengthen collaboration against the growing convergence of resource-related crime and terrorism in Nigeria and the wider region.

The daughters, Lima and Kira Taiwo, made separate emotional appeals on Instagram on Monday, urging Nigerians, well-wishers and medical professionals with experience in cancer treatment to help save their father.

In a video posted on her Instagram page, Lima said the actor’s condition had deteriorated and that hospitals had refused to treat him.

Taiwo, who struggled to hold back tears throughout the video, appealed to Nigerians and well-wishers to help her family find a hospital or medical personnel willing to treat her father, insisting that the family was not soliciting funds.

Hello everybody, good evening. I’m here to ask for help from my daddy. He has cancer and it’s really, really bad.

“And the hospitals are refusing to treat him. At least, please, give this man a chance. Nobody wants to do anything,” she said.

She said the family only discovered the extent of the actor’s condition three weeks ago, adding that his outward appearance did not reflect the severity of his illness.

You see him, you can’t even know that. Something is wrong that bad. It’s just starting to show. We didn’t even know until like three weeks ago,” she said.

Lima reiterated that the appeal was strictly for medical assistance and not financial donations, urging anyone with connections to healthcare providers willing to take on her father’s case to reach out to the family.

“Please, I’m begging you. If you know somebody that knows somebody that will be willing to treat him, anything, we’re willing to try anything. We’re not here to ask for money. Nobody’s here to ask for money,” she said.

She also acknowledged the support the family had received from a relative, saying he had stepped in during the crisis.

“My big uncle has helped a lot. He has been of great help. Like, nobody even knew that he would show up for us this way,” she said.

The visibly distraught daughter ended the video with a tearful plea, saying she could not bear to watch her father die.

“But if he’s willing to do anything, please, if you know somebody that knows somebody that will be willing to treat him, would you really appreciate it? Please, I can’t watch my daddy die. I can’t. I can’t. Please. Please, I’m begging you. Please. Please,” she said.

In a separate Instagram video posted on Monday, Kira also appealed for help, disclosing that her father’s cancer was at stage four.

“Hello everyone, I’m here for my daddy. He has cancer and is in stage 4. The hospital is saying that they cannot treat him again, like they can’t give him chemo again,” she said.

Kira appealed to anyone who could provide cancer treatment for the actor, including chemotherapy, to contact the family.

“And I really, really, really love to appreciate Senator Yayi. He has been the one helping us, he has been the one footing the bills,” she said.

The actress’ daughter stressed that the family was not seeking money, but medical intervention that could give their father another chance.

“What I’m here for, what I’m here for is that if you can treat my daddy, if you can start chemo for him, whether it’s medical or herbs, please, I’m begging you, guys, I’m begging you, any help, anything, anybody that you know that can treat cancer, please, please, I’m begging you,” she said.

She urged anyone who knew a medical professional or facility capable of treating cancer to contact her, her sister or the actor directly.

“Please, please, if you can treat my daddy, please send me a DM. I’ll be checking my phone. Please, I don’t want my daddy to die,” Kira said.

She became emotional while speaking about her father’s condition, saying she had never seen him in such pain.

“God, give me strength. I’m suffering so bad. There’s no money, but if you know anybody that can treat my daddy, Andrew, please,” she said.

Kira added that her father had expressed his fear of dying, saying, “He’s saying that he doesn’t want to die. Please, I’ve never seen my daddy in that kind of pain before.”

Hassan, 66, is a veteran of the Nigerian film industry with a career spanning more than four decades.

He has featured in more than 300 movies and is one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba cinema.

As of the time of filing this report, the actor’s management and family were yet to issue an official statement detailing the specific hospital, diagnosis, or type of cancer involved.

The NYCN South-East Vice-President, Dr Atigwe Ifeanyi, stated this on Monday during a press briefing in Enugu on lessons from the recent Osun governorship election and preparations for the 2027 polls.

While urging young Nigerians across the five states to participate actively in the electoral process and make informed choices based on candidates’ competence, character and track record, Ifeanyi noted that the Osun election had demonstrated the importance of allowing voters to freely determine who governs them through credible elections.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for its efforts and praised President Bola Tinubu for allowing democratic institutions to function without undue interference from the Presidency.

He warned politicians against relying on electoral manipulation to secure political power.

“The era where politicians rely on electoral manipulation, intimidation, inducement or rigging to secure political power must come to an end.

“Today, we are saying clearly that the people are watching and the youths are also watching, as the era of taking the people’s mandate for granted is over,” he said.

The NYCN leader urged politicians seeking elective offices to present their records before the electorate and allow voters to assess their performance.

“Every politician seeking public office must present his or her scorecard before the electorate. Let the people examine what you have achieved, what you have failed to achieve, and what you intend to do differently,” he said.

Ifeanyi called on youths in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to obtain, protect and use their PVCs wisely.

He announced that the council would commence grassroots advocacy under its “Operation Use Your PVC Well” campaign to educate young voters on their political rights and responsibilities.

Your PVC is not merely a card. It is your instrument of political participation and power to change bad leadership and enthrone good leadership,” he said.

He urged youths to vote for candidates who could provide accountability, good governance, security, economic opportunities and infrastructure, rather than voting solely along party lines.

“We must be bold enough to vote out non-performing leaders and vote in candidates with demonstrable records of better performance and genuine commitment to public service,” he said.

Ifeanyi also called on INEC to strengthen its processes, technology, transparency and institutional independence ahead of 2027.

He warned politicians planning to rig elections to reconsider their ambitions, saying the youths would resist electoral malpractice through lawful democratic participation.

“Any political leader whose strategy for achieving power depends on rigging or subverting the will of the electorate should reconsider such a political ambition,” he said.

He added that the youths would not resort to violence but would use their votes and civic participation to influence political outcomes.

“Our resistance will be through our PVCs, our civic participation, lawful advocacy and our collective votes,” he said.

The NYCN also urged the South-East Development Commission to focus on infrastructure renewal, economic empowerment, reconstruction and sustainable development in the region.

Ifeanyi said the 2027 elections should mark a shift from “politics of sentiments” and personality to politics based on competence, character, capacity and measurable performance.

We must move from politics of sentiments to politics of performance; from politics of personality to politics of competence; and from politics of promises to politics of measurable results,” he said.

The Abia State Government has said its ongoing tax administration reforms are not aimed at increasing the taxes payable by residents, but at improving transparency, accountability and ease of doing business.

The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, stated this on Monday while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu said the reforms were designed to make tax administration “more transparent, traceable, auditable, automated and taxpayer-friendly,” while eliminating revenue leakages, multiple collections and arbitrary practices.

He said, “Automation is not a tax increase. Transparency is not a tax increase. Closing revenue leakages is not a tax increase.”

The commissioner explained that the integration of revenue collection systems, particularly at vehicle licensing offices, was introduced to eliminate cash handling and ensure that payments made by taxpayers were properly accounted for and remitted to the government.

He also said there had been no increase in Pay-As-You-Earn, land or vehicle taxes, stressing that the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue lacked the power to unilaterally alter tax rates.

On the Tax Clearance Certificate, Kanu said the process was being implemented in line with existing tax laws and the new national tax framework, which require proper assessment of taxpayers’ income rather than the previous practice of paying a flat amount without adequate assessment.

He said the government would not arbitrarily classify funds or payments into taxpayers’ bank accounts as taxable income, but would establish through lawful assessment and verification which transactions constituted taxable income.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Dr Emmanuel Okpechi, said the reforms were intended to promote transparency on both sides of the tax administration process.

Okpechi said taxpayers were expected to declare their income honestly, while the government would ensure that no citizen was taxed beyond what the law prescribed.

On the consolidated demand notice for businesses, he explained that the initiative was introduced to harmonise various charges and eliminate multiple collections by government agencies.

Instead of multiple people coming to harass you, you pay at one point and you are cleared,” he said.

Okpechi added, “What we are doing is strengthening the system, making transparency work, both for the government and for the taxpayer. Nobody will be taxed a kobo beyond what is lawful.”

The Executive Chairman of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, Uche Elekwachi, also said the board had not increased taxes, but was enforcing existing tax laws and introducing systems to improve compliance and block revenue leakages.

There is no increment whatsoever. No increment on PAYE, no increment on lands, no increment on vehicle licences or for the issuance of Tax Clearance Certificates, TCC,” Elekwachi said.

He explained that the government had consolidated the various payments so that taxpayers would not receive multiple demand notices after making the required payment.

“What the government has done is to consolidate these payments so that once you pay, nobody comes to you with any other demand notice. What we did was mere integration into the government system,” he said.

Elekwachi further clarified that the board would not automatically treat every inflow into a taxpayer’s bank account as taxable income, adding that taxpayers seeking Tax Clearance Certificates would have the opportunity to explain and substantiate the nature of their transactions during the assessment process.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said the clarification became necessary following claims by some opposition figures concerning the state’s tax reforms.

He said the new tax system had harmonised various payments, including stallage and ASEPA fees.

“Whether it is stallage, ASEPA fee or any other, what the government did was to consolidate it, so that once one pays, he has paid everything,” Ukoha said.

Okocha said the goal, which saw him dribble past Kahn before finding the net, was the moment he first gained recognition outside Germany.

Speaking on the Obi-Wan podcast on Monday, Okocha, fondly called JJ, said Kahn was in one of his best seasons at the time, shortly before his move to Bayern Munich.

He said the viral moment, which predated social media, still got wide television coverage across Europe and remains one of the defining highlights of his career.

“It was Oliver Kahn, and he was having his best season,” Okocha said.

He added, “That goal changed my life. That was when I gained recognition outside Germany.”

The goal was replayed across European television at the time, despite predating the social media era.

Okocha explained that he held onto the ball longer than he intended before shooting, insisting he was not trying to embarrass Kahn but was searching for the right opening to score.

He said his then Frankfurt manager later joked that his starting place at the club depended on that goal going in.

“I didn’t mean to hold onto it that long. Whenever I want to shoot, I see somebody in front, so I was just trying to find the right moment to shoot.

“The saving grace was it did go in, because even the manager told me, had he been there, I didn’t score that goal, as long as he remains manager of this team, you will never play again,” he said.

Okocha said he has since met Kahn but has never discussed the goal with him, joking that the German’s stern demeanour makes it a difficult conversation to start.

“I’ve met him, but you don’t want to discuss that. He’s a big lad, and he never smiles,” Okocha said

Okocha made his name at Eintracht Frankfurt after starting his European career at a lower-tier German club, before further stints at Fenerbahçe, PSG and Bolton Wanderers cemented his reputation as one of Africa’s most gifted attacking midfielders.

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress governorship campaign in Osun State, Oluwole Oke, has said the party will not be pressured into congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke over his victory in the August 15 governorship election.

Oke stated this in an interview with Arise News on Monday, saying the APC was reviewing the election results and would determine its next step after examining the records.

He said the position of President Bola Tinubu, who had congratulated Adeleke following the declaration of the result by the Independent National Electoral Commission, was different from that of the party’s campaign team, which was “on the ground” and assessing the process.

“And like I’ve told you that what we are doing, even for future, for records, is to conduct a thorough review of the entire process and then form our opinion.

We won’t be under any sort of pressure to easily reach out to congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke,” Oke said.

He added, “We do not agree with the declaration of INEC. That’s our position for now. We believe he did not score the highest valid votes.”

INEC declared Adeleke, the Accord candidate, winner of the election after he polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke won in 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11, giving the incumbent a winning margin of 66,252 votes.

Following the declaration, Adeleke said he expected Oyebamiji to call and congratulate him, describing it as the “civilised thing to do.”

However, Oke said the APC campaign team was more concerned with reviewing the electoral process before making any decision.

“When you have a project of this nature with the outcome announced by INEC, we will not be in a haste, nor shall we be under pressure without doing the needful,” he said.

According to him, the party had commenced an audit of the election and directed its agents to submit relevant result sheets for scrutiny.

“We have embarked on an audit process. We have asked all our party agents to submit copies of Forms EC8A, B, and C to our secretariat for review. We need to inspect the materials,” Oke said.

Meanwhile, the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, said the APC was still studying the results from all 332 wards.

The party said an election was “a process that continues through the tribunal, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court,” adding that it would consult its lawyers and explore all legal options available under the Electoral Act if irregularities were discovered.

Oke said the party would also examine issues arising from the pre-election period and the conduct of the election against provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.

“Until we do that and form our opinion, we won’t be able to go further to say anything on this,” he said.

The APC campaign DG also criticised the Adeleke administration, questioning its record in education, healthcare and support for farmers in the state.

He said, “When you look at this in totality, you can see the failures of government glaring in the citizens’ faces.”

Oke urged the public to give the party time to complete its assessment of the election before it announces its next course of action.

Repayment of loans obtained from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, has been capped at 10 per cent of a beneficiary’s gross monthly income, with the arrangement designed to ensure that graduates do not face excessive financial pressure while repaying their education loans. Below is ahow to apply.

To apply for the NELFUND student loan:

*Visit the Nigerian Education Loan Fund Portal, click “Apply Now,” verify your JAMB and NIN details, complete your profile with your BVN and school matriculation number, and submit your request for institutional fees or upkeep loans.

Registration and Verification

*Go to site: Open the Nigerian Education Loan Fund Portal and click Apply Now.

*Enter numbers: Provide your National Identification Number, NIN, and JAMB registration number.

*Confirm details: Select your public tertiary institution, input your matriculation number, and verify your date of birth.

*Create account: Enter your email address, set a secure password, and click the verification link sent to your email.

Completing Your Profile

*Personal info: Log in and add your current phone number and residential address.

*Bank info: Input your Bank Verification Number, BVN, and standard commercial bank account details (note that microfinance or digital-only fintech wallets like OPay or Moniepoint are typically not accepted).

*Save details: Save your completed profile information before proceeding to the loan request.

Submitting the Loan Request

*Select loan type: Click Request for Student Loan. Choose institutional charges (tuition) first; note that an upkeep stipend loan requires you to apply for the institutional charges loan as well.

*Upload documents: Upload required files, such as your admission letter.

*Review and submit: Check the declaration, agree to the terms and conditions, and click Submit Application.

Georgina Rodríguez has opened up about why she and Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo chose to marry in the living room of their home rather than have the lavish wedding many expected.

The couple tied the knot in a private civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, on August 11, 2026, surrounded by their five children. Details of the ceremony were later revealed in an exclusive interview with Vogue.

For Rodríguez, the decision was less about luxury and more about creating a meaningful family memory.

She explained that, as a child, she imagined a traditional fairytale wedding featuring a grand castle, a carriage, a long wedding gown and a diamond crown.

However, her priorities changed as she grew older and built a family with Ronaldo.

“Now, I find myself saying: no. I desire something intimate, shared with my partner and our children, in the comfort of our home,” Rodríguez said.

She said the couple already have access to extraordinary luxury, including castles, houses, islands, horses and cars, making a private family celebration more special to them.

“We have access to castles, houses, islands, horses, and cars every day. However, an intimate gathering is something more unique for us,” she said.

Rodríguez said the living room was deliberately chosen because it is where the family experiences everyday life together.

“We chose to hold the ceremony in our living room, the place where we share breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and where we experience our daily lives,” she explained.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has described opposition political parties that boycotted Monday’s local government elections in the state as cowards, saying they were afraid of losing the polls.

Mohammed stated this shortly after casting his vote alongside his wife, Aisha, at his polling unit in Dan Kungibar, Bakin Dutse District Head’s Office, Yalwan Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said the opposition parties should have participated in the election to test their popularity rather than staying away from the process.

He said, “I can see some people are cowards. They have even checked out of the election because they knew they would lose.

They have not campaigned. If they had listened to my advice, they should have gone ahead to test their popularity.”

Mohammed said the election was an opportunity for political parties to demonstrate their popularity among the people ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that no party could be installed in a democratic system without the support of voters.

He added that the peaceful atmosphere across the polling area showed that the election was being conducted in a calm environment.

The place is very peaceful, and you can see the atmosphere of serenity this morning. We appreciate God for our peace and the spirit of love that is here in this polling area,” he said.

The governor said the state government remained committed to democratic governance and ensuring that people were allowed to exercise their constitutional rights.

He also expressed confidence that the election would produce successful candidates who would govern the local governments with the fear of God.

Mohammed stressed the importance of local governments to the development of the state, noting that most of the activities affecting residents take place at the grassroots.

He said, “The local government is where everything is done because the majority of what people live on is in the local government, not in the state capital.

“That is why we are trying very, very much to ensure good governance in the local government.”

The governor said the state had continued to conduct elections without skipping any electoral cycle, adding that the latest exercise would further strengthen democratic governance at the grassroots.

Mohammed also commended the quality of candidates participating in the election, noting that some of them possessed postgraduate and university degrees.

He said the state government’s efforts to strengthen local government autonomy had increased resources and activities at the grassroots, thereby making the councils attractive to qualified candidates.

Meanwhile, a coalition of opposition political parties in Bauchi State had announced a boycott of the election, describing the exercise as a “kangaroo election” allegedly designed to favour the ruling party.

The coalition comprises the African Democratic Congress, African Action Congress, Social Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party.

The parties announced their decision at a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Bauchi on Sunday.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the National Spokesperson of the ADC, Dr Ladan Salihu, said the parties had resolved to act jointly on the matter.

He added that the Bauchi State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress was also expected to join the coalition.

Salihu said the 2026 local government elections were being conducted under the 2008 Bauchi State Electoral Law, as reflected in guidelines issued by the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission.

According to the coalition, the arrangement was in apparent contradiction to the 2026 Electoral Act, which it said provided the legal framework from which BASIEC derived its authority.

“This has produced a weak and questionable legal framework and legal foundation for the conduct of these elections,” the coalition said.

The opposition parties also faulted what they described as excessive nomination and administrative fees imposed by BASIEC, arguing that the charges constituted a financial burden on opposition parties.

“The duplication of nomination and administrative charges for the individual candidates, even though the entire exercise is funded by the state government from our commonwealth, raises serious concerns,” the coalition said.

Despite the boycott by the opposition parties, Governor Mohammed said the participation of other political parties demonstrated the strength of democracy in the state, expressing gratitude to voters for turning out to exercise their franchise.

South Africa’s anti-immigration group, March and March, has announced September 30 as a fresh deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, as it staged a protest outside the Southern African Development Community summit in Durban on Monday.

The group marched through central Durban under the theme, “It’s time to fetch your people”, calling on African leaders attending the 46th SADC Summit to take back their citizens living in South Africa without legal documentation.

March and March had previously led nationwide protests on June 30, demanding tougher action against undocumented foreigners and warning that it would continue its campaign until the government addressed its immigration demands.

Announcing its latest action, BBC News Pidgin on Monday noted that the group said, “We are announcing the second wave of the 30 June National Day of Action and calling on the heads of state to prepare for the massive deportation of all illegal foreigners from South Africa by 30 September, which will be the mother of all protests.”

The movement also said, “South Africans must follow the law and remain the eyes and ears of the police against any illegal foreigners in the country.”

The 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government is being held in Durban, bringing together leaders from the regional bloc’s 16 member states.

The protest came amid renewed debate over South Africa’s treatment of foreign nationals, with President Cyril Ramaphosa recently condemning discrimination and violence against people from other African countries.

We are deeply ashamed that people from other countries have suffered ill-treatment and that others have been forced to leave the country because of threats of violence,” Ramaphosa said.

He added, “We cannot preach integration at a summit like this and practise exclusion on the streets of our countries.”

The June 30 protests were accompanied by security operations and incidents involving attacks and looting in some areas, according to police reports cited in the original report.

March and March has continued to press the South African government to take tougher action against undocumented immigration, while several African countries have evacuated citizens amid tensions over the treatment of foreign nationals.

The group’s latest protest puts the immigration dispute directly outside a summit attended by leaders of countries whose citizens are among those affected.

The governor gave the charge on Monday when he received the newly elected Speaker, Yekini Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I, at the Government House, Benin City.

Okpebholo said political office was temporary and should be handled with humility and a strong sense of responsibility.

He urged the new leadership to promote transparency, dialogue and inclusiveness, while advising lawmakers to resolve disagreements within the Assembly rather than taking them to social media.

We must put arrogance aside to serve our people better because today we are here and tomorrow we don’t know where we will be.

“It’s a new leadership. I don’t know what happened. Whatever must have happened in the House is for the House, and it remains there. I was also a parliamentarian, and I know that we respect one another,” he said.

Okpebholo said disagreements among lawmakers should be handled internally, adding that the emergence of a new leadership presented an opportunity for members to work together.

He urged the new Speaker to understand the responsibility that came with his office and ensure that all members of the Assembly were carried along.

He warned that failure to involve members in the affairs of the House could create fresh divisions.

“It is not just to be a leader, but a responsible leader. You are not just assuming a new office, to be just an ordinary speaker. You should know that you are now carrying the shoulders of many people and you have to be transparent with your colleagues. You have to carry everybody along.

“The only way you can have effective leadership is for you to carry everybody along. I will urge the new speaker to live up to the positive comments made about him by his colleagues,” he said.

The governor added, “Everyone is saying good things about you. I want you to remain the way they have described you.”

Okpebholo identified teamwork as essential to effective legislative leadership and encouraged lawmakers to raise their concerns through dialogue.

“Teamwork is the bedrock of effective leadership. And for you to make progress, you need to believe in yourselves. When you have anything in mind, always voice it out either in private with the Speaker or in the open. Dialogue is always the key,” he said.

The governor said he wanted the Assembly to remain peaceful, noting that the House had operated without a major crisis for about two years.

I want us to have a peaceful House. For about two years, there have never been crises in the House. And I pray that in another two years, there will be no crisis in the House,” he said.

With elections approaching, Okpebholo urged the lawmakers to strengthen their presence in their constituencies and work towards electoral success.

“I pray that you people will take charge of your constituencies. Elections are coming. We have to work hard to see that we record success,” he said.

He also encouraged lawmakers who might not return to the Assembly after the elections to remain optimistic, assuring them of continued cooperation.

“Those of you that are not coming back, don’t worry. We will work together. Sometimes, every disappointment is another appointment that can lead you to somewhere higher or greater,” Okpebholo said.

The new Speaker, Idiaye, said the legislative leadership visited the governor to formally introduce itself and assure him of the Assembly’s support for his administration.

Your Excellency, we are here this afternoon to formally introduce the new leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly to you and to inform you that with this new leadership, we are ready to stabilise the House,” the Speaker said.

Idiaye assured the governor that the Assembly would provide the support needed to advance the state.

“And to ensure that we give you the maximum support because we are all proud of you. You are doing well. The only way you can continue to do well is to have the support of the House. We are there for you. Whatever you want us to do to move Edo forward, we are ready for it,” he said.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Yakubu Musa; Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe; and members of the party’s State Working Committee.

Recall that the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, resigned on Monday amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.

Agbebaku’s resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele, who said details of the resignation would be made public later.

She said, “I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later.”

Online gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed a notice of impeachment on Sunday night, which may have prompted Agbebaku’s resignation.

President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a US deal with Iran on the Strait of Hormuz and called for Iran to surrender.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump told Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, referring to ongoing talks between Oman and Iran on control of the strait, while Washington is also pursuing its own talks.

Iranian and Omani officials have been talking for weeks on future maritime navigation arrangements through the shipping route, and the foreign ministry in Tehran said earlier Monday that the two sides were working on a joint declaration.

However, Trump has repeatedly insisted that the strait — which Tehran effectively closed at the start of the Middle East war on February 28 — is under US control despite traffic remaining throttled.

On Friday, Trump claimed that he would even declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, while Iran retorted that the crucial energy waterway it has blockaded “will remain Iranian.”

Prior to the launch of the US-Israeli war against Iran, the Hormuz strait was considered an open, international waterway. It carries significant portions of global energy shipments, as well as other commodities.

Tehran has used its effective seizing of control over the strait as leverage against the US-led attempts to destroy its military and force it to abandon a controversial nuclear power program.

Iran’s coast flanks the north side of Hormuz and Oman lies on the south.

