It said expanded local production is critical to reducing import dependence, lowering costs and increasing agricultural productivity.

The inspection was led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, Engagement and New Media Strategy, O’tega Ogra.

The presidential fact-finding delegation visited major fertiliser production and blending facilities in Lagos, Kaduna, Rivers and other states participating in the restructured Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI) under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).

The exercise assesses production capacity, quality control, operational efficiency, and the impact of government intervention in making quality fertiliser more affordable and accessible to farmers.

Speaking during the inspection in Kaduna, Ogra described local fertiliser production as a strategic national priority amid global supply chain disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions and rising input costs.

He said Nigeria has abundant raw materials needed for fertiliser production and should maximise local capacity to guarantee sustainable food production.

“When we have about 80 per cent of the raw materials in Nigeria and can produce fertilisers, why import them? If we have locally produced fertilisers with proper quality control, the standard of farming will improve, crop yields will increase and we will strengthen food security and food sovereignty in our country,” he said.

According to him, government investment in local fertiliser production aims to shield farmers from global price fluctuations, improve agricultural output, create jobs, and promote industrial development.

At OCP Africa’s Kaduna Blending Plant, the delegation inspected the company’s blending process, where fertilisers are produced to match the nutrient requirements of specific crops and soil conditions rather than using a uniform formulation.

The plant’s General Manager, Peter Amahwe, said quality assurance was essential to protecting farmers’ investments.

“What is key is that when the farmer is paying for these nutrients, he knows that the nutrients he is paying for are exactly what he is getting. The labour, seeds and every other investment depend on that quality. If the fertiliser is compromised, the farmer’s entire production plan is affected,” he said.

Amahwe said the company carries out extensive laboratory analysis to develop customised fertiliser blends for crops such as maize, rice, cocoa and ginger.

The delegation also visited Barbedos Fertilisers & Blending Company Limited in Kaduna, where officials inspected a facility with a blending capacity of about 90 metric tonnes per hour.

Production Manager Nasser Ismail said local blending had reduced production costs while creating employment opportunities.

 “Our primary objective is to produce high-quality fertiliser blends tailored to the distinct soil and crop requirements of Nigerian farmers.

“By blending locally, we are reducing costs, creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for young people and supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

He added that the company uses moisture-resistant BOPP-coated packaging to preserve fertiliser quality during storage and transportation.

The Federal Government has continued to reposition the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative by promoting local blending and encouraging the use of indigenous raw materials while importing only essential inputs such as phosphate.

The initiative is intended to protect farmers from international market volatility, improve access to quality fertiliser and strengthen domestic agricultural production.

Government estimates indicate that the programme has saved about ₦61.58 billion in 2026 through lower fertiliser costs and increased local production.

Under the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (RH-FISP), implemented by the National Agricultural Development Fund, 515,720 bags of locally blended fertiliser are being distributed to 128,930 smallholder farmers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Officials said the ongoing inspection of fertiliser plants underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that locally produced fertiliser meets global quality standards while expanding farmers’ access to affordable farm inputs, improving crop yields and strengthening Nigeria’s food security.

Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN, Nigeria's first female Accountant-General of the Federation, will on Sunday, 5th July, 2026, receive the prestigious City People Magazine Woman of the Year Award 2026 at the City People Awards for Excellence scheduled to hold in Lagos.

According to the letter of conferment signed by the Publisher of City People Magazine, Dr. Seye KEHINDE, OON, the award is designed to recognise, reward and celebrate outstanding personalities, public office holders, politicians and organisations whose achievements, leadership and contributions have made significant impacts on society and national development.

Founded in November 1996 by renowned journalist and media entrepreneur Dr. Seye KEHINDE, City People Magazine is the Nigeria's foremost celebrity, entertainment and society publication. Headquartered in Lagos, the magazine has built an enduring reputation for chronicling fashion, lifestyle, corporate achievements, high-profile personalities and major social events across Nigeria and West Africa. It is widely respected for its exclusive celebrity interviews, high-society profiles, lifestyle features, entertainment news and its flagship annual City People Awards, which honour excellence and outstanding accomplishments across various sectors.

Dr. MADEIN is being honoured in recognition of her exceptional contributions to public service, financial management, community development and humanitarian service, particularly her historic achievement as the first female Accountant-General of the Federation of Nigeria.

Born on March 7, 1965, in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, Dr. MADEIN's life has been defined by discipline, integrity, excellence and selfless service. She built an impressive academic and professional profile, earning degrees in Accountancy and Business Administration before obtaining a Doctorate in Management Finance. She is also a Fellow of several prestigious professional bodies, including ACCA (UK), ICAN, ANAN, the International Association for Strategy Professionals (IASP), and the Society for West Africa Internal Audit Practitioners.

With a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, Dr. MADEIN served in several strategic Ministries, Departments and Agencies before making history as Nigeria's first female Accountant-General of the Federation. During her tenure, she strengthened key public financial management reforms, including the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), and initiatives that enhanced transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline in the management of public resources.

Beyond her outstanding public service, Dr. MADEIN has remained deeply committed to the development of her ancestral home, Iperu-Remo, and the wider Remoland. Through her leadership and interventions, numerous community development projects have been facilitated, including road infrastructure, solar street lighting, water projects, youth and women empowerment programmes, employment opportunities and sports development initiatives.
Her passion for humanitarian service is further demonstrated through the Olowo Oloye Foundation, which has become a platform for transforming lives through scholarships for indigent students, girl-child education, women and youth empowerment, free ICT training, support for widows and vulnerable persons, as well as free healthcare outreach programmes.

A devoted wife and caring mother, she is happily maried to Engr. Sir Adeleke MADEIN, and has successfully combined an exemplary public service career with a stable and admirable family life, making her a role model for women and future generations of leaders.
Following her retirement from the Federal Civil Service in March 2025 after over thirty years of meritorious service, Dr. MADEIN continues to inspire through mentorship, philanthropy and thought leadership. Her book, "Beyond the Ledger: A Journey in Public Finance and Governance – Musings of the First Female Accountant-General of the Federation", stands as a valuable resource for serving and aspiring public servants.

The conferment of the City People Magazine Woman of the Year Award 2026 is a fitting recognition of a life dedicated to excellence, integrity, nation-building and service to humanity.

Congratulations to Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN on this well-deserved honour.

Temitope OYEKAN
Consultant on Media to Dr. Oluwatoyin MADEIN
4th Julý, 2026

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over a rapidly escalating outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a deadly Ebola strain, which has killed 454 people and infected 1,481 others in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and France, fuelling fears of a broader regional health crisis.

WHO said the outbreak, driven by sustained transmission in Congo’s conflict-ridden eastern provinces, is evolving rapidly and poses a severe threat to neighbouring countries due to cross-border movement, fragile health systems and humanitarian crises.

According to the update, “As of July 1, Congo had recorded 1,460 confirmed infections and 452 deaths, with health officials warning that the disease continues to spread into new health zones.”

Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, while France confirmed an imported case involving a doctor who returned from Congo after treating infected patients.

“This outbreak is expanding at a dangerous pace, particularly in areas affected by insecurity and displacement.

“The conditions on the ground are creating major barriers to surveillance and response, increasing the risk of undetected transmission,” WHO said in its latest update.

Health authorities say the latest figures represent a steep increase of 564 new infections and 220 deaths in less than two weeks, underlining the scale and speed of the crisis.

It reported that the epicentre remains Ituri Province, where more than 91 per cent of all cases have been recorded. Major hotspots include Bunia, Rwampara and Mongbwalu.

“Alarmingly, 102 healthcare workers have also been infected, with 25 deaths among them, a development experts say reflects dangerous gaps in infection prevention and control,” the report noted.

WHO said over 10,800 contacts are currently being monitored in Congo, while Uganda has successfully completed surveillance for over 800 contacts, with no new cases reported since June 21.

In a worrying sign of international spread, French authorities in the report disclosed that a middle-aged doctor who worked for five weeks in Ituri tested positive upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The doctor reportedly self-declared symptoms and was immediately isolated.

WHO praised the move, saying: “Early self-reporting and rapid isolation significantly reduce transmission risk and demonstrate the importance of border health vigilance.”

Bundibugyo virus disease is one of the lesser-known but deadly Ebola strains, with symptoms including fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and internal bleeding. There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the virus.

WHO warned that overcrowded camps for displaced persons, weak healthcare infrastructure and insecurity in eastern Congo could worsen the outbreak.

“The combination of conflict, mass displacement and limited access to clean water and healthcare is a perfect storm for Ebola transmission,” WHO said.

Despite the rising toll, WHO advised against travel or trade restrictions on Congo and Uganda but urged stronger border surveillance and community-based response systems.

The agency classified the outbreak risk in Congo as “very high”, “high” in Uganda and neighbouring border countries, but “low” globally.

With the disease now crossing continents, global health authorities said the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Africa can contain yet another deadly Ebola outbreak before it spirals further.

Online had reported that the Depot Nigerian Army said it has not received any formal complaintor credible evidence to substantiate rape allegations linked to some recently passed-out personnel, even as it reaffirmed that an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct would be thorough and transparent.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, Major Ibrahim Yahaya, the Army stated that the allegations had been attributed to the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, and amplified on social media platforms.

The army appealed to victims and witnesses of the alleged assault at the UNIOSUN hostels to provide evidence to assist its ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct involving some recently passed-out military personnel

It, however, said the Board of Inquiry earlier constituted to investigate allegations against its personnel remains at work.

In a statement released on Friday by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, the institution welcomed the Army’s decision to set up a Board of Inquiry but expressed concerns over the expectation that alleged victims should report directly to the same institution whose personnel are the subject of the allegations.

According to the university, such an approach does not take into account the trauma, fear, intimidation and psychological barriers that often discourage survivors of sexual violence from reporting directly to institutions they may associate with the alleged perpetrators.

The institution also rejected any suggestion that it should reveal the identities of affected students or compel them to appear before military authorities.

“Osun State University owes every student a duty of care, confidentiality and protection. The University will not compromise the privacy, dignity or safety of any student by disclosing identities without their informed consent or in contravention of applicable laws,” the statement said.

UNIOSUN reiterated that the welfare and safety of its students remain its top priority, adding that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, would continue to support students who report harassment, assault or abuse.

According to the statement, “the Vice-Chancellor’s earlier comments were not intended to prejudge the outcome of any investigation or sensationalise the matter but were made in fulfilment of the University’s responsibility to address concerns affecting the safety and well-being of its students.”

The university maintained that investigations into allegations of sexual assault should be victim-centred, independent, transparent and capable of inspiring public confidence.

“The University believes that survivors of sexual violence should never be placed in circumstances where they may reasonably fear intimidation or victimisation by being required to report directly to those connected with the subject of an investigation,” the statement added.

UNIOSUN also disagreed with the Depot Nigerian Army’s characterisation of the Vice-Chancellor’s comments as unconfirmed or potentially misleading, insisting that the remarks were made responsibly, in good faith and in line with the institution’s statutory and moral obligation to protect its students.

The university further announced that it had instructed its legal advisers to commence appropriate legal proceedings to safeguard the integrity of the institution, the reputation of the Vice-Chancellor and the interests of its students.

“The appropriate judicial process provides the proper forum for resolving the issues arising from this unfortunate development,” the statement said.

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Blessing Umo, has lauded Governor Umo Eno on the delivery of the CNG buses and the recent unveiling of the 350-bed hospital, describing the projects as enduring legacies for future generations.

Umo spoke with journalists on Friday in Uyo after the July edition of the State Projects Delivery Meeting held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, where the governor highlighted key achievements and ongoing initiatives across strategic sectors, including the unveiling of the 350-bed Ibom International Hospital and the delivery of 20 CNG buses, among others.

Umo said the introduction of the CNG buses and the International Hospital project reflect a government driven by innovation, foresight, and a clear determination to improve the living standards of the people.

According to her, the Governor has once again demonstrated that sustainable development is anchored on deliberate investments in sectors that deliver long-term value to citizens.

She noted that the CNG mass transit initiative represents a major milestone in the state’s push for modern, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly transportation, adding that it would ease mobility challenges while aligning Akwa Ibom with global clean energy standards.

The introduction of CNG buses is not just about expanding the transport system; it is about embracing innovation, reducing transportation costs, promoting environmental sustainability, and positioning Akwa Ibom as a leader in clean energy mobility,” she said.

Speaking further on the Ibom International Hospital, the IPAC Chairman described it as a bold and strategic investment that would significantly transform healthcare delivery in the state and the region.

This is a project designed with future generations in mind. They are enduring investments that will continue to serve our people long after today’s political discourse has faded. Governor Umo Eno is laying a solid foundation for a healthier, more prosperous, and economically competitive Akwa Ibom State,” she added.

She called on Akwa Ibom people, regardless of political affiliation, to support initiatives that promote collective progress, noting that development must always transcend partisan considerations.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has shared an AI-generated image of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, days after her comments on micro-enterprises sparked widespread criticism on social media.

The image, posted on the Presidency’s official social media accounts on Friday, depicts the First Lady at a roadside akara stand wearing an apron bearing the inscription, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”

The post followed remarks by the First Lady during an interview in which she said small-scale businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and making kuli kuli require little start-up capital.

She explained that the Federal Government was supporting such ventures with grants rather than loans as part of efforts to improve livelihoods.

We’re trying to give hope, and to start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” she had said.

Her comments triggered mixed reactions, with many Nigerians accusing her of being insensitive to the country’s economic realities, while others defended her, saying she was highlighting accessible business opportunities.

The Presidency’s AI-generated image has further fuelled debate online, with supporters describing it as a light-hearted response to critics and others condemning it as trivialising the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.

Reacting on X, a user identified as @Top_GunM wrote, “Warra country. It’s so unfortunate. This is meant to be the wife of the president of the most populous black nation in the world and this is what she’s being reduced to.”

Another user, who tweets as #mizmuchstella, criticised the Presidency’s media team, saying, “Whoever is the handler of this account should be sacked. Your job is to position this government as good, but it is obvious you have no basic knowledge of your job.”

Also reacting,zaddy wilver who identifies #WilverZaddy said, “I hope Nigerians are seeing the man they voted for using them to catch cruise? Is this what a president is supposed to say? A president directly mocking the masses while the economy bites harder with high level of insecurity in the country. Such a big pity and mess.”

CHEQNBALNCE who identifies as #ChimaAmako82045 described the post as an insult to Nigerians, “Keep enjoying this mediocrity n insult you are giving Nigerians, e just remain months to vote the idiotic family out of aso rock, and na that time when una wan rig am na him una go know Nigerians pain. Enjoy it while it last but remember it won’t last forever.”

Straight who writes as #outtahighbee argued that the Presidency was hurting its own image., “lol You guys are not helping this president of ours at all. You think you are but you keep dragging the old man down and further down with this cruise. Everybody can’t sell akara and kuli kuli now Abi iru wahala wo leleyi gan sef? Oro yin su mi o.”

Gentry☮️ who tweets as #gentrytee22 said the image reflected how poorly the government rated citizens, describing it as “a nationwide meme.”, “This is to show how small the government of the day rates its citizens. You advocate for mediocrity and call it innovation , people who wants better for themselves complain now it has to turn to a nationwide meme being used by the government media team lol. It’s a shame”

Highlighting rising living costs, Bruno Fernandes broda who identifies as #AminJaman added, “Even akara has becomes more expensive because beans, oil, and transport costs keep rising. The smile is beautiful, but behind it is the reality of soaring food prices, expensive cooking gas, and declining purchasing power.”

Tim Oma who writes as #SirTimeyin defended the post, arguing that Nigerians had initially turned the First Lady’s remarks into memes.”I find it interesting that so many people are suddenly outraged. When the First Lady’s “Akara” comment became content, Nigerians turned it into skits, memes, and endless cruise. We laughed, and moved on. Now the President has added his own quota to thesame joke, and everyone is wailing. Why the surprise? Once a national issue becomes entertainment, don’t be shocked when those in power start treating it like one too. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Sta M who tweets as #sto0511M welcomed the image, urging the Presidency to continue releasing similar content. “Thank you for this image we want more of these kind images to dish out to them so that theh can continue roaming in 1 roundabout,abeg pepper ???? dem more for us our body sey sweet us with that PBAT statement”

Tinubu had on Thursday playfully referred to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara” (Mama Akara Seller), in an apparent light-hearted reference to the recent controversy surrounding her remarks on small-scale businesses.

The President made the remark while observing protocol during his address at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House, Abuja.

A video of the event, shared by Aso Rock TV on YouTube, showed Tinubu smiling as he acknowledged dignitaries in attendance before turning to the First Lady.

The Federal Government has flagged off the distribution of emergency obstetric and newborn healthcare equipment, commodities and delivery kits worth N10bn to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services in Bauchi State.

The intervention, unveiled on Saturday by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, is aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through the provision of medical equipment, ambulances, maternity kits and essential drugs to healthcare facilities across the state.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, said the intervention formed part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery nationwide.

Pate disclosed that the Federal Government had invested about N10bn in Bauchi through the programme, noting that the state had continued to benefit from several health sector interventions under the current administration

He listed some of the interventions to include the establishment and upgrade of federal health institutions, revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, training of frontline health workers and provision of critical healthcare infrastructure.

According to him, 20 primary healthcare centres across 15 local government areas will receive labour and delivery equipment, including suction machines, oxygen concentrators, blood pressure monitors and newborn care equipment.

He added that the intervention also includes 17,000 maternity kits for pregnant women, essential drugs and medical commodities, 15 tricycle ambulances for rural communities and six conventional ambulances to improve emergency referrals.

Pate explained that the maternity kits would ease the financial burden on expectant mothers by providing essential items needed for safe delivery, while all medical commodities would be supplied free of charge.

He urged healthcare workers and facility managers to ensure that the equipment and commodities were used strictly for their intended purposes.

“Do not divert these items or charge patients for services that have been provided free by the government. There should be no under-the-table payments,” the minister warned.

He added that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had been mandated to monitor the utilisation of the equipment to prevent diversion.

The minister also announced that the first batch of National Health Fellows from Bauchi had been absorbed into the Federal Civil Service, while another cohort had commenced the programme, describing it as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce.

In his remarks, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, describing it as a major boost to healthcare delivery in the state.

He said the equipment, ambulances and medical commodities would significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality, particularly in underserved rural communities.

The governor noted that his administration had upgraded 138 primary healthcare centres to Level II status, constructed three general hospitals and was rehabilitating the Bauchi Specialist Hospital.

He added that the state had installed solar-powered systems in several hospitals, distributed over 64,000 Mama Kits free of charge and recruited thousands of healthcare workers to improve service delivery.

Mohammed reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to funding the health sector, stating that Bauchi consistently allocates at least 15 per cent of its annual budget to healthcare in line with international recommendations.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Emirate Committee on Health and Emir of Dass, Usman Bilyaminu, thanked the Federal Government for prioritising maternal and child healthcare.

The traditional ruler commended Pate for championing reforms that were improving access to quality healthcare and lauded Mohammed for investing in health infrastructure, recruiting skilled personnel and meeting counterpart funding obligations for healthcare programmes.

He pledged the continued support of traditional institutions in mobilising communities to embrace maternal, newborn and child healthcare services across the state.

The reports that the event included the graduation ceremony of National Health Fellows Cohort I and the inauguration of Cohort II of the fellows.

The Ekiti State Police Command has rescued worshippers abducted during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church, Eda-Oniyo, in Ekiti State on April 28.

The command disclosed this in a statement on Saturday by its spokesperson, SP Sunday Abutu.

Abutu said the victims were rescued through sustained intelligence-led operations involving the police, the military, other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and the Ekiti State Government.

According to him, the victims have been taken to a hospital for medical examination and treatment.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Falade Adegoroye, commended the security agencies for their professionalism and collaboration, describing the rescue as a product of effective inter-agency synergy.

The police commissioner also appreciated Governor Biodun Oyebanji for supporting security agencies in the state and thanked residents for providing useful information that aided security operations.

Adegoroye said efforts were ongoing to arrest those responsible for the abduction.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious activities to security agencies.

The worshippers were abducted on April 28, 2026, when suspected gunmen attacked an overnight Christ Apostolic Church service in Eda-Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The attackers killed the presiding pastor and abducted 16 worshippers, including women, children and an elderly woman.

The kidnappers initially demanded a ₦1bn ransom, later reducing it to ₦50m. Although the community reportedly raised and paid ₦10.5m alongside other items demanded by the abductors, the victims remained in captivity, prompting protests by residents and a resolution by the House of Representatives calling for their immediate rescue

NAN

Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva on Friday, the UNHCR Deputy Director for the West and Central Africa Bureau, Andrew Wyllie, said the humanitarian situation had deteriorated significantly across the Lake Chad Basin, which spans parts of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

According to the UNHCR, more than 3.5 million people are currently forcibly displaced across the basin, while 8.2 million require humanitarian assistance.

The agency said security incidents increased by 80 per cent between January 2024 and April 2026.

The agency disclosed that between September 2025 and May 2026, nearly 1,800 security incidents and more than 5,700 fatalities were recorded, including attacks on civilians, killings, kidnappings, explosions, clashes between armed groups and raids on villages.

The UNHCR identified Borno State in northeastern Nigeria as the epicentre of the crisis, saying repeated attacks by non-state armed groups, military operations and growing insecurity along roads and displacement routes continue to force families from their homes while limiting humanitarian access.

It noted that the effects of the conflict have spread beyond the North-East, with insecurity and displacement increasingly affecting the North-West and parts of the Middle Belt.

The agency said that since January 2026, more than 77,500 people have been displaced across the four countries, including over 16,000 refugees who fled attacks in northeastern Nigeria to Niger’s Diffa region, where humanitarian partners are providing emergency assistance.

The UNHCR warned that violence is increasingly crossing national borders, with attacks in one country triggering displacement in neighbouring states.

It said persistent attacks continue to fuel insecurity in Cameroon’s Far North, while recurrent attacks and military operations in Chad’s Lac Province have displaced about 60,000 people, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in May

The agency expressed concern that civilians are bearing the greatest burden of the conflict, noting that recent protection monitoring found that one in five households no longer feels safe in its own community.

Women and girls, it said, face increasing risks of violence while specialised protection services remain critically overstretched.

The UNHCR added that the number of people who know survivors of violence has risen to 27 per cent in 2026 from 19 per cent in 2025, reflecting a worsening protection environment despite widespread underreporting.

Children have also been severely affected, with about half of those living in the hardest-hit areas out of school. In Chad’s Lac Province, the figure exceeds 78 per cent

The agency further reported that one in four people surveyed said there were separated or unaccompanied children in their communities, rising to one in three in Cameroon’s Far North.

Wyllie commended governments across the region for keeping their borders open to people fleeing violence and for supporting displaced communities.

He said, “UNHCR is working with them across all four countries to assist people fleeing violence, monitor risks, support new arrivals and ensure families can access documentation, assistance, and, where conditions allow, pathways to return, reintegration and recovery.”

The agency, however, warned that humanitarian operations are struggling to match the scale of growing needs.

Wyllie said, “UNHCR and partners urgently need $29 million through December 2026 to sustain operations, maintain critical protection and assistance in high-risk areas, and support government-led regional stabilisation efforts.”

He cautioned that, “Without timely and flexible support, protection gaps will widen, displacement will continue to spread across borders, and the risk of a more entrenched regional crisis will increase. The trajectory remains deeply concerning, but it is still reversible with sustained support now.”

Operatives of the Kebbi Hisbah Board, under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, have arrested 25 youths in Argungu town for alleged involvement in immoral acts.

The Director of Shariah of the Board, Sirajo Kamba, confirmed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

He said: “On July 3, the Kebbi Hisbah Board carried out a raid at a hotel in Argungu and successfully apprehended 25 suspects allegedly involved in immoral activities.

Those arrested include 12 males and 13 females.

“The operation is part of the board’s ongoing efforts to combat social vices, promote moral values, and maintain peace and decency across Kebbi,” he said.

Kamba added that the board would conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with the law, and anyone found culpable would face the appropriate legal process. (NAN)

The debate over the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s comments on akara and kulikuli businesses has found its way into a university examination, as a question in a Second Semester 2025/2026 paper at the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Kogi State, tasked students with producing an advocacy advertisement copy around the theme.

The examination question, sighted by our correspondent after it was shared on Facebook by a page identified as Northern Nigeria on Saturday, was set for students of the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, sitting the Advertising Copy Writing (MCM 214) paper.

Question one of the paper read in part, “The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has asked you to do an advocacy ad copy with the title, Beyond Akara and Kulikuli Empowerment, with the sole aim of encouraging Nigerian women and youths to embrace small-scale businesses.”

Students were then required to identify four factors to consider in writing the copy, mention three body copy styles, justify the most suitable style for the ad, and sketch the copy with images and text, altogether worth 30 marks out of the total obtainable in the section.

Reports that the First Lady had, in June, urged Nigerian women to embrace small-scale businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kulikuli, describing them as low-capital ventures that could be sustained with grants rather than loans, while addressing State House correspondents after a meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors in Abuja.