Trump also said that Iran should “put up the white flag of surrender,” according to Yingst’s post on X on his interview with the president.

Trump insisted that he was in no hurry to reach a deal despite the deep unpopularity of the war among Americans ahead of November midterm elections in the United States, with opposition Democrats seeking to take control of Congress from Trump’s Republicans.

Trump told Yingst that there is a direct back-channel between his administration and officials of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. “They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” he was quoted as saying.

AFP

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has destroyed 329,865.585 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs valued at N301.058 billion in Lagos.

The drugs, which included cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, Canadian Loud, skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup, other opioids and khat leaves, were destroyed on Monday.

The NDLEA, in a statement by its spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the exercise was conducted pursuant to orders of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, following the conclusion of uncontested cases and seizures that had been abandoned.

According to him, 246,864.535kg of the illicit drugs were seized by operatives between April 2025 and May 2026.

The NDLEA has publicly destroyed 329,865.585 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs with an estimated street value of N301,058,076,000 only in a court-ordered exercise carried out in Lagos.

“Of the total consignment, 246,864.535 kilograms were seized by the Lagos Strategic Command of the Agency between April 2025 and May 2026, while 83,001.05 kilograms came from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Tincan and Apapa Strategic Commands, as well as the Marine Command and a Special Operations Unit, all operating within Lagos.

” The destroyed illicit drugs comprised mainly cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis of different strains including Canadian Loud and skunk, ephedrine, tramadol, codeine syrup and other opioids, as well as khat leaf.”

Speaking at the destruction exercise, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen.  Buba Marwa (retd.), described it as “a bold demonstration of Nigeria’s resolve to protect its people and deny criminal enterprises the resources they need to thrive.”

Marwa said the drugs represented more than contraband, noting that behind every kilogramme destroyed was a potential threat to a young person, family and community.

He said illicit drugs weaken the labour force, increase healthcare costs, discourage investment and drain public resources that should be channelled into education, healthcare and infrastructure.

According to him, every consignment intercepted by the agency saves the country billions of naira in potential losses associated with addiction, crime and social dislocation.

Marwa also linked illicit drug trafficking to Nigeria’s broader security challenges, saying the trade helps fund organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism globally.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for his support for the agency, as well as the judiciary, Lagos State Government, military, sister security agencies, international partners, civil society, traditional institutions, media and members of the public for their collaboration.

The NDLEA boss also praised the agency’s personnel, particularly those operating in Lagos, for their sacrifices and risks in the fight against illicit drugs.

Warning drug barons, traffickers, financiers, distributors and dealers, Marwa said their days of operating with impunity were over.

“Wherever you hide, whoever sponsors you and however sophisticated your network may be, the long arm of the law will reach you,” he said.

He vowed that the agency would remain “resolute, relentless and uncompromising” in pursuing and dismantling criminal networks and their financial structures.

The chairman urged Nigerians, parents, schools, religious and traditional leaders and the media to play active roles in combating drug abuse and trafficking, stressing that the war could not be won by the NDLEA alone.

Also speaking, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the destruction of about 300 tonnes of narcotics and psychotropic substances as a “huge and sobering reminder” of the scale of the threat posed by illicit drugs.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the governor said the exercise was also evidence of what could be achieved when law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and government worked together.

“The scale of what has been destroyed today, about 300 tons of narcotics and psychotropic substances, is a huge and sobering reminder of the enormity of the threat that illicit drugs pose to our communities, our young people, and our collective future,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu added that Lagos State remained committed to combating drug abuse and trafficking.

“Lagos State is unwavering in its resolve to confront drug abuse and trafficking, and we will not relent in our efforts to do this,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the NDLEA, saying the agency deserved “all the accolades they have received from local and international partners.”

Adeniyi said the destruction sent a strong message to drug dealers that they were no longer welcome in Nigeria.

“It is not just about the size of what we are seeing but about the scope of what has been taken from operations conducted in our seaports, at our airports, at our land borders. This therefore represents a very strong message to drug dealers that they are no longer welcome in Nigeria,” he said.

The Customs boss also highlighted the link between drug trafficking and violent non-state actors.

“Bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, insurgents, terrorists, this is their oxygen,” he said, adding that the destruction would deny such groups the resources required to finance their activities.

He said the exercise would result in drug traffickers losing investments worth billions of naira while weakening the financial base of criminal groups.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, assured the NDLEA of continued support for the country’s drug control efforts.

Thousands of people displaced by a powerful earthquake in eastern Indonesia awaited aid Monday as they camped out at schools, police stations and government offices.

The 7.7-magnitude quake early on Saturday killed 54 people and injured more than 100. Rescue officials have said there were no reports of people missing.

The number of people unable to return to their homes had risen to 12,800 by Monday morning, dispersed among several towns on Flores island, Berton Suar Pelita Panjaitan, spokesman for Indonesia’s BNPB national disaster agency, told AFP.

Many Flores inhabitants were preparing to sleep outside for a third night, afraid to go home as over 1,600 aftershocks rumbled through the area, according to the BMKG geological agency.

AFP saw several residents of the small town of Mbay, in Nagekeo regency nearest the epicentre, camped out in makeshift tents they had erected using tarpaulins and poles.

“Our houses are no longer liveable, because many have collapsed and are full of cracks, so we can’t go inside anymore,” Mbay resident Junaidin, 32, said outside a self-made tent that was sleeping about 30 people.

“We only go back home to get water, clothes, pillows, and then we… spend the nights here.”

Many Flores residents have traumatic memories of another 7.7-magnitude quake that hit the island in 1992, triggering a tsunami and killing about 2,500.

“We’re on our own here,” said Junaidin, who like many Indonesians has one name.

He expressed frustration with a perceived lag in the arrival of aid while the nation celebrated Independence Day with pomp and ceremony in the capital Jakarta.

“As for help from the government, there hasn’t been any — no tents, no medicine, no food, no drinking water, nothing,” said Junaidin.

“Please open your eyes, government. We are your people, we are part of you. So please look after us.”

The Indonesian Air Force said it was bringing 13 tonnes of emergency aid in two Hercules planes and a Boeing.

It was also deploying helicopters to bring emergency supplies directly to survivors in isolated communities, the Antara state news agency quoted the commander of El Tari Air Base in Kupang as saying.

The aid included food, clothes, clean water and emergency medical equipment.

The military has deployed personnel to help with distribution in key hubs.

For locals, the provisions cannot come soon enough.

“We fled with nothing. Just the clothes on our backs. We’re victims; we’re going through a disaster,” said Mbay resident Siti Saudah Daso, a 31-year-old mother of three.

“They said they would give us something, but there’s no proof. So honestly, we’re a bit upset, disappointed.”

Rescuers were still combing the stricken area for victims, search and rescue official Fathur Rahman told AFP.

“We conduct land and air operations from helicopters. There haven’t been any reports on missing persons, but we are still scouring the area just to be sure.”

The epicentre of the shallow quake was located just off the north coast of Flores, geological authorities said.

The affected areas have few, if any, high-rise buildings.

Berton, the disaster agency spokesman, said at least 914 houses on the island were severely damaged and hundreds of others to a lesser degree.

Dozens of public buildings, including educational and health facilities as well as government offices, were also affected.

The NGO Save the Children said more than 8,000 children faced “safety risks and disruptions to their education” following the quake.

Indonesia experiences frequent earthquakes due to its location in the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

A devastating 9.1-magnitude tremor in 2004 struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, about 170,000 of them in Indonesia.

It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.

AFP

The Ekiti State Police Command has commenced an investigation to establish the whereabouts of a 19-year-old woman, Dandam Happiness, who has been missing since August 10, 2026.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the command, SP Sunday Abutu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Monday.

According to Abutu, Happiness left her residence in Ado Ekiti at about 4pm on August 10 and has not returned.

The statement said, “She left her residence in Ado Ekiti on 10th August, 2026, at about 16.00 hours (4pm), to an unknown destination and has not returned since then.”

The police described the missing woman as 19 years old, approximately 4.5 feet tall and fair in complexion, adding that she has no tribal marks and speaks English fluently.

The statement added, “All efforts made by her relatives and friends to locate her whereabouts have proved abortive.”

Abutu said the command had commenced investigations to determine her whereabouts and ensure her safe return.

He said, “The Command has begun an investigation to unravel her whereabouts.”

The police spokesperson urged members of the public with useful information about Happiness’ whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or call +2349064050086.

He also appealed to residents to share the information widely to assist the police, family and friends in locating the missing woman.

A Malian court sentenced on Monday a prominent broadcaster and an influencer, who had both criticised the ruling junta, to seven years in jail, an AFP journalist saw.

The sentences are the latest handed to Malians critical of the unstable west African country’s military government, which came to power following back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.

Television and radio commentator Mohamed Youssouf Bathily – alias Ras Bath – was convicted by the court in Bamako of criminal conspiracy and discrediting the state, alongside Rokia Doumbia, a noted campaigner known online as “Rose, the cost of living”.

Both had been in custody for several years following the airing of a 2023 programme by the journalist dedicated to the economic difficulties facing ordinary Malians.

They were handed three years’ suspended on top of their seven-year jail sentences.

Having been held since March 2023, Ras Bath’s emaciated and gaunt features shocked many Malians when he took the stand in his trial, which opened on August 10 at the Bamako Court of Appeal’s criminal chamber.

Two lawyers told AFP on condition of anonymity that the prosecutor had told the trial that “Ras Bath is a danger” to the junta and “must be kept a long way from social media and the radio”.

Prosecutors alleged the broadcaster and influencer were “in association” with each other, with Ras Bath having invited “Rose” onto his show on two previous occasions.

Ras Bath’s lawyers denied these accusations.

With the motto “shock to educate”, his direct and plain-speaking style earnt Ras Bath both a strong following, especially among Mali’s many younger people, and several run-ins with the law.

In July 2023, he was acquitted of separate charges that he falsely claimed that former prime minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga had been “assassinated” while in detention under the junta.

Since coming to power, the army has imposed severe restrictions on freedoms in Mali, squeezing the space for dissident voices through the courts, coercion and the dissolution of political parties.

Under General Assimi Goita, the junta has failed to keep its promise to hand power back to civilians by March 2024 at the latest.

The Sahel country has been wracked since 2012 by a serious security crisis, notably fuelled by violence from jihadists allied to Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State group, along with criminal gangs and armed separatists.

AFP

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has warned Nigerians against fighting or risking their lives for politicians, saying political actors often use people and abandon them after elections.

Ayodele gave the warning in a video uploaded on Monday on TikTok while advising Nigerians, particularly young people, not to allow politicians to manipulate them into violence during elections.

He said politicians across party lines were friends despite the intense rivalry among their supporters.

“Nigerians especially, don’t die for politicians. Tinubu and Atiku, they are friends. You only fight and fight and fight and fight and kill yourself.”

Reacting to the violence and political rivalry surrounding elections, the cleric said supporters who sacrificed themselves for politicians would ultimately be left to bear the consequences.

“Don’t kill yourself. Election is coming soon. Don’t let them use you because of N1m or N500,000 they will give you. If you lose, they shoot your leg or they kidnap you or they do anything, it’s your headache.”

Ayodele also urged Nigerians not to fight over political figures who, according to him, would eventually reconcile among themselves after elections.

You lost, your family lost. Adeleke, Oyetola, they will greet themselves. They will do padi padi thing.”

He similarly warned supporters against allowing political differences to turn them against one another.

Stop fighting or die because of these politicians. Politicians, they are use and dump. They are ungrateful, they are ingrate.”

The cleric extended his criticism to religious leaders, saying politicians could also exploit pastors for political purposes before abandoning them.

“They will only use you and dump you. They will use people like us too, pastors, and they will dump us. That is not a problem.”

Ayodele further questioned whether politicians would expose their own children or families to the same dangers they encourage supporters to face.

“Can they send their children to war on any of their families? And yet they will not help you.”

He urged young Nigerians entering politics to be cautious and avoid blindly praising or defending politicians at the expense of their own lives.

“You are just praising them. Can they send their children to war on any of their families?”

Ayodele said politicians often prioritise people within their own networks when sharing opportunities, urging Nigerians to avoid becoming casualties of political contests.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has filed a fresh N10bn fundamental rights suit against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged denial of access to his wife and son while in custody.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1852/2026 and filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 13, El-Rufai alleged that the ICPC prevented his wife, Aichatou Asabe, and son, Abba El-Rufai, from visiting him.

The former governor, through his lawyer, Ubong Akpan, also joined the ICPC chairman and the Attorney-General of the Federation as the second and third defendants, respectively.

El-Rufai is seeking nine reliefs, including declarations that his fundamental rights guaranteed under Part IV of the 1999 Constitution remain enforceable despite his detention.

He alleged that the repeated refusal to allow his family members access to him, particularly to provide food, medication and other necessities, without lawful justification or a court order, violated his rights under Sections 34 and 37 of the Constitution and Articles 5 and 18 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He also alleged that ICPC officers physically restrained and intimidated his wife and son on July 7, describing the incident as an arbitrary interference with his spousal and filial relationships.

El-Rufai asked the court to declare that “the respondents’ continued denial of family access without lawful authority is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.”

He further sought an order directing the respondents to grant him “unhindered and reasonable access to members of his family and counsel throughout the period of his detention as earlier directed by the Federal High Court.”

According to the former governor, the alleged denial of access had prevented his wife and son from giving him food, medication and other necessities while in custody.

“This action has subjected the applicant to humiliation, emotional trauma, anxiety and psychological distress,” he alleged.

He further alleged that the respondents “acted arbitrarily, unlawfully and in a manner inconsistent with Sections 34, 37 and 46 of the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“The respondents’ conduct amounts to an unjustifiable interference with the applicant’s dignity and family life and is therefore unconstitutional.”

In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, El-Rufai’s Principal Secretary, Mohammed Shaba, said the former governor was being detained at the ICPC office in Abuja.

Shaba said the information contained in the affidavit was supplied to him by Asabe on July 12.

According to him, Asabe had been personally responsible for providing her husband with “food, clothing, medication, and other personal necessities required for his comfort, health, and well-being while in custody.”

He said El-Rufai is the first defendant in charge number FHC/KD/73C/2025, pending before the Federal High Court, Kaduna Judicial Division, in which the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the complainant.

Shaba recalled that Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Kaduna division had, on April 1, ordered the ICPC to allow the defendants access to their counsel and personal physicians whenever they needed to see them.

“Clearly, this order reflects the settled principle of law that detainees are not to be held incommunicado and that the ICPC is subject to judicial oversight regarding the conditions of detention,” he stated.

The affidavit further argued that El-Rufai retained his fundamental rights under the Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, including the right to humane treatment and reasonable access to family members.

Shaba said that before July 7, Asabe had regularly visited her husband and delivered meals and other items to him without obstruction.

The fresh suit is the latest in a series of legal actions instituted by the former governor against the ICPC since the commission began investigating him.

In February, El-Rufai filed a separate N1bn fundamental rights suit against the ICPC over the alleged unlawful search of his Abuja residence.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, challenged the validity of a search warrant issued by a Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrates’ Court, which the former governor alleged was used to raid his residence.

He sought declarations that the search violated his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy, as guaranteed by Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.

The N1bn suit was later amended, with El-Rufai dropping the magistrate who issued the warrant as a defendant.

The Made in China Goods Traders Association of Nigeria has appealed to the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos for support for cataract treatment, artificial intelligence training, scholarships and participation in major trade exhibitions in China.

The association made the request in a letter signed by its National President, Oluwole Adigun, and addressed to the Chinese Consul-General in Lagos, Mrs Yan Yuqing.

The association in the letter dated Monday, August 17, said the request followed its executives’ participation in a Bamboo and Rattan Seminar organised by Chinese authorities.

Adigun appealed to the Consulate, “to support or facilitate a cataract treatment outreach for less privileged residents within its area of jurisdiction in Lagos”.

According to him, the initiative would restore sight to vulnerable people who could not afford surgery and improve their quality of life.

He said the association was prepared to work with the Consulate to identify beneficiaries and coordinate the medical outreach.

The traders also requested that qualified members of the association “be considered for the Chinese Government’s plan to train 5,000 Nigerians in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies”.

The association further appealed for undergraduate and master’s degree scholarships offered by the Chinese Government for its members.

Adigun said access to the training and scholarship programmes would help build skills and capacity among traders, enabling them to contribute more effectively to Nigeria’s economic and technological development.

On trade, the association sought the Consulate’s assistance in facilitating members’ participation in two major international exhibitions in China.

It listed the China Import and Export Fair, popularly known as the Canton Fair, scheduled for October 15 to November 4, 2026, in Guangzhou, and the China International Import Expo, scheduled for November 5 to 10, 2026, in Shanghai.

The association said participation in the exhibitions would provide members from different states with opportunities to establish business contacts, explore new markets and develop investment partnerships.

It added that such engagements could promote technology transfer and strengthen bilateral trade between Nigeria and China.

Adigun also expressed appreciation to the Consul-General for the Bamboo and Rattan Seminar, saying the programme had broadened the executives’ understanding of the use of the materials for sustainable development and economic empowerment

He said the knowledge acquired would be applied to benefit members of the association and their communities while contributing to stronger Nigeria-China relations.

“We appreciate the Chinese Government of President Xi Jiping and its representatives for their friendship and support for Nigeria.

“We remain committed to cooperation, excellence and mutual respect,” Adigun said.

The association represents traders operating across several states in Nigeria who engage in various trading activities.

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Samuel Akoade, for allegedly hacking his mother, Olufunke Akoade, to death in Ore, headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday at about 5pm in the Powerline area of the community.

It was gathered that the suspect allegedly attacked his mother with a machete, inflicting deep injuries that resulted in her death.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abayomi Jimoh, said the suspect was in police custody.

He said, “The incident occurred on Sunday, 16th August 2026, when the command received a report that the deceased was found lying in a pool of blood at her residence. Preliminary information revealed that the victim had sustained deep machete cuts and was already dead when she was discovered.

“Following the report, police operatives from Ore Division immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area and commenced preliminary investigation. A machete suspected to have been used in the attack was recovered, while the scene was photographed and documented.

The suspected assailant, initially identified simply as Samuel, was reported to have fled the scene before the arrival of the police. However, following sustained efforts by the operatives, Samuel Akoade was subsequently arrested and taken into police custody.”

Jimoh said the remains of the deceased had been deposited at a mortuary, while the suspect remained in custody.

He added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Akure for further investigation.

Jimoh said, “The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed that the investigation be conducted thoroughly and professionally to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.”

The PPRO reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to provide timely and useful information to the police, particularly on suspicious activities in their communities.

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate fell to 15.43 per cent in July 2026, representing a 0.48 percentage-point decline from the 15.91 per cent recorded in June.

The latest figure was contained in the Consumer Price Index report released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.

The July inflation rate also marked a sharp decline from the 24.94 per cent recorded in July 2025, indicating a 9.51 percentage-point reduction year-on-year.

The decline, however, came despite an increase in the overall Consumer Price Index, which rose to 145.3 points in July from 143.0 points in June.

The NBS explained that the index increase reflected changes in the average prices of goods and services purchased by consumers, while the inflation rate measured the pace of those price increases.

The report stated, “The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased to 145.3 in July 2026, reflecting a 2.2-point increase from the preceding month (143.0).

“In July 2026, the Headline inflation rate stood at 15.43 per cent, down from 15.91 per cent in June 2026 and stood at 24.94 per cent in the same month of the preceding year (July 2025). Looking at the movement, the July 2026 Headline inflation rate decreased by 0.48 per cent compared to the June 2026 Headline inflation rate.

On a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in July 2026 was 1.57 per cent, which was 0.09 per cent lower than the rate recorded in June 2026 (1.66 per cent). This means that in July 2026, the rate of increase in the average price level was lower than the rate of increase in the average price level in June 2026.”

The month-on-month figure shows that price pressures eased slightly during the month. At 1.57 per cent, the rate was 0.09 percentage points lower than the 1.66 per cent recorded in June.

The latest development means that both the annual headline inflation rate and the monthly pace of price increases moderated in July.

The NBS noted that the CPI is a key macroeconomic indicator used to measure changes in the average prices of goods and services commonly purchased by consumers.

It said the current CPI uses 2024 as its price reference period and that the consumer inflation rate is directly calculated from the index.

The July moderation comes against the backdrop of significant changes in Nigeria’s inflation dynamics over the past year. Headline inflation has fallen by 9.51 percentage points from 24.94 per cent in July 2025 to 15.43 per cent in July 2026.

However, the increase in the CPI from 143.0 to 145.3 points indicates that prices continued to rise in July, even though at a slower rate than in June.

The figures therefore suggest that the decline in the inflation rate should not be interpreted as a fall in the general price level. Rather, it indicates that the pace of price increases slowed during the month.

The Imole Campaign Council has commenced a post-election review of electoral violence in Osun State, directing its structures across the 30 local government areas to document victims, including those who lost their lives or sustained injuries.

The move came two days after Governor Ademola Adeleke was declared the winner of Saturday’s governorship election, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, after polling 511,067 votes.

The election followed weeks of political tension and reported violence in parts of the state, including the killing of an Accord Party supporter, Ajayi Aderogba, popularly known as Rogba, in Esa-Oke in June.

The Imole Campaign Council had subsequently called for an independent investigation into the incident.

Ahead of the poll, PUNCH Online also reported clashes and allegations of politically motivated attacks involving the major parties as the election approached.

In its latest statement issued on Monday, signed by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the campaign council said the review would cover every person affected by violence before, during and immediately after the election.

It said its headcount would include people who sustained injuries, families who lost loved ones and persons whose properties were damaged or destroyed.

Every victim must be documented. Importantly, this exercise is not party-focused. Every victim must be documented irrespective of political affiliation, party membership or voting preference.

“Violence against any citizen diminishes us all, and no family should be forgotten simply because of their political persuasion.”

The council said the exercise would therefore not be restricted to Adeleke’s supporters or members of the Accord Party.

However, the latest directive comes after the campaign council had previously alleged that several Accord members and Adeleke supporters were killed, injured or detained during the election campaign.

In an earlier statement  reported by PUNCH Online, the council named Kolade Eluyera, Ezekiel Olapade, Ajayi Rogba and Timilehin Oni among those allegedly killed. It also listed several others it said were killed or injured.

The council had also alleged that more than 100 of Adeleke’s campaign coordinators and supporters were arrested and detained during the campaign.

In the latest statement, however, the council broadened the exercise to cover victims regardless of their political affiliation.

This exercise must capture persons who sustained injuries, families who lost loved ones, persons whose properties were damaged or destroyed, and other identifiable victims of election-related violence,” the statement said.

The council directed all its local government structures to submit comprehensive and verifiable records of the affected persons for further review and appropriate action.

It said the outcome of the election could not erase the pain suffered by families who lost loved ones or sustained injuries.

“While we are grateful to God and to the people of Osun State for the outcome of the election, we recognise that our victory cannot erase the pain of families who suffered losses or injuries in the course of the electoral process.

“The election is over. Our common humanity must now take precedence over political differences. Osun comes first,” the statement added.

The Federal Government has moved to correct what it considers a longstanding identity problem surrounding Osubi Airport in Delta State, with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, formally asking the International Air Transport Association to review the airport’s existing three-letter code, QRW.

The request, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Minister’s media aide, Tunde Moshood, is aimed at securing a code that more accurately reflects the airport’s official name and its actual geographical location.

The statement quoted a letter Keyamo addressed to the IATA Area Manager for West and Central Africa, Samuel Fatokun.

Osubi Airport, which bears the International Civil Aviation Organisation four-letter location indicator DNSU, is physically situated in Osubi town, near Warri, Delta State.

Over the years, however, the facility has often been referred to as “Warri Airport”, largely because it serves the Warri metropolitan area and is closely associated with the commercial city.

The government now wants that description to be separated from the airport’s formal geographical identity.

Keyamo said the continued use of the IATA code QRW, which is associated with the broader Warri identity, “does not adequately reflect the airport’s actual name and physical location.”

In an aviation industry where three-letter codes are used on flight tickets, baggage tags, boarding passes, reservation systems and international travel platforms, the government argues that “the correct identification of an airport matters.”

A wrong or confusing identity, therefore, can potentially create uncertainty for travellers and stakeholders.

It is against this background that Keyamo has asked IATA to initiate a formal review of QRW and consider a replacement code that has a clearer relationship with Osubi.

Among the possible alternatives suggested by the Federal Government are OSU, OSB, SUB and QSB.

The government, however, recognises that the final decision is not entirely within its control. Any new designation must satisfy IATA’s established coding procedures and must also be available for assignment.

Keyamo believes such a change would help “strengthen the airport’s identity while reducing potential ambiguity for passengers and other stakeholders”.

But the Minister is not stopping at the IATA request.

In a related directive, airlines operating flights to and from the airport have been instructed to ensure that passenger-facing documents properly identify the facility as Osubi, Delta State.

Flight tickets, luggage tags, boarding passes and other relevant documentation are expected to reflect the airport’s proper designation.

The Minister has also directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and other relevant aviation agencies to ensure that the correct designation is consistently reflected across their systems, records, publications and operational interfaces.

He added that, “Osubi is not Warri and Warri is not Osubi.”

The newly elected Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, has said his predecessor, Blessing Agbebaku, was removed by lawmakers over alleged poor leadership and corruption.

Idiaye, who represents Akoko-Edo Constituency I and is a third-term lawmaker, emerged as Speaker on Monday following Agbebaku’s resignation amid moves by lawmakers to impeach him.

Addressing journalists after Monday’s plenary, Idiaye accused Agbebaku of poor leadership, alleging that his tenure was characterised by corruption and prolonged adjournments.

He said, “The House was inaugurated on the 16th of June, 2023 under the leadership of Agbebaku, and since then we have been passing through a lot of challenges, corruption here and there, adjournment here and there, sometimes for 30 days without a cause. We are not happy with his leadership style. His leadership is poor, and it has been drawing the work of the government backwards.”

Idiaye added, “That is why we removed him. We must encourage our performing governor. He is doing well, anything that will derail or stop our performing governor, we must stop it. That is why we changed him. I can assure all of you that we will do everything possible to support Governor Monday Okpebholo to move this state forward.”

Idiaye’s emergence was also said to have followed the Assembly’s zoning arrangement, which provides that when the governor is from Edo Central Senatorial District, the Speaker should come from Edo North.

Idiaye, being the oldest member from Edo North, was subsequently elected Speaker.

Online gathered that members of the Assembly were at the Government House to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo about the change in leadership.

Agbebaku was said to have resigned earlier on Monday following alleged moves by lawmakers to impeach him. PUNCH Online gathered that 17 of the 24 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against him on Sunday night.

His resignation was confirmed by his media aide, Ivy Ebojele.

She said, “I can confirm the Speaker’s resignation but details will be made public later.”

When contacted, Agbebaku’s telephone line was busy, while Ebojele was yet to issue a further statement on the circumstances surrounding his resignation.

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Nollywood actress and entrepreneur Sarah Martins has spoken in support of women who choose to undergo body enhancement procedures, saying such decisions can help boost their confidence and self-esteem.

Martins, who spoke in an interview with Potpourri, said women should be free to make choices about their bodies if those choices help them feel more confident and empowered.

Sugar is their body! Nothing kills women faster than low self-esteem,” she said. “If getting your body done will give you the confidence you need as a woman to grow and win, then go ahead and do it!”

The actress, who also operates in the beauty and body-enhancement industry, said she is comfortable with her own physique but would not rule out plastic surgery in the future.

“I have a beautiful and perfect body as a body magic aesthetician, but if there’s need in the future to consider plastic surgery, I will gladly jump on it,” she said.

Beyond acting, Martins revealed that she has built several businesses and does not depend on her acting career to pay her bills. She described acting as a “side hustle”, noting that entrepreneurship has remained a major part of her professional life.

“Acting is not paying my bills. I’ve always been a very hardworking entrepreneur with many streams of income,” she said.

According to her, her business interests include a body contour spa, the manufacture of waist trainers and production of body enhancement and sex enhancement products.

Martins’ entrepreneurial ventures, she explained, have given her multiple sources of income while allowing her to pursue acting alongside her business interests.

On relationships, the actress was equally direct when asked about the qualities she looks for in a man.

For Martins, generosity is a major attraction, and she emphasised the importance of having a partner who is willing to give and support others.

“A giver, be a giver, continue to be a giver and never stop being a giver,” she said. “Every giver has a very special place in my heart and every giver is specially created by God.”

The Representative of Ikeja Federal Constituency in Lagos, James Faleke, has denied attempting to influence the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the outcome of the Osun State governorship election.

Faleke, who supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, made the clarification in a post on X on Sunday in response to a comment by Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Davido had, during the collation of the election results in Osogbo on Saturday, accused Faleke of putting pressure on INEC to alter the outcome of the poll.

“Hon. James Faleke, stop putting pressure on INEC to change Osun election result. Respect the wishes of Osun people. We don’t want Oyetola and AMBO,” Davido wrote.

Responding, Faleke said his presence in Osun was solely to support his party’s candidate, while noting that Davido backed his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party.

“I came to Osun to support my party’s candidate, while you supported your uncle’s party (Accord). INEC is a body that can’t be influenced by me or anyone else,” Faleke said.

He added, “I have never influenced or rigged before and I don’t plan to start now. Face your music while we face our politics.”

I came to Osun to support my party's candidate, while you supported your uncle's party (Accord). INEC is a body that can't be influenced by me or anyone else.

I have never influenced or rigged before and i don't plan to start now. Face your music while we face our politics. https://t.co/oB5xXoTmxh

— Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke (@honfaleke) August 16, 2026

Following INEC’s declaration of Adeleke as winner of the election, Faleke in a separate post congratulated the governor on his re-election.

He also commended Oyebamiji for what he described as a “very good outing” and praised the APC candidate for his commitment and sportsmanship during the electoral process

I would also like to congratulate the Governor and candidate of the Accord Party, Governor Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke, on his re-election as Governor of Osun State. I wish him a successful tenure and urge him to continue to work for the peace, progress, and development of the state,” he wrote.

Faleke further described the election as evidence that democracy remained vibrant in Nigeria, while commending President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he called its commitment to democratic values.

He also praised INEC for the conduct of the election and security agencies for maintaining what he described as a peaceful and orderly process.

Adeleke was declared winner of the election after polling 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.

The new additions bring the total number of completed and functional water facilities under the scheme to 32, following the initial inauguration of 12 boreholes two weeks ago.

Some of the benefiting communities are Olode Isale (Imupa), Idepo (Ijasi), Obalende (Porogun), Obalende (Seico), Oju Koti, Alawa, Ojofa, Ita Osu New Market (Ikongba), Ayegbami (Idomowo Community), Ipamurin, Ishado and Idomila, among others.

Speaking on Sunday during the inauguration and handover of the borehole projects to community leaders at Obalende, Ijebu Ode, the Director of Projects for the scheme, Funmilayo Ayanwusi, disclosed that the initiative targets a total of 52 boreholes across various parts of Ijebu Ode.

Ayanwusi emphasised that the project was strictly a philanthropic gesture driven by the benefactor’s deep commitment to his roots, dismissing any political undertones.

She said, “Omooba Abimbola Onabanjo is not a politician. He never was, he’s not, and I don’t think he has plans of becoming one anytime soon. He is someone who always wants to give back to his community.”

Quoting the iconic musician Fela Kuti’s popular lyrics on the importance of water, she noted, “Water is for everybody. It’s free, like air, and essential for every human, animal, and plant. Omooba Onabanjo saw a need in the community and decided to help alleviate it.”

She said, “We are here to inaugurate 20 more boreholes. It’s the second phase of the Omooba Abimbola Onabanjo Borehole Project in Ijebu Ode. We initially inaugurated 12 boreholes for the first phase two weeks ago, and now we’re inaugurating 20 to make a total of 32.

“The target is actually 52, so we still have 20 more borehole projects. They are being supplied with generating sets and free fuelling. It is simply a way of giving back to the community.

Omooba Onabanjo and his wife have always believed in giving back to society, especially in supporting their roots. They have, from time to time, been supporting the people with cash, food items, among others.”

Ayanwusi said the donor would also maintain full management and fuelling of the facilities for a minimum of six months before officially handing them over to the beneficiary communities.

She explained that, in addition to addressing water scarcity, the project had stimulated the local economy by engaging over 100 artisans from Ijebu Ode, including welders, plumbers, engineers and survey personnel.

Ayanwusi, therefore, urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the water facilities and make judicious use of them so as not to defeat the purpose of the humanitarian gesture.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the Ijebu Ode Council of Oloritun, Alhaji Adebisi Alausa, commended the donor for the intervention, describing it as unprecedented in the town’s history.

“Today is a special occasion. For the first time, I am seeing a man trying his best to satisfy the majority of people in Ijebu Ode. It has never happened before. I will be 89 on Friday, August 21, and I have not witnessed this type of gesture before,” Alausa remarked.

While acknowledging that public water supply remained a primary responsibility of the government, the traditional chief noted that the donor’s intervention significantly reduced the burden on state infrastructure.

He urged political leaders to restore the old water-piping and reservoir systems to permanently address water challenges across the state.

culled from punch 

The reactions followed the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission of Adeleke, candidate of the Accord, as the winner of the keenly contested August 15, 2026, governorship election.

Adeleke defeated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and secured another four-year term after winning 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas.

According to the final result declared by INEC, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji scored 444,815 votes, giving the governor a winning margin of 66,252 votes.

The African Democratic Congress candidate and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.

The result represents a significant increase in Adeleke’s electoral margin compared with the 2022 governorship election, when he defeated the then-incumbent APC governor, Gboyega Oyetola, by 28,344 votes after scoring 403,371 votes against Oyetola’s 375,027.

The 2026 election also marked a major political shift for Adeleke, who was elected governor in 2022 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party but contested his re-election on the Accord platform.

Reacting to the outcome, Atiku, in a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, said Adeleke’s victory reflected the wishes of the people of Osun State, whom he commended for turning out in large numbers despite what he described as attempts to undermine the democratic process.

“The outcome of last Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State is an expression of the wishes of the people, which has earned Governor Adeleke his re-election,” Atiku said.

He said the election demonstrated that voters could protect their ballots by remaining vigilant and participating actively in the electoral process.

“The lesson from the election is that the voters in Osun State have set a good example of how we must come out in large numbers in the general elections next year.

“Another important lesson from the Osun election is that it is a clear manifestation of how the collective resolve of the electorate to stand firm to protect their ballot is the best antidote to rigging, vote buying and other electoral malpractice and irregularities,” he said.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2027 election, also used the outcome to launch a fresh attack on the ruling APC, arguing that the election exposed what he described as growing dissatisfaction with the President Bola Tinubu administration.

He alleged that the heavy presence of security personnel during the election was intended to intimidate voters but said the electorate nevertheless resisted attempts to influence the outcome.

“Nigerians have roundly rejected the APC. The election in Osun State is just a telling indication that the APC will be defeated in the general election in January 2027. Indeed, it is a forerunner of the 2027 General elections,” Atiku said.

He commended Adeleke for his role in mobilising the people to defend their votes and urged the governor to use his renewed mandate to deepen good governance in the state.

Obi, in his message posted on his X account titled, “Osun: When the people stand, democracy wins,” described Adeleke’s re-election as a significant demonstration of the people’s power.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate said the people of Osun had spoken with “courage and clarity,” while crediting Adeleke’s performance in office for the renewed confidence expressed through the ballot.

“Through his commitment to the people, compassion for their needs, and the strength of his work and achievements in office, Governor Adeleke has earned their renewed confidence and been entrusted once again with their mandate,” Obi said.

He particularly praised young voters in the state for what he described as the peaceful defence of their democratic mandate.

“I particularly commend the courageous youths of Osun who rose to the occasion and peacefully defended their democratic mandate,” he said.

According to Obi, the Osun election demonstrated that democracy becomes stronger when citizens remain conscious of their civic responsibilities and insist that their votes count.

“The lesson from Osun is clear: democracy is strongest when citizens are alert, conscious of their civic responsibility, and determined to ensure that their votes count. Every genuine vote must be respected, and every lawful mandate must be protected,” he said.

Obi also linked the Osun experience to the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process and protect their votes.

“This is also a clarion call as we approach 2027. Nigerians must remain informed, participate actively, vote, and protect their votes,” he maintained.

Obi further urged political actors to place national interest above partisan considerations, insisting that elections should be contests of ideas and competence rather than occasions for violence.

“Elections should never be battles of violence, but contests of ideas, competence, character, and service,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who is the vice presidential candidate of the NDC, in a statement posted on his verified X account on Sunday, described Adeleke as his friend and congratulated him on winning the election as the candidate of the Accord.

“As a leader of the opposition and a committed democrat, I commend the people of Osun State for exercising their democratic rights and reaffirming the power of the people’s mandate,” Kwankwaso said.

He said the outcome demonstrated the importance of citizens participating actively in the democratic process and making their voices heard.

“This victory is a reminder that when citizens remain committed to their civic responsibilities and make their voices heard, the people’s will must prevail,” he stated.

Kwankwaso also commended INEC for the conduct of the election and urged the commission and other stakeholders to continue upholding the principles of credible, peaceful and transparent elections.

“I also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission for the conduct of the election and encourage all stakeholders to continue to uphold the principles of credible, peaceful and transparent elections,” he said.

The former governor congratulated Adeleke and the people of Osun State on the outcome of the poll.

Govs congratulate Adeleke

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum congratulated Adeleke, saying the outcome of the election reflected the strides he made and the confidence placed in him by the electorate.

In a statement signed by its Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Sunday, the forum also commended the people of Osun State for their turnout and all candidates who participated in the keenly contested election.

The NGF described the poll as another demonstration of the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy, while acknowledging the important role played by opposition parties in strengthening the country’s democratic process.

“The NGF acknowledges the strides and personality of the governor, which readily paid off at the keenly contested election,” the forum said.

It congratulated Adeleke on his victory and expressed confidence that he would build on the achievements of his first term during his second tenure.

“We are confident that His Excellency Ademola Adeleke will continue to build on the successes of his first term in the overall interest of the people of Osun State,” it said.

The NGF said the level of voter participation demonstrated the continued interest of Nigerians in the democratic process.

The forum similarly commends the people of the state for the large turnout during the election. We believe that the interest that the off-cycle ballot generated again confirms the resilience of Nigerian democracy.

“The forum acknowledges the incredibly important role that opposition parties also play in shaping our democracy, and we commend all the candidates for their efforts,” the statement read.

The NGF further praised security agencies for their handling of the election, saying their intervention helped prevent the violence recorded in the days preceding the poll from disrupting the exercise.

It singled out President Tinubu for what it described as a statesmanlike role during the election.

According to the governors, Tinubu successfully balanced his position as leader of the ruling APC with his responsibility as president and father of the nation.

The forum said it looked forward to Adeleke’s second term and expressed confidence that his administration would continue to advance the development of Osun State.

In their individual statements, some state governors also congratulated Adeleke on his re-election.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, described the outcome of the election as a reflection of the wishes of the majority of Osun voters.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, made available in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, he hailed Adeleke’s emergence as the winner of the keenly contested election.

The Ekiti governor said, “This is democracy, and the majority of Osun voters have expressed their preference for the re-election of Governor Adeleke.

“Congratulations to Governor Adeleke on the electoral victory. I urge him to be magnanimous in victory and carry other contestants along in the task of building a more prosperous Osun State.”

Oyebanji praised Tinubu “for providing a level-playing field for all the contestants in the Osun election, a development that led to a significant reduction in tension and made the contest a fair one.”

He also congratulated the APC candidate, Oyebamiji, “for being a worthy challenger in the contest.”

Oyebanji applauded Osun APC members for putting up a strong fight and urged them to behave as worthy opponents by going back to the drawing board to map out plans for future elections.

He also commended INEC and the security agencies for their roles in the conduct of the poll.

“We must specially appreciate our dear President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for providing a level playing field for all the contestants. This singular act of the President reduced tension and made the contest a credible one.

“The outcome of the Osun governorship election should not be misinterpreted as a true reflection of Osun people about President Bola Tinubu. Certainly not. The people of Osun will massively vote for President Tinubu come January 2027,” Oyebanji added.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, congratulated Adeleke and the people of Osun State on what he described as the peaceful and successful conduct of the election.

In a statement he signed on Sunday, Otti said, “The orderly manner in which Osun people came out to exercise their franchise, and the peaceful conduct before, during and after the election, despite some observed irregularities, is a testament to the maturity of our democracy and the commitment of citizens to peaceful coexistence.”

He commended INEC for its professionalism, the security agencies for ensuring a safe environment, and other stakeholders who worked to make the process credible and transparent.

“This successful exercise further strengthens democratic governance in our country and reinforces the voice of the people in choosing their leaders.

As you start your second tenure in office, I encourage you to remain focused on delivering people-centred governance that improves the lives of Osun people, expands opportunities, and sustains peace and development across the state.

“As an Abia grandson, we stand with you and your state in the shared vision of building stronger institutions and delivering the dividends of democracy to our people,” Otti said.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, described Adeleke’s victory as one for democracy and the people of the state.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, he congratulated Adeleke for reaping the reward of his commitment to serving the people through his achievements and delivery of good governance.

Makinde commended the people for demonstrating where political power lies by voting with determination and courage despite the reported violence and display of federal might.

He urged Adeleke to see his re-election as an encouragement to deliver more development to the state.

The governor also commended INEC for the smooth conduct of the election, describing the off-cycle poll as a litmus test for the 2027 general election and urging the commission not to let Nigerians down.

Makinde said, “I congratulate my brother and Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on his re-election for another term.

“This victory is a reward for his hard work and the delivery of good governance, and, as they say, the reward for hard work is more work.

“The results of the election proved again that the people reserve the absolute power in a democracy and that their movement will always triumph over all other considerations.

“I also commend the teeming people of Osun State for their courage to vote for their choice despite the sheer use of federal institutions and powers to suppress and subvert their will.

“I did point out in my last newsletter that the rule of law must be allowed to prevail over the rule of politics. The voters in Osun State have taught politicians a lesson that the rule of the people and their willpower will always out-muscle the rule of politics.

When politicians resort to all sorts of underhand tactics and enter a win-at-all-cost mode, not minding the survival of democracy or the rule of law, then the people will put them in check.

“Let me also commend INEC for the smoothness of the process. The Osun State governorship election is a litmus test for the 2027 general election, an election in which Nigerians expect so much from INEC, and it must not let them down.”

Natasha praises Tinubu, Adeleke

The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, also congratulated Adeleke, describing his victory as a triumph of democracy and the will of the people.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a statement issued by her media aide, Mike Idoko, also commended President Tinubu for “allowing the people of Osun State to freely choose their governor” despite the intense political interests surrounding the election.

She said the result demonstrated that political power ultimately belonged to the electorate and could not be permanently secured through political influence, intimidation or the deployment of political machinery.

She said, “The people of Osun State have spoken loudly and unmistakably. They stood firm, defended their votes and demonstrated that democracy belongs to the people.

“No amount of political machinery, intimidation or pressure can permanently silence the voice of the electorate.”

The senator said Adeleke’s victory should be viewed beyond partisan politics, arguing that the election represented another important test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience.

She said, “What we witnessed in Osun is a powerful reminder that the ballot remains the strongest weapon of the ordinary citizen in a democracy.

“When the people are determined to protect their mandate, political calculations and structures cannot substitute for genuine popular support.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan also commended Tinubu for what she described as his decision not to interfere with the choice of Osun voters.

She said, “President Bola Tinubu deserves commendation for allowing democracy to take its course in Osun State. Despite the enormous political interests and pressures surrounding the election, the people were allowed to exercise their constitutional right to choose their leader.”

Afenifere celebrates victory

The pan-Yoruba socio-political association, Afenifere, congratulated Adeleke on his victory in the just-concluded governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, the association also commended the Osun electorate for trooping out to exercise their civic responsibility.

The statement read, “Afenifere warmly congratulates Governor Ademola Adeleke and felicitates with the good people of Osun State for their steadfast commitment to democracy and the peaceful exercise of their franchise.

“The election has reaffirmed a cardinal democratic principle: sovereignty ultimately resides with the people. Their verdict must therefore be respected without equivocation, and their mandate regarded as sacrosanct.

“Afenifere urges Governor Adeleke to receive this renewed confidence with humility and an abiding sense of responsibility. The mandate is not a political trophy, but a solemn covenant with the entire people of Osun State.”

The association charged the governor to govern with fairness, inclusiveness and fidelity to the public good, “transcending partisan considerations in the larger interest of the state.”

It also commended Tinubu for the statesmanship he demonstrated by calling the governor to congratulate him before the formal declaration of the result by INEC.

“This gesture is especially commendable because the candidate of the President’s own political party was defeated.

“At a time when electoral contests can degenerate into rancour and recrimination, the President’s action constitutes a refreshing manifestation of democratic maturity.

When politicians resort to all sorts of underhand tactics and enter a win-at-all-cost mode, not minding the survival of democracy or the rule of law, then the people will put them in check.

“Let me also commend INEC for the smoothness of the process. The Osun State governorship election is a litmus test for the 2027 general election, an election in which Nigerians expect so much from INEC, and it must not let them down.”

Natasha praises Tinubu, Adeleke

The senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, also congratulated Adeleke, describing his victory as a triumph of democracy and the will of the people.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a statement issued by her media aide, Mike Idoko, also commended President Tinubu for “allowing the people of Osun State to freely choose their governor” despite the intense political interests surrounding the election.

She said the result demonstrated that political power ultimately belonged to the electorate and could not be permanently secured through political influence, intimidation or the deployment of political machinery.

She said, “The people of Osun State have spoken loudly and unmistakably. They stood firm, defended their votes and demonstrated that democracy belongs to the people.

“No amount of political machinery, intimidation or pressure can permanently silence the voice of the electorate.”

The senator said Adeleke’s victory should be viewed beyond partisan politics, arguing that the election represented another important test of Nigeria’s democratic resilience.

She said, “What we witnessed in Osun is a powerful reminder that the ballot remains the strongest weapon of the ordinary citizen in a democracy.

“When the people are determined to protect their mandate, political calculations and structures cannot substitute for genuine popular support.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan also commended Tinubu for what she described as his decision not to interfere with the choice of Osun voters.

She said, “President Bola Tinubu deserves commendation for allowing democracy to take its course in Osun State. Despite the enormous political interests and pressures surrounding the election, the people were allowed to exercise their constitutional right to choose their leader.”

Afenifere celebrates victory

The pan-Yoruba socio-political association, Afenifere, congratulated Adeleke on his victory in the just-concluded governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, the association also commended the Osun electorate for trooping out to exercise their civic responsibility.

The statement read, “Afenifere warmly congratulates Governor Ademola Adeleke and felicitates with the good people of Osun State for their steadfast commitment to democracy and the peaceful exercise of their franchise.

“The election has reaffirmed a cardinal democratic principle: sovereignty ultimately resides with the people. Their verdict must therefore be respected without equivocation, and their mandate regarded as sacrosanct.

“Afenifere urges Governor Adeleke to receive this renewed confidence with humility and an abiding sense of responsibility. The mandate is not a political trophy, but a solemn covenant with the entire people of Osun State.”

The association charged the governor to govern with fairness, inclusiveness and fidelity to the public good, “transcending partisan considerations in the larger interest of the state.”

It also commended Tinubu for the statesmanship he demonstrated by calling the governor to congratulate him before the formal declaration of the result by INEC.

“This gesture is especially commendable because the candidate of the President’s own political party was defeated.

“At a time when electoral contests can degenerate into rancour and recrimination, the President’s action constitutes a refreshing manifestation of democratic maturity.

“It demonstrates that partisan competition should never eclipse the national interest, and that the President, irrespective of political allegiance, must remain a father to all Nigerians.