The remarks, however, triggered swift criticism on social media, with many Nigerians accusing her of trivialising the economic hardship facing citizens amid rising food prices, inflation and unemployment.

Tinubu later defended her comments, insisting the Federal Government’s empowerment programmes extended beyond akara sellers to include traders in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain, while speaking at the inauguration of a hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State. She disclosed that the Federal Government had given N100m to the Jigawa State Government to empower 2,000 petty traders in the state, with each beneficiary to receive N50,000 to recapitalise their businesses.

The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, also came to her defense describing the backlash as a “performative circus of selective amnesia” and arguing that critics had ignored the scale of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s interventions across health, women’s empowerment and support for vulnerable groups.

Vehicles and other property were destroyed during a fresh communal clash between the people of Eleme Local Government Area and neighbouring Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, prompting the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to order a full-scale investigation into the incident.

Saturday news gathered that the clash, linked to a protracted land dispute between the two LGAs, started with heavy shooting on Thursday night.

It was learnt that some properties, including vehicles, were burnt in one of the communities.

A source in one of the communities claimed that two persons were missing and that a search team had been set up to ascertain their whereabouts, while an official report had been lodged with the police authorities.

In a viral video seen by our reporter on Friday morning, a Hilux van was in flames while the ear-splitting sound of sporadic shooting rented the air, with people shouting and running as a result of the melee.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Eleme LGA, Obarilomate Ollor, has placed an immediate suspension on all real estate activities within the area, alleging an influx of land grabbers targeting property along the Woji–Aleto–Alesa Link Road and the Akpajo axis of the Port Harcourt Ring Road.

Ollor, in a statement he personally signed and obtained by our correspondent on Friday, also threatened legal action against non-compliant property developers in the area.

This unacceptable situation has resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and a growing threat to peace, security, and lawful economic activities within Eleme.

“As a responsible government, we have a constitutional obligation to protect the lives and property of every resident of Eleme and to uphold law, order, and peaceful coexistence. We will neither fold our arms nor allow criminal elements to dispossess our people of their ancestral heritage.

“All persons directly or indirectly involved in illegal land grabbing within the Eleme axis of the Woji–Aleto–Alesa Link Road, the Agbonchia–Akpajo axis of the Port Harcourt Ring Road, and other parts of Eleme are hereby directed to immediately cease such activities and vacate the affected areas or face the full weight of the law.”

The Eleme LG boss further said that to ensure a thorough investigation into the dispute, the council had petitioned the Rivers State House of Assembly through the lawmaker representing the area.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the shooting, saying the Commissioner of Police had ordered a probe.

Agabe noted that the two LGAs had been embroiled in a lingering land dispute, pointing out that the matter was already before a court.

She stated, “What led to the shooting is a land dispute that has been ongoing for years and both communities are currently in court for that. There was no casualty, only a Hilux vehicle was burnt. The Commissioner of Police has intervened in the matter and has ordered an investigation.

“And as we speak, the investigation is ongoing.

The World Health Organisation has launched the world’s first global database on the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections.

This provides countries with a centralised platform to access standardised and quality-assured data to strengthen disease surveillance and improve public health responses.

Announcing the initiative on Friday, the WHO said the open-access database is the first global platform to consolidate STI prevalence data from low- and middle-income countries collected from 2010 onwards.

The agency said the new resource addresses long-standing challenges in accessing reliable country- and population-specific data by bringing together both published and unpublished evidence from multiple sources in a single platform.

WHO’s Director of the Department for HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Dr Tereza Kasaeva, described the database as a significant milestone in the global fight against STIs.

“This database represents a first major step forward in our ability to understand the burden of sexually transmitted infections across diverse populations and settings.

“By making these data openly accessible, we are equipping countries and partners with the evidence needed to design targeted interventions, strengthen surveillance systems, and accelerate progress towards reducing the global impact of STIs,” Kasaeva said.

According to the WHO, the database currently covers five STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes simplex virus type 2, syphilis, and trichomoniasis, saying it is designed to expand as more evidence becomes available.

As of June 2026, the platform contains data from 766 studies, representing 2,453 prevalence data points collected from a wide range of populations and settings.

These include household surveys, studies involving pregnant women and adolescents, key populations, sex workers, attendees at STI clinics, as well as baseline data from intervention and case-control studies.

The WHO said only studies that met strict quality criteria were included in the database.

“These criteria include clearly defined population groups, adequate methodological information, sample collection conducted mostly from 2010 onwards, and study populations of at least 100 participants,” the global health body said.

According to the agency, the extensive evidence compiled in the database will help improve understanding of STI epidemiology in both the general population and groups at higher risk of infection.

The WHO noted that the platform will be updated regularly as new studies are published and reviewed, while its scope will be expanded to include additional STIs in response to emerging public health priorities

The organisation said the database is intended to support policymakers, national disease control programmes, researchers, industry, community organisations, and funding agencies by providing better access to STI-related data.

It added that improved access to high-quality prevalence data will enable countries to develop evidence-based interventions, strengthen surveillance systems, and enhance regional and global estimates of STI burden and trends over time.

An international police operation spanning seven countries has uncovered highly organised networks of offenders who drug and rape their partners and use online chat groups to aid and encourage their “horrifying” assaults, authorities said on Thursday.

According to CNN, the victims are women who are sedated before being raped and sexually assaulted, Europol and Britain’s National Crime Agency said.

The online groups provide a haven for predominantly male perpetrators to coordinate assaults, share information as well as post videos and photos of the abuse, they said.

German and British crime agencies, with the help of law enforcement from the United States, Brazil, Canada, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Spain, have launched a joint operation to tackle the “evolving threat,” Britain’s NCA said in a statement on Thursday

The police found out that the victims have no idea they have been sexually assaulted until they are contacted by the authorities, and the abuse is committed by “someone they know and trust, and in some cases by multiple connected offenders,” the agency said.

The investigations come after the high-profile case of Gisele Pelicot in France, whose husband solicited dozens of strangers to rape her while she was unconscious, in a case that shocked the world and sparked a cultural reckoning on gender-based violence and misogyny in the country.

Since launching the cross-border police collaboration, dubbed Project Medusa, in April, European investigators say they have identified more than 150 offenders and victims, and opened more than 270 new leads.

But the true scale of these crimes and number of victims is unknown and “almost certainly underreported,” according to Britain’s NCA.

“Drug-facilitated sexual assault is no longer isolated behaviour, but increasingly organised, conducted via coordinated networks and enabled by digital platforms, requiring a more sophisticated operational response,” said Nigel Leary, deputy director at the NCA.

Perpetrators seek to “objectify and dehumanise” their victims and in some cases the abuse takes place over decades, said Europol, which is coordinating the operation.

They use encrypted messaging services, forums, and closed chat groups to exchange experiences, normalise abusive behaviour, facilitate the illegal trade in prescription medications and narcotics, and coordinate criminal acts,” it added.

In these online groups, offenders share information about which drugs to use, how to administer them, how to avoid detection, and request and share videos and photos of the abuse.

Siobhan Blake, the rape and serious sexual offences lead for the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service, said the abuse “is some of the most horrifying I have seen in my career.”

“Victims are being subject to horrendous sexual offending in their own homes in an ultimate breach of trust,” she said.

Police warn that victims can be any age, social background or ability, and have encouraged anyone who suspects they have been a victim of drug-facilitated sexual assault to come forward.

Across Europe there have been several arrests and convictions in recent years of men who have been accused or found guilty of drugging and raping their unconscious partners.

Dominique Pelicot was handed a 20-year prison sentence in 2024 for organising the drugging and rape of his then-wife Gisèle. Fifty others were also convicted.

Last year, German national Fernando P. was found guilty of drugging and raping his unconscious wife for years and sharing video of his crimes online, and sentenced to 8 years and 6 months in prison

Also in 2025, Zhenhao Zou was convicted of raping 10 women in the UK and China and jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years. Police and prosecutors said Zou contacted students of Chinese heritage on WeChat and dating apps, and lured them to his apartments to drug and assault them

According to the BBC on Friday, their target, Pouria Zeraati, works for the Persian language channel Iran International, that is critical of the Iranian government.

Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, attacked him in March 2024 as he walked to his car near his home, just around the corner from the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

At the Old Bailey in London, Stana was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Badea to eight, after being convicted last month of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said, “For anyone to act on behalf of Iran and to plan and carry out an attack on a journalist, on British soil, is deplorable.

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message to the Iranian regime and those who do its bidding.”

The knife attack left Zeraati in hospital needing stitches for three stab wounds in his leg.

Police said that in the lead up to the attack, two men approached the victim as he left his home, heading towards his car.

One asked for money, before the victim was then held by a man, and stabbed multiple times in the leg by the second man.

They then made off on foot before getting into a blue Mazda.

The court heard that Stana drove the Mazda getaway car. Zeraati said Badea wielded the knife, while a third man, David Andrei, held him while he was being stabbed.

The men then left the UK on a flight to Geneva from Heathrow Airport. Andrei is still in Romania, Badea and Stana were extradited to the UK.

Sentencing Badea and Stana, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said “I am sure that this was an attack for – or for the benefit of – a foreign power. The victim Pouria Zeraati was not selected at random.

“He had previously been subject to threats,” she said, and there had been posters put up in the Iranian capital Tehran with his photograph and the words “Wanted. Dead or alive.”

The judge concluded that Stana knew or should have known that the attack was being carried out on behalf of Iran, but said she was not sure that Badea knew.

The court heard that the attack had been planned for “at least one year” with extensive surveillance of Zeraati’s home in Wimbledon

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Zeraati said the attack had caused him “significant sleeplessness. The incident has left me scared and anxious,” he said.

He explained that he has had to move address several times and that he is afraid of going out on his own.

“I find it difficult to go to restaurants for fear of being followed,” he said. “I am always looking over my shoulder.”

Iran International said the attack on their journalist “was appalling – terrifying for him and his wife, and shocking to his colleagues at Iran International.

“Our journalists are subject to an ongoing campaign of intimidation by the Islamic Republic of Iran – both in Iran itself where their relatives are routinely threatened and treated harshly as well as to themselves on British soil. We are more than thankful for the protection given us by the police and the UK authorities.”

After the sentencing, Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle said, “This abhorrent attack was carried out on behalf of Iran before both men cowardly fled the country.

“With the support of our international partners, we brought them back to the UK and now they will spend years behind bars.”

She added that they take “the threat from Iran extremely seriously, and we will continue to hold the regime to account.”

Lawyers for both men submitted that they did not know that they were working for Iran when they carried out the attack.

Stana’s barrister Peter Caldwell KC said, “He did not know it and could not know it. He is not a sophisticated person. He is functionally illiterate. He is not aware of current affairs.”

For Badea, David Spens KC said, “I do not dispute that the prosecution has established that the attack was carried out on behalf of a foreign power.”

But, he said, “There is no evidence from which it can be inferred Mr Badea had knowledge of those matters.”

Ch Supt Kris Wright, head of protective security operations for Counter Terrorism Policing London said, “It was our case that this targeted and violent attack on a journalist was carried out on behalf of the Iranian regime, and the judge agreed with that assessment of the evidence.

“Our recent casework shows an increasing use of so-called ‘proxies’ by hostile foreign states to conduct illegal activity and attacks in the UK.

“Our message to anyone being asked to carry out activity by foreign states or even unknown entities online is to think again, because you will be caught and you will face justice.”

The Continental Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Continent 3, Pastor Johnson Odesola, has defended comments made by the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, saying they were misinterpreted and unfairly portrayed as a defence of President Bola Tinubu over the country’s insecurity.

In a statement titled, “Pastor Adeboye Deserves Fair Hearing, Not Unfair Criticism,” Odesola said many critics relied on short social media clips instead of listening to the cleric’s complete remarks delivered at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C.

According to him, Adeboye never denied that insecurity had worsened in the country but acknowledged that terrorism, banditry and kidnapping had spread beyond the North into several parts of the South.

Odesola argued that the cleric’s remark that Nigerians should not expect the President to “wear khaki and go and fight” was merely an explanation of the constitutional role of a Commander-in-Chief and not an attempt to excuse government shortcomings.

He (Adeboye) did not defend failure. He simply reminded Nigerians that political leaders provide direction while military professionals execute operations.

“Far from defending incompetence, Pastor Adeboye challenged those responsible for national security to produce results. Even more significant was his emphasis on confronting those who sponsor terrorism

This is perhaps the strongest part of his intervention. Terrorists do not operate in isolation. They require money, weapons, logistics, intelligence and political protection. Every insurgent group survives because powerful individuals somewhere are financing its operations,” Odesola said.

Responding to those who questioned why Adeboye should comment on national security, Odesola said religious leaders had historically provided moral guidance and counsel during national crises, citing several biblical figures who advised rulers and confronted injustice.

He maintained that Adeboye had consistently prayed for the country and offered counsel to successive administrations irrespective of political affiliation.

While acknowledging that Nigerians were free to disagree with the cleric’s views, Odesola urged critics to avoid distorting his comments.

He said the country’s insecurity crisis should not be reduced to partisan politics but should inspire collective responsibility from the government, security agencies, the judiciary, traditional rulers, religious leaders and citizens.

Odesola added that rather than condemning Adeboye, Nigerians should focus on what he described as the central message of the cleric’s intervention, namely, the need for decisive leadership, accountability, national unity and sustained efforts to defeat terrorism and those financing it.

Funeral ceremonies for Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei officially began on Saturday, state television reported, an event drawing thousands and intended to serve as a show of strength to the Islamic republic’s foes.

Iranian authorities say they anticipate between 15 and 20 million participants in Tehran alone over the next three days for tributes to the man who ran the country for three-and-a-half decades.

Six days of funeral ceremonies are planned to commemorate Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic republic as its number one from 1989 until his killing aged 86 on the first day of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28.

The events will be scrutinised in particular for any signs of Khamenei’s son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei, who was named supreme leader a week after the killing of his father but is yet to appear in public.

Thousands of mourners carrying red banners — a symbol of vengeance — gathered in the courtyard of Tehran’s vast Grand Mosalla religious complex waiting for the arrival of Khamenei’s coffin, an AFP journalist witnessed. Chants of “death to America” and “revenge, revenge” echoed at the venue.

“We came (to the funeral) because we promised the supreme leader we would stand by him to the very end,” 37-year-old university professor Reza, who gave only one name, told AFP.

“For a long time, we shouted that we would sacrifice our lives for the leader, but it was he who sacrificed himself for us

Javad Akbari, 43, a food-processing plant worker, said: “I never had the chance to see the supreme leader up close, and I regret that. Today, I have come to bid him a final farewell.”

Another AFP journalist saw mourners walking several kilometres to reach the venue. Hundreds of supporters of the Islamic republic had begun arriving on Friday evening outside the Grand Mosalla.

“We want to say a final goodbye to our leader, which is why waiting like this isn’t painful or difficult for us,” Somayye Hamedi told AFP.

Significant security measures have been imposed, with roads blocked and airspace expected to be closed for what is set to be the largest-scale public event in Iran since the burial of Khamenei’s predecessor Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.

• ‘Final goodbye’ –

The coffin will lie in state until Monday, when a procession will pass through Tehran.

On Tuesday it will move to the clerical hub of Qom, before moving on Wednesday to cities holy to Shia Muslims in neighbouring Iraq, then proceeding for burial on Thursday in Khamenei’s home city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran.

Officials who survived the war showed their grief and displayed a united front on Friday, with parliament speaker and top negotiator in the US talks Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf visibly tearful.

Top Iranian officials paying their respects included Ahmad Vahidi, who was named chief of the powerful Revolutionary Guards after his predecessor was killed in the same strikes that killed Khamenei, but had not been seen since.

The coming days will be closely watched for signs of Mojtaba Khamenei, who has communicated only by written statements and is said to have been wounded in the same strikes, though the extent of his injuries was never made clear.

Other relatives killed in the strikes will also be buried, including Ali Khamenei’s infant granddaughter.

International guests paying respects Friday included Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose country has been mediating between Iran and the US, and Russian ex-president Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy head of the Russian security council, who attended on behalf of President Vladimir Putin.

Palestinian militant group Hamas and Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah, both backed by Tehran, were also represented, as was the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

• ‘Call for vengeance’ –

After five weeks of fighting, the Middle East conflict is on hold following an initial accord between Iran and the United States. But Iranian officials have warned Tehran is ready to resume fighting if needed.

“The nation’s call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world,” said Ghalibaf, who urged Iranians to turn out en masse.

Army chief Amir Hatami vowed Israel and the US “will pay for the blood of the martyred leader and all the nation’s martyrs”.

But authorities will also want the event to go smoothly, deeply aware of the risk of crowd crushes that have marred similar events in the past. TV broadcasting guidelines on how to stay safe.

With temperatures well over 35C expected over the next few days in Tehran, tankers were stationed to spray water on the roads to cool down attendees.

Ahead of the ceremonies, AFP correspondents reported that Tehran was quieter than usual, with many normally busy streets free of Tehran’s notorious traffic.

AFP

Actress and filmmaker, Uche Jombo, tells FAITH AJAYI about her career and other issues

Having spent nearly three decades in Nollywood, what do you consider the defining decisions that helped you remain relevant?

The most important decision I ever made was refusing to allow myself to be defined solely by the roles I was given. Very early on, I understood that if I was going to last in this industry, I couldn’t just sit and wait for someone to call my name. I had to keep thinking: What’s next? What can I build?

I watched a lot of incredibly talented people leave because the industry stopped needing them in the way it once did, and that taught me something crucial: talent alone doesn’t sustain a career.

The second thing is that I made a deliberate decision to invest in relationships; not networking in the hollow sense, but building genuine, long-term relationships with directors, writers, producers and crew members. Those relationships kept me in conversations that shaped the industry’s direction.

Then, there’s curiosity. I never stopped being curious about what was changing, what new platforms were doing and what audiences were beginning to want. For me, adaptation isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about understanding the deeper shifts happening beneath the surface.

You have worn different hats, including being actress, writer, producer, director and entrepreneur. Which of these roles has taught you the most about the business side of Nollywood?

I would say producing. When you produce a film, you’re involved in every single aspect of bringing a story to life; and I don’t just mean creatively. You’re managing budgets, negotiating with distributors, planning marketing campaigns, managing actors on set and dealing with investors whose expectations may not always align with your creative vision.

As an actress, someone else carries that financial responsibility and you’re focused on your performance. As a producer, you’re responsible for whether the film recovers its investment. That education is irreplaceable.

It also gave me a different level of respect for the business infrastructure that makes a creative industry function. I began to see Nollywood not just as a collection of stories, but as an economic system; one with genuine flaws that need to be addressed from within.

Many actors only begin to think about structure and career planning after experiencing setbacks. What lessons about career planning and professional management do you wish you had known when you first entered Nollywood?

I wish someone had sat me down and said, “Your face is not your brand. Your consistency, your choices and your reputation are your brand.”

When I started, I was very young and had no framework for thinking about a career. I was simply reacting to opportunities, to what was popular and to what people said I was good at. I didn’t understand that I needed to make proactive decisions, not just reactive ones.

Financial literacy is another area. Nobody in this industry—at least not in my generation—was talking about royalties, contracts or intellectual property. You showed up, performed, collected your payment and moved on.

The idea that you could negotiate terms or ask questions about distribution windows or residuals simply wasn’t part of the conversation when I was starting out. I had to learn all of that the hard way.

I would tell any young person entering this industry today to build structure early, before they actually need it.

What do you think the industry still gets wrong when it comes to talent management, and protecting creative professionals?

Talent management and managers are often viewed as optional rather than essential. Few producers and industry stakeholders truly understand the value that professional talent management can bring to industry development and structure.

Nollywood still lacks a structured mentorship pipeline, industry-wide contract standards and a robust conversation around the mental health and wellbeing of creative professionals. These are responsibilities that talent management companies often end up shouldering.

What are the hidden challenges people do not see behind the glamour of Nollywood?

The public sees the premieres, the red carpets and the social media highlights, and that’s wonderful. But behind all of that is a level of physical and emotional exhaustion that I don’t think is fully appreciated.

There are long shoots with unpredictable schedules, the emotional demands of playing traumatised or deeply troubled characters, and having to immediately return to being yourself at the end of the day. That takes a toll.

For many people in this industry, there is no support system to help them process those experiences. There is still significant stigma around discussing mental health in Nigerian professional spaces, and the entertainment industry is no exception.

I’ve seen colleagues go through very dark periods that the public never knew about because everyone felt they had to project strength.

There’s also the financial instability, which people rarely acknowledge. Even at the height of visibility, there are gaps, such as projects that fall through, payments that are delayed and the constant uncertainty about what comes next.

You learn to separate your public life from your private anxieties, and sometimes maintaining that divide is exhausting in itself.

At a time when filmmakers are increasingly creating content for global audiences, how do you balance international appeal with preserving your cultural identity?

This is a question I think about deeply because I’ve seen both sides of it up close.

There is a version of “going global” that simply erases cultural identity with a bigger budget, where everything specific and local is kept away to make a story more easily exportable. I’m not interested in that.

The truth is that the stories that have broken through internationally have done so precisely because they were culturally specific. Specificity creates emotional truth, and emotional truth is universal.

What we need to resist is the assumption that global audiences can’t handle complexity, follow cultural context or appreciate stories that don’t look like what they’re already familiar with. They absolutely can.

Where I think we need to be careful is in the production decisions that come with streaming deals, such as the gradual drift towards a generic “global” aesthetic that feels like it belongs nowhere in particular.

We have to enter those partnerships with a clear and protected understanding of what we are not willing to compromise.

Your films, including projects such as ‘Damage’ and ‘Holding Hope’, have often tackled social issues and difficult conversations. What draws you to stories that go beyond entertainment and attempt to provoke social reflection?

Film is one of the most powerful tools we have for changing how people see themselves and each other.

When I made ‘Damage’, people told me it was too uncomfortable, that audiences didn’t want to see those realities on screen. But the response we received told me something very different.

As a filmmaker, I am drawn to honest, complicated and raw stories that explore the complexities of being human, particularly as a Nigerian woman in this moment in history.

From your vantage point, how much progress has been made regarding opportunities for women behind the camera, and where do significant gaps still exist?

Progress has been made and I want to acknowledge that because it matters.

When I look at the generation of women directing, producing, writing and building production companies in this industry today, I feel proud. We fought for that space, and it is finally being occupied.

But, I also want to be clear that visibility is not the same as equity. Women are certainly more visible, but are women-led projects receiving the same level of financing as those led by men? Are female directors given the same level of creative trust? Are stories centred on women’s inner lives receiving the same distribution support as action-driven or male-focused narratives?

There is also significant underrepresentation of women in technical roles such as cinematography, sound and editing. These are the people who shape how stories are ultimately seen and heard, and the gender imbalance remains stark. We haven’t fixed that yet, and we need to be honest about it.

Have you ever encountered situations where your competence was questioned because of your gender?

I remember being in rooms as a producer where my creative decisions were questioned in ways I never saw happen to my male counterparts. I also remember being on set as a director and having to establish authority that I shouldn’t have needed to establish in the first place.

Over time, my response has been to refuse to make myself smaller just to make other people comfortable.

I show up prepared because excellence is an argument that is very difficult to dismiss.

But I also want to say this: the burden of proof should not rest on women. The fact that we often have to over-prepare, over-explain and over-deliver just to be taken as seriously as male colleagues who are accepted at face value is a structural problem, not a personal one.

Between cinema releases and digital platforms, where do you see the most sustainable future for Nollywood filmmakers?

I don’t think the answer lies in any single platform. The future belongs to filmmakers who understand how to work strategically across all of them.

Cinema still carries a cultural significance that streaming cannot fully replicate. There is something about the shared theatrical experience that creates a different kind of conversation around a film, and that matters for certain stories.

At the same time, streaming has opened up a much wider audience than would have been possible 10 years ago.

As a filmmaker and producer, what interests me most is the ownership model behind all of this.

Whether you release on Netflix, in cinemas or on YouTube, the fundamental questions remain the same: Who owns the rights? What are your contractual terms? What do you continue to earn if the film generates value over the next decade?

Those conversations need to become standard knowledge within this industry.

The platform is almost secondary to the deal structure. We’ve seen too many cases where Nigerian content attracts enormous global audiences, yet the financial returns to the actual creators remain far too small.

What differences stand out between the Nollywood you joined in 1999 and the generation currently entering the industry?

The generation entering the industry today is more informed than we were, and I mean that entirely as a compliment.

They have access to film education, global cinema and critical writing on the craft of storytelling in ways that many of us simply didn’t when we started. They know their references, understand their rights, come to set with ideas and opinions, and are not afraid to express them. I respect that.

What I sometimes find missing, however, is patience. The pressure of social media and the speed of today’s content cycle have created an expectation of very rapid success. Many young actors want to go from their first role to an award-winning lead performance within a year or two.

For some people, that does happen. But the craft deepens over time.

Learning how to inhabit a character, how to be still on screen, how to truly listen in a scene; those are skills that develop through experience, failure and taking on roles that may not perfectly fit you, then figuring out how to make them work anyway.

I hope this generation finds a way to embrace the longer journey, because lasting careers are built over time, not overnight.

How do you personally define success at this point in your career?

I define success by whether I am still doing work that means something to me.

There was a time when I measured success largely by external markers, such as how many films I was in, how much people talked about me and what the reviews said. All of that still matters to me, but these days, I return to a much simpler question: am I telling stories that need to be told in a way that honours the craft? When I finish a project, do I feel I gave it everything I had?

And perhaps even more importantly, am I building something that will outlast me?

I also measure success by freedom: the freedom to say no to projects that don’t align with my values, and the freedom to pursue stories that may be difficult or commercially risky simply because I believe in them.

That kind of freedom took years to earn, and I don’t take it lightly.

Applause erupted, drums began to beat, and car horns honked: Cape Verde’s narrow loss to Argentina was cause for celebration early Saturday in Praia as the Blue Sharks’ World Cup dream run came to a sad but brilliant end.

The African archipelago of just over 500,000 people progressed to the knockout stages in their first-ever World Cup after drawing with European champions Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in the group stage.

However, after an epic last-32 contest in Miami where Cape Verde pushed Argentina to the brink, the reigning world champions snatched a 3-2 win to move on, and the rank outsiders’ journey was over.

“We lost the match, but we feel like we achieved a victory because we held our own against the world champions,” fan Adilson Soaresz told AFP. “Cape Verde was magnificent”.

The Atlantic island nation has become one of the fairytale stories of this year’s expanded 48-team tournament, confounding expectations.

In Praia, festivities continued until nearly 3:00 am (0400 GMT) with vuvuzelas and live music blasting in the streets.

“Cape Verde leaves the World Cup with its head held high”, supporter Pedro Ramos told AFP from a fan zone in Praia, where Cape Verdeans and visitors had gathered to watch the clash.

We were so close to beating Argentina. We were allowed to dream”, he said, gleeful that the Blue Sharks had made “the Argentines sweat”.

Down to wire –

The overwhelmingly Argentine crowd in Florida was stunned on the hour mark when Deroy Duarte fired in an equaliser for the Blue Sharks to take the game to an extra 30 minutes.

However an own goal from Diney Borges under pressure from Argentina’s Cristian Romero in the 111th minute settled the match, with Argentina moving on to face Egypt.

Cape Verde’s wild success against the world champions and the match’s down-to-the-wire nature made fans feel like they were witnessing something special.

“It felt like watching a World Cup final”, said Armando Lopes, a diplomat. “Who would have ever imagined that Cape Verde would push Argentina to extra-time in a World Cup match?”

Ahead of the game, Cape Verde coach Bubista had said that “we are calm because we earned our place here on merit and there is nothing to fear or worry too much about”.

We know the importance of the match ahead. It is the match of our lives, but we are going to enjoy it and give our best.”

AFP

Cape Verde are an example for other small nations to follow, said defender Pico Lopes, after the islanders came close to pulling off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history against Argentina on Friday.

Defending champions Argentina needed a Diney Borges own goal in the 111th minute to win a thrilling last-32 tie after strength-sapping extra-time in Miami.

A tiny archipelago of just over 500,000 people off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde held Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws on their first ever appearance at the World Cup.

“What we achieved, we wanted to show what was possible for small nations. With big hearts, that you can believe, and dream anything is possible,” Irish-born Lopes told reporters.

I hope this team here now has inspired some young Cape Verdeans to be here next. We show what’s possible. We show what you can do when you get to this stage and meet some of the best teams in the world.”

Goalkeeper Vozinha became one of the stars of the World Cup after his man-of-the-match performance against Spain in the Blue Sharks’ opening game.

The 40-year-old’s social media followers exploded from around 50,000 to over 19 million during the tournament.

“The World Cup means a lot to us, because it is something we have wanted for a long time. We qualified and realised the dream, not just for the national team or me, but for the entire people of Cape Verde,” said Vozinha, who is currently without a club.

“We are very proud of everything we have achieved. Obviously, we are disappointed with the result because we wanted to advance to the next round.

“We knew we were facing a very tough opponent — the world champions –, but I want to acknowledge the entire federation and the whole team,” he added.

“My teammates were fantastic, they were incredible. We went out with our heads held high.”

Argentina had cruised through the group stages, and another Messi-inspired victory seemed on the cards when he opened the scoring in style with his 20th goal in World Cups.

But Cape Verde refused to lie down, twice hauling themselves back onto level pegging.

Deroy Duarte’s strike on the hour mark forced the game into extra-time.

Even when Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead, a stunning strike from Sidny Lopes Cabral’s had them dreaming again before Borges turned into his own net under pressure from Cristian Romero.

Lopes has also become a hero back in Ireland, where he plays for Shamrock Rovers.

Son of an Irish mother and Cape Verdean father, the 34-year-old was recruited to play for the Blue Sharks via networking site LinkedIn.

And he said they had put Cape Verde on the map over the past few weeks.

“When we qualified for the World Cup, we wanted to go and show that we belong here. I think our performances over the group stage and tonight, we showed that we can compete with some of the best teams in the world,” he added.

“One of the pleasing things that has come out of this World Cup is that nobody has to ask what Cape Verde is.

“They know where we are on the map. They know what we’re like as a team. I think all Cape Verdeans around the world who are inspired to be footballers have shown the way today.”

AFP

Wasteful Colombia saw off toothless Ghana 1-0 on Friday to become the final team to qualify for the World Cup last 16.

The South Americans dominated the game at Arrowhead Stadium and had eight shots on target but ended up with just Jhon Arias’s early goal to show for their superiority.

Now they can look forward to a meeting with Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday and a chance to reach the quarter-finals.

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey fizzed a shot just wide in the opening minute but that proved a false dawn for the African nation.

Colombia were forced into an early change when Jhon Cordoba pulled up with an apparent groin injury and was replaced by Luis Suarez.

Minutes later, Ghana were forced into a change of their own when Alidu Seidu came on for the stricken Marvin Senaya.

Colombia went ahead in the 14th minute after substitute Suarez showed persistence on the right flank and crossed for an unmarked Arias to steer home.

That gave Carlos Queiroz’s goal-shy Black Stars, who scored just twice in the group phase, a major headache.

Colombia, roared on by a partisan crowd in Kansas City, continued to dominate, playing fluid, inventive football as they searched for a second goal.

Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz had a wonderful chance to double Colombia’s lead in the 39th minute but scuffed his shot wide.

Early in first-half stoppage time, Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi produced a superb save from Johan Mojica’s downward header.

The half-time numbers made grim reading for Ghana — not a single shot on target and less than half of Colombia’s 319 completed passes — but they were still in the game.

Colombia made hard work of the second period, squandering a number of opportunities to finish off their opponents.

Diaz put the ball in the net but was flagged offside before striking another shot straight at Zigi.

As time ticked down, Juan Quintero flashed a powerful shot wide, but one goal turned out to be enough against a side that failed to muster a single shot on target.

Diaz, named man of the match, said Colombia were improving game by game, though he admitted they needed to be sharper in front of goal.

“We’re just missing that little detail of finishing a bit better and staying composed,” he said. “I think we played a very solid game.”

The winger, who scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga for Bayern last season, also admitted he had lacked composure in front of goal.

“I had chances to convert,” he said. “That confidence I want to have isn’t quite at 100 per cent yet.

“I’m trying to improve game by game. I felt much better in today’s match than in the previous one, without a doubt.”

AFP

Three brothers have been charged with murder in Eswatini after allegedly beating their mother’s boyfriend to death over claims that he was involved in a romantic relationship with her.

The accused — Mlondi Mbuli, 25, Sakhelwe Mbuli, 18, and Lindani Mdziniso, 23 — appeared before the Mbabane Magistrates Court in connection with the killing, which reportedly occurred on June 28, 2026, in Hholoshini, located in the country’s Hhohho Region.

During the hearing, Principal Magistrate Sfiso Vilakati ordered that the three men remain in custody until July 10, 2026, while prosecutors prepare to transfer the case to the High Court, where murder cases are typically tried.

According to investigators, the suspects allegedly attacked the victim, identified as Njabulo Ngwenya, using bricks, stones, sticks, punches and repeated kicks, inflicting injuries that proved fatal.

Police believe the alleged assault stemmed from accusations that Ngwenya was having an affair with the

brothers’ biological mother.

The incident came to the attention of authorities after Sibongile Motsa reported finding her son dead inside her sister’s home in the early hours of June 28.

Court documents state that Motsa discovered Ngwenya’s body at about 1 a.m. before notifying the Royal Eswatini Police Service, which subsequently launched an investigation and arrested the three suspects.

Following their first court appearance, the accused were remanded in custody pending the next hearing and the formal transfer of the matter to the High Court.

Authorities have not disclosed additional information beyond the facts presented during the initial court proceedings.

The case has drawn widespread public interest across Eswatini as investigations continue.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland before Mswati III officially renamed the country in 2018, is a landlocked nation in southern Africa bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Under the country’s judicial system, serious criminal offences such as murder are generally transferred from the Magistrates Court to the High Court after the initial hearing.

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham has revealed how her husband, Kolawole Ajeyemi, influenced her decision to quit smoking cigarettes, describing him as one of the best things that has ever happened to her.

Speaking recently on The Morayo Show, the actress said Ajeyemi gave her a firm warning after she became pregnant, making it clear that smoking cigarettes would not be tolerated around their child.

Kolawole Ajeyemi is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. He lets me be me. I used to smoke cigarettes. I still smoke vape once in a while. But I stopped smoking cigarettes,” she said.

Recounting the turning point, Abraham said her husband first asked her to stop smoking during her pregnancy. After their son was born, he saw her smoking during an outing but waited until later to address the issue.

“He told me that he did not say I should not smoke cigarettes, but he must not see the butt with his child. He warned that anytime he sees such, that would be the end of the marriage,” she recalled.

The award-winning actress said the warning changed her perspective and ultimately led her to give up cigarettes, although she admitted she still vapes occasionally.

Abraham, who married Ajeyemi in 2019, also dismissed suggestions that her husband is uncomfortable with her acting career, including romantic scenes on screen.

“About kissing in movies, my husband is mature. He is not a boy. He is a man. Most of my colleagues’ wives are comfortable with me. I can do every other thing. But promiscuity is not one of them.

“God has blessed me with a platform now; I do not have to kiss anybody like years past,” she added.

The Governorship candidate of Allied People’s Movement in Oyo State, Bimbo Adekanmbi, on Friday, sympathised with the traders affected by fire outbreak at the popular Bode Market in Ibadan South West Local Government Area of the state.

Adekanmbi donating N2.5 million to the victims.

The guber hopeful, who visited the market to assess the extent of damage, described the incident as a painful loss for many families and business owners.

He further expressed sadness over the destruction of goods and means of livelihood caused by the inferno, urging the victims to remain hopeful despite the unfortunate incident.

The news had earlier reported that the early morning inferno destroyed many shops and goods worth millions of naira, especially at herbal section at the market.

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An eyewitness, simply identified herself as Serifat, told our correspondent that, “The blaze caused extensive damage, leaving many traders counting their losses. We have not known the cause of this fire incident.”

Bode Market is one of the largest markets in Ibadan metropolis, and is widely known as a major trading hub for herbs, animal skins and other traditional products.‎
‎It serves traders from across the South-West and other parts of Nigeria.

It will also be recalled that similar incident had, in September, 2024, completely razed to the ground over 40 shops at a popular Oranyan market, herbal section, in Ibadan North East Local Government Area of the state.

Though no life was lost, the incident destroyed multimillion naira property and herbs.

APM candidate said, “The donation of N2.5 million to the affected traders is to cushion the effect of devastating a loss.

The gesture is intended to provide immediate relief and demonstrate solidarity with those affected.

“The fire disaster has further highlighted the need for improved safety measures in markets across the state, including better fire prevention facilities and emergency response systems.

“I, therefore, call on well-meaning individuals to extend assistance to the victims to enable them to rebuild their businesses and restore their means of livelihood.”

APM candidate prayed for the affected traders, expressing hope that they would recover from the losses and return to their businesses stronger.

The traders who received the donation appreciated Adekanmbi for identifying with them during the difficult period, describing his visit and support as timely and encouraging.

Mrs Florence Ajimobi has arrived in Vienna to formally assume duty as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Austria and the International Organisations in Vienna.

Announcing her arrival in a post on Facebook on Friday, Ajimobi said she was received at the VIP Wing of Vienna International Airport by the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy and Permanent Mission, Mr. Muyiwa Onifade, alongside officials of the mission and members of the Nigerian community in Austria.

“Today, I arrived in Vienna to assume duty as the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Austria and the International Organisations in Vienna,” she wrote.

Ajimobi added that she was “warmly received at the VIP Wing of Vienna International Airport by the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy and Permanent Mission, Mr. Muyiwa Onifade, accompanied by Home-Based Officers, Local Staff, and distinguished leaders of the Nigerian community in Austria, including representatives of the Oduduwa Group, Igbo Cultural Group, Nigeria-Austria Friendship Group, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), and Nigerian Students in Austria.”

Expressing appreciation for the reception, she said, “I am deeply grateful for this heartfelt welcome and look forward to strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Austria.”

Online reports that in November 2025, President Bola Tinubu forwarded the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

The nominees include 17 non-career ambassadors and 15 career ambassadors, who will be posted to countries and international organisations critical to Nigeria’s foreign relations.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday said he had been in the “wrong party” during his time in the Peoples Democratic Party, maintaining that he found his political home after defecting to the All Progressives Congress.

Akpabio made the remarks during the inauguration of access roads to the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in the Karsana District of the Federal Capital Territory to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

Responding to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who had described him as an “uncommon performer” during his days in the PDP, Akpabio urged members of the APC National Working Committee to disregard the comment, saying it referred to a period before the APC was formed.

“Please ignore the comment of the honourable minister that I was an uncommon performer in PDP. He is not talking about PDP of today,” Akpabio said.

Explaining his political journey, the Senate President said he had already spent more than seven years as governor of Akwa Ibom State before the APC was founded in 2014.

“A progressive-minded person like me should belong to a progressive family. And therefore, when APC came to be, I discovered that that was my group, that I was in the wrong party called PDP. So I took my exit early and joined the progressives,” he said.

Akpabio argued that the PDP had since become fragmented, adding that he recognised Wike as the “national leader of the winning faction” of the opposition party.

Shortly after that, you now know what happened to PDP. They are fragmented. So, I don’t know how you are going to put it together, but I recognise you as a national leader, national leader of the winning faction of PDP because you are doing well,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Akpabio recounted Wike’s visit to Akwa Ibom during his tenure as governor, saying the FCT minister had toured one of the state’s underground drainage projects and remarked that he would “perform miracles” if given the opportunity to govern Rivers State.

The Senate President said Wike eventually lived up to that promise after becoming Rivers governor, adding that he jokingly told him he had supported him to become governor “not to surpass what I did” and urged him to “take it easy.” According to Akpabio, delivering infrastructure had since become part of Wike’s “DNA.”

Akpabio’s latest remarks came two days after he took a swiped at the PDP during the inauguration of Akinwumi Ajibola Street in Abuja, where he said he was surprised the opposition party was still in existence and urged Wike to allow it “die.”

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has overturned a judgment of the Oyo State High Court that permitted Muslim students of the International School, University of Ibadan, to wear hijab as part of the school’s uniform.

In a split judgment delivered on Friday, the three-member appellate panel held, by a majority decision of two to one, that the Supreme Court’s decision permitting the use of hijab applies only to public schools and not private institutions such as the International School, University of Ibadan.

The appellate court set aside the earlier judgment delivered by Justice Moshood Ishola of the Oyo State High Court, which had held that the school’s ban on hijab violated the affected students’ constitutional rights to freedom of religion and freedom from discrimination.

The suit was instituted by 11 students with the support of the Muslim Rights Concern.

Delivering the lead majority judgment, Justice Biobele Georgewill, with Justice K.I. Amadi concurring, held that “ISI is a private school, not a public institution, thereby overturned the earlier judgment on the matter.”

‎He submitted that the right to religion is a personal right that can be waived.

He added, “The students had waived that right by signing an undertaking to obey ISI’s rules and regulations, including its dress code.

In public schools, you can wear hijab on school uniforms based on the judgment of the Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court is yet to make any decision on the use of hijab in private schools.”

However, Justice Fadawu Umar dissented, holding that the appeal lacked merit and ought to be dismissed.

The dispute over the use of hijab at the International School, University of Ibadan, began in 2018 after some Muslim students challenged the school’s prohibition of hijab as part of its uniform policy.

In 2022, the Oyo State High Court ruled in favour of the students, holding that the restriction violated their constitutional rights.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the school authorities appealed the decision, leading to Friday’s ruling by the Court of Appeal.

Actor, James Olarenwaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has revealed that the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, gifted him a brand-new car, luxurious gifts, and a chieftaincy title following the birth of his son.

The actor made the revelation in a Facebook post shared on Thursday, in which he expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler for what he described as a royal welcome, fatherly love, and the honour extended to him and his wife, fashion designer Abiodun Tokunbo, popularly known as Luminee.

“My deepest gratitude to His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife. Baba, thank you for the royal welcome, fatherly love, and the confidence you gave my wife Afolashade Omiyinka and I,” Baba Ijesha wrote.

He added, “For the luxurious gifts you blessed us with, and the brand new car — I am truly humbled. As a son of the soil. I’m also honoured by the chieftaincy title Baba Awada Konge Oduwa. Ile Ife, Ile Oodua! … ATI IJOYE PELU GBOGBO OMO ILE IFE THANK YOU SIR/MA.”

The development comes weeks after Baba Ijesha and Luminee continued to attract mixed reactions online following a post announcing the birth of their son, which went viral on June 15, 2026.

Before the announcement, Luminee had revealed the gender of her baby in a post shared on June 13, 2026, without identifying the child’s father. She later shared additional posts, including maternity photographs featuring herself and Baba Ijesha, after which congratulatory messages poured in from fans and well-wishers.

Baba Ijesha was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after being convicted of indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault of a minor. He regained his freedom in November 2025 after serving his jail term.

The Benue State Government has mourned a former Secretary to the State Government, Prof. David Salifu, who died after sustaining gunshot injuries in an attack by suspected bandits along the Wukari-Makurdi road.

Salifu was reportedly attacked on Thursday on the outskirts of Wukari while travelling to Makurdi. He later died from his injuries in the early hours of Friday.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, described the late Salifu as a dedicated public servant whose contributions to governance and education left a lasting impact on the state.

The statement, issued on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia, said Salifu served the state with “uncommon diligence, integrity and intellectual distinction.”

It added that his contributions to public administration, scholarship and human capital development earned him widespread respect and left an enduring legacy.

“On behalf of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Governor of Benue State, the Government and the good people of Benue State, the Secretary to the Government of the State, Dcns. Serumun Deborah Aber extends heartfelt condolences to the Salifu family over this painful loss.

“The Government of Benue State joins the family, friends, the academic community, and all who knew him in mourning this illustrious son of Benue,” the statement read in part.

The government prayed for God to grant the family the strength to bear the loss and repose the soul of the deceased.

There is palpable tension in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State following the decision of the state government to sack the elected leadership of the Orba Modern Market Traders Association.

The development comes despite a subsisting High Court order restraining the government from taking such action, declaring it illegal and unconstitutional.

The modern market was built by a private company with a $60m loan (about N84bn) obtained from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme in 1996.

The project was designed to insulate the market from government control in order to promote trade and self-employment for traders.

The loan, which has been fully repaid by the traders, was facilitated by a former Vice-Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a native of the area, Prof. Julius Onah, who was then a consultant to the World Bank.

While the Orba community donated five hectares of fully developed land for the project, the Enugu State Government provided N8m as counterpart funding.

Before the latest development, an Enugu High Court sitting in Obollo Afor, presided over by Justice Comfort Chinyere Ani, had, in a judgment delivered on May 13, 2025, ruled that the state government lacked the power or authority to sack the elected leadership of the traders or set up a caretaker committee to administer the market.

The court also awarded N1m in damages against the state government over its action.

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment obtained by PUNCH Online on Friday, Ben Okolo represented the Enugu State Government in the suit, while Obi K. Odo represented the traders.

Declaring the setting up of a caretaker committee as arbitrary, Justice Ani held: “In the final analysis, I hereby make the following orders: It is hereby declared that the leadership of the Orba Modern Market Amalgamated Traders Association (OMMATA) remains with the elected executives headed by the plaintiff, Brendan Ugwu, as chairman,” having emerged on September 22, 2023, until the expiration of his four-year tenure.

“The Defendant, Enugu State Government, is hereby perpetually restrained by themselves, agents, privies or howsoever described, from interfering with or interjecting in the collection, management and control of OMMATA or howsoever usurp the offices/functions and rights of the plaintiffs.”

However, in a fresh twist, the State Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, in a statement dated June 25, 2026, announced the suspension of the Ugwu-led OMMATA executive over allegations of “unruly behaviour.”

The suspension letter, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Ifeanyi Onah, on behalf of the Commissioner, Ogbu Nwobodo, also announced the appointment of Hon. Edward Emeka Eze as the General Manager of OMMATA.

In a follow-up letter addressed to Ugwu and dated July 1, 2026, the newly appointed general manager ordered the ousted chairman to hand over all association properties, records and responsibilities to the caretaker committee.

The letter read in part, “I write with reference to the suspension of the Executive Committee of OMMATA, led by Brendan Ugwu, by the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, Enugu State… over allegations of unlawful activities in Orie Orba International Market.

“Consequent upon the suspension and constitution of a caretaker committee by the ministry, you are hereby directed to immediately hand over all OMMATA properties, records, documents, financial books and records, and account details.”

Traders in the market have expressed concern that the government’s defiance of the court order could trigger a breakdown of law and order in the community.

Egypt’s talisman and captain Mohamed Salah was named to start the last-32 World Cup encounter with Australia in Texas on Friday following a hamstring niggle.

The former Liverpool attacker came off in Egypt’s final group game, a 1-1 draw with Iran, a week ago.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had said on Thursday that he was “not sure” if the 34-year-old would be fit to start.

But Hassan named him in a starting XI that also includes Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush in attack.

Salah has one goal and two assists so far at the tournament in North America, and averages a goal every other game for his country.

Egypt and Australia are both attempting to win a World Cup knockout game for the first time when they meet at the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

The winner will face either Lionel Messi’s reigning champions Argentina or debutants Cape Verde in the last 16.

AFP

Ekiti State Government has directed all commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators in the state to register and undergo biometric data capture on or before July 18.

This was  to be part of efforts to curb criminal activities and strengthen security,

The Commissioner for Transportation, Kehinde Ajobiewe, who gave the directive during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado-Ekiti, said the exercise was in a bid “to strengthen security, enhance public safety and improve regulation of the transportation sector”.

This was contained in a statement made available by the ministry in Ado Ekiti on Friday.

Ajobiewe stated, “The biometric registration of all commercial motorcycle riders and tricycle operators will begin on July 6. Operators who failed to register and obtain the required permits by July 18 will face sanctions in line with the state’s transportation regulations.”

He urged leaders of motorcycle and tricycle unions to mobilise their members to participate fully in the exercise before the deadline.

The commissioner said, “The Ministry of Transportation will ensure that every operator is properly screened and issued a valid riding permit upon completion of the registration process.

The exercise is aimed at creating a comprehensive database of operators, facilitating proper identification and curbing criminal activities associated with unregistered transport operators.

“The registration will be conducted at all offices of the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue across the 16 local government areas of the state.”

Ajobiewe said the initiative would also provide the government with reliable data for transportation planning, improve service delivery and address challenges facing the commercial transport sector.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration to “strengthening security, promoting an orderly transport system and improving the welfare of transport operators in the state.”

Stakeholders at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Bayo Abulola; representatives of the commissioner of Police and Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander; the Chairman of the Okada Riders Association, Mr Kunle Asaolu; and the Chairman, Tricycle Operators Association, Mr Akinola Talabi, among others.

Commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators play a major role in public transportation across Ekiti State.

However, concerns over the use of unregistered operators by criminal elements have prompted the government to introduce biometric registration as part of wider security measures aimed at improving public safety and ensuring proper regulation of the transport sector.

Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew has become one of the most talked-about figures in Nigeria following allegations that he presented himself as the Director-General of a government agency the Presidency insists does not exist.

Adeyemi, who describes himself as a public administrator and investment promoter, is currently facing an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of forgery, impersonation and operating a fictitious government agency.

Despite the criminal charges, he has continued to insist that he is the legitimate head of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, an agency the Presidency has repeatedly described as non-existent.

Adeyemi came under national scrutiny after claiming to be the Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also referred to in some documents as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

He claimed the council was established to attract foreign investment into Nigeria and alleged that it had offices, staff, bank accounts and official government approvals.

He also alleged during a television interview that he paid ₦400 million to secure his appointment, a claim the Presidency has strongly denied.

Presidency says agency is fake

The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, has consistently maintained that the agency has no legal backing and was never created by the Federal Government.

According to the Presidency, Adeyemi forged official documents, including appointment letters bearing the names and signatures of senior government officials, to portray himself as the head of the council.