“Afenifere regards this as a salutary example for political leaders across the country.”

The group noted that electoral contests should end with the graceful acceptance of the people’s verdict, “rather than descend into vendetta, recrimination or institutional hostility.”

It said, “Political fortunes are transient; democratic institutions and national cohesion must endure. We therefore salute the people of Osun State for their democratic vigilance and congratulate Governor Adeleke.”

PDP congratulates gov

The Peoples Democratic Party also congratulated Adeleke, describing the outcome as a reflection of the confidence reposed in him by the people of Osun State.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the party acknowledged the significance of Adeleke’s re-election and wished him success as he begins another four-year term.

“The Peoples Democratic Party warmly congratulates the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his well-deserved victory,” the statement read.

The party acknowledged that although Adeleke contested the election on the platform of the Accord, the PDP remained proud of its contribution to the democratic development of Osun State.

“While Governor Adeleke has chosen to pursue his political journey on the platform of the Accord, the PDP remains proud of its contributions to the democratic development of Osun State,” Mohammed said.

The party urged political actors to focus on governance and the welfare of the people rather than partisan considerations.

It further urged all political actors to respect the outcome of the election and work towards maintaining peace and stability in the state.

A faction of the PDP also described Adeleke’s victory as a warning to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The faction, in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of its Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, said the result reflected the determination of Osun voters to protect their votes despite what it described as attempts to manipulate the electoral process.

t said Adeleke’s victory was “a clear message from Nigerians in Osun State about what the 2027 elections will be.”

According to the faction, the APC deployed its “entire rigging machinery” to Osun State in an attempt to secure victory, but voters resisted the alleged efforts.

“That the APC wanted Osun, by fair or foul means, was not in doubt to anyone,” the statement said, alleging intimidation, assaults and arrests of opposition politicians during the election period.

The faction also cited a reported “kill them” directive attributed to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, his subsequent invitation by the police and release, as well as what it described as the mobilisation of security and other state institutions in favour of the ruling party.

It specifically accused security agencies, particularly the police, of partiality and criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the freezing of the government’s accounts in the build-up to the election.

The faction also questioned what it described as a delay of more than two hours in the uploading of results from 470 polling units by INEC.

It said such developments were “not just condemnable but are actions capable of derailing democracy.”

The Kano State governorship candidate of the NDC, Aminu Gwarzo, said Adeleke’s re-election signalled victory for the NDC in Kano State in the 2027 governorship election.

Gwarzo, in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, congratulated Adeleke and the people of Osun State, saying the election demonstrated the strength of democracy and the determination of citizens to defend their mandate.

“The people have defended their mandate and demonstrated their resolve to protect the democratic process,” Gwarzo said.

He added that the election showed that democracy remained firmly in the hands of the people, whose choices must be respected.

Also, the Imo State Labour Party governorship aspirant, Ifeanyi Ezeagu, congratulated Adeleke, describing the outcome as a significant triumph for democracy and the will of the people.

Ezeagu said Adeleke’s victory was more than a personal political achievement, as it reaffirmed the power of the electorate to determine who leads them.

He said the outcome demonstrated that “when citizens are determined to defend their votes and democratic rights, their voices cannot be ignored.”

According to him, the victory underscored the importance of protecting the integrity of the democratic process and respecting the choices made by voters.

Ezeagu commended the people of Osun State for their resilience, courage and commitment to democratic values, while appreciating stakeholders who played roles in ensuring that the democratic process was upheld.

He said the development should send a clear message to political leaders across Nigeria that public office was a trust and leadership must be centred on the welfare and aspirations of the people.

He urged Nigerians, especially youths, to remain actively involved in the democratic process and continue to demand accountability, justice, good governance and sustainable development.

Adebutu, Showunmi hail

The 2027 governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, and a chieftain of the party, Segun Showunmi, also congratulated Adeleke.

Adebutu, in a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Afolabi Orekoya, commended Adeleke for what he described as steadfastness, people-oriented governance and his ability to secure and validate the mandate freely given to him by Osun voters.

He said Adeleke’s victory indicated that the will of the electorate would ultimately prevail over political manoeuvring.

Adebutu said, “I heartily congratulate my brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for proving that when the people stand firmly behind a leader, no force can subvert their will.

“His strides in Osun are a testament to what the people really need — good governance and genuine empathy for the masses.”

Adebutu also said the APC in Ogun State was losing its grip on the electorate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

He said, “Let this also serve as a clear notice to the ruling party here in Ogun State. The APC is a sinking ship in Ogun State.

“The people have seen through the facade, and I say this with all sense of responsibility: no amount of padding—whether it is the padding of election figures, padding of contracts, or political theatrics—can stop the APC from sinking in Ogun State. Their days of holding the state backwards are numbered.”

Showunmi, in a separate statement, said the outcome demonstrated the growing maturity of the democratic culture in the South-West.

He said the election showed that the Yoruba electorate had little tolerance for what it perceived as bullying or the excessive use of political power.

Showunmi added that voters were increasingly willing to identify with perceived underdogs and express their displeasure through the ballot box whenever they believed one side was being unfairly pressured.

He observed that federal influence remained relevant but could not easily substitute for the goodwill earned by a governor through performance, accessibility and positive public perception.

He also argued that political endorsements alone could no longer guarantee electoral victory.

He said, “The era when political endorsements alone guaranteed electoral outcomes appears to be fading. Citizens are increasingly exercising their judgment and voting according to their convictions.”

Showunmi warned political parties and their leaders against neglecting stakeholders, saying party structures could not automatically translate into enthusiastic electoral support.

He condemned the loss of lives associated with the election, stressing that no political contest was worth the life of any Nigerian and calling for those responsible for election-related violence to be held accountable.

He also described the election as another indication that Nigerian elections remained largely two-horse contests, urging smaller political parties to rethink their strategies, structures and relevance if they intended to emerge as serious contenders.

“Democracy is alive and well. The spirit of Ipinle Omoluabi endures. The people have exercised their sovereign right, and their verdict deserves respect,” he said.

The police arrested 295 suspects in connection with various incidents recorded during the Osun State governorship election held on Saturday.

The police disclosed that 293 of the suspects had been released on bail following screening, while two others remained in custody for further investigation and prosecution.

The development came as security agencies intensified surveillance and enforcement during the election to prevent violence, vote-buying and other electoral offences.

Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, Force spokesman, Ani Iniedu, said two suspects remained in custody and would be subjected to further investigation before being prosecuted for the offences established against them.

He said, “295 suspects were arrested during the election, and 293 have been released on bail after screening. So we have two of them in custody for prosecution,” he said.

The arrests were part of the security measures deployed across the state to ensure a peaceful and credible conduct of the election.

The police had earlier warned political actors, their supporters and other stakeholders against acts capable of undermining the electoral process, stressing that anyone found violating the law would be arrested and made to face prosecution.

On its part, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said it made no arrests.

According to its spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, comprehensive security structures were established across local government areas and wards to deter troublemakers and respond rapidly to emerging threats.

He said the Corps deployed a multi-layered security architecture comprising both armed and unarmed personnel to safeguard polling units and electoral materials.

“Three fully armed patrol teams, equipped with Hilux vehicles, were stationed in every local government area to maintain a visible deterrent and respond to major incidents.

“Also, three unarmed personnel were directly deployed to every polling centre to maintain order and monitor activities on-site.

“Two armed personnel were positioned 500 metres away from each polling centre, bringing the total deployment to five officers assigned to cover each polling unit,” he said.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has appealed for peace and unity in Osun State after his re-election, even as the All Progressives Congress weighs its legal options after losing Saturday’s governorship election.

Adeleke was declared winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission after polling 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. The governor won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

INEC declared Adeleke the winner after he secured victory in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in the remaining 11 council areas.

The declaration, made by the State Returning Officer, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, came on Sunday, confirming Adeleke’s return for a second term in office

President Bola Tinubu congratulated Adeleke on his victory, describing the outcome as a reflection of the confidence the people of Osun State have in the governor.

Tinubu, who said he personally called the goivernor to congratulate him, urged him to use his second term to unite the people of the state and work with residents regardless of their political affiliations.

In a statement signed Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he personally called Adeleke to congratulate him following the declaration of results.

“I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today (Sunday) to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State.

“His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him,” the President said.

Tinubu wished the governor success as he begins a fresh four-year term and charged him to govern inclusively, regardless of how residents voted.

He said, “I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years.”

“Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election,” he advised.

The President also commended the other candidates, including Oyebamiji and the African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, for what he described as their courage and discipline throughout the electoral process.

He said, “I salute the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election.

Their participation deepened and enriched our country’s democratic culture.

“The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land.”

Tinubu commended INEC and security agencies for conducting what he described as a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner, a day after he had personally called on both institutions to guarantee maximum protection for voters and electoral officials ahead of the poll.

Adeleke’s olive branch

Adeleke, in his victory remarks, also extended an olive branch to his opponents, calling for peace and unity in the state following weeks of pre-election violence and political tension.

He pledged to build on his achievements and correct his shortcomings, promising that Osun would witness accelerated development and improved governance under his renewed five-point agenda.

The governor also urged community leaders and traditional institutions to promote peace and prevent post-election attacks, while appealing to residents to forgive one another and restore communal harmony.

Addressing journalists after he was returned elected at the Saturday governorship election, Adeleke dedicated his victory to God and the people of Osun State, commending the resilience, the strong will and unwavering commitment to democracy of the people, promising not disappoint them.

“In this race, there is no victor, no vanquished. I extend an olive branch to my co-contestants. I am the Governor of all Osun people. My vision remains taking Osun from a civil service state to an industrial state and an investment destination,” he said.

“To all lovers of democracy, I thank you for supporting our struggle. From home and abroad, the support is overwhelming. My faith in democracy is deepened.

“Most importantly, I thank the media for standing by us. The constant coverage in support of democracy emboldened us. We are grateful. Osun state is on the march again. We shall expand development, and widen the net of good governance.

The governor warned against post-election attacks on rivals, and demanded avoidance of counter-attacks due to past feud, urging forgiveness and restoration of communal love after weeks of gun attacks across the state.

While observing a minute silence for victims of pre-election violence, Adeleke tasked community leaders and traditional institutions to embark on peace-building in their communities as “the issues are settled by the grace of God and the people.”

“As you have trusted me with second term in office, I will reinforce my strong points and correct my errors. Osun will witness further accelerated development and growth under my renewed five-point agenda,” the governor said.

Adeleke commended Tinubu for his support for a credible and peaceful election, describing the President as a son of Osun and reiterating his endorsement of his bid for re-election in 2027.

He added “Mr President is a son of Osun State, and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.”

APC studying results

While Adeleke and his supporters celebrated the victory, the APC said it was studying the results from the 332 wards across the state before deciding on its next line of action, including whether to pursue the legal options available under the Electoral Act.

The Osun APC chapter said it was examining the outcome of the poll before taking a decision.

In a statement signed by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the Osun APC stated, “We are not unaware of the fact that election is a process which begins at the registration of the voters through the primary election to the election proper which extends to the tribunal, the Appeal Court and terminates at the Supreme Court.

“An election cannot be said to have been concluded without having explored all these constitutionally allowed legal opportunity to enrich the nation’s jurisprudence as enshrined in the Electoral Act 2026 as amended.”

The APC commended the steadfastness, sagacity and loyalty of its members and supporters for their contributions to the growth and political journey of the Osun ruling party.

“We make bold to state categorically that as a progressive party which is founded on the unalloyed principle of the rule of law, fairness and justice, we shall not hesitate without further delay to explore the window allowed by the extant Electoral Act after the due consultation with the team of our lawyers based on their professional advice. The new development is a beauty of democracy.

“As a result of the foregoing, we are imploring our ever loyal members and supporters to remain calm while they carry on with their businesses and refuse to respond to any provocative action or inaction from any of the members of the ruling party across the state,” the statement read.

It assured its members and supporters to remain steadfast about the current situation, saying the party will continue to pursue it cause within the ambit of the law.

“While we are appealing to the Nigeria Police Force to come to the aid and rescue of our members and supporters who are being needlessly molested by the opposition, we are assuring them that we won’t have any cause or reason to abandon them.

“The current situation in the political history of the state is a passing phase which will soon become part of history,” it further read.

ADC reacts

The African Democratic Congress congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election in the Osun State governorship election, describing the outcome as a victory for democracy and opposition forces that worked together during the poll.

However, the party demanded an explanation from INEC over what it described as a nearly four-hour interruption in the uploading of polling-unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal during Saturday’s election.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the delay raised questions despite Adeleke’s eventual victory.

The party claimed its intelligence showed that result uploads stopped at about 8pm when the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, was trailing.

“The ADC hereby demands a comprehensive explanation from the Independent National Electoral Commission regarding the observed interruption in the uploading of election results to the IReV portal for nearly four hours on election night. INEC must tell Nigerians precisely what happened,” Abdullahi said.

Although the ADC provided no evidence that INEC deliberately halted the uploads, it said the circumstances warranted clarification from the commission.

INEC eventually completed the collation and declared Adeleke the winner with 511,067 votes, ahead of Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

The ADC said the result showed that voters could resist political pressure and the deployment of government resources when determined to exercise their franchise.

The party also criticised what it described as massive APC mobilisation during the campaign, alleging that senior political figures and government officials were deployed to Osun in support of Oyebamiji.

It said the outcome demonstrated the potential of opposition parties working together ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that political control does not automatically translate into control of voters.

The ADC urged INEC to explain the IReV interruption to prevent doubts about the integrity of the electoral process, while warning opposition parties not to become complacent ahead of 2027.

“We must not allow the euphoria of this victory to blind us to the dangers that lie ahead,” the party said.

Salaam congratulates Adeleke

The ADC candidate in the election, Najeem Salaam, also congratulated Governor Adeleke on his re-election, saying the outcome showed that democracy had prevailed.

Salaam came third with 17,180 votes.

In a congratulatory message, Salaam said the choice of the electorate should be respected regardless of political differences, stressing that politics should not threaten peace and unity in the state.

He urged Adeleke to use his second term to address areas where his administration had fallen short, consolidate its achievements and work for the benefit of all residents.

Salaam said governance was a continuous process that required reflection and improvement, urging the governor to build a state where residents could live with dignity, security and hope.

“Politics is not a do-or-die affair. The people have spoken; democracy has prevailed,” he said, wishing Adeleke a successful second term marked by greater development, peace and prosperity.

Her father confirmed the actress’ death in a statement to ABC News.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” he said.

He asked that her family be given privacy while they “process this unimaginable loss.”

Details about her death were not immediately given, but news outlet TMZ said there was an “open investigation” into the cause.

Born in 1989, Panettiere became a child star and went on to have numerous roles in both film and TV.

Her credits include “Remember The Titans,” “Ice Princess,” “Scream 4” and “Scream VI.”

She wrote a memoir titled “This Is Me: A Reckoning” which was released in May.

In that book, she wrote of the pressures of being a child star and her experiences of addiction and recovery.

She had also spoken of estrangement from her mother, who managed her career as a child and later criticised her daughter’s book.

AFP

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that American missionary Kevin Rideout, who was released after more than nine months in captivity in Niger, is preparing to return to the United States.

Trump confirmed Rideout’s release in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, saying the former hostage was preparing to return to the United States after being reunited with his wife, Krista.

“I am happy to reveal that former hostage Kevin Rideout is getting ready to fly home to the United States after having been reunited with his beautiful wife, Krista,” Trump wrote.

He said Rideout’s release marked the “110th captive American liberated” since he began his second term as President.

“I look forward to seeing Kevin and Krista at the White House soon!” Trump added

Rideout, a Christian missionary and pilot with SIM International, had spent more than nine months in captivity after he was abducted outside his home in Niamey, Niger, in October 2025.

According to SIM International, Rideout was in good health and in the care of US officials following his release.

Three armed men reportedly abducted the missionary and took him to the Tillaberi region in western Niger, an area affected by militant activity.

Details surrounding his release, including the identity of his captors and how his freedom was secured, remained unclear.

Rideout had worked in Niger for 19 years and served as a pilot for SIM International, a Christian organisation operating in more than 70 countries.

Nigeria is intensifying efforts to strengthen its indigenous defence industry with plans to establish local production lines for armoured vehicles, anti-drone systems and other specialised military equipment.

The initiative is being driven by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria–D7G in partnership with Eagles International for Defence Systems, to increase technology transfer, expand domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce the country’s dependence on imported military hardware.

Chief Executive Officer of DICON-D7G, Mr Osman Chennar, disclosed this in a statement following a two-day inspection tour of factories and military production facilities in Cairo, Egypt, by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and his delegation.

Chennar said the partnership would create more than 200 jobs, while also providing employment opportunities for about 100 retired military personnel.

He said, “The partnership is expected to create employment for over 200 workers, in addition to providing opportunities for approximately 100 retired military personnel.”

According to him, the arrangement would facilitate the transfer of advanced defence technologies to Nigeria and enable the country to manufacture a wider range of military platforms for its armed forces and potentially other African countries.

Among the platforms targeted under the partnership are the Armoured Multi-Purpose Vehicle BR6, Armoured Personnel Carrier cabin, 120mm manual mortar launcher cabin, medical evacuation and ambulance cabins.

Others include the MRAP-Buffalo U.10 and M.12 armoured vehicles, MRAP-Buffalo F-4, Rhino Guard GXR anti-drone and RPG-protected vehicle, APC Moon PT6, GXR Phantom light vehicle and BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

Chennar said the development was part of a broader strategy to build a sustainable Nigerian defence manufacturing ecosystem capable of designing, assembling and producing military equipment locally.

The initiative comes as the Nigerian Army continues to receive locally manufactured armoured vehicles as part of efforts to strengthen indigenous defence production and enhance operational capacity.

Beyond vehicle manufacturing, DICON-D7G is also planning the development of a dedicated military jetty in Lagos to support the movement of raw materials, components and finished military equipment.

Chennar said the facility would serve as a strategic logistics hub for the supply and distribution of military equipment within Nigeria and across the African continent.

He further disclosed that the military jetty was expected to be launched within the next two to three months.

According to him, “DICON-D7G has planned the launching of its military jetty in Lagos that will provide employment to over 200 retired military personnel with over 1,000 civilians when the project takes off in the next two to three months.”

The emerging defence-industrial strategy is expected to have wider economic implications, including retaining defence expenditure within the domestic economy, developing specialised technical skills and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on foreign suppliers.

The company said the planned facilities and production lines would ultimately position Nigeria to sustain its armed forces with locally produced equipment during prolonged security operations, while creating the capacity to serve defence markets across Africa.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the outbreak, which began in Mongbwalu health zone in Ituri Province, has now spread to 54 health zones across six provinces — Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo and Bas-Uélé.

The 46.8 per cent crude case fatality ratio underscores the severity of the outbreak, which WHO described as the largest BVD outbreak ever reported in the country and one expanding faster than previous Ebola outbreaks.

The situation has deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, with 579 cases and 304 deaths reported during epidemiological week 32, covering August 3 to 9 — the highest weekly totals recorded since the outbreak began.

WHO said the continued rise in infections, expanding geographic spread and high mortality indicate a rapidly evolving public health emergency of international concern.

The most recent province to report an infection is Bas-Uélé, where one confirmed case was detected in Buta health zone. The patient had a travel history to Haut-Uélé and developed symptoms on August 4.

According to WHO, the outbreak is no longer confined to isolated locations but is increasingly characterised by sustained transmission across interconnected geographic clusters, complicating containment efforts.

The agency warned that the humanitarian crisis in the DRC, compounded by insecurity, population displacement, high mobility and cross-border movements, is creating additional challenges for the response and increasing the risk of further spread.

National authorities, working with WHO and other partners, are implementing response measures, but the scale of the outbreak has triggered a major push to intensify interventions.

Following recent missions to the DRC, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Regional Director for Africa and the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) identified surveillance and stronger engagement with affected communities as priority areas.

Expansion of treatment centres to additional locations is also underway, alongside training of health and care workers who will staff the facilities.

Meanwhile, countries that have recorded imported cases are maintaining heightened surveillance.

France has reported no secondary transmission after an imported BVD case was detected on June 24. As of August 14, 41 days had passed since the patient was discharged on July 4, with no additional confirmed cases.

In Uganda, the most recent imported case was discharged from a treatment centre on July 16. The country’s 42-day enhanced monitoring period is expected to end on August 27, provided no new cases are detected.

However, WHO said Uganda remains at risk of re-introduction because of ongoing transmission in neighbouring DRC, continued population movement and the possibility of cross-border transmission.

A regional preparedness and prioritisation framework remains in place to guide countries across the African Region in strengthening surveillance, preparedness and response.

The latest development has renewed concerns over the capacity of health systems in affected and neighbouring countries to rapidly detect, isolate and treat cases, while preventing further transmission.

With the outbreak spreading across multiple provinces and recording unprecedented weekly deaths, WHO and its partners are urging a rapid scale-up of response activities to contain transmission before it expands further across borders.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes this year is “probably” his last as a professional footballer, the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar said in an interview with Vogue magazine published on Sunday.

Ronaldo, who has established his place among football’s all-time greats with more than 950 goals for club and country, had previously spoken of retiring “soon” or within “one or two years”.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” he told Vogue, saying his future after football was “all mapped out”.

“I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard,” he said, listing travel and padel among his favourite activities.

“Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one,” said the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward.

Ronaldo married his longstanding partner Georgina Rodriguez in an intimate ceremony in the Portuguese resort of Cascais on Tuesday.

He told Vogue he wanted to “continue to enjoy what I’ve earned — what we’ve earned. Because after all it’s been 25 years with a lot of sacrifice”, referring to his glittering career.

After leading Portugal to the last 16 of his last World Cup this summer, Ronaldo is due to link up with his club Al Nassr for the new Saudi Pro League season.

The wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Aisha Mohammed, has unveiled an empowerment package worth over N80m to support women across the state.

The First Lady also distributed bags of cassava to women as part of the intervention aimed at improving their livelihoods and strengthening household incomes.

This was disclosed on Sunday in a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the First Lady, Zainab Garba, on the sidelines of the distribution event.

Garba said the initiative reaffirmed the First Lady’s commitment to improving the lives of women across Bauchi State through practical interventions designed to promote economic independence.

The statement partly read, “The First Lady has reaffirmed her commitment to improving the lives of women across the state through a fresh empowerment initiative worth over N80m, alongside the distribution of bags of cassava.

“The support is aimed at helping women strengthen their businesses, improve household income and become more economically self-reliant.”

According to the statement, the intervention reflects the First Lady’s continued focus on initiatives that promote women’s welfare, dignity and economic independence at the grassroots.

The statement also disclosed that the APM governorship candidate, Yakubu Adamu, donated N5m to women from the 20 local government areas of the state to assist with transportation and facilitate their return to their respective communities.

Garba said both interventions underscored the importance of supporting women as key contributors to families, communities and the overall development of Bauchi State.

Election observer group, Yiaga Africa, has said voters’ vigilance in Osun State was the most effective deterrent to result manipulation in Saturday’s governorship election.

The group noted that citizens stayed back at polling units and followed results to ward and local government area collation centres to ensure that the figures announced were not altered.

The civil society organisation described the just-concluded governorship election as a significant demonstration of how technology, citizen vigilance and institutional preparedness could strengthen electoral integrity.

Yiaga Africa, in its Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) statement on the election released on Sunday in Osogbo, said its statistical estimates closely matched the official results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, indicating that the figures declared at the state collation centre reflected the votes counted at polling units.

The Chairperson of the Osun Election Observation Mission of Yiaga Africa, Dr Asmau Maikudi, who read the statement, said the group deployed 300 observers and 32 mobile observers across the 30 LGAs and based its findings on reports from 289 of the 300 sampled polling units.

Maikudi also said the August 15 poll was a defining test of the Electoral Act 2026 and showed that when institutions, technology and citizens worked together, credible outcomes were possible.

“The resilience of voters in Osun was the quiet achievement of the August 15th elections. Citizens went to the polls in an environment shaped by the attack on PVC collection centres, politically linked violence, contestation over motor parks, and weeks of inflammatory rhetoric, conditions that Yiaga Africa warned could suppress voter participation.

Despite this tension, voters came out regardless. The turnout of 43% achieved under that apprehension is not a story of apathy but of citizens who refused to be intimidated out of the process.

Voters also did not stop at casting the ballot. In line with Yiaga Africa’s pre-election Protect Your Vote campaign, they stayed back at polling units to witness the sorting, counting and announcement of results, and followed those results to ward and LGA collation centres to see them entered and declared. That vigilance is the most effective deterrent to result manipulation,” Yiaga Africa said.

She further observed improvements in election-day logistics, with 96 per cent of polling units opening for accreditation and voting by 9:30am, despite INEC reprinting ballots after a last-minute court order on the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party on the ballot.

She said the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System worked in 80 per cent of polling units and was fixed in the remaining 20 per cent, while downloadable Permanent Voter Cards introduced under the Electoral Act 2026 were used in 23 per cent of polling units.

The group also reported high transparency at the counting stage, with 99 per cent of polling units showing how ballots were marked, 91 per cent posting results publicly and 85 per cent transmitting EC8A forms to IReV.

Yiaga recommended binding INEC guidance on downloadable PVCs, a technical audit of BVAS, publication of the causes of biometric failures, better training for ad hoc staff and stronger enforcement against vote buying by security agencies, the EFCC and ICPC ahead of the 2027 elections.

“INEC should issue binding, uniform guidance to presiding officers on the acceptance of downloadable PVCs and usage for voter accreditation. A comprehensive post-election technical audit of the BVAS devices should be conducted to identify the causes of the failures and strengthen device testing, maintenance and rapid technical support to minimise disruptions to voter accreditation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC should ensure effective and comprehensive training of ad hoc officials, an effective oversight system for personnel deployed in the field and consistency in the application of the election day procedure.

“Security should review their deployment ahead of the 2027 general election by ensuring the joint deployment of security officials with the polling officials and election materials from the RACs to the polling units on election day,” Maikudi noted.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday in Mbaterem, Ayaba, Ikpur, Yina, Aboajio and Ukpen communities of Mbazun Ward.

The Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, commended security agencies for their prompt response to the attack and condoled with families of those killed.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor vowed to continue supporting security agencies to protect residents of the state.

The statement read, “Governor Hyacinth Alia appreciates the prompt response by security agencies in the herdsmen terror attack on Ukum Local Government Area.

“Terrorists masquerading as herdsmen in the early hours of today invaded and attacked the people of Mbaterem in Ayaba, Ikpur, Yina, Aboajio, Ukpen communities of Mbazun ward, killing some and inflicting injuries on others.

“The Governor consoles those who lost loved ones and the injured, vowing to keep giving the necessary support to security agencies to effectively protect the state.”

The statement quoted Alia as warning those he accused of attempting to undermine the peace process in the state.

“Benue lands for Benue people. Anyone who thinks the attacking us will intimidate us to leave the land is making a mistake,” he said.

“I took an oath to protect our people, and I will not relent. I must appreciate the fact that the federal government is advancing a lot of support for us to tackle these acts of terrorism,” he affirmed.

The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the authorities.

“Like I always say, you must all remain vigilant and always ensure that you forward information on suspicious movements around you.

This is the only way we can be able to effectively tackle these criminals,” he said.

Alia also charged security agencies to maintain their presence in strategic areas across the state to tackle what he described as “enemies of the state” who remained unrelenting.

He assured residents that his administration would continue its efforts to protect them.

The Ukum attack forms part of a sustained pattern of deadly raids across Benue State in recent week

Online had reported that on Thursday night, gunmen abducted 14 passengers travelling in an 18-seater bus along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini LGA.

The police later confirmed that five victims, including a four-year-old boy, had been rescued, while nine remained in captivity as of Friday.

In Early July, at least 16 people were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders in Nobi.

Later that month, suspected armed herders invaded Efeyi community and killed 15 people

Metro reported that the suspects were reported to have stormed the community around 5am, shooting sporadically.

Obi prayed for the repose of those killed and urged the government to take stronger measures to protect affected communities.

“May the souls of the departed continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen,” he said.

Martin Odegaard warned Arsenal’s rivals that the Premier League champions want to “win everything” after starting their season by sweeping aside Manchester City in the Community Shield.

Arsenal captain Odegaard delivered a man of the match performance capped by the final goal in his team’s dominant 3-0 victory in Cardiff on Sunday.

Riccardo Calafiori netted Arsenal’s opener after just 24 seconds and Kai Havertz was also on the scoresheet before half-time in the annual curtain raiser to the English top-flight season.

Just four months ago, Odegaard lifted Arsenal’s first Premier League crown since 2004 after they finished seven points ahead of second-placed City.

The Norway midfielder believes the dynamic display against City, now managed by Enzo Maresca instead of Pep Guardiola, showed the north Londoners have not lost their hunger for silverware.

“We played some brilliant football. Great performance and a great way to start the season,” he said.

“We showed our level today. We’re showed we’re ready. We’re serious and we want to do it again. We want to attack it. We want to do it again.

When you get a taste of how nice it is you want to do it again. We want to win everything.”

Installed as the bookmakers’ favourites for a second successive title, Arsenal begin their Premier League charge at home to promoted Coventry on August 21.

AFP

The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied any political agreement behind the governor’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

The council said Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was based on the President’s performance and reforms, rather than a pre-arranged political deal.

The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said this in a post on his X handle on Sunday.

He was reacting to a post by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who, while congratulating Adeleke on his re-election, said, “Agreement is agreement.”

Keyamo wrote,“Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT for the 2027 Presidential Election. You are a man of integrity and honour. ‘Agreement is agreement.’”

The statement has drawn mixed reactions online, with some interpreting it as evidence of a private pact between the governor and the President.

Quoting Keyamo’s post on X, Olajengbesi said the comment should not undermine the choice made by Osun voters in the August 15 governorship election.

Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement,” he said.

He added, “Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT, is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically.”

Olajengbesi said Adeleke’s victory was a product of the voters’ decision and maintained that Tinubu only ensured that the democratic process was respected.

“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, the winner of the election after he polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 444,815 votes.

Adeleke, who secured a second term, had earlier reaffirmed his endorsement of Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election, describing the President as a son of Osun State.

Keyamo’s comment followed Adeleke’s endorsement, with the minister describing the governor as a “man of integrity and honour” and referring to an “agreement” between the two politicians.

Atiku, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, on Sunday, said the Tinubu administration could no longer blame inherited liabilities after more than three years in office.

He anchored his criticism on financial figures contained in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s records, which, according to him, showed that the combined obligations of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries to NNPCL rose from about ₦4.52tn in 2023 to ₦8.67tn in 2024.

The increase of approximately ₦4.15tn in one year, Atiku argued, raises questions about the financial commitments made to the refineries and the returns Nigerians received from them.

The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate also seized on a recent admission by NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, that the state-owned refineries had been operating at a “monumental loss” and that continuing their operations under the existing arrangement was destroying value.

Ojulari made the disclosure in February 2026 during a fireside chat at the Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja, where he said NNPCL had halted operations after an internal assessment showed low utilisation, lack of a credible path to profitability and continued financial losses.

Atiku said the admission had exposed what he described as a contradiction in the Federal Government’s earlier presentation of the refinery rehabilitation programme.

President Tinubu cannot have it both ways. When the cameras were rolling in November 2024, his government told Nigerians that the Port Harcourt refinery was back. NNPCL announced that it was operating at 70 per cent capacity and expressly presented it as an achievement under President Tinubu’s leadership.

“Now that the celebration has turned into embarrassment, the same administration wants Nigerians to believe that the refineries are merely liabilities inherited from previous governments”, the statement partly read.

The NNPCL had indeed announced on November 26, 2024, that the old 60,000-barrel-per-day Port Harcourt refinery had resumed processing and that trucks had begun loading petrol, diesel and kerosene. The company said at the time that the facility was operating at 70 per cent of installed capacity, with plans to increase utilisation to 90 per cent.

Atiku challenged Tinubu to take ownership of both the successes and failures recorded by his administration. “Mr President, you claimed the refinery when you thought it was working. You cannot disown it now that the smoke has cleared,” he said.

The ADC candidate asked the Federal Government to explain how the refinery obligations increased by more than ₦4tn in a single year and what Nigerians obtained from the expenditure.

Nigerians deserve answers. If the combined obligations of these refineries jumped by more than ₦4tn in 2024 alone, what exactly did Nigerians receive in return. Where did the money go? Where are the products? Where are the savings Nigerians were promised? And where is the refinery your government celebrated before television cameras”, Atiku asked.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of years of unsuccessful attempts by successive administrations to revive Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.

The Port Harcourt refinery rehabilitation was presented by NNPCL in November 2024 as a major step towards restoring domestic refining capacity. NNPCL said the old refinery was producing petroleum products and described its restart as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s energy security.

However, questions persisted over the commercial viability and sustained operation of the government-owned facilities. By February 2026, NNPCL management said an assessment had established that continuing to operate the refineries under the prevailing structure would result in further losses, prompting the temporary shutdown of the state-owned plants.

Atiku said the development was particularly troubling because Nigerians were still paying high prices for petroleum products despite the huge sums committed to restoring domestic refining capacity. “Think about what ₦4tn could do for Nigeria,” he said, pointing to universities, hospitals, roads, electricity and potable water as areas that could have benefited from such resources.

“Yet, trillions accumulate around refineries that the government itself now effectively acknowledges have been haemorrhaging public resources”, he added.

He described the situation as “an unforgivable failure of stewardship” and accused the administration of taking credit for projects when they appear successful while blaming predecessors when problems emerge. You cannot spend three years claiming credit for everything that appears to work and blaming your predecessors for everything that fails. Leadership does not work that way,” Atiku said.

The former vice president further argued that the refinery controversy had become symbolic of what he described as the broader performance of the Tinubu administration.

“President Tinubu’s scorecard after more than three years is increasingly a story of fire and smoke — enormous expenditure, extravagant announcements and very little Nigerians can hold in their hands,” he said.

Atiku warned that Nigeria could not afford another four years of what he called “paying for failure”, insisting that the Tinubu administration should accept responsibility for the liabilities accumulated during its tenure.

“Mr President, stop blaming your predecessors. After more than three years, you are no longer merely managing inherited liabilities. You are creating your own — and increasingly, your government itself has become the biggest liability Nigerians are being forced to carry,” he said.

Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, has said Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the Osun State governorship election does not constitute a setback for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Kalu, who congratulated Adeleke on his re-election, said the outcome of Saturday’s poll reflected democracy and provided an opportunity for the All Progressives Congress to strengthen its structures and reconnect with the electorate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by his media office on Sunday, the former governor maintained that Tinubu’s political prospects in Osun remained “very bright.”

He urged APC leaders and supporters not to be discouraged by the result but to use it to reassess the party’s strategies, strengthen its grassroots structures and deepen engagement with voters and other stakeholders.

“I join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election as the Governor of Osun State. I also sympathise with the APC leadership, our party’s governorship candidate and all our supporters over the outcome of the election,” Kalu said.

Adeleke, the candidate of the Accord Party, defeated the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the keenly contested election, which was seen as an important political test ahead of the 2027 elections.

“What happened in Osun is democracy in play. Elections are about the choice of the people, and as a party, we should be able to come back stronger,” Kalu said.

The senator also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, for his contributions to the development of the state, while urging APC members to remain united and focused.

Kalu argued that the APC’s loss in the state did not automatically translate into a rejection of Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He maintained that the President could still secure broad-based support in Osun, noting that political alliances and support for Tinubu could extend beyond APC members to stakeholders and supporters of other political parties.

“The future of President Bola Tinubu in Osun State is very bright. The outcome of this election is not a setback for Mr. President. Rather, it gives us another opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the people and work together for the success of Nigeria,” Kalu said.

He said the APC should regard the election as a learning experience and use the period before the 2027 polls to rebuild its grassroots structures and improve its engagement with the people.

Kalu urged political stakeholders to accept the outcome of the election and focus on strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, national unity and development.

Vice-presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, says his decision to be the running mate to Mr Peter Obi in the 2027 election is based on national balance, equity and democratic change.

Kwankwaso said this when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria Personality Interview Series in Abuja on Sunday.

He explained that his experience from the 2023 election had helped him understand Obi better and that he was convinced that both of them could work together in the interest of the country.

Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, said the decision was also influenced by the need to allow the South to retain the presidency for another term after the completion of the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“People learn every day and that is why experience is very important. In 2023, we attempted to work together and at that particular point, I knew little about Peter Obi.

“But over these last four years, I was able to learn a lot and realised that Peter is somebody that I could work together with,” he said.

He said the decision was reached after consultations with members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Obidient Movement.

He said the groups believed that the country needed a balanced ticket capable of attracting support from both the North and the South.

Kwankwaso said the security challenges confronting the country, alongside declining agricultural productivity and deteriorating infrastructure, had further strengthened his resolve to support a political arrangement capable of bringing democratic change.

He said economic hardship had particularly affected farmers, especially in Northern Nigeria, where agricultural production had become increasingly difficult and unprofitable.

The former Defence Minister said the dilapidation of infrastructure across the country, except in some areas such as Lagos, was another reason for accepting to pair with Obi.

He said the current situation required the kind of democratic change that Nigerians sought in 2015, adding that the need for such change was now greater.

Kwankwaso said the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket would provide a combination of regional balance, competence and credibility.

“Nobody, no ticket can beat our own in terms of credibility, in terms of capacity and of course, in terms of love for the country; even in terms of empathy for the poor that are suffering across the country today,” he said.

He explained that agreeing to serve as vice-president was not a setback for him, despite his extensive political experience, including serving as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, governor, minister and senator.

“I have never been the vice-president. I think it is a step forward despite all the things you counted,” he said.

Kwankwaso said his decision was based on broader national interest rather than personal ambition, stressing that public office should primarily be viewed as an opportunity to serve.

“To me, being in government is to serve. I don’t have to be president. I don’t have to even be vice-president. These are things that are in the hands of Almighty Allah.

But the fact remains that the situation, as it is today, one has to look at it beyond your humble self,” he said.

He said the agreement with Obi was for the South to produce the president for one term, after which the political arrangement would return to the North.

Kwankwaso cited historical examples of political leaders who had accepted positions below what they could have attained, including Sir Ahmadu Bello, who chose to remain Premier of Northern Nigeria rather than becoming Prime Minister.

He also said Nigerians should understand that service could be rendered at different levels, including as councillor, local government chairman, legislator, governor, minister, vice-president or president.

According to him, political leaders should be prepared to serve wherever they are needed, rather than considering certain offices beneath them.

He dismissed claims by political opponents that his political engagements with the All Progressives Congress (APC) or other parties were contingent on securing either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket.

Kwankwaso said discussions he held with President Bola Tinubu after the 2023 election were about working together and not about abandoning the NNPP or securing a particular position.

He said he had previously played a major role in the APC’s electoral victory, particularly through the votes recorded in Kano in 2015, but became disappointed with the party’s leadership after the election.

The former governor said his confidence in the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance was strengthened by what he described as Obi’s commitment to fairness, justice and national unity.

He said the arrangement would also ensure that the North would not be disadvantaged, stressing that the one-term understanding was important in securing the confidence of his supporters.

Kwankwaso said he was confident that Obi would respect the agreement and work with him as a partner rather than treat the vice-president as a “spare tyre.”

He said his experience as deputy speaker, minister and governor had taught him the importance of allowing deputies to function effectively.

According to him, a president or governor who gives his deputy meaningful responsibilities ultimately strengthens the government because the success of the deputy also benefits the principal.

He said he was therefore comfortable with the proposed arrangement and had confidence that Obi would allow him to contribute meaningfully to governance.

Kwankwaso said the alliance would prioritise competence in the appointment of ministers and other officials, with power shared according to the needs of the country rather than for political patronage.

“Power will be shared according to the needs of the country. We should not be in a hurry to go and take anybody on the streets or anybody we remember.

“We will make sure that we have competent people because from our experience, the president and vice-president cannot do it alone,” he said.

The former governor said an NDC administration would need technocrats, professionals and experienced politicians capable of addressing Nigeria’s complex challenges. (NAN)

Adigun gave the charge on Saturday while speaking as a guest speaker at the official launch of Ogun 360, a digital media platform established with the vision of becoming the leading destination for everything relating to Ogun State, with the tagline, “Everything Ogun, All in One Place.”

He said Ogun State had a rich story of industrial growth, agriculture, education, culture, innovation and human capital development, stressing that the media had a responsibility to document and project these stories to audiences within and outside the state.

According to him, journalism goes beyond reporting daily events, as the media also helps society understand issues, gives voice to the voiceless, documents history, interrogates policies and provides citizens with information needed to make informed decisions.

The NUJ Secretary, who is also a staff member of Ogun State Television (OGTV), said his 18 years in broadcasting and experience covering a former governor, including official assignments to 13 countries, had exposed him to the importance of effective storytelling in presenting the achievements and potentials of a place to the wider world.

He urged Ogun 360 to maintain accuracy, verification and credibility, noting that the desire to promote the state must never lead to the sacrifice of professional journalism.

Adigun also called for greater attention to stories beyond government and politics, saying the achievements of entrepreneurs, farmers, students, artisans, innovators, traditional institutions, artists, athletes and other residents deserved adequate media visibility.

He said the emergence of digital media had created an opportunity for Ogun 360 to become not only a news platform but also a digital archive of the state, where its history, culture, people, opportunities and achievements could be preserved for future generations.

He further urged government, the private sector, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, journalists and members of the public to collaborate with the platform in building a stronger information ecosystem for the state.

Adigun said Ogun needed a media ecosystem capable of telling its story beyond the state, noting that investors, tourists, researchers, students and Nigerians in the diaspora needed credible and accessible information about the state.

He congratulated the founders and management of Ogun 360, urging them to remain committed to professionalism, fairness, innovation and responsible journalism.

He said: “When we tell the Ogun story well, we are not merely reporting the present. We are documenting history, shaping perception and helping to define the future of our state.”

He expressed optimism that Ogun 360 would grow from a digital platform into a trusted institution of information and become a major destination for those seeking to understand Ogun State.

“Tell the stories that matter. Give voice to the voiceless. Celebrate excellence. Ask the difficult questions. Promote opportunities. Preserve our heritage. And above all, protect the credibility of the Ogun story,” he added.

Troops of the newly established 15 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have dismantled three suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network camps and recovered weapons, explosives, and other logistics during an operation in Anambra State.

The operation was conducted in the early hours of Saturday, following intelligence on the activities of suspected IPOB/ESN members operating around Osuakwa, along the boundary between Ihiala and Ogbaru Local Government Areas.

The troops, operating under Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, carried out the operation alongside personnel of the Department of State Services and members of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group.

According to the Nigerian Army on X on Saturday, the joint force came under hostile fire during the operation but “responded decisively, overwhelming the criminals after a fierce firefight.”

The Army said three suspected IPOB/ESN members were killed during the operation, while the three camps were successfully overrun and destroyed.

Troops also recovered a cache of weapons, explosives and other items, including one FN rifle with 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one pump-action shotgun with five cartridges and 15 sticks of dynamite.

Other recovered items included four motorcycles, one gas cylinder, three hybrid batteries, two car batteries and three handheld radio chargers.

Further exploitation of the area led to the arrest of a suspected IPOB/ESN member identified as Chijioke, alongside a man and a woman suspected of being accomplices. The three were reportedly found in the company of six children.

The Commander of 15 Brigade commended the troops, DSS personnel and members of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group for their “courage, discipline and outstanding inter-agency cooperation.”

He described the operation as “another major setback for criminal and terrorist elements seeking to undermine peace and security in the South East.”

The Nigerian Army also assured residents that the newly established brigade would continue to sustain intelligence-led operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders.

The Brigade said it remains committed to “denying all criminal elements freedom of action” and ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding residents across Anambra State and the wider South-East region.

The Universal Basic Education Commission has said no child should be denied access to quality education because of difficult circumstances, stressing that every Nigerian child deserves an opportunity to learn, develop their abilities and fulfil their potential.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, stated this during the formal inauguration of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls, Agboju, Lagos State, according to a statement by Garba on Saturday.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges affecting access to basic and secondary education in Nigeria, including school dropout, poverty, displacement and other social and economic circumstances that interrupt children’s schooling.

The establishment of alternative learning pathways is particularly important for girls and young women who leave school because of pregnancy, early marriage, family responsibilities or other circumstances, as returning to conventional schools can be difficult.

Garba said the rehabilitation of the Agboju school, supported by UBEC through its Universal Basic Education intervention, was, therefore, more than an infrastructure project, describing it as an opportunity for girls and young women whose education had been interrupted to return to learning.

She said, “A girl whose circumstances prevented her from completing her education should be given another opportunity. Every child deserves an alternative pathway to acquire the education they deserve to succeed in life.”

According to her, girls who dropped out of school should not be regarded as lost causes, while young mothers seeking to return to education should not be made to feel that their opportunity had passed.

She said the Alternative High School for Girls was established to provide girls and young women with opportunities to return to learning, acquire useful skills and pursue productive and fulfilling lives.

“Let this not simply be a place where girls attend classes. Let it be a place where hope is restored, confidence is built, and the future is renewed,” Garba said.

The UBEC boss said children affected by conflict, displacement or difficult circumstances still had dreams, talents and potential and deserved every opportunity to succeed.

She said the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, was pursuing reforms aimed at improving the quality of education, expanding access and ensuring that no Nigerian child was left behind.

The Federal Government has in recent years placed greater emphasis on improving access, learning outcomes and retention as part of efforts to address challenges in Nigeria’s education system.

The interventions have included investment in school infrastructure, learning facilities, teacher development and programmes targeted at vulnerable and out-of-school children.

Garba said the Agboju intervention was consistent with UBEC’s commitment to inclusive education, adding that it covered school infrastructure, academic facilities, furniture for pupils, teachers and school managers, information and communication technology equipment, laboratory and vocational equipment, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and environmental improvements.

We believe that investment in education should be visible, not only in figures and reports, but in the classrooms where children learn, in the facilities they use and, most importantly, in the lives they can transform,” she said.

Garba said UBEC had formally handed over the rehabilitated facility to the Lagos State Government, urging the state to sustain the investment, maintain the facilities and ensure that the school continued to serve the girls for whom it was established.

She disclosed that the second Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu was at an advanced stage of completion, saying it would further expand opportunities for girls and young women seeking alternative pathways back into education.

The executive secretary also announced that UBEC would, before the end of 2026, provide the school with a bus and digital smart boards for its classrooms.

However, Garba stressed that the success of the intervention should not be measured by the beauty of the rehabilitated school but by its impact on the lives of the girls.

“The true measure of our success will be the girl who walks through these gates and discovers that she still has a future. It will be the girl who acquires a skill, finds employment, starts a business or becomes a leader in her community. That is why this investment matters,” she said.

Garba also commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising education and human capital development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She praised the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to the education and empowerment of girls and young women.

The First Lady was represented at the occasion by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima.

Garba urged the Agboju community to take ownership of the school by protecting and maintaining the facilities and supporting the girls attending the institution.

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have intercepted a suspected arms and explosives courier carrying 180 units of 20mm Super Power explosives in Zamfara State.

The interception was made on Friday during routine snap checks on vehicles conducted by troops of Sector 2.

The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Sani Umar, was reportedly transporting the explosives from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State to suspected terrorist elements operating in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

According to a post by the Nigerian Army on X on Saturday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said a search of Umar’s vehicle led to the recovery of the explosives.

“The suspect, vehicle and recovered explosives are currently in custody for further investigation,” the military said.

“The interception came as troops simultaneously conducted offensive operations against terrorist elements in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area.

Troops engaged terrorists around Garin Kaso in a fierce firefight, killing two suspected terrorists and recovering two rifles, two magazines, nine rounds of ammunition and two motorcycles,” the statement said.

The military said another group of terrorists later attempted to ambush the troops from concealed positions but were repelled.