It also alleged that he operated from an office inside Phase III of the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, where he reportedly hosted meetings with government officials, diplomats, foreign investors and members of the public.

Investigators further alleged that he sought a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate visa applications for individuals linked to the purported agency.

Budget controversy

The controversy deepened after reports showed that an entity listed as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, or similar variations, received over ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

According to budget documents, the allocation comprised about ₦802.98 million for personnel costs, ₦200 million for overhead, and ₦300 million for capital expenditure, bringing the total allocation to more than ₦1.3 billion.

The budget provision has attracted widespread public scrutiny, with critics questioning how an agency the Presidency now describes as non-existent was included in the federal budget.

While acknowledging the budget allocation, the Presidency has maintained that the PFIPC was never lawfully created or recognised under the Tinubu administration.

The issue has also prompted calls from opposition figures, lawyers and civil society groups for an investigation into how the agency made its way into the budget despite the multiple approval stages involving the Budget Office, Federal Executive Council, National Assembly and presidential assent.

Arrest and court case

Following a petition by the Chief of Staff in October 2025, security agencies launched an investigation.

Adeyemi was arrested on October 27, 2025, while operating from the Federal Secretariat.

Police investigations reportedly uncovered dozens of bank accounts allegedly linked to him, including accounts said to have been opened using false representations.

On November 27, 2025, the Nigeria Police filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi and two others before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges include forgery, impersonation, false personation and operating a fictitious government agency.

His next court appearance has been scheduled for July 27, 2026.

Previous controversy

The latest allegations are not the first time Adeyemi has attracted public attention.

In 2016, he was widely reported to have emerged as President-General of the World Youth Organisation, which he claimed was affiliated with the United Nations.

The claim received widespread media attention before the UN reportedly denied any affiliation with the organisation, prompting questions over its authenticity.

The Presidency has cited the episode as evidence of what it describes as a pattern of false representation.

His defence

Speaking on Thursday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Adeyemi rejected allegations that he is an impostor.

“I’m not a con artiste. Let the court decide on the matter.”

Questioning the Presidency’s position, he argued that he could not have openly interacted with senior government officials if the agency did not exist.

“Let’s assume the agency does not exist. Would I have the temerity to be going all over the country meeting the heads of agencies and departments if they know that the agency does not exist or, as alleged, that I cooked everything?”

He also pointed to his meetings with ambassadors and other government officials as evidence supporting his claims.

Adeyemi acknowledged that he is a member of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State but denied suggestions that his alleged appointment was a political reward.

Questions over background

Adeyemi has publicly claimed to have attended Anglican Grammar School, Igbara-Oke, studied at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and obtained a master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario in Canada.

However, those claims have not been independently verified by government authorities or major public records.

For now, the legitimacy of his claimed appointment remains at the centre of a legal battle, with the Presidency maintaining that the PFIPC was never established and that the matter should be determined by the courts.

The Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has announced a revision of the 2025/2026 academic calendar for public primary and secondary schools across the state, confirming that schools will resume on July 6 for the continuation of the current academic session.

The adjustment was contained in a circular dated July 2, 2026, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. B.T. Oyinloye.

According to the circular, “schools are to resume on Monday, July 6, 2026, for the continuation of the academic session.”

The ministry stated that the resumed academic term “will run for six weeks, ending on Friday, August 14, 2026.”

Under the revised calendar, students and teachers will proceed on a four-week break immediately after the end of the term.

The circular noted that the ministry “approved a four-week holiday beginning from Monday, August 17, 2026, to Friday, September 11, 2026.”

The revised schedule also provides a commencement date for the next academic year.

According to the ministry, “the 2026/2027 first term will commence on Monday, September 14, 2026.”

The changes affect public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State and form part of the updated academic calendar issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The calendar adjustment follows a month-long strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers, which shut public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State from June 1, 2026, over the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area.

Online reported two days ago that the strike was suspended after engagements with the Oyo State Government.

NUT President Titus Amba said the union decided to return to classrooms “because of the little ones who remain at home and can’t go to school because of the incident.”

Meanwhile, the industrial action was triggered by the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LG, during which gunmen abducted teachers and pupils and killed two teachers.

The incident sparked protests and calls for stronger security measures to protect schools and secure the victims’ release.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Mr Michael Akintomide, has urged the aggrieved members of the party to shun the ongoing protest against the candidates’ list and come together to work for the victory of the party in next year’s general election.

‎Some aggrieved members of the staged protests in Akure, against the list of candidates for the National Assembly election, released by the national secretariat of the party and sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

‎In the same vein  supporters of a member of the House of Representatives representing Ondo East/ Ondo West Federal Constituency, Mr Abiola Makinde also protested against the exclusion of the lawmaker’s name from the candidates list.

‎However, the APC House of Rep candidate, Akintomide, while speaking with journalists in Ondo, on Friday, ruled out the possibility of the protests and agitations affecting the chances of the party from winning the forthcoming election.

He said it was an internal misunderstanding that would be resolved amicably.

‎”There is no need for agitation. For clarity’s sake, the National Working Committee has spoken and there is party supremacy. Whatever they are saying on social media that is contrary to the position of the party should be ignored. Even if there are protests, don’t join them. Believe in the process. The process has produced credible candidates

Not at all. Don’t be surprised. This is not new in any political election. This is the aftermath of an election. People have the right to agitate and express their displeasure. However, at the end of the day, we will come to the round table and understand that the party is superior to any personal interest.

The APC has done so much for this country that we cannot afford to lose the forthcoming election. So trust APC members, trust APC supporters, and trust APC candidates. We will all come together as one eventually and emerge victorious, as we have always done. Our victory is sure; the reelection of President Bola Tinubu is sure next year,”

‎Also speaking, the APC candidate for Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency, Jimi Odimayo, called on party members to rally behind all the candidates produced by the primaries, saying the APC remained one united family despite differing interests during the contest.

‎Odimayo lauded President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for their roles in the primary process and urged members to work for the success of the party at all levels.

‎”I advise all party members to accept the candidates of the party. I advise them to unite and work for the progress of the party. We have a fantastic relationship. It’s one family,” he said.

The House of Representatives Special Committee on Crude Oil Theft has called for the establishment of a special court to fast-track the prosecution of crude oil thieves and other economic saboteurs, saying weak laws and delays in the judicial process have continued to undermine efforts to curb oil theft in Nigeria.

The proposal was made at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Thursday, where lawmakers, security agencies and officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser reviewed the country’s legal framework for tackling crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and related offences.

The meeting forms part of the committee’s ongoing consultations on legislative and institutional measures to address crude oil theft, which has continued to reduce government revenue, cut oil production, discourage investment and threaten Nigeria’s energy security despite years of security operations.

Chairman of the committee, Alhassan Doguwa, said participants agreed on the need to review existing laws, arguing that many of the statutes governing the sector date back to the military era and no longer provide adequate deterrence against increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.

We have also recommended in previous bills before the House the possibility of establishing a special court for these kinds of crimes because the crimes themselves are special.

“If we allow these criminal cases to go through the conventional court system, considering the delays involved, many of them will remain unresolved while the criminals escape appropriate punishment,” he said.

He said the committee and stakeholders had agreed to work together to address legal and institutional bottlenecks hampering the fight against crude oil theft.

The global oil and gas economy is now in an advanced stage. Virtually all oil-producing countries are making progress because they have provided effective legal instruments to address their challenges. For this reason, we believe Nigeria should also review some of its laws,” he added.

Doguwa noted that courts are still relying on outdated legislation enacted during military rule to prosecute offences in the oil and gas sector.

“Unless we provide new measures, new laws and a new legal framework, the courts will continue to rely on this obsolete legislation in handling serious criminality within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“I want to assure Nigerians that the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives through this committee, will partner with the Office of the National Security Adviser to effectively combat crude oil theft and every other criminal activity within the oil and gas environment,” he added.

The lawmaker said Nigeria’s crude oil production remains below budget projections because of persistent theft and pipeline vandalism, stressing that reversing the trend is essential to improving government revenue and restoring investor confidence.

He noted that representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps attended the meeting, describing inter-agency collaboration as critical to addressing the challenge.

Doguwa, however, criticised the absence of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission from the meeting, describing it as disappointing.

“It was rather unfortunate that some of the critical regulatory agencies in the oil and gas sector, particularly the NUPRC, neither attended nor sent representatives.

“We frown at that action and have directed the Clerk of the Committee to write to them, requiring them to appear before the committee because they are key stakeholders in the fight against this serious problem bedevilling our country,” he added.

A member of the committee, Cyril Hart, said the committee’s mandate extends beyond tackling crude oil theft to ensuring Nigeria’s oil assets are fully developed for national benefit.

He said operators that fail to develop oil blocks within stipulated timelines should also be held accountable.

Representing the National Security Adviser, the Director of Energy Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Goodluck Ilajufi, said stronger legislation had become necessary because existing penalties were no longer serving as effective deterrents.

The Assistant Commandant General (Operations) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, David Idowu, also supported the establishment of a special court, saying it would ensure speedy trials and appropriate punishment for offenders.

Nigeria has for years battled crude oil theft, illegal refining and pipeline vandalism, particularly in the Niger Delta, where the activities have reduced production, damaged oil infrastructure, worsened environmental pollution and cost the country billions of dollars in lost revenue.

Although security agencies have recorded periodic successes against oil thieves, industry stakeholders have consistently argued that weak prosecution and light penalties have limited the long-term impact of enforcement efforts.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently battling a fire outbreak at the Bono Energy Terminal in Coconut, Apapa area of the state.

The spokesperson for the LSFRS, Shakiru Amodu, confirmed this in a terse message sent to journalists on Friday.

He wrote, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently curbing a Fire explosion at Bono Energy Terminal on Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway, by Coconut, Olodi Apapa, Lagos. Update to follow.”

The cause of the fire could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report.

Details later…

Brentford have moved to secure the future of highly rated defender Michael Kayode, handing the Italy Under-21 international a new contract that runs until 2032.

Brentford FC officially announced the deal on their website on Friday, confirming that the 21-year-old’s new long-term contract runs until the summer of 2032, with the club holding an option for a further year.

Kayode, who joined the Bees from Fiorentina initially on loan in January 2025 before making the move permanent, has impressed since arriving in England.

The athletic full-back has made 56 appearances across all competitions, playing a key role in Brentford’s solid 2025/26 campaign that ended with a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League. He was also nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.

Brentford head coach, Keith Andrews, hailed the youngster’s progress.

“Michael had an amazing season last year. He epitomised everything good that we do. His development and evolution has been really, really impressive.

“He’s someone that we love working with every single day, who comes in with such an enthusiastic demeanour, and is a joy to be around and to coach.

We’re absolutely delighted that he wants to stay because we love having him here, and this new contract is absolutely deserved,” Andrews said.

The former Juventus youth product began his career in Italy, enjoying a notable spell at Serie D side Gozzano before joining Fiorentina.

He made his Serie A debut in 2023 and featured regularly for the Viola, including in their run to the UEFA Conference League final in 2024.

Since moving to West London, Kayode has quickly established himself.

He scored his first goal for Brentford with a header against Wolves and contributed significantly in both league and cup competitions.

As an Italy Under-21 international, he is viewed as one of Europe’s brightest young right-backs.

The announcement drew widespread reactions online, particularly after Brentford shared the news on their social media platforms.

Smart business from Brentford. Securing one of Europe’s brightest young right-backs for the long term is a massive statement,” #TheFootballCntr posted.

Another user, #Ke_Travy, noted, “Brentford giving Michael Kayode a deal until 2032 tells you everything. They know they’ve got a gem, and they’re not letting him go cheaply.”

Arsenal supporter #Lobi_afc added, “We wanted him at Arsenal, we aren’t perfect in other set pieces” while a Liverpool fan #LFC_Markinho expressed disappointment, lamenting, “Damn, that was my right back choice. No point now as they will want an obscene amount.”

#ogboche5 praised his set-piece threat: “I know that Brentford is not letting him go anytime soon. His long throw-ins are a masterpiece.”

The extension represents a significant coup for Brentford, tying down a key player amid reported interest from bigger clubs. Kayode’s commitment underscores the club’s ambition to build around young talents who have adapted swiftly to the demands of the Premier League.

So far, Morocco remains the only African team to secure passage to the next stage.

The Atlas Lions booked their spot after a dramatic victory over the Netherlands, holding the Europeans to a 1-1 draw after extra time before prevailing in a penalty shootout.

Africa arrived at the expanded 2026 World Cup with a record 10 representatives and enjoyed one of its strongest group-stage performances, with nine nations advancing to the Round of 32.

Tunisia was the continent’s only casualty in the opening phase.

However, Africa’s momentum has been dented in the knockout rounds, leaving Morocco as the lone team through to the Round of 16 ahead of Friday’s decisive fixtures, PUNCH Online reports.

Egypt will be first in action when the Pharaohs take on Australia at Dallas Stadium.

Victory would see Egypt reach the World Cup Round of 16 and continue one of the country’s deepest runs at the tournament.

Later in Miami, Cape Verde face their biggest challenge yet against Argentina in a clash that pits one of the tournament’s surprise packages against one of the favourites for the title.

The island nation has emerged as one of the stories of the competition and now faces a meeting with Lionel Messi’s side.

The final African hope in action on Friday is Ghana, who will meet Colombia in Kansas City.

The Black Stars face an in-form Colombian team as they seek a place in the last 16 and a chance to extend Africa’s presence in the tournament.

With Morocco already through, Friday’s matches will determine whether Africa sends additional representatives into the Round of 16 or whether the Atlas Lions will continue as the continent’s sole standard-bearers in the knockout stages.

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.
• Fill out the application form and upload the application documents to the portal in PDF format. Translations, if applicable, should be uploaded together with the document issued in the original language.
• Submit the application online.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Deadline: August 31, 2026

The Swiss will face the winners of Friday’s tie between Colombia and Ghana.

The effervescent Johan Manzambi created the first goal in Vancouver, surging down the left wing before crossing for Breel Embolo to tap in.

Dan Ndoye slotted in the second, shooting through a crowd of players. Algeria ‘keeper Luca Zidane was unable to get a strong enough hand to the ball on a bitterly disappointing night for the north Africans.

Algeria join Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal as African teams to be knocked out so far at the last-32 stage. Only Morocco have progressed.

AFP

The Abia State Police Command says it has identified and destroyed a suspected criminal camp in the state, warning that there is no hiding place for criminals.

In a statement issued on Thursday, by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, the command said that, leveraging actionable intelligence, it identified and dismantled a suspected criminal camp located within Unuobasi Forest in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

“Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit of the Command, in collaboration with the local security outfit in Umuobasi, carried out the operation on Sunday, 28/06/2026, leading to the destruction of the criminal camp and the disruption of criminal activities in the area. Monitoring of the area is still ongoing”, the statement partly read.

The statement added that the commissioner assured residents that “there will be no hiding place for criminals within the state.”

He reiterated the command’s commitment to its constitutional mandate of preventing crime and apprehending criminals.

The command re-emphasised that the police would continue to take the fight to the enclaves of criminals.

It also advised members of the public, as partners in crime prevention, to report any security concerns, suspicious persons, or activities to the nearest police station.

The President made the remark while observing protocol during his address at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House, Abuja.

A video of the event was shared by Aso Rock TV on YouTube.

It showed Tinubu smiling as he acknowledged dignitaries in attendance before turning to his wife.

Good evening, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara,” the President said, drawing laughter and reactions from the audience

The nickname comes weeks after the First Lady urged Nigerian women to consider small-scale businesses such as selling akara (bean cakes), roasted corn and kuli-kuli through the Renewed Hope Initiative’s empowerment programme.

She had noted that such ventures “don’t take much money” to start.

The statement sparked widespread reactions on social media, with some Nigerians criticising the remarks as insensitive to the country’s economic challenges and accusing her of trivialising the hardship faced by many citizens.

However, the First Lady later clarified that the Federal Government’s empowerment programme was not limited to akara sellers but also covered traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, roasted plantain and other petty businesses.

She spoke on Monday during the inauguration of the newly constructed Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State.

Addressing the criticism directly, the First Lady said the Federal Government had donated N100m to the Jigawa State Government to empower 2,000 petty traders in the state.

“Because of the atmosphere, what is going on, I’ve told Her Excellency that we’ve already given, donated about 100 million to her to use to empower 2,000 petty traders.

“And I know they’ve been talking that I said akara. It’s not only akara, we also have tomato sellers. We have boole, and those also selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market.

“We will continue to empower them and add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable. So that is what we are doing,” she said.

The Southwest Security Stakeholders Group has called on the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to take urgent and decisive action to secure the release of kidnapped victims in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area, and the abducted school children in Ahoro-Esinele, Ogbomoso, both in Oyo State.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Ireti Adewole, on Thursday, the SSSG, a coalition of 14 security-relevant organisations, expressed deep concern over the continued abduction of citizens, which, they said, has heightened fear and insecurity in the affected communities.

The group is made up of the Oodua People’s Congress, Agbekoya Society, including the Agbekoya Peace Movement and Agbekoya Solidarity Movement, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria, Odua Warriors, Vigilante Jahun, COMSAIC, Isokan Ile Oodua, Egbe Obinrin Oodua Agbaye and Omo Oduduwa United, among others.

Recall that on June 16, 2026, Kuburat Omowumi and her son were abducted in Igbope, a community within the Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State.

This is just as no fewer than 42 pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele.

In the statement, the SSSG condemned the failure of the government and security agencies to secure the release of Omowumi and her son, and urged the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to intensify their efforts, deploy adequate resources, and engage all relevant security agencies to rescue the victims immediately.

The statement read, “The kidnapping of school children is a particularly heinous crime that disrupts education and traumatises families and communities. The government must prioritise their rescue operations and ensure that such incidents do not recur.”

The group added that the recent spate of kidnappings in Igbope and Ogbomoso reflects broader security challenges facing the Southwest region.

The statement read, “Insecurity, including kidnappings, armed robbery, and communal clashes, has adversely affected economic activities, education, and social cohesion.

“The Southwest region is in dire need of a comprehensive security strategy that involves state and local government policing, intelligence sharing, and collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities, and private security groups.

“We particularly implore the Southwest State governors to collaborate with the SSSG and all our security apparatus at the grassroots to effectively secure our region.

“Government must also address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social marginalisation.”

Amid growing concerns about the kidnap incidents, the Oyo State Government and security agencies have consistently spoken of ongoing rescue efforts, while stating that it was being careful with information being sent out so as not to jeopardise the lives of the abducted persons.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has produced a string of historic milestones, with many players and teams setting new records on and off the pitch, some of which have even been recognised by Guinness World Records.

The group stage and Round of 32 saw known stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane solidifying their legacy with record-shattering performances.

According to a report released by FIFA after the group stage, the tournament had already become the biggest in World Cup history, drawing a record 4.64 million fans across 72 matches and averaging three goals per game.

Below are some of the major records set during the group stage:

Individual records

• Lionel Messi (Argentina) became the first player to score in seven consecutive World Cup matches.
• Messi also became the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 19 goals.
• At 38 years, 357 days, Messi became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s previous record.
• Cristiano Ronaldo became Portugal’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 10 goals, overtaking Eusébio.
• Ronaldo also became the only player to score in the most World Cup editions (6).
• Kylian Mbappe became France and Europe’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 18 goals, one below Messi as of June 3, 2026.
• Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 11 goals, surpassing Gary Lineker.
• Ismael Saibari (Morocco) became the first African player to score in three consecutive World Cup matches.
• Kevin Pina scored Cabo Verde’s first-ever World Cup goal.

Team records

• A record nine African teams progressed to the knockout stage, surpassing the previous best of two achieved in 2014 and 2022.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cabo Verde, Canada, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and South Africa reached the knockout stage for the first time.
• Cabo Verde became the only tournament debutant to remain unbeaten in the group stage.
• Canada’s 6-0 victory over Qatar marked the first time a CONCACAF nation scored more than four goals in a World Cup match.
• Japan’s 4-0 win over Tunisia became the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history and the biggest victory by an Asian team at the tournament.
• Mexico won four consecutive World Cup matches for the first time, extending its record among CONCACAF nations.
• Senegal became the first African team to score five goals in a World Cup match.
• The United States’ 4-1 victory over Paraguay was its first-ever four-goal haul in a World Cup game.

Coaching records

• Dick Advocaat (Curaçao) became the oldest coach in World Cup history at 78 years, 271 days.
• Hugo Broos (South Africa) became the oldest coach to win a World Cup match at 74 years, 75 days, breaking the record set earlier in the tournament by Carlos Queiroz.

Goalkeeping record

• Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón set a new Guinness World Record for the longest World Cup clean-sheet streak, going 519 minutes without conceding a goal, eclipsing Walter Zenga’s 518-minute mark set in 1990.

In an open letter shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday, Chukwurah commended the President for facilitating the creation of state police, describing the initiative as a step in the right direction.

“I applaud the fact that you once became a fugitive on behalf of democracy in Nigeria and your recent move to facilitate the creation of state police to combat insecurity in our country,” she wrote.

The actress, however, noted that the process of establishing and fully deploying state police across the country, particularly in rural communities, could take between one and two years, while insecurity demands immediate intervention.

She wrote, “Sir, we know the process that will lead to its actual full-scale operations in every state will take at least one to two years, especially in extending its operations into the villages in the rural states where the activities of kidnappers are overwhelming and require immediate urgent solution.”

According to the actress, insecurity and poverty remain major obstacles to national development, adding that the government’s efforts were being undermined by political pressures, corruption and mass unemployment.

“Sadly, your government is facing internal political pressure, external political interference and its own corrupt, dispassionate and shadow-boxing ideas on the issue of combating widespread poverty due to mass unemployment, which is mostly responsible for growing crime in Nigeria,” shs said.

She argued that many Nigerians living in poverty do not understand the challenges confronting the administration and often view the government as the enemy.

“Sir, the average Nigerian living in poverty does not believe that you are not the enemy, or understand that there are challenges your government has to face. This is why I have chosen to make this plea because there cannot be any meaningful progress in the current state of Nigeria crippled by insecurity and poverty from the present economic crisis, no matter how well-meaning your intentions are,” she added.

Chukwurah urged the President to channel part of the National Security Emergency Intervention Fund towards strengthening community self-defence through armed vigilante groups.

“Mr President, please direct the use of a part of the billions of the National Security Emergency Intervention Fund to support community self-defence through vigilantes who are given the capacity to bear arms and protect their communities,” she advised.

The actress condemned the abduction of children, describing kidnappers as “cowards” for holding minors captive under harsh conditions in forests.

“We know that only cowards kidnap children for money, and keep a two-year-old child in captivity in the forest to endure rainfall, poor nutrition, heat and mosquitoes,” she said.

She further alleged that kidnapping had flourished because kidnappers, neighbourhood informants and some “complicit police officers” knew victims were often defenseless.

The actress said, “Kidnapping has thrived in Nigeria because the kidnappers, neighbourhood informants and complicit police officers know that the victims are powerless and helpless.”

She also called for government support to enable schools employ armed security personnel to protect pupils, teachers and other staff members from attacks.

“Mr President, by enabling this immediate line of defence for every community before state police become fully operational, especially the massive population of unemployed poor, and assistance to schools to employ armed security men to defend the lives of children and teachers, you will replace the face of indifference on your leadership with that of compassion,” she concluded.

United Kingdom law enforcement agencies have launched a coordinated national response to combat organised drug-facilitated sexual assault and domestic abuse networks that target women, with offenders using digital platforms to coordinate attacks and share videos of the abuse online.

The National Crime Agency announced the initiative on Thursday, describing organised drug-facilitated sexual assault as an evolving form of sexual violence in which offenders deliberately incapacitate victims with drugs or alcohol before raping or sexually assaulting them.

The crimes are often committed by someone known to the victim and, in some cases, by multiple connected offenders.

Authorities said the abuse frequently occurs within long-term intimate relationships and can continue undetected for years or even decades, leaving many victims unaware that they have been assaulted.

The agency said investigations by the NCA and police forces across the UK had uncovered organised networks operating both online and offline.

Since October 2025, investigators have identified more than 270 individuals linked to an online forum and its successor platforms. More than 210 intelligence packages relating to suspects, perpetrators and potential victims have been shared with law enforcement agencies in the UK and overseas, leading to at least 14 separate criminal investigations.

The NCA said technology had played a major role in enabling offenders to connect, encourage abusive behaviour and facilitate crimes across national borders.

Under the new strategy, the NCA, the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection, police forces, the Crown Prosecution Service, health services, Sexual Assault Referral Centres and specialist organisations will work together to identify offenders, protect victims and disrupt criminal networks.

The coordinated approach is expected to improve intelligence sharing, identify offending patterns earlier and strengthen investigations and prosecutions.

The initiative also builds on reforms introduced under Operation Soteria, which focuses on investigating rape and serious sexual offences by examining offender behaviour and digital evidence rather than relying solely on victims’ accounts.

Authorities said the new investigative approach had already resulted in convictions, while additional prosecutions involving multiple defendants were ongoing across England.

The NCA added that it was strengthening international cooperation through Project Medusa, a Europol-supported initiative launched in April 2026.