The troops reportedly inflicted further casualties on the terrorists, forcing the surviving members to flee the area.

The exact number of casualties from the second encounter could not immediately be confirmed. However, the military said community reports indicated that several wounded terrorists, as well as the bodies of some of their colleagues, were evacuated by the fleeing group.

The military said the operations demonstrated the sustained offensive posture of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which is targeting both terrorist enclaves and the logistics networks supplying them with weapons and explosives.

The Theatre Command said it would continue offensive operations to disrupt terrorist activities and “deny terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North West.”

Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso has praised supporters for the warm reception he received at Stamford Bridge as he experienced his first home match as the club’s head coach.

The Spaniard admitted he was moved by the ovation from the Blues faithful before kick-off and stressed the importance of building a strong relationship between the team and supporters ahead of the new season.

In a post obtained from Chelsea’s website on Sunday, Alonso was quoted as saying, “It was emotional to feel my first time in the new home. A great reception from the supporters to the team and to the new staff, myself as well, so delighted.”

Alonso also reflected positively on Chelsea’s final preparation game, describing it as a useful test ahead of their opening Premier League fixture against Fulham.

It was a very good last preparation game,” he said. “For some players it was the first one and the last one. For us, there were some good things, some things we can improve. It’s normal at this moment for some players.”

The Chelsea boss was pleased to have the squad together, with some players able to build up their fitness by playing for around an hour.

“It was great to have all the team together. Some of them after three days could play for 60 minutes. It was the last test. Now we have a whole week to prepare for Fulham, but it was a good feeling in the stadium.”

Alonso believes a strong connection with the supporters can provide Chelsea with an important advantage at Stamford Bridge. He wants his side to reward their backing with entertaining football and positive performances.

“We want to create good connections and have that support. “We want to give them good football so they will give us energy, and we connect.

“To have a good atmosphere here in the stadium will be a massive boost for the team,” he added.

Adeleke is awaiting the official declaration from the Independent National Electoral Commission following the collation and announcement of results on Sunday.

A total of 15 political parties participated in the election, but only the Accord Party and the APC made a significant impact across the state.

The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, came a distant third with 14,989  

As of the time of filing the report, the state’s Returning Officer, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, is expected to make the final declaration at the INEC state collation centre in Osogbo.

Here is the breakdown and how Osun indigenes voted:

1. Boluwaduro LG
Returning Officer: Prof Sola Omotola
A: 7,118
APC: 7,050
ADC: 179
Accredited voters: 14, 662
Total valid votes: 14,478
Total votes cast: 14,655

2 Ede South LG
Returning Officer: Raji Oluwakemi
A: 26,188
ADC: 390
APC: 6,219
Accredited voters: 34,011
Total votes cast: 33,950
Total valid votes: 33,210

3. Ife North
Returning Officer: Prof Tajudeen Opoola
A: 13,879
ADC: 333
APC: 9,613
Accreditation: 24,772
Total votes cast: 24,704
Total valid votes: 24,216

4. LGA: Ilesa West LGA
Returning Officer: Prof Babatunde Omotoso
A: 16196
ADC: 673
APC: 12756
Accredited voters: 31333
Total votes cast: 31234
Total valid votes: 30244

5. LGA: Ifedayo LGA
Returning Officer: Prof Babatope
A: 7427
APC: 6836
ADC: 115
Accredited voters: 14703
Total votes cast: 14703
Total valid votes: 1449

6. LGA: Ilesa East LG
Returning Officer: Prof. Chika Asogba
A: 12280
ADC: 504
APC: 16208
Accredited voters: 30371
Total votes cast: 30209
Total valid votes: 29460

7. LGA: Ife Central LGA
Returning Officer: Prof. Adekoya Iromini
A: 21171
ADC: 747
APC: 15913
Accredited voters: 39990
Total votes cast: 39330
Total valid votes: 38380

8. Boripe LGA
Returning Officer: Prof. Ahmed Sakiru
A: 12448
ADC: 379
APC: 19963
Accredited voters: 33943
Total votes cast: 33713
Total valid votes: 33116

9. LGA: Irepodun LGA
Returning Officer: Babafunso Awe
A: 14504
ADC: 249
APC: 15713
Accredited voters: 31291
Total votes cast: 31282
Total valid votes: 30717
10. LGA: Obokun
Returning Officer: Dr Stephen Ojo

10
A: 12023
ADC: 205
APC: 16120
Accredited voters: 29183
Total votes cast: 29147
Total valid votes: 28687

11. LGA: Orolu
Returning Officer: Dr Akinkunmi Sunday
A: 12352
ADC: 236
APC: 10622
Accredited voters: 25424
Total votes cast: 23890
Total valid votes:23438

12. LGA: Osogbo
Returning Officer: Udueke Maximilian
A: 36480
ADC: 1503
APC: 30474
Accredited voters: 70840
Total votes cast: 70785
Total valid votes: 69307

13. LGA: Oriade
Returning Officer: Dr Olabode Olajide
A: 21343
ADC: 423
APC: 14863
Accredited voters: 37962
Total vote cast:37933
Total valid votes: 37073

14. LGA: Odo Otin
Returning Officer: Prof. Adebola Aderibigbe
A: 18003
ADC: 377
APC: 15435
Accredited voters: 34482
Total votes cast: 34456
Total valid votes: 34026

15. LGA: Ife East
Returning Officer: Prof. Benjamin Omolayo
A: 27201
ADC: 935
APC: 18600
Accredited voters: 49065
Total votes cast: 49017
Total valid votes: 47519

16. LGA: Ifelodun
Returning Officer: Prof Olayiwola Fasonranti
A: 21107
ADC: 509
APC: 18396
Accredited voters: 41156
Total vote cast:41143
Total valid votes: 40466

17. LGA: Atakumosa West
Returning Officer: Prof Adesiji Taiwo
A: 7479
ADC: 213
APC: 10037
Accredited voters: 18707
Total votes cast: 18399
Total valid votes:17985

18. LGA: Iwo
Returning Officer: Mrs Koyejo Fasakin
A: 27085
ADC: 588
APC: 19660
Accredited voters: 48985
Total votes cast:48953
Total valid votes: 48027

19. Ede North
Returning Officer: Associate Prof. Jacob Opele
A: 35427
ADC: 307
APC: 10283
Accredited voters: 47262
Total votes cast:47205
Total valid votes: 46474

20. Ila LG
Returning Officer: Prof Oludolapo Amu
A: 16211
ADC: 259
APC: 12934
Accredited voters: 30028
Total votes cast: 30021
Total valid votes: 29605

21. Irewole LG
Returning Officer: Mr Wahudi
A: 10934
ADC: 275
APC: 29972
Accredited voters: 42858
Total votes cast: 42824
Total valid votes: 41575

22. Ayedire LGA
Returning Officer: Dr Samuel Sunday
A: 11073
ADC: 148
APC: 9910
Accredited voters: 21419
Total votes cast: 21414
Total valid votes: 21228

23. Atakumosa East LGA
Returning Officer: Prof Bukola Bolaji
A: 7872
ADC: 333
APC: 9936
Accredited voters: 19253
Total votes cast: 18823
Total valid votes:18442

24. Egbedore LGA
Returning Officer: Mrs Omolara
A: 19278
ADC: 363
APC: 11194
Accredited voters: 31867
Total vote cast: 31830
Total valid votes: 31155

25. Ayedaade LGA
Returning Officer: Prof Fakayode
A: 16681
ADC: 331
APC: 15719
Accredited voters: 34232
Total vote cast: 33801
Total valid votes: 33180

26. Isokan LGA
Returning Officer: Prof Anthony Fajinmi
A: 13765
ADC: 384
APC: 14063
Accredited voters: 29421
Total votes cast: 29405
Total valid votes: 28715

27. Olaoluwa LGA
Returning Officer: Prof Temitope Babalola
A: 10063
ADC: 213
APC: 10782
Accredited voters: 21599
Total votes cast: 21595
Total valid votes: 21228

28. Ife South LGA
Returning Officer: Prof Shittu Olugoke
A: 13507
ADC: 290
APC: 14678
Accredited voters: 29521
Total votes cast: 29461
Total valid votes: 28906

29. Ejigbo LGA
Returning Officer: Prof Cicilia Akintayo
A: 18458
ADC: 5053
APC: 16195
Accredited voters: 41173
Total votes cast: 41125
Total valid votes: 40314

30: Olorunda LGA

Returning Officer: Prof Hilary Okoh

A: 23514

ADC: 666

APC: 24671

Accredited voters: 51172

Total votes cast: 50793

Total valid votes: 49458

They urged Nigerians to prioritise competence, fairness, national development and unity above religious considerations.

The clerics spoke in the wake of the controversy trailing the 2027 same-faith ticket of Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The controversy intensified last week when a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Jingir, stated that the Muslim-Muslim ticket and Tinubu’s victory were proof that Muslims outnumber Christians in the country

Commenting on the matter, the Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Sheikh Iskil Awwal, said the country could not afford to place religion above competence at a time when it was grappling with economic challenges and insecurity.

The cleric called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religious backgrounds, to unite in prayer for the country.

Awwal said, “In the 1970s, Nigeria was among the countries providing financial aid to countries in the Middle East. But the reverse is the case now. At this time, the country needs someone who can move it forward, not religion.”

Speaking on the Tinubu administration, Awwal recalled that he was among those who travelled to Sokoto State in 2022, alongside six traditional rulers from the South-West, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Elegushi and the Olugbon, to appeal to northerners to support Tinubu.

Awwal said he represented Muslim clerics from the South-West during the visit, adding that the team also included a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.

“Chief Bisi Akande led the politicians, while the Ooni of Ife led the traditional rulers from Yorubaland to the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto,” he said.

Awwal implored all Muslim leaders to refrain from incitement.

“Muslims are not the only people living in Nigeria. We should be wary of any action that could diminish the chances of President Tinubu.

“The country needs unity at this critical moment, and Nigerians should put competence and national development above religious considerations,” he added.

Also speaking, the National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrahman Ahmad, said Jingir was entitled to his opinion, but that did not mean it represented the position of the entire Muslim community.

He said what was important was to examine the fairness, representativeness, effectiveness and decency of those in government rather than emphasising their religion.

Ahmad said, “There are states in Nigeria where you have a Christian-Christian ticket, and Muslims are there. Muslims never make so much noise about it. So, I think what is important is not for us to emphasise people’s religion.

“What is important is to interrogate the fairness, representativeness, effectiveness and decency of those who lay claim to this.

“For instance, even at the national level, where the Muslim-Muslim ticket is being operated, are Muslims well represented in appointments? Are federal appointments balanced? Are they fair? Are they lopsided in favour of Muslims?

“What advantage has the Muslim community gained from this Muslim-Muslim ticket? It is a political winning formula, no more, no less.”

The cleric said politicians should not be allowed to turn the Muslim-Muslim ticket into a religious issue, adding that Muslims and Christians would continue to coexist in the country.

“The rights of individuals must not be dependent on their religious convictions, ethnic background or connections. They must be based on merit, fair representation, equity and justice,” he added.

Ahmad also noted that the Catholic bishops who recently visited the President were concerned about economic hardship rather than the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“Even the Catholic bishops who recently visited the President, led by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, were not talking about the Muslim-Muslim ticket. They were complaining about what they perceive as the economic hardship facing ordinary Nigerians. Everything must not be given a religious colouration,” he added.

Also commenting on the matter, the founder and National President of Jama’atu Ta’awunil Muslimeen, Sheikh Daood Molaasan, cautioned Muslim leaders against what he described as provocative statements.

He warned that any statement considered offensive to people of other faiths on the Muslim-Muslim ticket could hurt the President.

Molaasan, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, said, “Muslim leaders should exercise caution on this Muslim-Muslim ticket. They need not utter any statement that will be considered offensive to Christians or others. Islam preaches unity and respect.

“If we consider the Muslim-Muslim ticket as favourable, we need to be careful in our utterances and activities. Offensive statements are likely to hurt the government or the person we are trying to protect.”

The cleric also appealed to Jingir and other Muslim leaders to adopt a moderate approach to political issues.

Governance has nothing to do with religion, and that is why we have the Constitution. Under Tinubu’s administration, some of us believe that Christians outnumber Muslims in his cabinet and government agencies. So, the religion of the President or his vice president is not really the issue,” he said.

An Ondo State-based pastor, Olabanjo Felix, who renounced Christianity and embraced Isese, an indigenous Yoruba spiritual tradition, has explained that the “deceit in Christianity” prompted him to abandon the faith to become an Ifa priest.

Felix, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, alleged that there was “no true pastor of the Bible in Nigeria”, adding that many pastors in the country had turned Christianity into personal and family businesses.

He said he became fed up with Christianity and what he described as the brainwashing of Christians by some pastors.

Felix, who previously founded the Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministries in Ibaka, Oka Akoko area of the state, renounced Christianity and declared his allegiance to Isese in a video which went viral on Thursday.

Announcing his transition from Christian ministry to Ifá practice, the former cleric also revealed his new spiritual identity.

“I’m now Ifawamiri Aworanolodumare, Babalawo of Ifá,” he declared in the video.

Felix expressed gratitude to his new spiritual mentor, the Araba of Isara-Remo, Olusegun Aifuwape, and his spiritual sons for guiding him.

He maintained that he publicly announced his decision to stop people from continuing to address him as a pastor even after he had stopped practising Christianity.

“I did that video to announce to the world that I’m no longer a pastor because people kept addressing me as pastor, but I cannot continue to accept that. I don’t support deceit, so people have to know that I’m now an Ifa adherent,” he said.

Felix, who said he was a pastor for more than three years, noted that his decision followed a two-year “soul-searching journey” during which he became increasingly disturbed by what he described as contradictions in the Bible and deception among some Christian leaders.

According to him, his decision was not sudden, noting that he consulted several pastors in an attempt to examine his convictions before eventually leaving Christianity.

He said, “I became fed up of Christianity because there is no true pastor of the Bible in Nigeria aside from Pastor Gbile Akanni. I’m a Bible student and I understand the Bible very well, but I was arrested by Ifa. I did not just change my religion overnight.

I changed from Christianity to Ifa worshipping two years ago when I was on a soul-searching journey. I was very disturbed with the confusion in the Bible and the deceit in Christianity. Before taking my decision, I tried consulting with other pastors to check myself because I thought maybe I was not truly born again, but I still could not continue with Christianity even with their attempts to change my mind.”

Felix also disclosed that he considered converting to Islam before eventually settling on Ifa.

I even tried converting to Islam because I consulted a cleric who advised me to go and study the Quran. I downloaded the Yoruba version of the Quran and I read, but I discovered that it is the same deceit.

“After this, I made up my mind to learn Ifa and become an Ifa priest and I started looking for genuine Ifa priests to mentor and lead me. My conviction was further rooted in the potency of herbs and roots,” Felix added.

According to him, his conviction was strengthened by his experience with herbs and roots, which he said contributed to his decision to embrace traditional Yoruba practice.

Felix said he eventually found the Araba of Isararemọ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji Aifuwapẹ, on Facebook and contacted him about his intention to learn Ifa.

He dismissed the perception that traditional religion was fetish, insisting that his practice of Ifa was centred on prayers, supplications and the use of herbs and roots, rather than fetish activities.

“I found Araba of Isararemọ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji Aifuwapẹ on Facebook and I told him of my intention to learn Ifa. And since I joined him, I have never engaged in any fetish act. We have only been praying and doing supplications,” he said.

Felix added that foreigners from different parts of the world visit the centre to learn about Ifa.

The former pastor further alleged that some Christian clerics secretly consult Ifa practitioners for divination despite publicly condemning traditional religious practices.

“There is too much deceit in Christianity. The so-called men of God have used the religion to brainwash a lot of people. I cannot count the number of pastors that contact us for Ifa divination.

“But I cannot do that, and that is why I came out openly to renounce Christianity and declared my allegiance to Ifa,” he said.

The Borno State Police Command has recovered a hand grenade from a drainage slab in the Moduganari area of Maiduguri, the state capital.

The unexploded ordnance was recovered by operatives of the EOD-CBRN Base 13, Maiduguri, after the command received a report about the suspected explosive on Saturday.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the report was received at about 12.40pm on August 15, 2026.

The statement, titled, “Borno Police Command Recovers One UXO (Hand Grenade) in Maiduguri,” said operatives were directed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, psc, to respond to the report

Acting on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, psc, following a report received at about 1240hrs on 15 August 2026 regarding a suspected UXO found on a drainage slab in Moduganari area, operatives of the EOD-CBRN Base 13, Maiduguri, promptly mobilised to the scene and safely recovered the item,” it said.

Daso noted that the recovered UXO had been secured for further examination, while investigation was ongoing to ascertain its origin and the circumstances surrounding its discovery.

“The Commissioner of Police commends the vigilance of the members of the public who promptly alerted the Police and reiterates the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the State,” he added

The PPRO urged members of the public to avoid touching, moving or tampering with any suspected explosive device.

“The Borno State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and urges continued cooperation and timely reporting of suspicious objects or activities,” the statement said.

The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that its official X account has been compromised in an attempted unauthorised access.

The DHQ, in a statement on Saturday by the Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, said the incident was being treated as a cybersecurity matter, with technical measures activated to secure the account.

The statement read, “The Defence Headquarters wishes to inform members of the public, the media and all stakeholders that it has detected an attempted unauthorised compromise of its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“The incident is currently being treated as a cybersecurity matter, and appropriate technical measures have been activated to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access.”

Uba said efforts were ongoing to fully restore control of the official account, warning members of the public to disregard suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that might be posted from the account during the period.

The Defence Headquarters assures the public that efforts are ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“Consequently, members of the public are advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be posted from the account during this period,” he said.

He said the DHQ remained committed to maintaining high standards of information security and ensuring that Nigerians continued to receive accurate, timely and credible information on the activities and operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“We appreciate the understanding and vigilance of the public and will provide further updates as necessary,” he said.

To ensure uninterrupted communication, the DHQ urged the public to rely on its verified accounts on other platforms, including Facebook under the name “Defence Headquarters Nigeria,” Instagram at @defenceheadquarters and its WhatsApp Channel, Defence Headquarters Nigeria.

The Nigerian military says troops conducting coordinated air and ground operations under Operation Fansan Yamma have neutralised more than 160 terrorists and recovered about 300 motorcycles in the North-West in the past week.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Saturday while providing an update on military operations across the country.

Onoja said the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out a successful armed reconnaissance mission on August 9, 2026, over Sangeko and Baba-Doka areas of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, following intelligence on a large concentration of terrorists, many of them riding motorcycles.

He said the aircraft engaged the terrorists with rockets and cannon fire, disrupting their movement and activities.

“Initial reports indicated the recovery of approximately 120 bodies and about 300 motorcycles at the location. Monitoring of the area is ongoing to further assess the outcome of the operation,” he said.

In a separate operation on August 13, the Air Component conducted armed reconnaissance around Maburya in Mariga LGA after detecting a large group of terrorists moving with rustled cattle.

According to Onoja, an aircraft was subsequently deployed to conduct a clearance patrol along the Kainji-Daban Woko axis.

He said terrorists were sighted fleeing with a herd of rustled cattle and were engaged with onboard weapon systems, resulting in the neutralisation of 46 terrorists.

Operations in North-East

Giving an update on operations in the North-East, Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised a terrorist at a hideout in Kaniram East, Abadam LGA of Borno State, on August 7.

He said the operation followed a probing attack on a military location in Mallam Fatori on July 29, adding that troops recovered arms, ammunition and other items before destroying the hideout.

On the same day, troops engaged terrorists collecting illegal taxes from herders along the Gaba-Dzangola axis in Guyaku District, Gombi LGA of Adamawa State, forcing them to withdraw and recovering weapons and ammunition.

Onoja said troops also arrested suspected logistics facilitators in Adamawa and Borno states, including five suspected terrorist collaborators and cattle rustlers at a checkpoint along the Mandaragirau-Sabon Gari Road in Biu LGA.

He added that a suspected terrorist informant was arrested at the Damboa Internally Displaced Persons camp in Borno State on August 10.

The military spokesman said 19 persons comprising terrorist fighters, women, children and teenagers also surrendered to troops at various locations in Borno State.

He said the surrendering persons cited food shortages, sustained military pressure and internal clashes among terrorist factions as reasons for abandoning the groups.

Onoja further disclosed that troops rescued five female abductees around Amuda Bridge along the Ngoshe-Gava Road in Gwoza LGA after they escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.

18 terrorists killed in Kebbi

In Kebbi State, troops responding to a terrorist attack at Makuku Village in Sakaba LGA on August 10 neutralised 18 terrorists.

Onoja, however, said some personnel of a local security outfit, another local security group member and a civilian were killed during the encounter.

He said troops subsequently intensified surveillance in the area to prevent further attacks.

The military also arrested two suspected terrorists, described as foreign nationals believed to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED) experts, at Zurmi in Zamfara State.

₦5.3m recovered from suspected logistics facilitator

In Zamfara State, troops arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator and logistics facilitator at Maradun on August 7 and recovered N5.302 million reportedly intended for delivery to terrorist associates.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of another suspect, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the network.

Onoja said troops also engaged terrorists around Magazu Village in Tsafe LGA on August 8, forcing them to abandon some kidnapped victims who were subsequently rescued.

In Kaduna State, troops arrested a suspected terrorist at Kadage in Giwa LGA on August 12 and recovered foreign camouflage items, mobile phones and identification documents.

Another suspected terrorist logistics supplier was arrested along the Gwarzo-Kano Road in Kano State, with ammunition and other items recovered.

Troops rescue 25 kidnap victims in Kogi

In the North-Central, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, working with the police and local security personnel, rescued 16 kidnap victims along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe axes in Ofu LGA of Kogi State.

The victims comprised six men, six women and four children.

Onoja said one member of a local security outfit was killed during the operation, while a police officer sustained injuries.

He added that troops rescued another nine victims along the Ajaokuta-Itobe Road on August 11 after intercepting the kidnappers’ vehicles and forcing them to abandon their captives.

In Benue State, troops engaged armed assailants attacking residents at Azege village in Logo LGA, killing one armed herder and recovering a rifle and ammunition.

One civilian and three cattle were also killed during the encounter, according to the military.

Nine victims rescued in Niger

Troops of Operation Savannah Shield also rescued nine male kidnap victims in Mariga LGA of Niger State on August 12 following sustained operations against terrorists in the area.

In Kwara State, troops raided the residence of suspected terrorist collaborators at Latan Daji in Patigi LGA, arresting four suspects.

They also conducted an ambush operation at Majai and Tungan Bissalah villages, forcing terrorists to withdraw and recovering a rifle, ammunition and six motorcycles.

Crude oil theft operations in Niger Delta

In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Sentinel recovered about 24,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Bethel Community in Bonny LGA of Rivers State.

The operation also uncovered an illegal refining site containing two pits and extensive hoses allegedly used for crude oil theft.

In a related operation, troops intercepted a speedboat carrying about 17,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil along the Onne-Okrika waterways.

They also discovered concealed storage facilities along the Oteghele axis containing about 60,000 litres and 45,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

Kidnap syndicate dismantled in South-East

In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka, working with the Department of State Services, recorded progress in dismantling a kidnap syndicate operating across Enugu State and neighbouring areas.

Onoja said following the abduction of two persons in Udi LGA on August 2, troops tracked the syndicate and ambushed its members on August 9.

One syndicate commander was neutralised, while another sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape.

Troops recovered $1,600, N187,000, mobile phones and herbal medicine.

Another suspected member of the syndicate was arrested in Gariki, Enugu State, on August 10, with $1,000, N785,900 and other items recovered.

Using the arrested suspects as guides, troops subsequently recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from a forest hideout.

Onoja said all suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation to support further investigations.

The Defence spokesman said the operations across the various theatres demonstrated the sustained tempo, coordination and effectiveness of the Armed Forces in tackling terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

He said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their commitment and also acknowledged the contributions of the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, local security groups and other agencies.