Last week, investigators from Brazil, Canada, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States and Europol met at the NCA headquarters in London to exchange intelligence on suspected offenders, victims and online groups.

The operation led to the identification of more than 150 offenders and victims, the launch of over 270 new international investigations and the discovery of four previously unknown online communities.

Despite the progress, authorities said the true scale of organised drug-facilitated sexual assault remained unknown because the crimes are significantly underreported.

NCA Deputy Director Nigel Leary said supporting victims remained the agency’s priority while warning offenders that law enforcement agencies were intensifying efforts to dismantle their networks.

“Drug facilitated sexual assault is no longer isolated behaviour, but increasingly organised, conducted via coordinated networks and enabled by digital platforms, requiring a more sophisticated operational response,” Leary said.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap, Director of the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection, urged anyone with concerns to seek help even if they lacked proof or clear memories of abuse.

“If something doesn’t feel right, you do not need proof or a clear memory to seek help. Police and support services will make sure you are listened to, taken seriously and given the care you need,” she said.

National CPS lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, Siobhan Blake, described the crimes as among the most disturbing she had encountered, saying the coordinated response aimed to ensure victims received justice while exposing abuse that often remained hidden behind closed doors.

The opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo has called for demonstrations in the capital and other cities on Wednesday to demand the resignation of President Felix Tshisekedi, accusing him of attempting to cling to power by changing the constitution.

Political tensions have been rising, more than two years before the vast Central African country, grappling with decades-long conflict and an Ebola outbreak in its east, heads to the polls.

Tshisekedi, 63, came to power in 2019, and his second — and, under the current constitution, final — five-year term is due to end in late 2028.

However, at a rare press conference in May, Tshisekedi appeared to confirm what the opposition had alleged for months.

If the people want me to have a third term, I will accept,” Tshisekedi, popularly known as “Fatshi”, declared.

The dispute now centres on a bill outlining the framework for a referendum on constitutional amendments. The bill was passed by Parliament last month, where the presidential bloc holds an overwhelming majority.

In the DRC, “parliamentary oversight is rarely exercised”, the Ebuteli research centre said in a recent report.

On Tuesday, Tshisekedi announced in an Independence Day address that he had “referred this law to the Constitutional Court for review of its constitutionality”.

A review by the Constitutional Court — whose independence has frequently been questioned — is the final step before the president decides whether to sign the bill into law.

“Over the years, the perceived politicisation of certain judicial bodies, particularly the Constitutional Court, has fuelled debate over how effective this independence truly is,” the Ebuteli Centre said.

The bill has galvanised the opposition, which emerged weakened and fragmented after the 2023 presidential election, which Tshisekedi won with 73 per cent of the vote.

In May, the C64 coalition was formed. Its name refers to Article 64 of the constitution, which allows citizens to oppose any seizure of power deemed unconstitutional.

A key figure in the coalition is former presidential candidate Moïse Katumbi, a wealthy businessman and former governor of Katanga Province, who now lives in exile.

Other prominent members include former minister and lawmaker Delly Sesanga and Martin Fayulu, who also contested the 2023 election and continues to claim victory in the disputed 2018 poll.

History will be unforgiving towards those who chose ambitions of power over the defence of the nation,” Sesanga said recently.

“We will not give in; we are ready to do whatever it takes for the good of the nation,” Fayulu warned.

Sesanga and Fayulu were injured during a June 12 rally in Kinshasa against what the opposition described as a “constitutional coup d’état”, when clashes erupted between pro-government supporters, opposition demonstrators and the police.

The United Nations said at least one protester was killed.

Congolese political analyst Trésor Kibangula said opposition to constitutional amendments could rally public support and “allow the opposition to regain levers for political remobilisation”.

Pressure from street protests and the international community forced former President Joseph Kabila to abandon an attempt in 2015 to extend his rule beyond the constitutional two-term limit by amending the electoral law.

However, public engagement in the country of about 100 million people remains generally low. Voter turnout in the 2023 election was just 43 per cent.

Observers say the low turnout reflects widespread distrust of the political elite, as well as the daily struggle of many citizens to meet basic needs in a country rich in mineral resources but where about two-thirds of the population lives below the poverty line.

In a recent statement, the country’s influential Catholic bishops urged Tshisekedi to “honour the oath he took” to uphold the constitution.

In Africa’s most populous Roman Catholic nation, the Church has traditionally been a vocal critic of those in power. It wields significant influence through its extensive presence across the country and its longstanding role in education, particularly in areas where state institutions are weak.

The bishops also called on the clergy to “awaken” the conscience of the faithful to “resist manipulation” and urged Congolese citizens to “oppose by all legal and peaceful means any attempt to amend” the constitution.

Since colonial times, the Church has held “moral ascendancy” in the DRC and has often served as “a kind of recourse for major questions of national interest”, political scientist Christian Moleka told AFP.

Meanwhile, the government has banned large public gatherings in four provinces, including Kinshasa, because of an Ebola outbreak in the country’s northeast.

It remains unclear whether Wednesday’s opposition march will be covered by the ban.

The body of Iran’s supreme leader, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes that triggered the Middle East war, arrived at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla on Friday ahead of his funeral, state media reported.

Millions of people and a coterie of foreign dignitaries were expected to attend Saturday’s official ceremony for Ali Khamenei, with Tehran’s chief negotiator calling for a massive turnout to avenge his death.

Photos showed mourners carrying Khamenei’s coffin, emblazoned with Iran’s tricolour flag, into the Grand Mosalla, one of the Islamic republic’s most important ceremonial venues.

Others show crowds at a pre-funeral ceremony clad in black, as the coffin is set down against a backdrop of red flowers and white butterflies hanging in the air.

Preparations for Khamenei’s public funeral, initially delayed at the height of the war, are taking place as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt the conflict.

Pakistan, a key mediator in the US-Iran talks, said its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would be attend the ceremony.

China, Afghanistan and Iran’s neighbours in the Caucasus region said they would also be sending representatives.

Workers were readying the Grand Mosalla on Thursday, while security teams stopped passing cars and curious bystanders looked on.

“We are planting flowers and watering the shrubs for the farewell ceremony of our martyred guide,” said worker Hossein Moghadassi, clad in a hat and a scarf to cover his face as the temperature soared.

“People will come from all over Iran. There will be huge crowds.”

Tehran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had called on Thursday for “all the Iranian people…to write a glorious page in the history of Islamic Iran through your presence.”

“The nation’s call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world,” Ghalibaf, who is also Iran’s parliament speaker, added in a statement.

Khamenei, a spiritual figure for many Shias, was killed at the age of 86 in strikes on his compound in the centre of the Iranian capital.

He will lie in state for three days at the colossal Grand Mosalla, which has been draped in banners featuring images and quotes of Khamenei.

The bodies of his slain relatives will also be presented.

The ceremonies are expected to draw between 15 and 20 million mourners, according to officials, which would make it the biggest state funeral in the country’s history.

Ghalibaf called it “one of the most significant moments” in Iran’s history.

Tehran, as well as the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, which will host later stages of the funeral and burial ceremonies, will observe public holidays while the events are underway.

Authorities have ordered public and private offices in Tehran to close from Saturday through Monday, while traffic restrictions will make much of the city centre inaccessible to private vehicles.

The airspace over Tehran will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on Monday.

Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s body will be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala before his burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, his birthplace.

It remains unknown if Khamenei’s son and successor Mojtaba, who has not been seen in public since becoming supreme leader, will be present at the main ceremony in Tehran.

Representatives from around 30 countries are expected to attend the funeral, with people pouring in from neighbouring Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

AFP

The Federal Government has assured residents of Bille Community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State of immediate humanitarian assistance and a permanent solution to the gas seepage affecting the area as investigations continue to determine the source of the incident.

A Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Senator Ekperikpe Ekpo, visited the community on Thursday alongside the Commission Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and representatives of oil and gas operators.

According to a statement by the NUPRC’s Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the delegation delivered relief materials and pledged to provide potable water, intensive medical outreach, additional firefighting equipment and support for electricity supply to ease the hardship faced by residents.

The Commission said the delegation had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who assured residents that the Federal Government was taking steps to bring the situation under control.

According to the governor, requests for potable water, healthcare and firefighting support had been noted and would be addressed without delay.

Fubara also directed the immediate upgrade of the community’s primary healthcare centre to strengthen its capacity to respond to medical emergencies arising from the gas seepage.

Speaking at the palace of the Amanyanabo of Bille Kingdom, HRM Ingo Herbert, Ekpo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to identifying the cause of the seepage and restoring environmental safety.

“Investigation into the root cause is ongoing, and the Federal Government is fully committed to resolving the issue. We will ensure the environment is safe and properly remediated. We are with you on this,” he said.

Eyesan said the NUPRC had completed preliminary investigations but was adopting a cautious approach to avoid worsening the situation before any intervention.

She disclosed that the Commission had engaged an international firm to conduct comprehensive scientific studies, with fieldwork expected to commence before the end of July.

We have carried out preliminary investigations. However, we are carefully managing the situation to prevent further hazards before any intervention,” she said.

She added that experts from across the oil and gas industry were collaborating with the Commission to identify the source of the seepage and implement a permanent solution, assuring residents that they would receive regular updates on the progress of the investigation.

On immediate interventions, Eyesan revealed that preliminary assessments showed the community’s first aquifer had been contaminated.

“Our assessment indicates that the first aquifer has been contaminated, and while we work towards a sustainable long-term solution, we will provide potable water as quickly as possible,” she said.

Responding on behalf of the community, Chairman of the Bille Council of Chiefs, Alabo Okpokia Dokubo, welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention but urged the authorities to fulfil their promises promptly to enable residents to fully benefit from the area’s oil and gas resources.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has said it will picket and shut down Lagos State-owned universities over the refusal of the state government, the owner of the institution, to implement the FGN-ASUU 2025 Agreement.

The affected institutions are the Lagos State University, LASU, the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, LASUSTECH and the Lagos State University of Education, LASUED.

Briefing the press at LASUSTECH Main Campus in Ikorodu, on Thursday, the Lagos Zonal Chairman of ASUU, Prof. Adesola Nassir, said it was unbecoming of the state government to lag in the implementation of the agreement.

He added that after many letters were written to the state government, ASUU members in those institutions would no longer tolerate the seeming neglect by the state government and would take the next line of action.

“We are giving this warning ahead so that there won’t be any allegation that some persons are the ones sponsoring ASUU members to demand their rights. The non-implementation of the Agreement being experienced by our members has left academic staff in the Lagos State-owned universities feeling neglected, undervalued, and increasingly uncertain about the government’s commitment to their welfare.

“You would recall that our union engaged the Federal Government in eight tortuous years of renegotiation of the FGN-ASUU 2009 Agreement, culminating eventually in the signing of the ASUU-FGN 2025 Agreement. To ensure that all stakeholders were carried along, the Federal Government Team comprised Pro-Chancellors of Federal and State Universities, in addition to representatives of other government agencies.

“By this arrangement, we therefore believed that the implementation of the Agreement would be seamless, such that the disruption in academic calendars, occasioned by union strikes over non-implementation, would be avoided. To our utter disappointment, the Lagos State Government appears to be playing the ostrich on this matter. Six months of interaction with some representatives of the Lagos State Government have not produced any concrete results,” he stated.

He asked whether the Lagos State Government is opposed to the welfare of its employees.

“For a state that proudly bears the slogan ‘Centre of Excellence,’ its managers, from the governor to the foot soldiers, know that excellence is sustained by people, particularly by those who create knowledge, educate professionals, conduct research, and shape future leaders. No government can legitimately claim excellence while the intellectual workforce responsible for producing excellence experiences prolonged uncertainty over agreed welfare commitments,” he said.

He added that the staff of the affected institutions are becoming despondent because they are being denied their dues.

The ASUU zonal chairman noted that other states have implemented the agreement, leaving Lagos as the odd one out.

“Our perception is that Lagos State is now more than before synonymous with delayed attention to legitimate staff welfare and this has become a recurring feature rather than an isolated occurrence. We are also disturbed by the lackadaisical manner in which local staff crises and cries in LASU and LASUED is being handled.

“ASUU remains committed to constructive engagement. But we would not allow any state to trivialise our committed struggle to improve the lot of our universities in producing high-quality graduates that would power societal development at state and national levels. Nigerians are aware that our union does not seek confrontation for its own sake. Industrial peace is built not upon an arrogant refusal to implement an agreement borne out of collective engagement.

“On this matter, our union has written to state governments that own universities, inclusive of Lagos State, through the Vice Chancellors. We are also aware of communications to the universities by the Executive Secretary of NUC. Without doubt, you would have been aware of the decision of various state universities in the country to shut down over non-implementation of the FGN-ASUU 2025 Agreement. Our union is giving full backing to this movement,” he said.

Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly set to be sacked as Germany coach, tabloid Bild reported Thursday, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp the favourite to take over in the dugout.

Nagelsmann, 38, has been under fire since Germany’s last 32 exit from the World Cup after a shock loss to Paraguay.

Showing pictures of Nagelsmann at German FA (DFB) headquarters in Frankfurt, Bild reported Thursday the coach had been offered a severance package of seven million euros ($8 million) to leave the position in a three-hour meeting.

Last renewed in January 2025, Nagelsmann’s contract is set to run until 2028.

Figures on his annual salary have not been made public, although German media reports he earns roughly seven million euros per year.

Germany’s loss on penalties to Paraguay marked the third straight early World Cup exit for the four-time champions, after group stage eliminations in Russia and Qatar.

Monday’s defeat was Germany’s first knockout match since winning the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

On Tuesday, DFB president Bernd Neuendorf announced an immediate investigation into the World Cup failure.

A decision on Nagelsmann is expected “by the beginning of next week at the latest”, AFP sports subsidiary SID reported Thursday.

Several German media outlets, including Sky and Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung, have said Klopp is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Nagelsmann.

Klopp stepped away from management after leaving Liverpool in 2024 and has since been engaged as the head of global football for energy drink brand Red Bull, overseeing a multi-club network which includes clubs in Austria, Germany, Brazil, the United States and Japan.

AFP

In a statement on Thursday, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Hauwa Abubakar, disclosed this at the command in Lekki while speaking during the 2026 Half-Year Media Briefing.

The CAC stated that the figure represented an increase of N91.54bn when compared to the N317.3bn collected within the same period in 2025, “amounting to an impressive 28.85 per cent increase in revenue performance.”

“Between January and June 2026, the command generated a total revenue of N408.8bn. This represents an increase of N91.54bn when compared to the N317.3bn collected during the corresponding period in 2025, amounting to an impressive 28.85 per cent increase in revenue performance,” Abubakar said

Abubakar stated that the unprecedented growth is not accidental, adding that it is the product of deliberate strategies aimed at strengthening compliance, improving operational efficiency, and fostering constructive engagement with all stakeholders operating within the Free Trade Zones and Lekki Port.

She maintained that the command’s sustained stakeholder engagement programmes have continued to build mutual trust and encourage voluntary compliance with extant customs laws and regulations.

“Through continuous dialogue, education, and collaboration, we have created an environment where legitimate trade can flourish while ensuring that government revenue is adequately protected. Equally important have been the professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment demonstrated by the officers and men of this command. Their diligence, discipline, and dedication to duty have contributed significantly to these outstanding achievements and have strengthened the confidence of the trading community in the operations of the NCS,” she said.

Abubakar added that in June, the command recorded its highest monthly revenue collection since inception, generating a total of N87.10bn.

The LFTZ Customs boss highlighted that the historic achievement demonstrated the command’s growing capacity and the increasing confidence of investors and stakeholders operating within the Free Trade Zones under its jurisdiction and Lekki Deep Seaport.

She commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for his visionary leadership and the confidence reposed in the command.

While acknowledging what he described as the invaluable support and cooperation of all sister security and regulatory agencies operating within the port and the Free Zones, the CAC commended stakeholders, including investors, licensed customs agents, importers, exporters, and members of the business community, for their cooperation.

“The synergy among our various agencies has continued to enhance security and facilitate legitimate trade in line with the Federal Government’s economic objectives. Your partnership has been instrumental to the command’s success, and I encourage you to sustain this commendable disposition,” she stated.

“As we look ahead to the second half of the year, we are determined to consolidate on these achievements, improve service delivery, and surpass our performance targets without compromising our statutory responsibilities,” Abubakar said.

She said that since its establishment four years ago, the command has become a model of trade facilitation within the service, stressing that its commitment to efficient trade processes and operational excellence has enhanced the ease of doing business while positioning the command as one of the country’s major revenue-generating commands.

The Benue State Government has dismantled illegal roadblocks and unauthorised checkpoints along the Vandeikiya-Konshisha road.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, stated this while speaking with journalists in Makurdi on Thursday.

According to Har, the operation was carried out during his inspection tour of Konahisha, adding that both residents and commuters were happy as a result of the exercise.

He said, “Findings from the route were alarming: more than 20 roadblocks had been mounted, yet only three, which were operated by the Nigeria Police and the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, were legitimate.

“The remaining checkpoints were erected illegally by youth groups, or individuals posing as either VIO officials or untrained BSCPG personnel who mount these points to extort money from motorists and traders plying the route.

The security adviser described the situation as a needless burden on road users and traders, who, he said, lose both time and money to extortion at these illegal points.

Har warned against the practice and urged residents to report any case of illegal checkpoints or extortion to the appropriate authorities.

The Edo State Government on Thursday demolished a building allegedly owned by a suspected kidnap kingpin in Obagie-N’Evbuosa Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, as part of its crackdown on kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The state governor, Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

He said the demolition was carried out by the Principal Security Officer to Governor Monday Okpebholo, alongside security agencies and the Edo State Security Squad.

The squad’s spokesperson, Noah Idemudia, said the building had been identified as a place where kidnapped victims were allegedly kept before being moved to other locations.

According to Idemudia, the property belongs to the alleged leader of a kidnapping syndicate operating in the area. He identified the suspect as Solomon Johnson, who he said is from Delta State and is currently in police custody.

He alleged that the suspect and his gang had terrorised residents of Obagie-N’Evbuosa and recently demanded a N11 million ransom for the release of a kidnapped victim.

He added that the gang allegedly planned to abduct the victim’s wife before security operatives arrested the suspect.

Idemudia said the demolition was intended to serve as a warning to others involved in criminal activities.

He also alleged that while many of the suspected kidnappers operating in the state were non-indigenes, they often received support from local collaborators.

“We are here to demolish this building identified as a den where kidnappers keep their victims. It served as a hideout before they were moved elsewhere.

Edo State is no longer a safe haven for criminals. Anyone who wishes to live peacefully is welcome, but those with criminal intentions should leave the state,” he said.

Idemudia further disclosed that the government would soon invite Okaigheles (community heads) across the state to Government House for discussions on resident profiling and community security.

He said community leaders would be expected to know those moving into their communities and work closely with the government and security agencies to prevent crime.

“As Okaighele, you should know everyone entering your community. You will be held accountable for security lapses in your community, so collaboration with the government is essential,” he said.

Meanwhile, Johnson, who identified himself as a bricklayer from Delta State, admitted during interrogation that he worked for an alleged gang leader identified simply as Efe.

Johnson claimed his role was to sell stolen items, including phones, laptops and other belongings allegedly taken from kidnapping victims.

“I work for a man called Efe, who is involved in robbery and kidnapping. He brings phones, laptops and other valuables for me to sell around Ring Road,” he said.

He added that he was paid commissions from the proceeds, sometimes earning as much as N50,000 from a single sale.

Police investigations into the case are ongoing.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Gombe.

According to the statement, the boy’s father, Muhammadu Nabadara, reported the incident to the Akko Divisional Police Headquarters on June 28 after his son left home the previous day at about 6:30 a.m. and failed to return.

The police said detectives immediately launched an investigation and intensified efforts to trace the missing child.

The statement explained that on June 29, the victim’s family received a telephone call claiming to reveal the child’s location, but the information turned out to be false after police verification.

It added that intelligence-led operations led to a breakthrough on June 30, when operatives arrested the first suspect, identified as Abdullahi Mohammed of Jauro Musa Quarters in Kumo, Akko LGA.

“During interview, the said Abdullahi Mohammed confessed to have conspired with Mohammed Magaji, 35; Sale Sale, 23 and Walida Ya’u, 18, all of Kagarawal Quarters, Gombe, to abduct the victim,” the statement said.

The police said the three other suspects were subsequently arrested and the abducted boy was found in their custody.

“The victim was successfully rescued unharmed and has since been reunited with his family. However, investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution upon conclusion,” the statement added.

Commending the operatives for the successful rescue, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, praised their professionalism and prompt response.

“The Commissioner of Police commends the professionalism, diligence and swift response of the operatives involved in the rescue operation. He reassures residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies,” the statement added.

On July 1, the Ondo State Police Command rescued a 61-year-old woman, Modupe Oladele, who was abducted by armed men in Owo, Owo Local Government Area.

The command said the operation was carried out after a swift response by its operatives under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.

Digital payments can play a critical role in improving tax administration, revenue collection and public service delivery, eTranzact Plc has said.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of eTranzact, Niyi Toluwalope, stated this at the Nigeria Employers’ Summit 2026, organised by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association in Abuja, according to a statement issued by the company on Thursday.

Toluwalope, represented by the Executive Director and Group Head, Public Sector Division, Mr Abubakar Achimugu, said digital payments had evolved beyond facilitating financial transactions to becoming an essential driver of economic growth and accountability.

The statement read, “He said digital payments have evolved beyond simply moving money to becoming an important part of the economy by improving transparency, strengthening revenue collection, enhancing tax administration and supporting better public service delivery.”

Speaking on the role of technology in national development, he said governments across the world were investing in Digital Public Infrastructure as the foundation for efficient modern economies.

He explained that Digital Public Infrastructure was built on three interconnected pillars of digital identity, trusted data exchange and digital payments.

Toluwalope said Nigeria had already recorded significant progress in digital identity enrolment, noting that the country had over 100 million National Identity Numbers and more than 60 million Bank Verification Numbers.

He added that while government provides the enabling policy framework, private sector firms were responsible for building, operating and expanding the digital infrastructure needed to support economic activities.

He stated, “Every digital payment creates a trusted record. Every trusted record strengthens accountability.

“Every accountable transaction reduces leakages. Every reduction in leakages increases confidence in government, institutions and the economy, and that is where eTranzact comes in.”

He said the company’s technology solutions were supporting government institutions and businesses to improve efficiency and service delivery.

“At eTranzact, we believe technology creates value only when it advances national priorities. That belief guides every solution we build,” he said.

Toluwalope added that the firm’s support extended to Federal and State Government revenue collections as well as digital transformation initiatives across the public and private sectors.

He listed some of the company’s platforms to include its e-Invoicing Solution, Pension Gateway, Electronic Verification Management System, Central Billing Systems and other digital solutions designed to improve operational efficiency, transparency and service delivery.

Our platforms are designed to support organisations, including members of NECA, by helping them improve their operations through secure and efficient digital solutions.

“These solutions position eTranzact not only as a champion of digital payment innovation, but also as a trusted partner in translating public sector reforms into measurable economic outcomes, making us the preferred financial technology partner for both the public and private sectors,” he said.

Toluwalope further stated that digital payment innovation was contributing to Environmental, Social and Governance objectives by promoting financial inclusion, strengthening governance and enabling businesses to operate more efficiently.

He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to working with both government and the private sector to build trusted digital payment infrastructure capable of supporting ongoing reforms.

“The future will not be shaped by the reforms we announce, but by the outcomes we deliver,” he said.

Also speaking at the summit, eTranzact’s federal government Business Partnerships lead, Adedayo Adejokun, said the company’s sponsorship of the event reflected its commitment to supporting government reforms and inclusive economic growth.

“We’re here today because we’re one of the sponsors of this summit. For us, sponsorship is about putting our money where our mouth is. We strongly believe in ESG principles and in driving inclusiveness,” she said.

Adejokun added that the company’s role extended beyond payment processing.

“Our role as a financial technology solutions company goes beyond facilitating payments. We simplify interactions between citizens, businesses, and government by making these processes more seamless and efficient.

“The more government creates opportunities for private sector participation, the more opportunities are generated for businesses and individuals alike,” she added.

The summit brought together participants from the public and private sectors, with the launch of the Environmental, Social and Governance implementation guide for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria as one of the highlights of the event.

The news earlier reported that eTranzact reaffirmed its commitment to supporting taxpayers with same-day onboarding and seamless electronic invoice uploads as the Nigeria Revenue Service intensifies the phased implementation of its e-invoicing regime.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on Thursday, clarified that the Federal Government had yet to approve Adire as the new uniform for members of the National Youth Service Corps, hours after his comments on the proposed change generated widespread reactions.

In a statement published on his official X handle, Olawande said reports suggesting that Adire had been adopted to replace the iconic khaki uniform misrepresented his remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

The minister explained that while he mentioned Adire and Ankara during the interview, they were only examples of proposals being considered as part of the ongoing reform of the scheme, adding that “No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design.”

“My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform,” he stated

According to Olawande, the government is considering options that “tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride.”

He said any eventual decision would be guided by extensive stakeholder consultations and what best serves the interests of the NYSC and the country.

The minister also urged Nigerians not to allow the debate over the proposed uniform to overshadow the broader objectives of the ongoing reforms.

The reforms are designed to make the Scheme more relevant to today’s realities by improving employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery, and creating a smoother transition from education to productive careers.

“While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development,” he said.

The news had  earlier reported that the Federal Government planned to replace the NYSC’s traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire as part of sweeping reforms approved for the 53-year-old scheme.

Speaking on Channels Television, Olawande had said, “It’s Adire,” explaining that the move was intended to promote local textile production and keep government spending within the Nigerian economy.

The proposed uniform change formed part of the comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC approved by the Federal Executive Council on Monday, which also includes skills-based deployment of corps members, civilian operational leadership for the scheme and amendments to the NYSC Act.

The Federal Ministry of Education has inaugurated the second cohort of the Federal Government’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme at the I Choose Life Foundation, an accredited training centre.

The initiative is said to be part of efforts to equip young Nigerians with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

The inauguration and orientation programme, held at the foundation’s training centre, was conducted by the National Programme Monitoring Office, represented by Mr Tunji Odewunmi.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Odewunmi urged participants to take full advantage of the opportunity, describing the initiative as a transformative programme capable of changing lives through skills acquisition.

This was disclosed in a statement by the ministry on Thursday.

He said the TVET programme was designed to equip participants with practical, industry-relevant skills that would enable them to become self-reliant and financially independent.

“The programme represents a life-changing opportunity to acquire practical skills that can lead to employment, entrepreneurship, and financial independence,” he said.

Odewunmi cautioned beneficiaries against taking the opportunity for granted, stressing that productive engagement helps young people develop confidence, purpose and direction in life.

According to him, meaningful participation in vocational training also serves as a preventive measure against social vices and substance abuse while promoting mental wellbeing

Individuals thrive when they are meaningfully engaged in productive activities that build confidence, provide purpose, and create a sense of direction. These are important factors in preventing involvement in social vices and substance misuse while promoting overall mental wellbeing,” he added.

The Federal Government’s TVET Initiative was established to bridge critical skills gaps by providing Nigerians with practical vocational and technical education through accredited training centres across the country.

The programme is expected to enhance employability, encourage entrepreneurship and create sustainable economic opportunities for participants.

Speaking on its participation in the initiative, the I Choose Life Foundation said the programme aligns with its mission of promoting mental wellness and preventing drug and substance misuse among young Nigerians.

The foundation described skills acquisition as more than an economic intervention, saying it also provides a pathway to improved mental health, dignity, productivity and positive community engagement.

The organisation maintained that tackling substance abuse requires more than awareness campaigns, noting that young people also need opportunities to develop practical skills and build sustainable livelihoods.

“Young people need meaningful opportunities to learn valuable skills, earn sustainable livelihoods, and build hopeful futures,” the foundation stated.

It encouraged young Nigerians to take advantage of the Federal Government’s TVET Initiative and other legitimate skills development programmes, noting that technical trades, vocational services, digital skills and entrepreneurship remain effective pathways to self-reliance and improved wellbeing.

The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote education, skills development, mental wellbeing and youth empowerment across Nigeria.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing a conducive working environment for judicial officers as he inspected the ongoing construction of the Justice Saidu Kawu Court House in Ilorin, the state capital.

The governor expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the multistorey judicial complex, describing the project as part of efforts to strengthen the administration of justice through improved infrastructure.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mashood Agboola.

Speaking during the inspection, AbdulRazaq said the project reflected his administration’s commitment to providing modern facilities for the judiciary.

The work is going on very well. This is the major building of the courthouse. We are trying to give the judiciary a better working environment,” the governor said.

The governor added that the administration was determined to deliver a judicial complex that meets modern standards and improves the administration of justice in the state.

“We have seen what His Excellency Nyesom Wike has done for the judiciary, and we are trying to give another great edifice and masterpiece of architecture that offers a very conducive environment for the judiciary. So, all we are doing is making sure the standards are improved.

The judges shouldn’t be doing their work in sub-standard offices and infrastructure. So, we are also setting a standard that can be emulated in other parts of the country,” he stated.

The Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Adebara, who accompanied the governor on the inspection, commended the administration for investing in judicial infrastructure.

“I am highly impressed and elated with what I have seen this afternoon. So, I want to, on behalf of the judiciary of Kwara State, appreciate His Excellency, the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for the wonderful job he is doing for the judiciary,” he said.

He noted that the project would consolidate courts currently scattered across Ilorin and improve the efficiency of justice delivery.

“When this project is finally completed, we will have a compact headquarters in Ilorin. Other courts will be able to accommodate more judges, and the administration of justice will move on smoothly in the state. So, Your Excellency, we thank you, sir,” Adebara said.

The Justice Saidu Kawu Court House is one of the major judicial infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Kwara State Government to improve court facilities and strengthen the state’s justice system.

The Federal Government has confirmed plans to replace the National Youth Service Corps’ traditional khaki uniform with locally produced Adire fabric as part of ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the scheme.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the move was intended to promote local manufacturing and ensure government spending supports the Nigerian economy.

“It’s Adire. So, Adire is being produced in Nigeria. We have them in Ogun, we have them in Kwara, we have textile industry. Let’s put our money back into the country,” he said.

Olawande also said corps members would increasingly be posted according to their fields of study under the new framework, explaining that graduates with education qualifications, for instance, would be deployed to schools rather than being posted without consideration for their professional backgrounds.

After you are leaving the camp, you are not just posted to a school just because NYSC wants you to be in school but because of the process you followed when in camp. So, that is going to give a framework of where you are going to be posted to,” he said.

On security, the minister said the government was considering posting prospective corps members to regions where they studied and were already familiar with the environment, particularly in areas facing security challenges.

According to him, the arrangement would reduce concerns among parents and prospective corps members while making the deployment process more practical.

“If you have interest that you want to go to the North-East why not, but if you don’t have interest, instead of redeploying you, paying people for camp, doing all those funny things, we said no, let us look at it and say who are those in that area, that can reside in those geographical areas and still give us the kind of number we are looking for since we are saying NYSC should be more impactful. So, that is what we are talking about,” he said.

The minister also dismissed reports suggesting the military would be removed from the NYSC, describing such claims as a misconception.

The reforms followed the approval by the Federal Executive Council on Monday of a comprehensive overhaul of the NYSC, the first major reform of the scheme since its establishment in 1973.

Under the approved reforms, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to accommodate the changes.

The new framework provides that the scheme’s operational leadership will be headed by a civilian, while the military will continue to provide security support for corps members nationwide.

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday hailed the Federal High Court in Abuja for striking out a suit challenging the leadership of the party, describing the decision as a victory for constitutional democracy and a rejection of attempts to use the judiciary for political ends.

Reacting to the judgment delivered by Justice Musa Liman, Atiku said the ruling reaffirmed the long-established principle that issues relating to the internal affairs of political parties are primarily governed by their constitutions and internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the court deserved commendation for resisting what he described as efforts to drag the judiciary into partisan political battles.

“The court could not have been clearer. It rightly held that the matter borders on the internal affairs of the ADC, that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction, and that the plaintiffs neither exhausted the internal remedies provided by the party’s constitution nor established the locus standi required to invoke the jurisdiction of the court.

“We commend Justice Liman for refusing to allow the judiciary to be converted into an extension of partisan political warfare,” he said.

He described the judgment as a significant boost for the rule of law at a time, according to him, when opposition parties are facing sustained political pressure.

Citing an African proverb, he said, “No matter how long the night lasts, the day must surely break.”

He added that while political desperation might cast temporary shadows over democracy, truth and justice would ultimately prevail.

The former vice president alleged that there had been coordinated efforts to weaken opposition politics through litigation and the manipulation of institutions.

We are particularly encouraged because this judgment comes at a time when certain desperate elements operating from the corridors of power have sought, through every conceivable means, to destabilise the opposition and frustrate the growing aspirations of millions of Nigerians who desire democratic change.

“From failed attempts to deregister political parties, to the sponsorship of proxy litigations, to the manipulation of institutions, Nigerians have witnessed an orchestrated campaign to weaken opposition politics. Today’s decision is a resounding affirmation that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man and cannot be intimidated into legitimising political mischief,” he stated.

Atiku also defended the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership, insisting that the National Working Committee headed by former Senate President David Mark emerged through a lawful process in line with the ADC constitution.

“The David Mark-led National Working Committee emerged through a lawful and transparent process in accordance with the constitution of our great party. No amount of forum shopping or judicial adventurism can alter that fact,” he said.

He urged party members to remain united and focused on building the party ahead of future political contests, while calling on democrats to continue defending democratic institutions rather than celebrating the court victory.

This victory is not an invitation to triumphalism. Rather, it is a renewed call for all democrats to continue strengthening our institutions and protecting the sanctity of the rule of law,” he added.

Atiku concluded by expressing confidence that the ADC remained united and capable of providing what he described as a credible alternative for Nigerians.

The suit challenging the leadership of the ADC was filed amid growing political realignments within the opposition following the adoption of the party as the platform for a coalition of opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general election.

Troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have dismantled an illegal arms factory in Kebbi State, recovering five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and arresting two suspected gun makers allegedly supplying weapons to terrorist groups.

The operation, which the military said was based on credible intelligence, targeted a secluded compound allegedly used by the suspects to manufacture and stockpile firearms.

The military said the raid formed part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and curb the proliferation of illicit weapons across the North-West.

Confirming the operation in a statement on Thursday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said the troops acted on credible intelligence to dismantle the illegal arms network.

Acting on credible intelligence, the troops conducted a carefully planned operation on a secluded compound deliberately concealed by the suspects to evade security detection.

“During a thorough search of the premises, troops recovered five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and arrested two suspected arms manufacturers and suppliers,” the statement read.

He said the operation was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, describing it as another breakthrough in efforts to dismantle terrorist logistics and organised criminal networks in the region.

The operation, conducted in close collaboration with other security agencies, highlights the growing effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and degrade criminal networks across the North-West,” he stated.

According to Danja, the suspects are in military custody undergoing preliminary interrogation, while investigations have commenced to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, including its financiers and collaborators.

“Investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate, uncover their financiers and collaborators, and dismantle the entire illegal arms supply network,” Danja added.

The Theatre Command commended the troops and partner security agencies for the successful operation and urged residents of the North-West to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.

“Public cooperation remains vital to sustaining ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements and enhance security across the region,” the statement said.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA has intensified operations against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes across the North-West in recent months, with security forces targeting armed groups, kidnappers and illegal weapons suppliers in an effort to curb insecurity in the region.

Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, called on Thursday for massive turnout at Ali Khamenei’s funeral to avenge the supreme leader’s death in US-Israeli strikes at the start of the war.

“I invite all the Iranian people… to write a glorious page in the history of Islamic Iran through your presence” at the funeral ceremonies starting Saturday, said Ghalibaf, who is also Iran’s parliament speaker.

“The nation’s call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world,” he added in a statement.

Khamenei’s funeral, initially delayed at the height of the Middle East war, will take place as Iran and the United States observe a fragile ceasefire after signing a preliminary deal to halt the conflict.

Khamenei, a spiritual figure for many Shias, was killed at the age of 86 at his compound in the centre of the Iranian capital on February 28, the first day of the war.

His public funeral will begin on Saturday, with his body lying in state at the colossal Grand Mosalla complex in central Tehran that hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies and religious gatherings.

The bodies of his slain relatives will also be presented.

The ceremonies are expected to draw between 15 and 20 million mourners, according to officials, which would make it the biggest state funeral in the country’s history.

Iran… is preparing to experience one of the most significant moments in its history,” Ghalibaf said.

Tehran, as well as the holy cities of Qom and Mashhad, which will host later stages of the funeral and burial ceremonies, will observe public holidays while the events are underway.

Authorities have ordered public and private offices in Tehran to close from Saturday through Monday, while traffic restrictions will make much of the city centre inaccessible to private vehicles.

The airspace over Tehran will be partially closed from Friday and fully closed on Monday.

Following the ceremonies in Tehran, Khamenei’s body will be taken to the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala before his burial on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern city of Mashhad, his birthplace.

But at the main ceremony in Tehran, it remains unknown if Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba, who has not been seen in public since becoming supreme leader, will be present.

Representatives from around 30 countries are expected to attend the funeral, with people pouring in from neighbouring Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

AFP

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Bauchi Zone, on Thursday, accused the Gombe and Plateau state governments of failing to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU Agreement, warning that the development could trigger industrial unrest in the affected universities.

The union said that despite the agreement reached between the Federal Government, state governments and ASUU on December 23, 2025, Gombe State University and Plateau State University had yet to implement its provisions.

Speaking at a press conference held at Gombe State University, the ASUU Bauchi Zonal Coordinator, Timothy-Aku Namo, said the refusal of the two state governments to implement the agreement had worsened the welfare of academics and heightened frustration among lecturers.

“You may recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria signed an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities on December 23, 2025, after protracted negotiations involving the Federal Government, state governments that own public universities and our union,” he said.

Namo noted that although the Federal Government subsequently released funds for the salary component of the agreement and constituted an Implementation Monitoring Committee, many state governments had yet to fulfil their obligations.

“Many state governments are yet to commence implementation of the agreement. Some even claim that the agreement was signed between the Federal Government and ASUU alone,” he said.

The ASUU leader disclosed that following a forensic audit conducted by the union’s National Executive Council on June 21, 2026, only Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi State, and Ekiti State University had implemented the agreement among the state-owned universities reviewed.

After a forensic audit of the implementation of the agreement across our branches, the union concluded that, apart from Sa’adu Zungur University in Bauchi State and Ekiti State University, other state governments were unwilling to implement the agreement,” he said.

Namo lamented what he described as the deteriorating welfare of academics, saying Gombe State University and Plateau State University had become major flashpoints in the implementation crisis.

“The union lamented the worsening living conditions of Nigerian academics and directed further engagement with the media to draw public attention to the looming crisis in state universities, including Gombe State University and Plateau State University, which have refused to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement,” he said.

According to him, implementation of the agreement is not the only unresolved issue, as both universities are also grappling with other outstanding matters affecting staff welfare and industrial harmony.

Namo appealed to the Visitors to the two universities to intervene before the situation degenerates into another round of industrial action.

“We call on the Visitors to Gombe State University and Plateau State University to direct the immediate implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement and address all other lingering issues, or risk industrial disharmony,” he warned.

He also urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the media and other stakeholders to prevail on the Gombe and Plateau state governments to act without further delay.

We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, especially parents, traditional rulers, the clergy, the media and other stakeholders, to appeal to the Gombe and Plateau state governments to make hay while the sun shines,” he added.

They assured residents and visitors that the measures are routine and aimed at maintaining law and order amid increasing protests in the Federal Capital Territory.

The barricades, which have been mounted at strategic locations in the city centre in recent days, have caused gridlock and delays for thousands of motorists, civil servants and other workers moving to and from offices in the Federal Capital Territory.

Responding to concerns over the security measures during a joint media briefing by security and intelligence agencies, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, assured residents that there was no security threat warranting panic.

“It is a joint operation. There is no cause for alarm at the moment,” Iniedu said.

He explained that the security agencies had observed an upsurge in protests within the city centre and had consequently intensified security deployments to ensure public safety.

“We’ve noticed that there has been an upsurge of protests in the city centre, and we’re trying to maintain law and order as is our basic and primary responsibility. The deployments are basically deployments with movement from one location to the other to ensure that our city centre is safe,” he said.

The police spokesman stressed that the heightened security presence was particularly important because Abuja serves as Nigeria’s capital city and hosts diplomatic missions, government institutions and foreign investors.

Remember, we’re in the capital, and there’s a lot that has to be done to ensure confidence in those in the city centre and also for our foreign investors,” he added.

Speaking further, Iniedu said the Nigeria Police Force had expanded its security strategy beyond intelligence-led policing to what he described as “intelligence-led community collaborative policing.”

He said the approach recognises that intelligence gathering alone is insufficient to tackle emerging security threats and therefore places greater emphasis on collaboration with local communities.

“We’ve seen that intelligence alone won’t help us. We have gone far to create collaborative processes with our communities,” he said.

Also speaking, Kingsley Amako of the National Coordination Office of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit said security agencies had continued to strengthen intelligence gathering and financial surveillance to combat terrorism financing.

“We have very robust intelligence-gathering mechanisms. As they are evolving into new tricks and changing their tactics, we are also evolving with them,” Amako said.

He noted that while some security operations could not be disclosed publicly, agencies were working collaboratively to counter evolving threats and urged the media to engage security institutions whenever clarification was required.

Delivering judgment, Justice Musa Liman held that the suit lacked merit and was not justiciable because it related to the internal affairs of a political party.

The court upheld the preliminary objections filed by the ADC, its former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, the incumbent National Chairman, David Mark, and the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.

Justice Liman ruled that Abejide failed to establish that any of his legal rights had been violated by the emergence of the current leadership.

He also held that the lawmaker did not exhaust the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanism before instituting the action.

According to the court, issues concerning the internal administration and leadership of political parties are generally outside the jurisdiction of the courts except where there is a clear violation of the law or infringement of a member’s legal rights.

On the substantive issues, the court ruled in favour of the defendants, holding that the transition of leadership from Nwosu to Mark did not breach either the ADC Constitution or the Electoral Act.

Justice Liman further held that the stakeholders’ meeting of July 2, 2025, which preceded the party’s National Executive Committee meeting of July 29, 2025, formed part of the legitimate process that produced Mark as National Chairman and Aregbesola as National Secretary.

The judge noted that the NEC meeting was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, lending credibility to the process.

He consequently declared that the emergence of Mark and Aregbesola complied with the provisions of the ADC Constitution and the Electoral Act.

As part of the judgment, the court ordered Abejide to pay litigation costs of N2 million each to all the defendants.

It also awarded N10 million against his counsel in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Abejide had approached the court in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, filed on February 15, seeking to nullify the transfer of the party’s leadership from Nwosu to Mark and Aregbesola, describing the process as unlawful.

The lawmaker joined the ADC, Nwosu, Mark, Aregbesola and the Independent National Electoral Commission as defendants.

Among the reliefs sought, Abejide asked the court to invalidate the July 2, 2025, handover held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, arguing that the appointments of Mark and Aregbesola did not comply with the Electoral Act.

He also sought orders restraining both party leaders from functioning in their official capacities and asked the court to stop INEC from recognising them as the ADC’s National Chairman and National Secretary.

However, Justice Liman dismissed all the claims and affirmed the legitimacy of the current leadership of the African Democratic Congress.

The African Democratic Congress has witnessed a leadership transition following efforts by opposition politicians to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Senate President David Mark emerged as the party’s National Chairman, while Aregbesola became National Secretary, moves that have attracted both political interest and legal challenges from some party members.

Abdul-Lateef & Sanni Foundation is currently holding a fully funded university scholarship to all Nigerian students who are eligible and interested

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In this post, we will discuss the details of the program, its eligibility criteria, benefits, and how interested and qualified candidates will apply

Abdullateef and Sanni Foundation Scholarship Summary

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• Deadline: July 13, 2026

Details of Abdullateef and Sanni Foundation Scholarship:

The Abdul-Lateef and Sanni Foundation is inviting interested and qualified university students to apply for its 2026/27 undergraduate scholarship opportunity.

Abdul-Lateef & Sanni University Scholarship is an initiative of the Abdul-Lateef & Sanni Foundation, an Education NGO established in 2017.

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Deadline: July 13, 2026

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, made this known on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing clearance of illegal traders and squatters from the Okokomaiko–Orile road median.

The exercise, according to the state government on its offical social media handles, is aimed at permanently clearing the corridor, which has been designated for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project.

Wahab said the inspection was to assess compliance with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive to remove all illegal structures and commercial activities obstructing the road median, noting that years of engagement with traders had failed to produce lasting results.

“This is a major highway built with public funds. For years, we have repeatedly engaged those occupying the median and consistently pushed them back from the Okokomaiko end to Orile. Enough is enough. We are determined to permanently clear this corridor and ensure that it remains free from all forms of encroachment,” he said.

He explained that the wide road median was intentionally reserved for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project, adding that the government would continue monitoring the corridor to prevent displaced traders from returning.

“We will continue to patrol this stretch and ensure that those dislodged do not return. This median has been reserved for the rail project, and it must be protected for that purpose,” the commissioner added.

On environmental sanitation, Wahab urged residents to dispose of waste properly through their designated Private Sector Participation waste operators instead of dumping refuse on roads and public spaces.

“It does not reflect positively on us as a people when waste generated in our homes is dumped on road medians and other public places. Residents should patronise their PSP operators and immediately report any failure in service delivery to LAWMA. There is no justification for indiscriminate waste disposal,” he said.

He also warned traders and market leaders to maintain clean markets, saying environmental sanitation was a shared responsibility.

“If traders cannot keep their markets clean, then they should not be doing business there. Environmental cleanliness is a collective responsibility and must be taken seriously by everyone,” Wahab said.

The commissioner disclosed that the ministry had “within the last year, prosecuted more than 100 offenders for encroaching on road medians and violating environmental regulations.”

He added that the state’s environmental laws provide sanctions for actions that undermine public infrastructure and environmental sustainability, stressing that enforcement would continue without fear or favour.

Wahab reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting critical infrastructure, preserving the alignment for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit project and improving environmental sanitation across the state.

As courts grapple with a surge of pre-election litigation, the Federal High Court’s new Practice Direction now allows litigants to file processes on weekends and public holidays.

The Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, who repealed the 2022 version of the Practice Directions, directed the Registry of the Court in all Judicial Divisions to henceforth open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., exclusively for the filing of pre-election cases.:

The new directive came barely 24 hours after the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, decried the increasing delays in the adjudication of cases.

Speaking at the opening of the National Workshop on Case Management for Judges of the Superior Courts of Record, organised by the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, the CJN urged the adoption of proactive measures to tackle delays in the administration of justice and bolster public confidence in the judiciary.

She maintained that the judiciary’s effectiveness is measured not only by the quality of its judgments but also by the speed and efficiency with which cases are received and resolved.

Prior to the 2023 general elections, Justice Tsoho had constituted special panels to dispose of the many cases plaguing the court’s dockets. He had decried the fact that some judges had over 1,000 pending cases in their files, noting that the situation was particularly worse in the Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt divisions of the Court.

According to the CJ, Sections 29(5) and 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022, vest in the High Court exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine pre-election complaints, with Section 285(10) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, mandating that such cases be concluded within 180 days of the date of filing of the suit.

“This is notwithstanding the judges’ existing high-volume dockets, which present enormous challenges. It is necessary to place on record that the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022, was enacted without any consultation with the Court.

Also, no support whatsoever was provided to address the increased responsibility. This weighed heavily on the operations of the Court,” he stated during a special session the High Court held to mark its 2022/2023 legal year.

The avalanche of cases awaiting adjudication in various courts across the country also led the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BoSAN) to demand the establishment of a National Constitutional Court to be saddled with the responsibility of determining all election-related cases. The legal body bemoaned the fact that many matters, including fundamental rights enforcement suits, have continued to suffer adjournments owing to political cases flooding the High Court.

Meanwhile, the new Federal High Court Pre-Election Practice Directions, which came into effect on June 29, are intended to enhance the speedy, efficient, and fair determination of pre-election matters, in line with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Electoral Act, 2026, and other applicable laws.

Justice Tsoho issued the directions in exercise of the powers conferred on him as the High Court’s CJ by virtue of Sections 254, 285(9), (10), and (14) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Sections 29(5) and 88(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

“The purpose of these Practice Directions is to: (a) provide for a fair, impartial, and expeditious determination of pre-election cases; (b) ensure that, in all election matters, the parties focus on matters which are genuinely in issue; (c) minimise the time spent dealing with interlocutory matters; (d) ensure that the possibility of an amicable settlement is explored before the parties proceed to hearing; (e) minimise undue adjournments and delays in the conduct of matters.”

It stipulated that the Court, in every pre-election matter before it, shall pay particular attention to the provisions of Sections 29(5), (6), (7), 83(5) and (6), 88(1–4) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and Section 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)

Likewise, it made it mandatory that anyone challenging the conduct or outcome of a primary election join, as respondents in the suit, all relevant parties, to enable the court to effectively determine the dispute.

On the filing of processes, it provided that every pre-election matter shall be commenced by an Originating Summons, as specified in Forms 3, 4, and 5 of Appendix 6 to the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, with such variations as circumstances may require.

“Provided, however, that where a party alleges fraud, forgery, or highly contentious facts in a pre-election matter, the parties shall, in addition to or in lieu of affidavits, set out the particulars of such alleged facts, which shall be examined by way of calling witnesses viva voce or receiving documents in evidence.

“The parties and the Court shall be entitled to summon any person to attend, to produce documents before it, or to be examined or cross-examined before it, in like manner, at the hearing of the suit.

“An Originating Summons shall be accompanied by: (a) an affidavit setting out the facts relied upon; (b) copies of exhibits to be relied upon; (c) a written address; and (d) an affidavit of non-multiplicity of action on the same subject matter.