The military chief, he added, assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would remain committed to protecting lives and property and would not relent until peace and stability were restored across the country.

The Catholic Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese, Most Rev. Oliver Dashe, on Saturday called on Christians to intensify prayers over the insecurity situation in the country, saying prayers had the capacity to crush Boko Haram.

The bishop made the call while addressing newsmen shortly after a church session organised to mark the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The cleric commended the relative peace Borno State had enjoyed in recent times after more than a decade of insurgency, but insisted that while prayer was key to achieving more success, individuals and the government must continue to play their part to ensure total victory.

Dashe described the church session as “an important day” for the Catholic Church, while noting that Mother Mary had played a significant role in the lives of people in the diocese.

He said, “Today is a very important day for us in the Catholic Church. And that is the feast of the Assumption of our Lady into heaven. Our Lady has played a very significant role in the life of the Church in this diocese.

“I have been the Bishop of this diocese for the past 17 years, and as I stand here before you, it is because of her intercession.

“And so in this diocese, we embark on various devotions, including the rosary and the wearing of miraculous medals. We also go to our pilgrimage centre to reconsecrate our diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, reconsecrate our families and individuals, among others.”

Speaking on the importance of prayers in the fight against insecurity, the bishop said Christians must be “alerted” through commitment to prayers.

From the religious angle, we know that prayers will crush Boko Haram. However, we should know that as we pray, human beings must also do their work,” Dashe said.

“It is very important that Christians should be on alert, and one of the best ways to be alert is to be prayerful. This is what we have done today. We have come in order to pray, thank our Mother Mary and to ask for more of her own intercession in our lives, our state and our country,” he added.

The religious leader further stated that the current level of peace in the state could be attributed to the intervention of “Mother Mary”.

“One of the things she has done is the fact that she brought relative peace in this axis. We know that when Boko Haram crisis started about 17 years ago, it was not funny, but now, we are experiencing peace.

“People who fled have come back and are now serving their own God and that can be attributed to the intervention of our Mother Mary,” he maintained.

He, however, called on the government at all levels to do the needful by supporting security agents to take the fight to terrorists’ strongholds.

Therefore, I call on the government, both at the federal and state levels, to do the needful in ensuring that security personnel are able to go to the forest and mountains in order to fetch these terrorists and their members for peace to return to our state and country at large,” he said.

The commission also said it had concluded the review of remuneration for judicial office holders, while the review of salaries and allowances for executive and legislative office holders had reached an advanced stage.

The Chairman of RMAFC, Mohammed Bello Shehu, disclosed this during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Lagos, where he presented an overview of the commission’s activities and reforms from 2023 to date.

Shehu, in a statement issued by the Head of the Information and Public Relations Unit, Maryam Yusuf, on Saturday, said the completed revenue allocation review followed extensive consultations with the three tiers of government, technical stakeholders and other relevant institutions across the country.

According to him, the exercise involved an assessment of fiscal responsibilities, revenue trends and comparative federal systems, culminating in a harmonised report and legislative proposals that are now ready for transmission to the appropriate authorities.

“The Commission has completed a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s Revenue Allocation Formula. It has completed the review of remuneration for judicial office holders, culminating in the enactment of the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 2025. Also, the review of remuneration for executive and legislative office holders is at an advanced stage, with an executive bill on the Political and Public Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 2026 expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly,” RMAFC chairman said.

The RMAFC chairman said the objective was to create a revenue-sharing system that would be more equitable and sustainable while taking into account the changing economic and governance realities in the country.

Shehu also confirmed that the commission had completed the review of remuneration for judicial office holders, which culminated in the enactment of the Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 2025.

He said the review of remuneration for executive and legislative office holders was also at an advanced stage, with an executive bill on the Political and Public Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 2026, expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly.

The development comes amid long-running concerns over the adequacy of remuneration for public office holders and the need to balance improved compensation with accountability and performance.

Shehu stressed that salary increases must be accompanied by better service delivery, saying improved remuneration should not be treated as an end in itself.

He said, “Remuneration reforms must be matched with accountability and performance. Improved pay should translate into improved service delivery.”

Beyond the revenue formula and remuneration reviews, the chairman said RMAFC had intensified its monitoring of oil and gas production data to ensure that the 13 per cent derivation principle was accurately applied.

He said the commission had deployed verification exercises, geospatial mapping and collaboration with relevant agencies to address discrepancies in oil well attribution and ensure that states received the revenues due to them.

One of the major interventions, according to Shehu, was the reallocation of 17 oil wells from Imo State to Rivers State in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment.

He said similar interventions had been carried out in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo and Anambra states, while improved reporting of gas production had enabled Enugu and Kogi states to benefit from derivation revenues

The commission has also strengthened its collaboration with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NNPC Limited, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the National Boundary Commission and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation.

Shehu said the partnerships were aimed at improving revenue monitoring, resolving attribution disputes and strengthening compliance.

He also disclosed that RMAFC was engaging the Ministry of Defence on the persistent challenges of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and production losses, which he described as major threats to government revenue.

The commission is also looking beyond the petroleum sector for additional sources of revenue.

Shehu said RMAFC was exploring partnerships with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the National Space Research and Development Agency, including the deployment of satellite and geospatial technologies to identify new revenue opportunities.

He said the reforms were part of the commission’s broader effort to improve data integrity, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and ensure a fairer distribution of national revenue.

The chairman said RMAFC had also recorded improvements in its institutional infrastructure through the rehabilitation of critical facilities, enhanced security systems and ongoing renovation of its headquarters.

He added that staff welfare had received attention through improved healthcare services, training and capacity development programmes designed to strengthen the technical expertise of the commission.

Shehu said the engagement with the Nigerian Guild of Editors was aimed at improving transparency and ensuring that Nigerians better understood the commission’s constitutional mandate.

He reaffirmed RMAFC’s commitment to proactive communication, data-driven reforms and stronger collaboration with the media in promoting accountability in public finance.

In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Public Affairs and Communication Committee and Federal Commissioner representing Kwara State on the commission, Ismail Muhammed Agaka, commended the media for its role in strengthening democratic accountability.

Agaka reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to sustained engagement with stakeholders as it advances its fiscal and institutional reforms.

Other members of the Public Affairs and Communication Committee at the event included Federal Commissioners Peter Opara (Imo), Ekene Enefe (Anambra), Hadizatu Uwani Mustapha (Borno), Ahmed Waziri Hassan (Adamawa), Bob-Helen Inafa (Bayelsa), Oti Nkechi Linda (Abia), Prof Olusegun Adekunle Wright (Lagos) and Victor Eboigbe (Edo).

RMAFC is a constitutional body responsible, among other functions, for monitoring revenue accruals into and disbursements from the Federation Account, reviewing the revenue allocation formula and determining appropriate remuneration for political and public office holders.

The current push to review revenue sharing comes as the country’s fiscal structure continues to face pressure from rising expenditure, uneven revenue generation among the tiers of government and growing demands from states and local governments for greater fiscal capacity.

The completion of the review therefore sets the stage for the Federal Government and the National Assembly to consider a possible restructuring of how federally collected revenues are distributed among the three tiers of government.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has warned intending pilgrims and Hajj tour operators against paying money to individuals claiming they can guarantee special slots for the 2027 Hajj exercise.

NAHCON, in a statement issued by its management on Saturday, said some unscrupulous persons claiming to be agents or staff of the commission had been contacting tour operating companies and intending pilgrims, demanding various sums of money in exchange for promises of guaranteed Hajj slots.

The commission described such demands as fraudulent and stressed that no individual, agent, tour operator or other person had been authorised to request or collect money as a “facilitation fee” or additional payment to secure special Hajj slot allocation.

“Members of the public, intending pilgrims, and Tour Operators are hereby strongly advised that no individual, agent, Tour Operator, or any other person is authorized to demand, collect, or request any form of payment, ‘facilitation fee,’ or additional money under the guise of guaranteeing, facilitating or securing special Hajj slot allocation for the 2027 Hajj exercise,” NAHCON said.

The commission said the allocation of Hajj slots was strictly governed by approved processes and carried out in compliance with its guidelines for the licensing of tour operators, which it said were already in the public domain.

It warned that anyone contacting tour operators or intending pilgrims to demand money with promises of guaranteed slots was acting fraudulently and without the authority of the commission.

“Any person who contacts Tour operators or intending pilgrims requesting money with promises of guaranteed slots is acting fraudulently and without the authority of the Commission. Such actions are illegal and should be reported to the police or other law enforcement agencies,” it said.

NAHCON urged intending pilgrims to make payments only through officially designated channels, including state pilgrims’ welfare agencies, designated Hajj savings banks and duly licensed tour operators.

It also advised members of the public to report unsolicited calls, messages or demands for additional payments connected to Hajj slot allocation.

The commission further reminded intending pilgrims that failure to meet the published deadlines for the upload of pilgrims’ data by September 26, 2026, and complete remittance of payments by December 2, 2026, would lead to the forfeiture of allocated slots.

It stressed that such forfeiture would apply regardless of claims made by unauthorised persons.

“NAHCON remains committed to a transparent, fair, and orderly 2027 Hajj exercise. The public is encouraged to rely solely on official communications from the Commission,” the statement read.

The commission urged members of the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to individuals seeking to exploit the 2027 Hajj preparations for financial gain.

Meanwhile, NAHCON on Friday announced that intending pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj exercise would pay between N7,560,822 and N7,882,822, depending on their departure zones.

The commission said the fares were approved by the Federal Government after consultations with the Forum of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and key service providers in Saudi Arabia.

According to NAHCON, pilgrims departing from the Maiduguri/Yola zone will pay N7,560,822, while those from the Northern Zone will pay N7,672,822.

Pilgrims from the Southern Zone will pay the highest fare of N7,882,822.

The Peoples Democratic Party 2027 State House of Assembly candidate in Benue State, Bemgba Iortyom, has called on the Federal Government not to bear the burden of investing in individual businesses by establishing ranches for herders.

Iortyom, who made the call in a statement issued on Saturday and made available to journalists in Makurdi, advised the Federal Government to instead encourage livestock owners to establish ranches by legally acquiring land on their own.

The former state publicity secretary of the PDP was reacting to the Federal Government’s plan to select Benue among the five states to implement pilot ranching as a panacea to farmers-herders’ clashes.

The statement read in part, “As livestock farming is a legitimate private business, those who engage in it must shoulder the burden of acquiring land lawfully and ranch their animals, just as crop farmers and other private entrepreneurs bear the burden of acquiring land and the facilities required for their businesses.”

He raised some posers, asking if the problem was truly a farmer-herder conflict, why did the proposed solution focus exclusively on herders and livestock?

“Shouldn’t compensation for the decades of destruction of lives and property of farmers by the herdsmen be a top item on the agenda of the proposed government policy?

“Where at the negotiating table are the representatives of farmers’ communities that have suffered attacks, destruction and displacement?

Where are the traditional institutions and landowners whose ancestral land is targeted to be affected?” he asked.

The House of Assembly hopeful recalled that the late Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had proposed a similar policy under various nomenclatures but was bluntly rejected by the people of the state.

He said, “For eight years between 2015 and 2023, Benue people were confronted with one proposal after another supposedly designed to resolve what the Federal Government persistently described as ‘farmer-herder conflicts’.

“There was the attempted revival of grazing routes, cattle colonies, the controversial RUGA settlements, the National Livestock Transformation Plan and proposals connected with the Water Resources Bill.

“Benue people rejected all of those policies which sought to place the burden of resolving the crisis on their shoulders, despite the fact that they were the ones being killed, displaced and dispossessed.

“If the Federal Government wants to modernise livestock production, it should encourage livestock owners to establish ranches on land lawfully acquired for that purpose, rather than seek to annex ancestral land belonging to farming communities to be carved out for government-established settlements for herders.”

There was jubilation on Saturday as the Accord Party governorship candidate and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, won his polling unit in the ongoing governorship election.

Adeleke polled 421 votes at Ward 02, Polling Unit 009, Abogunde Compound, Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State.

Supporters of the governor were seen celebrating after the result was announced at the polling unit.

 Online earlier reported that three major candidates in the Osun governorship election had expressed confidence in emerging victorious as the polls entered the sorting and collation stage, with each candidate and their supporters optimistic about securing the mandate of the electorate

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, on Saturday, expressed confidence in emerging victorious in the ongoing governorship election after casting his vote at Sagba Abogunde Ward 2, Unit 9, in Ede North Local Government Area

Opposition candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, who also voted at his Ward 09, Unit 011, Ikire, in the Irewole Local Government Area, expressed confidence in victory while speaking with journalists after casting his vote.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Najeem Salaam, raised concerns over the alleged non-recognition of his party agents in several areas across the state during Saturday’s election.

Meanwhile, as at 5:24PM on Saturday, a check by our correspondent on the IReV portal indicated that 1386 out of 3,763 unit results have been uploaded.

The Executive Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Kassim Muhammed-Kassim, has empowered 75 less-privileged men and women from the Nasarawa North Senatorial District with N18.7m in business grants to improve their livelihoods.

The state Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who flagged off the distribution of the funds to the beneficiaries on Saturday in Akwanga Local Government Area, said the gesture would strengthen small businesses, improve traders’ access to capital and stimulate grassroots economic growth across the district.

The governor, who commended the NSUBEB chairman for giving back to society, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds by starting petty businesses.

He also prayed that the beneficiaries would grow the N250,000 each received into N250m.

This is about the highest empowerment programme I have seen so far where each person benefited N250,000, so I sincerely want to thank Dr Kassim for such a wonderful gesture,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the NSUBEB chairman said he did not know any of the beneficiaries personally, explaining that they were selected based on findings about those who would be prudent with the empowerment funds.

He urged the beneficiaries to start businesses with the money, noting that the funds were not meant for campaigns and that the selection was not based on party membership.

The SUBEB chairman explained that he raised the funds from the proceeds of selling clothes to schools in Ghana, adding that if he could succeed through the venture, others could also succeed with the financial assistance.

“This gesture is designed to provide direct support to the less-privileged members of the society who do not have any means of livelihood to start up a business in order to cushion the effect of the prevailing economic challenges.

“I, therefore, want to appeal that every beneficiary should invest the funds wisely so that they can grow their businesses and create greater prosperity for their families,” he said.

He further assured the gathering that he would soon embark on another empowerment programme, providing N50,000 each to 300 people selected from Wamba, Akwanga and Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Areas.

Our correspondent reports that some of the beneficiaries, including Usman Mohammed, Peter Joe and Ahmed Usuf, appreciated the SUBEB chairman for remembering the less-privileged people in the area and prayed for his continued success.

They also assured him that they would use the money for the purpose for which it was provided, saying this would justify his efforts and help create more opportunities for less-privileged people across the state.

Osun State Governor and Accord Party governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke, has commended residents for turning out in large numbers for Saturday’s governorship election, urging security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission to remain vigilant as the collation of results begins.

Adeleke made the call in a statement on X on Saturday, stressing that the safety and protection of the people remained paramount.

“Against all odds, the people of Osun State have turned out in large numbers and are speaking with one voice. The safety and protection of our people is paramount,” he said.

The governor commended security agencies deployed for the election and urged them to remain vigilant as results move from polling units to wards and local government areas for collation.

I also call on INEC to uphold the highest standards of integrity throughout this process,” he added.

Adeleke expressed confidence in the professionalism of the institutions involved in the electoral process, saying adequate security had been provided for the election.

“Democracy is at its strongest when we honour the wishes of our people and protect the sanctity of their votes,” he said.

The governor urged residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to the democratic process.

“To every Osun citizen: I urge you to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and committed to this democratic moment. Let the people’s will prevail,” Adeleke said.

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man in connection with the alleged murder of a woman at a hotel in Girei Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesman, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the incident occurred at No Vex Hotel, Girei, on Friday.

“Following a report of an altercation at No Vex Hotel, Girei LGA, on 14th August 2026, operatives from Girei Divisional Police Headquarters swiftly responded to the scene.

“The victim was found with severe injuries and in a pool of blood. She was immediately rushed to a medical facility where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” the statement said.

According to the police, the suspect, identified as Ali Haruna, of Bolori Ward, Maiduguri, Borno State, had been arrested in connection with the incident.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly made statements claiming responsibility for the act. The police are, however, treating this as part of the ongoing investigation and are working to establish the circumstances and motive behind the incident,” the statement added.

The command said the knife allegedly used in the commission of the offence was recovered from the suspect and would be treated as an exhibit.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Kabir Hassan, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case and ensure a discreet, thorough and professional investigation.

The command assured members of the public that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

It further urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and refrain from jungle justice while allowing the police to conclude their investigation.

However, when Weekend Punch visited the scene on Saturday, an eyewitness said the suspect lodged at the hotel, which is owned by a retired police officer, on Friday afternoon and allegedly committed the murder by 5pm the same day.

The eyewitness further claimed that the suspect confessed that the deceased was the third person he had killed this year.

He spoke in an interview with actress Biola Adebayo on her podcast published on Friday, following criticism from some Muslims over his performance.

The singer had sparked reactions on social media after clips of him singing the Christian hymn, “Jesus is the only true friend,” at a church surfaced online.

Explaining his decision, Asalatu said the Jesus referred to in the song was the same Jesus recognised as Prophet Issa in the Quran.

He said, “This Jesus we are talking about is Prophet Issa in the Quran, the child of Mariam. Is he no longer your friend? He is your friend, he is my friend. Prophet Muhammed didn’t deny Jesus Christ. Is Jesus no longer your friend? Was he not sent to you?”

Asalatu also argued that Islam did not teach Muslims to oppose Jesus.

“Islam didn’t tell us to go against Jesus. I don’t know where they found theirs,” he said.

The singer said he had initially decided not to speak publicly about the controversy but eventually agreed to answer questions on the matter.

“Although I said I won’t grant any interview on this issue, but as it is… anyone who refuses to answer a question when asked is a stupid person,” he said.

Asalatu disclosed that some Islamic leaders had contacted him privately and encouraged him to continue his work despite the criticism.

“I want to appreciate the true Islamic leaders who had called me and encouraged me to continue doing my work that the people dragging me on social media don’t know what they are doing,” he said.

Describing the leaders, he said, “These are people who are true Islamic leaders who know the Quran in and out and are also intelligent.”

He also thanked his supporters and critics, saying the criticism had helped him identify areas where he could improve.

“Although your hatred has done nothing to us, but you also made impact. We were able to pick out of the hateful words to make corrections because no one is perfect,” he said.

The singer, however, reaffirmed his commitment to Islam, saying he would continue preaching the religion.

“Islam is a good religion and I will continue to preach Islam till my old age,” he said.

Asalatu described Islam as an orderly religion that teaches modesty and guides its adherents on how to live their lives.

“Islam is orderly. Islam preaches modesty in dressing. The religion explains how to live life,” he said.

He, however, criticised what he described as overzealousness among some Muslims, saying some people had become too rigid in their interpretation of religious teachings.

“Some people are over zealous. That’s who they are,” he said.

Asalatu questioned why some people would attempt to force others into religious practices, particularly when they were not responsible for their financial success.

“You didn’t force me to make it in life. You didn’t force me to come eat from your source of income. You didn’t force me to make money but you want to force me to make heaven. Does that even make sense? No, it doesn’t,” he said.

The singer also questioned the idea of forcing someone to attain a particular conception of heaven.

“Which heaven? Your own or which one? Your own heaven or which one?” he asked.

He further joked about the threat of being killed over religious differences, saying, “You can’t go to heaven if you are not dead. Do you want to kill me?”

Asalatu said one of the people criticising him had allegedly claimed that he deserved to be beheaded.

“One of those dragging me said I am supposed to be beheaded. I am even trying to get the person’s number so I can tell him to come to my house to cut off my head in the presence of my children,” he said.

The singer also called for religious tolerance, saying, “Everybody should serve their God in their own way. Call your God however you can. Everything we do has a reward.”

He questioned some of the criticism surrounding photography and video recording, arguing that the two were closely related.

“One of them said whoever takes picture will go to hell. Meanwhile, video is an upgraded version of picture and you are there making video and everyone is posting you on social media, yet, you are not against them,” he said.

Asalatu also challenged some claims about music and Islam, saying there were references to knowledge and lessons in songs.

“Some people said there is no music in Islam. We read in one of Muhammad’s Hadiths where he said there is knowledge in songs. If he wanted to condemn it, he won’t say there is knowledge in songs,” he said.

He also referred to Quranic teachings on musicians, arguing that the issue required a broader interpretation.

“The same God who cursed the musician in the Quran. God said curse be unto all musicians. It is written in the Quran but if you read further, he said, except those who sing with the fear of God,” he said.

Defending the content of his songs, Asalatu asked whether his music had promoted disbelief or insulted anyone.

Did I abuse your mother with my song? Did my song say there is no God?” he asked.

He also said Muslims should be careful about messages capable of driving people away from religion.

“I know a Muslim who lost interest in Islam. He lost interest in all the religion,” he said.

According to Asalatu, the man had allegedly been told that calling God “Eledumare” instead of “Allah” made someone an unbeliever.

He rejected the position, saying, “Help me. The difference is just the language.”

Asalatu maintained that Islam was a religion of unity, love and peace and urged Muslims not to allow social media debates to distort their understanding of the religion.

“Islam is not a troublesome religion. Islam is not a religion that kills. Islam is a religion of unity. Islam is a religion of love and peace,” he said.

The Founder of The New Seraph Evangelical Ministries Worldwide and Iya Aladura General, Dr Oluwaseye Yomi-Sholoye, has urged religious leaders across the country to remain non-partisan and preserve the spiritual integrity of the church.

She warned against turning the pulpit into a platform for political endorsements.

Speaking during the eighth edition of the Night of Divine Experience, held in Ogun State on Friday, Yomi-Sholoye said the church must remain committed to its spiritual mandate of proclaiming biblical truths, promoting justice and providing guidance to all people, irrespective of their political affiliations.

According to her, religious leaders have a responsibility to maintain fairness and impartiality, particularly during election periods when political interests often seek influence within faith communities.

She said, “Religious leaders must preserve the spiritual integrity of the church by remaining non-partisan. The pulpit is a holy place established to proclaim biblical truths, advocate for justice, and offer spiritual guidance to all people, regardless of their political affiliations.

“It must never be reduced to a platform for political endorsements, partisan campaigns, or party propaganda. Our calling as spiritual leaders is to speak truth to power and shepherd our communities with fairness and impartiality.”

The cleric also cautioned against vote-buying and other forms of voter inducement, urging citizens to make electoral decisions based on competence and proven leadership records rather than financial incentives.

She called on eligible voters in Osun State to critically assess the candidates in Saturday’s governorship election, noting that many of them had previously held public offices and should be evaluated based on their administrative performance and vision for the state.

“Before casting your ballot, thoroughly examine every candidate’s past administrative performance, public leadership history, and proposed plans for Osun State,” she said.

“Every eligible voter should look for competence and past administrative records of all candidates, as each one of them has held different political offices.”

Yomi-Sholoye added that voters should elect leaders with the capacity to govern effectively and deliver meaningful development to the people.

The Osun State Police Command has arrested an officer posted to the Registration Area Centre in Modakeke Ward 10, Ife East Local Government Area, following the accidental discharge of tear gas that sparked panic during Saturday’s governorship election.

The command’s response followed viral video clip on social media depicting a chaotic scene in Modakeke, where onlookers expressed anger in Yoruba at police officers, alleging unprovoked tear gas firing at a polling site.

Reacting via an official statement on X on Saturday, the Command debunked claims that police operatives deliberately targeted voters at a polling unit to disrupt the electoral process.

The statement clarified that the incident took place at the Registration Area Centre rather than a voting centre, describing it as an act of personal negligence.

The Command wishes to clarify that the incident did not take place at any polling unit. It occurred at the Registration Area Centre (RAC) and was the result of negligence on the part of an officer who was attempting to ease himself,” the statement read.

Strongly condemning the breach, the police confirmed that the officer involved was promptly taken into custody, with formal disciplinary proceedings initiated.