A respondent served with an Originating Summons shall, within seven (7) days from the date of service of the Originating Summons on him, file the original and a copy of a duly completed and signed Memorandum of Appearance, as specified in Form 11, Appendix 6 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, with such modifications or variations as the circumstances may require.

“A respondent served with an Originating Summons shall, within ten (10) days of service, file in the Registry of this Court a counter-affidavit and written address, which may include any preliminary objection raised to the action.

“An applicant on whom a respondent serves a defence shall, if the need arises, serve a reply on that respondent within three (3) days of such service.

“The written address shall be concise, typed in double spacing with a font size of twelve (12), numbered consecutively, and shall not exceed fifteen (15) pages.

“Any amendment to the Originating Summons may be made with the leave of the Court within seven (7) days of service of the respondent’s reply.”

On service of process, the Practice Directions stipulated that a party shall not serve a notice of an application on another party on the date scheduled for hearing.

“To ensure speedy dispensation of justice, electronic mail and other electronic means may be employed by the Court to inform counsel of urgent court and case events, provided that such notification is given at least forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled court date.

“In line with the provisions of Paragraph 8(2) of these Practice Directions, parties are expected to furnish the Court Registrar with functional telephone numbers and email addresses for themselves and their counsel.

“An application for substituted service shall be made as provided for in the Rules of this Court.”
The new legal instrument vested the CJ with the power to nominate judges to sit in any judicial division for the hearing and determination of pre-election matters, and/or to transfer pre-election matters from one judicial division to another. It also gave any judge handling a pre-election matter the power to leverage technology in the conduct of proceedings, including virtual hearings.

“Upon the close of the exchange of processes between the parties, the Court shall, within seven (7) days, set the matter down for hearing.

The Court shall continue to accord priority to all pre-election matters until judgment is delivered.
“Where a matter comes up for hearing under these Practice Directions and either party is absent, the Court shall, either suo motu or upon oral application by counsel for the party present, order that the address of the absent party be deemed adopted, if satisfied that the parties had notice of the proceedings.

“The Court and the parties shall prevent unnecessary delays, and accordingly, not more than two (2) adjournments shall be granted to any party to an action covered by the provisions of these Practice Directions. Provided that no application for adjournment shall be entertained on a day fixed for hearing.
“Where a party seeks to change counsel during the lifespan of a case, not more than two (2) adjournments shall be granted to him to do so.

“Where it is expedient, and in furtherance of the objectives of these Practice Directions, the Court may schedule the time and date of hearing on such day and at such time as may be convenient for the parties.
“Counsel shall ensure that they are present in court and ready to proceed with their case at all times.

“Where the provisions of sub-paragraphs (6) and (7) of these Practice Directions become impracticable to apply by reason of ill health or any other unavoidable circumstance, such counsel shall ensure that counsel with the requisite knowledge of the issues before the Court is present and ready to proceed with the case in his or her stead, or shall apply for the case to be heard virtually where practicable, with the consent of the parties.”

On the issue of interlocutory applications, the Practice Directions stipulated that motions for such orders shall, except where the context otherwise dictates, be on notice, stating the rule under which they are brought and the grounds for the reliefs sought, and shall be supported by an affidavit and a written address.

The respondent(s), upon being served with the processes, shall have five (5) days within which to file processes in response (if any) to the motion on notice, and the applicant shall have three (3) days to file a reply (if any) to the processes of the respondent(s).

“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 285(8) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), ruling on preliminary objections and other interlocutory issues touching on the jurisdiction of the Court shall be suspended and delivered at the stage of final judgment; provided that, where the objection relates to service of originating processes, the Court shall satisfy itself that the parties have been properly served before proceeding to determine the substantive suit.

“Every application for extension of time shall be made by a motion on notice and shall be supported by an affidavit setting forth good, substantial, cogent, and verifiable reasons for the failure to file within the prescribed period, before time can be extended.”

Even though the directions have already come into effect, they will not be applied retroactively to cases already pending in court.

“In any other case where a cause or matter is pending, the Court shall give such directions as may be necessary or expedient to ensure conformity with the requirements of these Practice Directions,” it stated.
Expectations are high that the new directives will help judges resolve pre-election disputes swiftly as the nation draws closer to its next general election

Residents of Ogidigben in the coastal Ugborodo Federated Communities, in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest against alleged imminent threat to their lives following the release from detention of some suspects arrested in April, with assault rifles during an attack on the community.

The placard-carrying protesters raised the alarm that some of the suspects that were allegedly released have been threatening to launch a fresh attack on the community.

They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as well as security agencies to, “as a matter of urgency, wade in and effect a thorough investigation of the circumstances leading to the release of the suspects in the first instance, to prevent a fresh outbreak of violence in the area”.

The protesters anchored their grievances on a viral video in circulation purportedly showing one of the suspects arrested after the April 6, 2026 attack on the community, boasting that his group would return to invade Ogidigben

According to the protesters, “the community cannot afford another attack following the December 20, 2025 killing of an indigene, Emiko Onuwaje, about three months before armed men invaded the community”.

Their placards showed inscriptions such as, ‘The killers of Emiko Onuwaje cannot go unpunished’, ‘DG DSS, order your men to produce those arrested with arms in Ogidigben in April,’ ‘We now live in fear in Ogidigben’, as well as ‘Ogidigben people cannot afford a third armed attack’, among others.

The spokesman for the community and Vice Chairman of the Ugborodo Community Management Committee (UCMC), Elder Austin Ajuremisan said the community’s confidence in its safety had been shaken “following the alleged release of suspects apprehended during the April attack”.

He said, “We are still mourning the loss of our brother, Emiko Onuwaje, who was killed on December 20, 2025. Then, on April 6, 2026 armed men invaded this community. When security personnel arrived, some of the attackers lost their way because they were unfamiliar with the terrain.

The youths, working with the military, apprehended some of them with arms and ammunition.

“Few days ago, a video surfaced online showing one of those arrested boasting that they would return to attack this community. That is why we are protesting today. We are no longer safe; our lives are in danger.

“We handed the suspects over to the army for investigation.

 We are calling on the President, the governor and all security agencies to bring those responsible to justice before another tragedy occurs.”

Also, the National Youth Association Secretary of the UCMC, Jerry Iyonsi, said, “The community remained traumatised by the April invasion, during which armed suspects were arrested with sophisticated weapons”.

The UCMC women leader, Caroline Ekuanjemi, said “mothers and families in the community have been sleeping with one eye open owing to the recurring violence.

We appeal to President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori to come to our rescue. Nobody should die again. We are not safe. If people arrested with guns could be released and are now threatening to return, I fear for what may happen next.”

The Delta State House of Assembly says the decision to declare the seat of the member representing Udu Constituency vacant was taken in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information and House Leader, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, gave the explanation in Asaba.

Nwaobi said the Assembly acted strictly within its constitutional powers and not for political reasons.

He said, “The House merely carried out its constitutional responsibility after considering the resignation and defection letter submitted by the lawmaker representing Udu Constituency.

The assembly spokesman explained that the Constitution clearly states the conditions under which a lawmaker can defect from the political party on whose platform he or she was elected without losing the seat.

According to him, the only condition is where there is a division or crisis within the political party at the national level.

He said there was no evidence before the Assembly to show that the lawmaker’s defection met that constitutional requirement.

Nwaobi said, “The Delta State House of Assembly is guided solely by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Every action taken by the House is rooted in the law, and nothing is done outside the provisions of the Constitution.”

He added that the Assembly’s resolution should not be seen as a political vendetta but as a faithful implementation of the Constitution.

The House leader reaffirmed the commitment of the Assembly to the rule of law, constitutional democracy and legislative integrity.

He urged members of the public to study the relevant provisions of the Constitution before drawing conclusions on the Assembly’s decision.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has appointed a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, as his spokesperson, weeks after the actor-turned-politician publicly criticised the party’s choice of vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Okonkwo announced the appointment in a statement signed on Thursday on his official X page, expressing gratitude to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him.

“I give God all the glory to be appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his Spokesperson. I thank HE AA for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he said.

He described the appointment as evidence of Atiku’s leadership style, saying, “Rather than pick offence against any of his associates for expressing genuine reservations of any action taken, HE AA always opts for dialogue and compromise that will engender solution to problems.”

Okonkwo disclosed that during discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the ADC, concerns over the interests of the South-East were addressed despite what he described as challenges created by the Electoral Act, 2026.

“At a dialogue with HE AA and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress, the interests of the South-East have been discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he stated.

He also thanked Dr Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr Ekene Onwuka, for their roles in strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 election.

“My sincere gratitude to my family, fans, and friends for their support and prayers, which God answered in covering my errors and colouring my efforts to pave way for this appointment. I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision, and protection needed to carry out this challenging post, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he added.

The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo faulted the selection of the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election, warning that the reported decision could worsen what he described as the marginalisation of the South-East in national politics.

He had argued that reports indicating the party had chosen a candidate from the South-South for the position would further deny the South-East representation in either the presidency or vice presidency, a situation he said had persisted since 1999.

The ADC has since selected former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as Atiku’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election after Atiku emerged as the party’s presidential candidate at its nationwide primary.

A rescue operation in La Guaira has succeeded in getting a toddler out alive from under the rubble, six days since the double-earthquake disaster in Venezuela.

The miraculous story of the three-year-old’s rescue in the worst-hit northern region came as tens of thousands of people remained without adequate shelter after the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes struck less than a minute apart on June 24.

“As the death toll rises, needs are skyrocketing,” the UN refugee agency said in an online alert.

According to the authorities, nearly 2,000 deaths have been confirmed, and more than 6,400 people have been rescued so far.

Multiple UN agencies and partners remain on the ground in the hardest-hit areas, working alongside local authorities and aid partners to help families access shelter, healthcare, protection and other essential services.

“Every life matters,” the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, insisted on Wednesday, as national and international search and rescue teams remained on the ground in La Guaira.

Also helping to assess needs, UN Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) teams are continuing their work to know “where and for whom humanitarian assistance is needed”, UNDAC public information officer Veronique Durroux said.

In total, some 1,000 buildings, including hospitals, have been damaged or completely destroyed, along with more than 400 schools and water systems.

In response to the emergency, an initial 47-tonne shipment of humanitarian supplies from the UN Children’s Fund arrived in Venezuela on Tuesday.

Those supplies are in addition to a regional shipment from Panama that arrived on 28 June.

Combined, they will support more than 100,000 children and families over three months.

“UNICEF is on the ground and working around the clock to reach as many children and families as possible. The first flights with water, medicine and many other supplies have reached the country, and we are grateful for the solidarity. And we ask for donations to UNICEF because with more funds, we can save more lives, reach more children, and reach as many families as possible”, UNICEF’s Gabriel Vockel said, speaking in La Guaira.

The shipment – facilitated by the European Union via the UNICEF logistics hub in Copenhagen – includes emergency health kits for urgent medical care, supplies for safe births, newborn care, disease prevention and treatment.

Water purification and storage supplies have also been delivered, along with tents for child-friendly spaces and wheelchairs.

Other recreational and early childhood development supplies that have been sent are designed to help children regain a sense of normalcy and continue learning.

“Families across the affected states are in urgent need of safe water, as well as access to health care,” UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Benes, said.

“Many are sleeping outside, afraid of more aftershocks. These supplies will help us reach children and families with what they need most right now…But the needs on the ground are far greater than what’s arrived.”

The agency estimates that some 680,000 children need humanitarian assistance across the six states affected by the earthquakes – the most significant seismic event to strike Venezuela in more than a century.

“Communities remain at risk from continuing aftershocks, which have numbered more than 600 since the initial quakes,” UNICEF noted.

UNICEF estimates that 52 million dollars is required to respond to the earthquake emergency, as part of its wider 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal for Venezuela, which stands at 137.6 million dollars and was, prior to the earthquakes, only 35 per cent funded.

NAN

Tinubu, in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, said every Nigerian deserves access to quality healthcare regardless of where they live or their income level.

He said that since assuming office, his administration, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, had embarked on one of the most ambitious healthcare reforms in decades.

“Every Nigerian deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where they live or what they earn.

Since assuming office, our administration, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has embarked on one of the most ambitious and comprehensive transformations of our health sector in decades.

“We are revitalising Primary Healthcare Centres, expanding health insurance, protecting millions of children through immunisation, strengthening our health workforce, upgrading specialist hospitals, improving maternal and child health, and positioning Nigeria to become a hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare investment,” he wrote.

The President said the impact of the reforms was already becoming evident.

The progress is becoming evident: six million more Nigerians added to health insurance; 4,161 Primary Healthcare Centres under revitalisation, with 3,158 already completed; 14,283 PHCs, representing more than half of all PHCs in Nigeria, are now functional.

“More than 102 million children vaccinated against Measles-Rubella, and 17.1 million girls protected against cervical cancer through the HPV vaccine.

“Seventy-eight thousand and fifty-four frontline health workers trained, and 20,000 health professionals recruited into our Federal Tertiary Hospitals.

“Five hundred and three health infrastructure projects delivered nationwide, alongside the development of three world-class cancer centres,” Tinubu stated.

According to him, the reforms are aimed at saving lives while building a stronger and more resilient healthcare system for future generations.

“These reforms are about saving lives today while building a stronger, more resilient health system for generations to come.

The Nigeria Health Sector Impact Report below highlights some of the major milestones recorded so far under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.

“I encourage you to read it. A healthier Nigeria is central to our Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We are building a healthier, stronger and more prosperous nation, one reform, one community and one life at a time.

“Our work continues. The best days of Nigerian healthcare are still ahead of us,” the President added.

Backing the President’s claims, the Presidency also released a detailed healthcare impact report on X, highlighting improvements recorded under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative since its launch in December 2023.

According to the data, “maternal mortality reduced by 17 per cent in 2025 compared to 2023 across the 172 MAMII LGAs, while newborn mortality reduced by 10 per cent over the same period.”

The report also stated that “more than 40,000 women received free Caesarean Sections reimbursed through the National Health Insurance Authority between 2024 and 2026, while more than 4,000 women received free Vesico-Vaginal Fistula repairs through Federal Government support.”

On primary healthcare, the Presidency said “revitalisation commenced in 4,161 Primary Healthcare Centres, with 3,158 completed, 1,002 ongoing and one yet to commence, while 14,283 PHCs, representing 53 per cent of Nigeria’s 27,003 PHCs, are now functional

The report further noted that “more than 102 million children aged nine months to 14 years have been vaccinated against Measles-Rubella, 17,146,987 adolescent girls protected through HPV vaccination, more than 174 million polio vaccinations delivered, 18.3 million diphtheria vaccinations administered, and more than 39,000 people vaccinated against Mpox across 12 states, making Nigeria the first African country to deploy the vaccine.”

On health workforce development, it said “78,054 frontline health workers have been trained towards the 120,000 four-year target, while 20,000 health professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and midwives, have been recruited into Federal Tertiary Hospitals between 2024 and 2026.”

The Presidency added that “503 health infrastructure projects have been implemented nationwide, 20 Federal Tertiary Hospitals upgraded or expanded, three new world-class cancer centres are under development, while the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment has been established.”

It also highlighted investments in Nigeria’s healthcare economy, saying “47 companies are already benefiting from the Presidential Executive Order signed to promote medical industrialisation, ₦26 billion in concessions have been granted, while financing has been mobilised to support more than 90 projects within a $5 billion healthcare investment pipeline.”

The report said the reforms were designed to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve health outcomes and position Nigeria as a major hub for healthcare investment and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The scholarship, funded by the Australian Government, supports higher degree by research students through eligible Australian universities and covers full tuition fees, a living stipend and other research-related allowances.

According to information published on the Australian Government’s Department of Education’s website, prospective applicants cannot apply through a central government portal, as each participating university administers its own application and selection process.

The programme is open to both domestic and international students, including Nigerians, provided they meet the admission and English language requirements of their chosen university.

The RTP replaced the Australian Postgraduate Award, International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and Research Training Scheme in 2017 and is designed to support research training while producing graduates equipped for careers in academia, industry and other sectors.

Successful applicants may receive support covering tuition fees, a stipend for living expenses and allowances related to the ancillary costs of undertaking higher degree research.

For 2026, the full-time base RTP stipend is valued at AUD 34,315 per year, while some universities may offer higher stipends depending on their funding arrangements

The scholarship is available for up to two years for Master’s by Research students and up to four years for PhD candidates studying full-time.

Applications are currently open through participating universities, with deadlines varying by institution.

While some universities have application rounds closing between July and October 2026 for early 2027 admission, others operate different admission cycles throughout the year.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to identify universities that align with their research interests, prepare the required documents, including a research proposal, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, referee reports and proof of English proficiency, and submit their admission and scholarship applications through the university’s graduate research portal.

The Department of Education advised prospective students to contact their preferred university directly, noting that there is no single application portal for the scholarship.

Note:

1. It is a fully funded scholarship covering full tuition fees, a living stipend and, in many cases, additional allowances.
2. It is available only for Master’s by Research and PhD programmes.
3. Nigerians and other international students are eligible to apply.
4. There is no central application portal; applicants must apply directly through participating Australian universities.
5. Application deadlines vary by university, with multiple admission rounds held throughout the year.
6. The scholarship is highly competitive, making a strong academic record, quality research proposal and good recommendation letters essential.
7. The duration is up to two years for Master’s by Research and four years for PhD programmes.
   Many universities also provide benefits such as Overseas Student Health Cover, relocation support and paid leave provisions.
8. There is no fixed age limit, although applicants are expected to demonstrate strong research potential.
9. Most universities require proof of English language proficiency, usually through IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, depending on institutional requirements.

Applicants are advised to consult the website of their preferred university for specific eligibility criteria, deadlines and application requirements before submitting their applications.

Application guide:https://www.education.gov.au/research-block-grants/research-training-program

Tottenham Hotspur are poised to sign Sandro Tonali after agreeing a club-record £100 million ($133 million) fee for the Newcastle midfielder, several British media reports said Wednesday.

Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi appears set to win the race for the services of his fellow Italian despite interest in the 26-year-old from Premier League champions Arsenal, the club’s arch north London rivals, and Manchester City.

Wednesday’s reports said an initial fee of £92.5million plus a further £7.5m in add-ons will see Tonali sign for Spurs and complete their midfield revamp after they agreed to bring Mateus Fernandes across London from West Ham on Tuesday.

The two-big money moves signal a huge shift in strategy from Spurs after they operated a tight wage structure under former chairman Daniel Levy.

The Lewis family, Tottenham’s majority owners, promised to fund a rebuild after inviting Levy to step down in September.

They are making good on those words after De Zerbi helped them avoid relegation on the final day of last season following a chaotic campaign.

The experienced trio of Andrew Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have arrived on free transfers, with Spurs spending a reported £52 million was to bring Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton.

Fernandes is set to arrive in a move worth £85 million.

Tonali’s career was halted by 10-month worldwide ban for gambling on football.

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) punished Tonali in October 2023 for breaching the rule which prohibits players placing bets on football events organised by itself, Europe’s UEFA and global governing body FIFA during his time in Italy.

The Italy midfielder joined Newcastle from AC Milan in July 2023 for £55 million and his ban came after he had played 12 games for the Magpies.

In May 2024, Tonali was given a suspended two-month ban after admitting to breaches of the English Football Association’s betting rules.

AFP

The Kogi State House of Assembly has commenced the process of overhauling the state’s tenancy laws with a public hearing on a bill designed to protect tenants from arbitrary rent increases, unlawful evictions and exploitation by landlords and property agents.

The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law, 2007 and replace it with a new Kogi State Tenancy Law, 2027, aimed at reflecting present-day economic realities and strengthening the rights and responsibilities of landlords, tenants and property agents.

The bill, sponsored by the member representing Ankpa I State Constituency, Lawal Akus, comes amid widespread complaints over escalating house rents and excessive agency charges across the state, particularly in the face of Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship.

Speaking at the public hearing, Akus said the proposed law was conceived to establish a fair, transparent and balanced legal framework governing tenancy relationships in Kogi State.

According to him, the legislation seeks to address arbitrary rent increases, unlawful evictions, excessive charges by property agents, prolonged tenancy disputes, abuse by both landlords and tenants, and delays in the administration of justice.

“This public hearing represents our modest but significant effort at promoting participatory democracy by ensuring that stakeholders and members of the public contribute meaningfully to the law-making process,” he said.

Akus noted that while landlords deserve legitimate returns on their investments, tenants equally deserve protection from exploitation.

The relationship between landlords and tenants is an important aspect of our social and economic existence. Unfortunately, experience has shown that this relationship is often characterised by numerous challenges.

“Against this backdrop, I was motivated to sponsor this bill to provide a comprehensive legal regime that safeguards the interests of both landlords and tenants while promoting harmony, certainty and access to justice in tenancy matters across Kogi State.”

He added that increasing urbanisation across the state had intensified housing challenges, making a comprehensive tenancy law imperative.

According to the lawmaker, the proposed legislation will clearly define the rights and obligations of landlords, tenants and property agents, regulate tenancy agreements, establish lawful procedures for the recovery of premises, prohibit unlawful evictions and harassment, provide effective dispute resolution mechanisms, promote transparency in tenancy transactions, and foster peaceful coexistence among stakeholders.

He assured participants that every memorandum and recommendation submitted during the hearing would receive careful legislative consideration.

“Legislation is most effective when it is participatory, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people it is intended to serve. Every contribution made here today will enrich the final law,” Akus said.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has warned oil marketers against profiteering and arbitrary increases in the pump prices of petroleum products.

It insisted that prices must be cost-reflective in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

The warning comes barely two days after the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri,  at the 2026 NMDPRA General Counsel and Legal Advisers Forum, directed the authority to intensify surveillance across the downstream sector and ensure that Nigerians benefit from the recent decline in global crude oil prices.

The regulator, in a statement issued on Wednesday, by its Head of Media and Public Relations, George Ene-Ita, said it had commenced monitoring activities at depots and retail outlets across the country and would not hesitate to sanction marketers found engaging in price gouging.

The statement, titled, ‘Pump Prices of Petroleum Products Must Be Cost Reflective’, noted that the authority had taken cognisance of the downward movement in international crude prices and was committed to ensuring that the benefits of market realities are reflected in domestic petroleum product prices.

It stated, “The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority notes the global drop in crude oil prices and wishes to assure the Nigerian public that pump prices of petroleum products must be cost-reflective, in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (2021).

“Oil Marketing Companies have been cautioned against price gouging and profiteering. Depots and retail outlets are being monitored, and regulatory sanctions will be applied where applicable.

The Authority is working with security agencies and other critical stakeholders, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, to guarantee consumer protection.

“NMDPRA reassures the public of its commitment to monitoring the midstream and downstream sector and ensuring adequate and reliable supply of petroleum products nationwide.”

The latest warning by the regulator follows concerns by consumers and industry stakeholders that despite a sustained decline in crude oil prices in the international market, retail fuel prices in some parts of the country have remained elevated.

On Monday, Lokpobiri had directed the NMDPRA to strengthen its oversight functions and ensure that no operator exploits Nigerians through unjustifiable pricing practices.

The minister said the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector was not intended to create opportunities for excessive profiteering but rather to encourage competition, efficiency and fair pricing.

He had also stressed that while government would not fix prices under the deregulated regime, market operators must act responsibly and ensure that price adjustments accurately reflect changes in international oil prices and foreign exchange conditions.

He said, “Pricing is also another issue, and I think that is one issue that I want this forum to deal with today. As part of the requirements of deregulation, prices have to be determined by market forces. When an NMDPRA has a unique responsibility, compounded by the PIA, to ensure not only that products are available but also that unnecessary profiteering is stopped. Yes, the market is definitely deregulated, but that doesn’t limit deregulation. I listen to discussions on television every day.

They are calling me out. Mr. Lokpobiri should come and speak up. But I am not engaged in any press war with anybody. What is important is the reality of the situation in the industry. Primarily, market forces have to determine prices.

“But we also have a responsibility as a government all over the world to ensure that there is no profiteering. The PIA specifically vested government institutions, including the NMDPRA.”

The reports that decline in global crude prices should ordinarily translate to lower ex-depot and retail prices of petroleum products, particularly as the country now relies significantly on local refining and a more liberalised downstream market.

The Petroleum Industry Act, signed into law in 2021, provides for a deregulated downstream petroleum sector where prices are determined by market fundamentals rather than government subsidies.

However, the law also empowers regulators to protect consumers against anti-competitive practices and market abuses.

The renewed intervention by the NMDPRA is expected to increase pressure on marketers to align pump prices with prevailing market conditions and could lead to fresh adjustments in fuel prices if the decline in crude oil prices persists.

A former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was on Wednesday arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

Security sources said Nnaji was apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday while attempting to board a private jet bound for Abuja.

According to the sources, the arrest was carried out by the DSS at the request of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which is investigating the former minister over some allegations.

The sources disclosed that following his arrest, Nnaji was handed over to the ICPC for further investigation.

The DSS acted on the request of the ICPC. He was arrested at the Enugu airport while preparing to board a private jet to Abuja and has since been handed over to the commission,” one of the sources said.