“This conduct is highly condemnable and falls far below the standard expected of an officer of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement continued.

The officer involved has been immediately apprehended. A thorough investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the incident and to establish whether there were any other motives behind the action.”

Reassuring the public on electoral protocols, the police emphasised that security personnel deployed to polling units are strictly prohibited from bearing arms or tactical gear within a designated radius of voting points.

The Command also dismissed social media reports claiming the discharge was aimed at scaring away voters.

Apologising to affected residents and election observers, the Command reiterated its pledge to maintain a peaceful environment throughout the voting and collation exercises.

“The officer concerned will face appropriate disciplinary action in line with the Force’s regulations.

“The Nigeria Police Force Osun State Command remains resolute in its duty to protect the integrity of the electoral process and to guarantee the safety and security of all participants,” the statement concluded.

The wife of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun, Dr Sekinah Oyebamiji, has expressed confidence in her husband’s victory in the ongoing governorship election in the state.

Oyebamiji spoke shortly after casting her ballot at Ward 9, Unit 003, AUD Primary School, Ikire, in Irewole Local Government Area, earlier on Saturday.

She commended the conduct of the election, describing the voter turnout as impressive and expressing optimism that her husband would emerge victorious at the end of voting in the state.

Oyebamiji said the electoral process had so far been peaceful and orderly, while commending officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission for their professional conduct during the voting exercise.

The voters’ turnout is quite impressive. The INEC officials are conducting themselves professionally. There are police officers around,” she said, adding that the presence of police officers had helped maintain order during voting.

“I think the process is good so far. The expectation is that Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji will carry the day,” she said, expressing confidence in the candidate’s prospects at the polls.

NAN

The Army said troops detected the advancing terrorists through emplaced early warning and surveillance systems, leading to the deployment of a combat team to interdict the terrorists along one of the axes of advance.

The Acting Military Information Officer, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, in a statement on Saturday, said the terrorists suffered several casualties, with none recorded on the Nigerian Army side.

The statement read, “The Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI has recorded yet another decisive operational success as troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion decisively defeated an attempted ISWAP terrorist attack on their location at Forward Operating Base Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

At about 0200 hours on 15 August 2026, the terrorists launched a simultaneous assault on the location from two fronts. On detecting the advancing terrorists from emplaced early warning and surveillance systems, a combat team was promptly dispatched to interdict the terrorists along one of the axes of advance.”

Goni further noted that contact was made, resulting in a heavy exchange of fire during which the combat team decisively defeated the attackers on that front.

“The second group of terrorists attempted to bypass the ambush team and infiltrate the camp, but they were equally met with superior firepower and successfully defeated,” he explained.

The coordinated and aggressive response, according to him, forced the insurgents to withdraw in confusion, after which troops immediately launched a hot pursuit and thoroughly exploited the contact area as well as their withdrawal routes.

“In a clear demonstration of tactical proficiency and combat dominance, the troops neutralised several terrorists and recovered a substantial quantity of equipment comprising AK-47 rifles with loaded magazines,” he said.

Others, he said, included “a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with bombs and chargers, one camcorder video camera and several other combat enablers.”

The Army spokesman said subsequent footage obtained from the surveillance systems further showed the terrorists dragging several bodies of their cohorts killed towards the Timbuktu Triangle.

“Notably, no single casualty on own troop,” he stressed.

The successful defeat, he said, highlights the high state of readiness, aggressive posture and operational effectiveness of OPHK troops, with the additional impetus from the military high command.

“The Theatre Command therefore commends the leadership, courage and professionalism of troops of 162 Amphibious Battalion for their exceptional bravery and tactical excellence in decisively defeating the terrorists’ assault,” he stated.

Goni assured that Operation Hadin Kai remained resolute in its determination to dominate the battlespace, deny terrorists freedom of action and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.

The Universal Basic Education Commission has said no child should be denied access to quality education because of difficult circumstances, stressing that every Nigerian child deserves an opportunity to learn, develop their abilities and fulfil their potential.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, stated this during the formal commissioning of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls, Agboju, Lagos State, according to a statement by Garba on Saturday.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges affecting access to basic and secondary education in Nigeria, including school dropout, poverty, displacement and other social and economic circumstances that interrupt children’s schooling.

The establishment of alternative learning pathways is particularly important for girls and young women who leave school because of pregnancy, early marriage, family responsibilities or other circumstances, as returning to conventional schools can be difficult.

Garba said the rehabilitation of the Agboju school, supported by UBEC through its Universal Basic Education intervention, was therefore more than an infrastructure project, describing it as an opportunity for girls and young women whose education had been interrupted to return to learning.

She said, “A girl whose circumstances prevented her from completing her education should be given another opportunity. Every child deserves an alternative pathway to acquire the education they deserve to succeed in life.”

According to her, girls who dropped out of school should not be regarded as lost causes, while young mothers seeking to return to education should not be made to feel that their opportunity had passed.

She said the Alternative High School for Girls was established to provide girls and young women with opportunities to return to learning, acquire useful skills and pursue productive and fulfilling lives.

“Let this not simply be a place where girls attend classes. Let it be a place where hope is restored, confidence is built and the future is renewed,” Garba said.

The UBEC boss said children affected by conflict, displacement or difficult circumstances still had dreams, talents and potential and deserved every opportunity to succeed.

She said the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, was pursuing reforms aimed at improving the quality of education, expanding access and ensuring that no Nigerian child was left behind.

The Federal Government has in recent years placed greater emphasis on improving access, learning outcomes and retention as part of efforts to address challenges in Nigeria’s education system. The interventions have included investment in school infrastructure, learning facilities, teacher development and programmes targeted at vulnerable and out-of-school children.

Garba said the Agboju intervention was consistent with UBEC’s commitment to inclusive education, adding that it covered school infrastructure, academic facilities, furniture for pupils, teachers and school managers, information and communication technology equipment, laboratory and vocational equipment, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, and environmental improvements.

“We believe that investment in education should be visible, not only in figures and reports, but in the classrooms where children learn, in the facilities they use and, most importantly, in the lives they are able to transform,” she said.

Garba said UBEC had formally handed over the rehabilitated facility to the Lagos State Government, urging the state to sustain the investment, maintain the facilities and ensure that the school continued to serve the girls for whom it was established.

She disclosed that the second Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu was at an advanced stage of completion, saying it would further expand opportunities for girls and young women seeking alternative pathways back into education.

The executive secretary also announced that UBEC would, before the end of 2026, provide the school with a bus and digital smart boards for its classrooms.

However, Garba stressed that the success of the intervention should not be measured by the beauty of the rehabilitated school but by its impact on the lives of the girls.

“The true measure of our success will be the girl who walks through these gates and discovers that she still has a future. It will be the girl who acquires a skill, finds employment, starts a business or becomes a leader in her community. That is why this investment matters,” she said.

Garba also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising education and human capital development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She praised the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her commitment to the education and empowerment of girls and young women.

The First Lady was represented at the occasion by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima.

Garba urged the Agboju community to take ownership of the school by protecting and maintaining the facilities and supporting the girls attending the institution.

Davido headlined the “Davido & Friends” concert on Friday as part of the Crystal Palace Bowl  summer festival series in the United Kingdom.

The  outdoor concert featured performances by Davido and other artistes, including Omah Lay, Black Sherif, Gabzy, T x C, Jazzwrld & Thukuthela, Ecool, Fola and Mayorkun.

Following the concert, the singer announced two dates for another London stadium tour, signalling his plans for major performances in the UK.

He then shared the announcement on his Instagram Story, with “details indicating that the upcoming tour would take place in London in 2027.”

Davido had earlier described the Crystal Palace Bowl performance as his first-ever festival in the UK and his only outdoor show in London this summer.

The concert attracted fans who gathered to watch him perform some of his popular songs.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Crystal Palace Bowl performance is an addition to Davido’s growing list of international performances, while his latest London tour announcement points to another major engagement with his UK audience. (NAN)

Salaam, who arrived at his polling unit to vote at 10:39 a.m., said he received reports that ADC agents were not being recognised despite the party uploading their names ahead of the election.

He said the alleged non-recognition of party agents occurred in 10 local government areas, prompting him to report the matter to relevant authorities, who, he said, were looking into it.

“We converse with the people, we let them know our programmes, and that is exactly what we do. Vote buying is out of it. I have never in my life bought votes.

People will decide whom they want, and I think it should be very fair enough for them to have the right to choose whom they prefer as a candidate or as the governor of the state,” he said.

Salaam also denied allegations of vote buying by the ADC, insisting that the party was focused on presenting its programmes and allowing voters to freely choose their preferred candidate.

The candidate, who voted at Ward 4, expressed confidence that he would emerge victorious, attributing his optimism to his faith in God and the voters’ support. (NAN)

The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested 10 suspected merchants of human parts and recovered suspected body parts and charms.

The command’s Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Ibadan.

Ayanlade said that the suspects were arrested following several months of sustained intelligence gathering and discreet surveillance by operatives of the command’s monitoring unit.

The PPRO said that the suspects were arrested at separate hideouts in Iseyin and Saki areas of the state.

Following their arrest, operatives conducted searches of the suspects’ hideouts, during which several suspected human parts were recovered.

“The exhibits include one suspected human heart, human flesh, pieces of human skull and assorted charms,” he said.

Ayanlade said that the recovered items had been secured for forensic examination and further investigation.

He said that the suspects were currently assisting investigators in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the source, procurement and intended use of the recovered exhibits.

The command’s spokesman further said that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate.

Ayanlade said that the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abimbola Olugbenga, commended the operatives for their painstaking intelligence-led operation and professionalism.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police as assuring members of the public that the command remained resolute in its determination to rid the state of criminal elements and protect the sanctity of human life. (NAN)

The call for applications for the 2027 MITACS Globalink Internship in Canada is now open for interested and qualified applicants.

The MITACS Globalink Research Internship in Canada can offer you an international experience like no other including the full coverage of all expenses – travel to and from Canada, housing, meals, transport, health insurance- as well as full access to industry events and professional development courses.

This post will provide the full details of the MITACS Globalink Research Internship in Canada and the stepwise procedure to successfully apply for the opportunity.

2027 MITACS Globalink Internship in Canada Summary

• Host Country: Canada
• Study Abroad: Study in Canada 
• Category: Internships 
• Eligible Countries: 16 Selected Countries
• Reward: Full Sponsorship | Accommodation | Travel Costs | Meals
• No IELTS Required 
• Deadline: September 16, 2026
  

MITACS Globalink Internship Details:

Mitacs Globalink Research Internship is a competitive initiative for international undergraduates from selected countries and regions of the world.

From May to October of each year, top-ranked applicants participate in a 12-week research internship under the supervision of Canadian academic institution faculty members in a variety of academic disciplines, from science, engineering, and mathematics to the humanities and social sciences.

Mitacs Globalink Research Internships can offer you an international experience like no other. Canada features excellent universities, outstanding research facilities, cutting-edge industry innovation, and unparalleled undergraduate training opportunities.

Requirements for MITACS Globalink Research Internship in Canada 2026

To be considered for the MITACS Globalink Research Internship in Canada, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application 
• Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or combined undergraduate/master’s program at an eligible institution (see list of eligible institutions by country) 
• Have one to three semesters remaining in their program as of fall 2027 (see requirement by country) 
• Meet the grade requirements for their country of study (see GPA requirements for each international partner) 
• Apply to a minimum of three and a maximum of ten projects and ensure selections are from at least three different Canadian provinces 
• Be fluent in the oral and written language of the project (English and/or French) 
• Be available to complete an internship lasting 12 consecutive weeks between May 1 and October 31. You must be able to start your internship anytime between May 1st and July 31st. Anything before or after those dates is not allowed.
• Not have been awarded a Globalink Research Internship project in the past 
• Any applicant who is currently affiliated with, or in receipt of funding or in-kind support from one or more of the institutions on the list of NROs is not eligible to participate in a Mitacs-funded project involving research that aims to advance a Sensitive Technology Research Area (STRA).
• Mitacs will also screen a sample of applications, selected at its sole discretion, and validate the accuracy of the completed declarations. 
• Mitacs reserves the right to decline funding, at any point, for a project that advances a sensitive technology research area because of affiliations of concern. 

Benefits of MITACS Globalink Internship 2027

The Globalink research internship award amount includes: 

• Funding to contribute to the cost of a round-trip airfare to Canada (amount varies depending on country of origin)
• Funding to contribute to the cost of transportation from the airport in Canada to accommodation
• Stipend for housing (amount varies depending on country of origin)
• Stipend towards student enrollment fees (amount varies depending on host institution)
• Stipend for food and incidentals (amount varies depending on country of origin)
• Emergency health insurance policy for the duration of the internship
• Support from student mentors on campus in Canada
• Access to industry events and professional development courses

Additional Offers for Interns

What a Mitacs Globalink Research Internship offers you:

• A 12-week internship that increases your knowledge of and explores hands-on research in your field of study
• Work under the supervision of outstanding faculty members, with graduate students and research associates
• Access to Canada’s unique research landscape: applied, dynamic, and innovative
• A rewarding experience combining academic research at a Canadian academic institution, professional skills development courses and social activities
• A chance for you to explore your independence and gain international experience in a new country

How to Apply for MITACS Globalink Internship Canada 2027 (Step by Step)

To apply for the 2026 MITACS Globalink Internship, do the following;

• Review all eligibility criteria: in addition to the general GRI requirements, there may be specific eligibility criteria for each country and international partner organization.
• Confirm that your passport issued by your home country is valid until at least January 2027. (You are welcome to submit an application if you don’t currently have a valid passport. However, you will need to provide valid passport information if your application is approved).
• Obtain a reference letter from a professor. Please refer to the reference-letter instructions in the downloadable Globalink Research Internship Information zip file. All reference letters must follow the instructions provided.
• Update your CV: You can submit your own CV or use the CV template in the downloadable Globalink Research Internship Information zip file.
• Obtain your academic transcripts (in either English or French). If your academic institution cannot provide transcripts in either language, you are responsible for getting them translated and notarized. Transcripts must be included in your application.
• English or French language-proficiency tests may be required for some countries. Please check your country’s details for more information.

In the application, you will also be asked about:

• Your academic discipline, program, and other educational information
• Your research interests, skills, and achievements
• Your reasons for pursuing research in Canada

Use the button below to visit the internship website.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Deadline: September 16, 2026

Today, August 15, 2026, no fewer than 1,906,390 voters in Osun State are expected to choose a governor from 13 candidates produced across the political spectrum

The candidates are:

Governor Ademola Adeleke – Accord Party

*Farinloye Olarenwaju – Action Alliance

*Esan Olajide – African Action Congress, AAC

*Najeem Salaam – African Democratic Congress, ADC

*Adeagbo Opawoye – African Democratic Party, ADP

*Mustapha Adeniyi – Social Democratic Party, SDP

*Bola Oyebamiji – All Progressives Congress, APC

*Adesina Aseyemi-Doro – All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA

*Clement Adesuyi – Action Peoples Party, APP

*Masilo Adeleke – Boot Party

*Taofeek Adeleke – New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP

*Saliu Oyelami – Peoples Redemption Party, PRP

*Ogunsakin Olalekan – Young Progressives Party, YPP

*Adefemi Adesuyi – Zenith Labour Party, ZLP

Stay with us as the election unfolds. We will bring you live updates in videos, photos, texts, and snippets of happenings in Osun State.

The Ogun State Government has said it has intensified efforts to evict illegal settlers from the nine forest reserves across the state.

The Commissioner for Forestry, Taiwo Oludotun, disclosed this in an interview withSaturday PUNCH on Friday.

According to Oludotun, the government had carried out several enforcement operations to ensure that illegal occupants vacate the forest reserves after being served quit notices.

Oludotun identified some of the illegal settlers as non-indigenes from Osun, Kwara, Ondo, Benue and northern states.

He said, “We have made some enforcement to make sure we chase them out of the forest, but we have discovered that some of them still stay. They have become a menace to us, and this is not allowed within our forest reserves because they end up destroying our forests.

“The forest reserve is not a habitation for people to live. It is a forest, not a farm settlement or a residential area. Anybody living in the forest obviously has an ulterior motive. That is why we don’t really want them there.”

The commissioner said their continued presence posed a threat to the state government and the forest reserves.

They are posing threats to our forest estate and the state government. More so, these are people we don’t know. We don’t know their antecedents or the kind of work they do. How will a normal human being live in the forest? Then you should know either that person is a fugitive or has an ulterior motive because I don’t see why a sane person will live in a forest.

“We discovered that most of these settlers are even indigenes of our state. Most of them are from Osun, Kwara, Ondo, Benue and the northern states. This is not allowed. We are doing everything within the state government’s power, legally, to chase them out, and we will continue to do that until they leave the forest,” he said.

The nine gazetted forest reserves are Omo, Olokemeji, Ilaro/Ipake, Ohumbe/Oja-Odan, Aworo, Eggua, Edun Stream, Arakanga and Imeko.

The commissioner added that the state government had intensified patrols and surveillance within the forest reserves by engaging the services of the Amotekun Corps.

According to him, the move is aimed at complementing the efforts of the forest guards.

NUC, in a letter dated June 19 and signed by its Director of Academic Planning, Abubakar Girei, for the Executive Secretary of the Commission, said the programmes were to be offered on a full-time basis at the university’s main campus.

According to the Commission, the approval followed a resource verification visit by a panel of experts to the university to assess the human and material resources available for the proposed postgraduate programmes.

The approved programmes are Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Science, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication; Microbiology; Business Management; and History and Diplomatic Studies.

The NUC directed the university to notify the commission for further processing before commencing the part-time mode of any of the approved programmes.

The commission also cautioned the university against altering the approved titles and nomenclature of the programmes, noting that any proposed change would require its approval.

It urged McPherson University to provide adequate human and material resources for the development and growth of the newly approved programmes.

Nigeria Democratic Congress 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property following recent attacks in Benue State.

Obi made the call after visiting Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Ugboju communities in Otukpo Local Government Area, where recent attacks left several people dead, missing and injured.

In a statement on his X handle on Friday, Obi said he visited Otukpo-Nobi, where “over 10 persons were either killed or went missing,” while several others were injured and hospitalised.

He also visited Efeyi-Ugboju, where he said “over 13 persons were reportedly killed and several others injured.” 

Obi said he was also informed during the visit that 14 people had been kidnapped along Ankpechi Road earlier in the morning.

“I joined the community in praying for the repose of the souls of the departed at the site of the mass burial of the victims.

“We also visited the hospital to empathise with the injured, show our support, and pray for their quick recovery.

Having visited, seen, and spoken with those affected, I urge the Federal Government to demonstrate a greater commitment to securing the lives and property of citizens and to closing the ungoverned spaces that have become breeding grounds for insecurity,” Obi said.

The former Anambra State governor said governments must be reminded of their responsibility when communities are left vulnerable.

The primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of its citizens. When government fails in this responsibility, as it has with the people of Otukpo-Nobi, Efeyi-Ugboju, and other troubled communities, it must be reminded of that sacred obligation,” he said.

that on Thursday night, gunmen abducted 14 passengers travelling in an 18-seater bus along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini LGA.

The police later confirmed that five victims, including a four-year-old boy, had been rescued, while nine remained in captivity as of Friday.

In Early July, at least 16 people where reportedly killed by suspected armed herders in Nobi.

Later that month, suspected armed herders invaded Efeyi community and killed 15 people

PUNCH Metro reported that the suspects were reported to have stormed the community around 5am, shooting sporadically.

Obi prayed for the repose of those killed and urged the government to take stronger measures to protect affected communities.

“May the souls of the departed continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen,” he said.

A strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia early Saturday, sending thousands running in panic after authorities issued a tsunami warning.

Residents in Nagekeo regency, the area closest to the epicentre, raced for higher ground as the sea retreated — a possible sign of an approaching tsunami, AFP journalists saw.

The warning was later lifted.

The epicentre of the shallow quake was located off the north coast of the island, about 68 kilometres (42 miles) northwest of the coastal town of Ende, United States and Indonesian authorities said.

The initial jolt was followed by strong aftershocks in the same area, including one with a magnitude of 6.1.

“Suddenly it started to shake, and I panicked,” 31-year-old hospital customer service official and Maumere resident, Lukas Lotar, told AFP.

“Patients also fled the hospital; the jolt was big. I saw some walls were cracked,” he said

A resident in Nagekeo, Yohanes Babo, 56, said he was at a market when the earth started shaking.

“The shaking was strong. Thankfully, we were already outside the house.

“People were panicking, running here and there. We’re evacuating for the time being… and trying to get to the hills,” he said, adding, “My family is safe. No one was harmed.”

– Evacuation urged –

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency warned of the possibility of tsunami waves following the quake and urged people to get to higher ground.

“We strongly urge our communities along the northern coast of Flores and in the southern parts, on the southern islands and across the southern region, to carry out self-evacuation immediately,” an official at the national disaster agency, Abdul Muhari, said.

Residents should “move away from the shore, either by going more than two kilometres inland or by moving up into hilly areas more than 10 meters high,” he told local broadcaster Kompas TV.

BMKG earthquake and tsunami director Wijayanto said tsunami modelling suggested the potential for a tsunami in the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and West Nusa Tenggara.

An alert was issued for waves ranging from 0.5 metres to three metres (1.6 to 9.8 feet), but was later lifted.

“We have ended (the tsunami warning) but we will keep monitoring the sea level,” said Wijayanto, who, like many Indonesians, goes by one name.

Residents in the town of Maumere on Flores Island were evacuating to higher ground, an AFP correspondent saw.

Images broadcast on Indonesian television showed hundreds of people in nearby Nagekeo regency evacuating the area from among the rubble of damaged buildings.

Authorities have not reported any casualties, but said tsunami waves between 19 and 30 centimetres have been detected.

Indonesia and neighbouring countries experience frequent earthquakes due to their location in the Pacific “Ring of Fire” — an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

Among Indonesia’s history of deadly quakes is a devastating 9.1-magnitude tremor in 2004 that struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including about 170,000 in Indonesia.

The Boxing Day tragedy was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.

In 2018, a powerful quake shook the island of Lombok, and several more tremors followed over the next couple of weeks, killing more than 550 people on the holiday island and neighbouring Sumbawa.

Later that year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island left more than 4,300 people dead or missing.

AFP

Ciro Immobile, a member of Italy’s Euro 2020-winning team, announced his retirement at the age of 36 in a video published Friday.

In the video, Immobile addressed his teammates at French Ligue 1 club Paris FC, which he joined in January.

“It’s a very difficult moment for me because it’s the end of one of the greatest periods of my life. I loved this job with all my heart, but I want to be honest with myself about the current situation,” he explained.

“If I can no longer keep pushing when I’m in pain, when I’m training, if I can’t give my best, it’s hard,” he added.

It’s not an easy decision because you are incredible guys, a great family… but for me it’s time to spend time with my family. They followed me everywhere, I needed them for 17 years, and today they need me.”

The prolific Immobile scored 350 goals in 656 matches for a series of clubs.

He notched 207 goals in 340 matches for Lazio, where he played from 2016 to 2024, becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer

Immobile also played abroad, for Borussia Dortmund (2014-2016), Sevilla (2016) and Besiktas in Turkey.

He won 57 international caps and was part of the Squadra Azzurra side that were crowned European champions in a tournament delayed until 2021 by the Covid pandemic, when Italy beat England in a penalty shootout at Wembley.

After a serious thigh injury left him sidelined in Italy, Immobile joined Paris FC in February until the end of the season with an additional year as an option.

He managed just two league goals for the newly promoted club that is owned by the LVMH luxury brands family.

AFP

The All Progressives Congress and Accord Party have been accused of engaging in a vote-buying jamboree across Osun State as agents of both parties offer voters between N10,000 and N20,000 ahead of today’s governorship election.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that, unlike previous elections, the vote-buying started six days before the poll.

According to some voters, the parties also collected the account numbers of thousands of voters a week before the election, with plans to credit them after voting.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is being challenged by Bola Oyebamiji of the APC, Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress and nine other contestants.