The sources further revealed that the anti-graft agency had previously invited the former minister on several occasions in connection with petitions alleging irregularities in the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology during his tenure.

“They had extended several invitations to him following petitions relating to the management of the ministry. When he failed to honour the invitations, the ICPC sought the assistance of the DSS to effect his arrest,” another source disclosed.

Nnaji resigned as Minister of Science and Technology in October last year under circumstances that generated public attention.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had issued an official statement on the arrest, while the former minister had yet to comment on the allegations.

Calls to the ICPC’s spokesman, John Odeh, were not picked up as of the time of filing this report.

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday, said his administration had completed over 300 kilometres of intra city roads across the state since coming on board.

The governor disclosed this in Osogbo, Osun State at the official commissioning of the Lameco Flyover Bridge, a project executed by his administration.

Adeleke, who commended the residents for the patience they exhibited during the period of construction due to disruption in traffic flow, also lauded contractors and workers that handled the project for delivering quality infrastructure on schedule.

He further said the flyover and other mega projects, were implemented in accordance with due process, transparency and without mortgaging the further of the state

“The high quality of this flyover confirms the workability of our local content model. We have proven to the whole world that our local engineers can perform to world class standards. The Lameco Flyover is proof that when resources and people are well managed, good governance is the outcome.

“I am glad to bring to our attention that our administration has completed over 27km length of intracity roads in Osogbo. Across the state, we have executed over 300 kilometres of roads. We have over 10 mega projects completed and ready for commissioning.

“We positively touch all major towns under our motto of equity and fairness in infrastructure innovation,” the governor said.

He charged the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and community stakeholders to protect the infrastructure, saying there should be no street trading on the bridge or underpass.

He added, “There should be no vandalisation of railing or light. Let us own it, keep it clean and maintain it for the next generation.
Our drivers and commuters must drive responsibly. This bridge was built to save lives, not to endanger them.”

In his goodwill message, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, described the project as strategic, saying it will not only ease human and vehicular movement within Osogbo metropolis,  but will further enhance socio-economic activities of the town.

The PUNCH reports that the State Government, announced the temporary closure of all roads leading to the newly constructed Lameco Flyover Bridge in Osogbo ahead of the official commissioning of the project on Wednesday.

The announcement was contained in a public notice issued on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Bashir Bello.

“This temporary road closure is to ensure orderliness, public safety, and smooth coordination during the official commissioning ceremony of landmark projects executed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, with the event headlined by the commissioning of the five-span Lameco Overhead Bridge,” the statement read.

Nigerian sprinter Godson Oghenebrume has been sentenced to 27 months in a United States federal prison by US Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm while on an F-1 student visa.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana disclosed this in a statement published on its website on Tuesday, noting that Oghenebrume, who was admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant F-1 student visa, is also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completion of his sentence.

“A Nigerian national residing in Baton Rouge was convicted for possession of a firearm by an alien admitted under a non-immigrant visa. He is also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completion of his sentence,” the statement partly read.

“Based on the complaint that preceded the indictment, on the night of February 7, 2025, Oghenebrume was in his apartment when an ex-girlfriend, who is also the mother of his infant child, arrived at the apartment with the baby.

“Oghenebrume, who had been in the apartment with another young woman, went outside, and an argument ensued between him and the mother of his child. During this argument, and while the baby was present, Oghenebrume discharged the firearm,” the statement added.

The statement continued, revealing that Oghenebrume went back into his apartment, after which his ex-girlfriend opened his apartment door, observed him and the other young woman in the living room, and began arguing with him.

The argument reportedly spilt out of the apartment, and Oghenebrume discharged the firearm multiple times as the mother of his child fled. Multiple bullet strikes were said to have been observed in the walls of the apartment complex.

Oghenebrume smashed his ex-girlfriend’s phone and took the baby, who had been present throughout the incident. Oghenebrume’s ex-girlfriend then approached the other woman, who was attempting to leave, and asked her for help getting the baby. She agreed to help and was able to get the child from Oghenebrume.

“When East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the apartment complex, Oghenebrume walked away from them, ignoring their commands, and discarded the Glock model 43X, 9mm pistol into some shrubs.

Oghenebrume was detained soon thereafter. Deputies spoke to Oghenebrume’s neighbor, who confirmed hearing shots and stated his ears had been ringing,” the statement added.

This development has sparked mixed reactions online. Many Nigerians expressed disappointment over the talented athlete’s fall from grace. “You never gain ground; you wan dey form gangsta?” #iam_Tosin01 tweeted. Another user, #FablosJanny, wrote, “Over two years, Godson don buy market.”

#toondeeh offered a note of caution, saying, “A lesson for everyone: know and respect the laws of the country you’re in.” While #BigDowat wondered, “Abi them set am up ni, if not he foolish gan oo.”

Some reactions highlighted the risks of carrying firearms abroad. “How will you be on student visa and possess fire arm? That’s a risky game,” #AbuYusro0x posted. Others focused on the consequences for his career, with #Recruitmentupd1 noting, “Ohh my God, this is not good. His visa will most likely be revoked after this.”

News had earlier reported oghenebrume’s guilty plea in December 2025, when he faced a potential maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

The sentencing marks a significant setback for the young sprinter, who rose through the ranks from Onoriede International School in Nigeria to become a standout collegiate athlete at LSU. His achievements included anchoring relay teams to national titles and contributing to Nigeria’s athletics profile on the global stage.

As Oghenebrume begins his prison term, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria is yet to issue an official statement on the matter. The case serves as a reminder of the strict enforcement of U.S. gun laws, particularly for non-immigrants on student visas.

This incident marks a setback for the young sprinter’s professional career as one of Nigeria’s fastest sprinters with a personal best of 9.90 seconds in the 100m. He previously represented the country as an alternate in the 4x100m relay at the Tokyo Olympics and won silver at the 2023 NCAA Championships as part of the LSU team that set an NCAA record in the 4x100m relay.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 6 for definite hearing in a suit challenging the outcome of the All Progressives Congress primary election for the Delta South Senatorial District.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date on Wednesday after counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Bankole Akomolafe, sought a short adjournment to enable him respond to the statement of defence filed by the first defendant, Senator Joel Onowakpo.

Akomolafe told the court that although the defence had been filed since June 24, it was only served on him shortly before Wednesday’s proceedings, leaving him with insufficient time to file a reply.

The senior lawyer, who represents a former Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Micheal Diden, said the matter was originally scheduled for hearing and that he was ready to proceed but needed about two days to respond to the defence.

Following the agreement of counsel, Justice Umar adjourned the case until July 6 for definite hearing and directed all parties to file and exchange outstanding processes before the next sitting.

The judge also ordered that fresh hearing notices be served on all parties ahead of the hearing in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1094/2026.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, Lukman Fagbemi, appeared for the APC, while the Independent National Electoral Commission was not represented in court despite being served with a hearing notice.

Diden is asking the court to declare him the winner of the APC direct primary conducted on May 18, 2026, for the Delta South Senatorial District, alleging that he polled the highest number of lawful votes.

The plaintiff joined Senator Onowakpo, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission as first, second and third defendants respectively.

In his statement of claim, Diden alleged that Onowakpo unlawfully declared himself winner of the primary by relying on what he described as forged results.

He contended that the APC National Working Committee had directed that the collation and announcement of the primary election results would be conducted only in Abuja after submission of results from the field.

According to him, contrary to that directive, the first defendant announced himself winner through various media platforms.

Diden further alleged that Onowakpo and others manipulated the results and falsely declared him winner of the primary.

He claimed that authentic ward results from the eight local government areas in the senatorial district showed that he scored 96,893 votes against Onowakpo’s 31,918 votes.

The plaintiff also told the court that party leaders, stakeholders, women, youths and members of the APC in the district petitioned the party’s national leadership to reject what they described as the fraudulent declaration of Onowakpo as winner.

Among the reliefs sought, Diden is asking the court to declare him the valid winner of the primary election and order the APC to forward his name to INEC as its candidate for the 2027 Delta South Senatorial election.

He is also seeking an order directing INEC to accept his nomination from the APC.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the call on Wednesday, while receiving the Director-General of the NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, during a courtesy visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Amupitan described the visit as more than a routine engagement, saying both institutions share a constitutional responsibility to educate Nigerians on democratic values and electoral participation.

He said, “To me, this is not a routine visit; it is a vital meeting of minds and a reunion of two institutions constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of educating Nigerians on democratic culture.”

The INEC chairman stressed that technological improvements in Nigeria’s electoral process would only achieve their intended impact if citizens understood and trusted the system.

He said, “INEC cannot build a robust democracy in isolation. We can purchase the finest Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines, we can optimise the INEC Result Viewing Portal to international standards, and we can map out the most logistical routes for material deployment. But all of these technological and administrative triumphs mean nothing if the citizens remain detached, uninformed, cynical, or completely uneducated about the power of their votes.”

Amupitan urged both agencies to develop a grassroots voter education campaign that would explain not only when Nigerians should vote but also why their votes matter and how recent legal and technological reforms protect electoral outcomes.

He said, “We need to co-create a decentralized, grassroots voter education campaign that goes beyond simply telling people when to vote. We need to teach them why their vote matters and how our new legal and technological safeguards protect their choices.”

According to him, Nigerians must also be reassured that electoral reforms have significantly strengthened the integrity of elections.

He said, “We must look the rural farmer, the marketplace woman, and the disillusioned urban youth in the eye and explain to them, in the language they understand, that because of the current technological infrastructure, the era of snatching ballot boxes or rewriting results manually is gone.”

The INEC chairman cited the February 21 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and the June 20 Ekiti State governorship election as evidence of improvements in election administration.

He noted that both elections recorded over 90 per cent early opening of polling units, successful biometric accreditation through BVAS and rapid uploads of polling unit results to the IReV portal.

However, he said the elections also exposed persistent voter apathy and confusion among many voters over polling unit changes and registration transfers.

Amupitan said, “Despite our operational precision, both the FCT and Ekiti polls revealed a persistent, deeply concerning undercurrent of voter apathy, alongside widespread confusion among urban newcomers regarding local polling unit splits and registration transfers.

This is a loud diagnostic signal that far more needs to be done in the area of intensive, deep-rooted voter education, and it proves that we cannot afford to wait until the eve of the 2027 polls to start talking to our people.”

Describing voter apathy and misinformation as major threats to Nigeria’s democracy, the INEC chairman said both agencies must work together to reverse the trend.

He said, “We must be honest with ourselves. We are battling a silent, dangerous enemy in our electoral ecosystem: voter apathy and deep-seated cynicism.”

“We also see a sophisticated, orchestrated wave of fake news and disinformation designed to make the ordinary Nigerian believe their vote will not count. Together, INEC and the NOA must rewrite this narrative.”

Amupitan said preparations for the 2027 elections must begin immediately, revealing that the presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

He called for institutional collaboration between INEC’s Voter Education Department and NOA’s communication teams to combat vote-buying and misinformation.

He said, “Let us build joint campaigns against the toxic menace of vote-buying and misinformation, which threaten to contaminate our democracy.”

The INEC chairman assured the NOA of the commission’s full support, saying, “We are ready to pool our resources, share our data, and give your teams all the institutional support required to make this collaboration a resounding success.”

The Federal Government on Wednesday urged Nigerians to begin immediate preparations for possible flooding as the rainy season intensifies, warning that climate change has significantly altered the country’s rainfall patterns and heightened flood risks across several states.

The call was made by the Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, Yussuf Kelani, who said recent flooding in Lagos and other parts of the country should serve as a wake-up call for governments, communities and citizens to prioritise disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Kelani said climate change was no longer a future environmental concern but a present-day national development challenge requiring coordinated action at all levels.

He said, “Climate change has altered the frequency, duration and intensity of rainfall across many regions of the country. Instead of moderate rainfall spread over several days, communities increasingly experience short-duration but extremely heavy downpours that overwhelm drainage infrastructure, flood rivers, destroy roads and displace entire communities.”

According to him, scientific evidence has shown that rising global temperatures are increasing atmospheric moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall and more frequent flooding, coastal erosion, desertification and prolonged droughts in different parts of Nigeria.

Kelani said the recent floods, which submerged roads, disrupted businesses and damaged homes in Lagos and other locations, underscored the growing vulnerability of urban centres to climate-related disasters.

“Every flood is ultimately a human tragedy before it becomes an environmental statistic,” he said, noting that thousands of Nigerians had suffered losses of property, livelihoods and productivity.

The presidential aide warned that flood risks extend beyond Lagos, stressing that communities along the Rivers Niger and Benue, as well as states in the North-Central, South-South, South-East, parts of the North-West and coastal regions, remain highly vulnerable.

“As we move further into the rainy season, Nigerians living in flood-prone communities should begin preparations immediately. Waiting until floodwaters arrive is waiting too late,” he said.

He urged state governments, local government councils, traditional institutions, religious organisations and community associations to strengthen public awareness campaigns, inspect drainage infrastructure and activate emergency response plans before the peak of the rainy season.

Kelani also called on Nigerians to adopt environmentally responsible practices, including regular clearing of drainage channels, proper waste disposal, tree planting, and adherence to weather forecasts and flood advisories.

Climate resilience begins with environmental responsibility,” he stated.

Drawing lessons from countries such as the Netherlands, Japan, Bangladesh, Kenya and Pakistan, he said Nigeria must increase investment in modern drainage infrastructure, flood forecasting and early warning systems, sustainable urban planning, wetland restoration and other climate adaptation measures.

“Floods cannot always be prevented, but disasters can be significantly minimised through planning, preparedness, engineering, public awareness and strong institutions,” he added.

Kelani further identified climate education as a critical tool for reducing disaster risks, arguing that many Nigerians still see flooding merely as heavy rainfall rather than the combined effect of climate change, poor urban planning, blocked drainage systems and environmental degradation.

“Climate literacy should become part of everyday public education. An informed population is a resilient population,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, remains committed to implementing the Climate Change Act, the Energy Transition Plan and Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions to strengthen climate resilience.

However, he stressed that government efforts alone would not be sufficient.

“Government efforts can only succeed when matched by responsible citizen action. Climate change is no longer tomorrow’s problem. It is today’s reality. The actions we take today will determine whether future generations inherit safer, more resilient communities or continue to face recurring climate disasters,” Kelani said.

Nigeria experiences widespread flooding almost every rainy season, with climate change, rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage infrastructure and indiscriminate waste disposal worsening the impact of heavy rainfall.

The devastating 2022 floods, regarded as one of the country’s worst in decades, affected more than 30 states, killed over 600 people, displaced about 1.4 million residents, and destroyed thousands of homes, schools, roads and farmlands.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency have consistently warned that above-normal rainfall and rising water levels could trigger flooding in vulnerable communities, underscoring the need for early preparedness, improved infrastructure and stronger climate adaptation measures to minimise the impact on lives and livelihoods.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, sacked the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Toyin Balogun and replaced her with Faosat Sanni with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, in Ibadan, the state capital.

Olarenwaju said, “The governor has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle, which saw the redeployment of Faosat Sanni to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion. Sanni takes over from Toyin Balogun, who has been relieved of her appointment.

“The new redeployment takes immediate effect,” the statement added.

Makinde, while thanking Balogun for her contributions to the development of the state, wished her success in her future endeavour.

The PUNCH reports that Sanni, who had earlier served as the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion from 2019 to 2023, was moved to the Ministry of Special Duties in 2023 before being recently redeployed to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperative.

It will also be recalled that Makinde had, on Tuesday, forwarded the name of the Permanent Secretary, General Administration, Olabode Ladipo, to the Oyo State House of Assembly, as a commissioner-nominee.

The governor also appointed Ifeoluwa Akande as the Chairman, Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport Upgrade Committee; Isola Adekunle as Executive Adviser, Intra-Party Affairs; and Oladejo Oladokun as Part-Time member, Local Government Service Commission.

According to a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Ogunwuyi, the appointments take effect from July 1, 2026. Governor Makinde, while congratulating the newly-appointed individuals, urged them to discharge their duties with dedication, loyalty and commitment.

The governor had also, in January, 2026, announced a cabinet reshuffle.

Makinde, in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, relieved the Secretary to the State Government, Olanike Adeyemo, of her appointment with immediate effect.

He said, “Musibau Babatunde has been appointed as the new Secretary to the State Government.

“Barrister Temilolu Ashamu has been moved from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.”

The governor also announced his Senior Special Assistant on Public Works, Ademola Aderinto, as a commissioner-designate.

The statement also announced the appointment of Abiodun Adedoja as Special Adviser on Energy Security and Kolawole Elijah Akanmu as Senior Special Assistant on Budget and Economic Planning.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for ending what he described as the era of abandoned road projects in Abuja.

The commendation follows the commissioning of the full-scope development of Akinwumi Ajibola Street in Gaduwa District.

The President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, inaugurated the road project comprising Important Local Streets (ILS) 16, 18 and 19, saying Wike had transformed infrastructure delivery in the nation’s capital by ensuring projects were completed rather than abandoned.

Tinubu said the minister acted decisively after reviewing files on the neglected project, returning contractors to site, setting timelines and ensuring adequate funding.

This was contained in a statement issued by Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka.

“When the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, reviewed the files and saw the neglect, he did not issue another memo. He brought contractors back to site, set clear targets, and backed them with funding. Under this administration, there is no excuse of ‘no money,'” the president said.

He praised Wike’s approach to project execution, saying it had changed the culture of service delivery in the FCT.

Minister Wike, let me put it on record. You have changed the delivery culture in the FCT. You ended the era of mobilisation without movement. You ended the era of abandoned inner roads while major highways took all the attention.

“You are taking development from the city centre into the districts and the satellite towns, street by street, so that no resident is left behind. That is leadership.

“You inspect, you correct, you finish. Minister, you have my confidence, you have my commendation, and the FCT has your results. Well done to you and to your team,” Tinubu said.

He noted that residents of Gaduwa had endured years without a motorable access road despite building homes in the district, adding that the completed project would improve mobility, increase property values and reduce travel time and vehicle damage.

The President also urged residents to safeguard the infrastructure by avoiding the dumping of refuse in drainage channels and vandalism of streetlights and other road facilities.

Do not dump refuse in the drains. Do not vandalize the streetlights or road furniture. Report damage early. A street built by government and maintained by its community becomes permanent. That is the partnership I am asking for,” he said.

At the event, Wike warned the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, against renaming roads constructed by the Federal Government without approval.

The minister said while local government councils have the statutory responsibility for street naming, they must obtain federal approval before naming roads built by the Federal Government.

“Let me also warn the Chairman of AMAC: do not wait for us to construct roads to put your name on them. There are people here who have no street named after them. You wake up in the morning to see streets named after individuals, yet it is the Federal Government that constructed them.

“Do not use our projects to collect revenue. Use your own money to construct roads and then name those streets after whomever you wish. I do not want a situation where we come here tomorrow and see someone’s name on a street we built. Chairman AMAC, I hope you have heard us,” Wike said.

He recalled serving as a local government chairman and acknowledged that street naming falls under local councils but stressed that roads built with federal funds remain subject to federal approval.

“I am aware of the argument that naming streets is the sole responsibility of local government councils. I was once a council chairman myself, so I understand that. However, if it is the Federal Government that constructed the roads within the city, permission must be obtained from the Federal Government before you name those streets,” he said.

Wike said the commissioning marked the 16th day of a 31-day project inauguration programme organised to commemorate the administration’s third anniversary.

According to him, President Tinubu had directed that infrastructure development should extend beyond the city centre to every district and satellite town in the FCT.

He said several districts, including Kwali, Jahi-Gwarinpa, Katampe and Guzape, had already benefited from the administration’s infrastructure drive, citing the recent commissioning of the 13.3-kilometre Gomani-Bafa-Yangoje Road in Kwali Area Council.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, described the completion of the Gaduwa road project as another milestone in the administration’s efforts to transform the capital city under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustained infrastructure development across the FCT.

A cholera outbreak in Sudan has killed 120 people, with another 1,102 suspected cases since May in isolated war zones, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

More than three years of war between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have decimated the country’s healthcare system.

This is Sudan’s third wave of cholera in as many years, and began only two months after the last outbreak was declared over in March.

Between July 2024 and March 2026, over 124,400 people were infected and 3,500 killed during the last wave, according to government figures.

Endemic to the northeast African country, cholera used to come “in a cyclic manner every three years”, the WHO’s Sudan chief Dr Shible Sahbani told reporters.

But now the country faces near-continuous outbreaks “due to the conflict, constraints in access and limited supplies,” he said.

Sudan’s rainy season is set to surge in the coming weeks, during which cholera cases balloon as millions lack access to clean water and the rains further impede access.

The Sudanese government declared the latest outbreak this week in the flashpoint West Kordofan state, the dividing line between army and paramilitary zones of control.

Constant deadly drone strikes launched by both sides have made commercial and aid access to the Kordofan region increasingly dangerous, and brought hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation.

The WHO said the outbreak appears to be spreading, following reports of close to 300 suspected cases and three deaths in neighbouring North Kordofan, where the United Nations has warned the RSF is preparing to mount a deadly ground assault on state capital El-Obeid.

Drone strikes on the city’s power stations are already “disrupting access to lifesaving drinking water and electricity”, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said Tuesday, warning of the risk of mass atrocities.

Three years into the war, which aid groups estimate may have killed more than 200,000 people, nearly all of the country’s hospitals have been forced entirely or partially out of service.

“Forty percent of health facilities are non-functional at all, and the remaining almost 60 percent are only partially functioning, meaning they are providing only a few services, or not enough to patients in the area,” Sahbani said.

AFP

The Group Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, disclosed this during a visit by a delegation from the Republic of the Congo’s national oil company, Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement Wednesday by the Dangote Group.

Edwin said the expansion would raise the group’s total refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day, comprising 1.4 million barrels per day in Nigeria and a planned 700,000 barrels per day refining complex in Kenya to serve East African markets.

He also disclosed plans by the group to invest an additional $46bn between 2026 and 2028 across its refining, cement and fertiliser businesses as part of its drive to accelerate industrialisation across Africa.

The visit formed part of discussions between SNPC and Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals on a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the Republic of the Congo’s supply of refined petroleum products while advancing regional energy cooperation and industrial integration across Africa.

Leading the Congolese delegation, SNPC Managing Director, Maixent Raoul Ominga, described the refinery as a strategic asset for Africa and expressed the national oil company’s interest in developing a long-term partnership with Dangote.

We have visited this remarkable refinery, which represents a major industrial achievement for Africa. The Republic of the Congo has refining capacity, and we are keen to explore strategic cooperation that will help strengthen the supply of refined petroleum products while creating value for both organisations,” Ominga said.

According to him, discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in refining, petroleum product supply, energy security, industrial development and knowledge sharing.

He praised the Dangote Group for demonstrating that Africa can successfully finance, build and operate world-class industrial infrastructure, describing the refinery as an important milestone in the continent’s industrial transformation.

Ominga also commended the group’s investments in the Republic of the Congo, particularly in the cement sector, noting that they have strengthened local industrial capacity, expanded production and improved access to construction materials.

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to Africa’s industrialisation through value addition, regional partnerships and investment across the continent.

“We are for Africa, not just Nigeria. Tell us what you need, and we will see how we can work together,” Dangote said.

He noted that the refinery has established a new benchmark for fuel quality in Africa by producing petroleum products that meet the highest international specifications while improving access to cleaner fuels and reducing the continent’s dependence on imported refined products from outside Africa.

The engagement underscored the shared commitment of SNPC and Dangote Industries to deepen African energy cooperation, strengthen regional value chains and promote greater self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products as the continent advances towards enhanced energy security and increased intra-African trade.

Also present at the meeting were the Group Executive Director, Commercial, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Fatima Dangote; the Adviser to the President of the Republic of the Congo, Peggy Ndongo; and advisers to the SNPC Managing Director, Aymar Ebiou and Norbert Mabiala.

Scores of people were reportedly killed in an early morning attack on Sai Community in Mbajir Council Ward, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to sources from the affected community, the assailants invaded the community at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday and killed several residents.

One of the residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity in a telephone interview with journalists, said several bodies had been recovered, while many injured victims had been taken to a hospital in Katsina-Ala for treatment.

“Some armed herders invaded Sai Community around 2 a.m. They moved from house to house, shooting sporadically and forcing people to flee into the bush for safety.

As we returned to the community at daybreak, youths had recovered 10 bodies of the victims, while several others had been taken to a hospital in Katsina-Ala for treatment,” the source said.

The Benue State Police Command had yet to respond to the incident as of the time of filing this report. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone were not answered.

Meanwhile, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack on Sai Community and urged security agencies to deploy additional personnel to the area.

According to a statement issued by the governor’s chief press secretary, Tersoo Kula, Alia said the prompt deployment of security personnel would help prevent further attacks.

The statement read in part, “Deploy additional personnel to Sai and surrounding communities to prevent further incursions by terrorists and armed herdsmen

Launch a manhunt for the perpetrators of this heinous crime to ensure they are brought to face the wrath of the law.

“Ensure the safety of farmers as they tend to their crops, guaranteeing that no further disruption to agricultural activities occurs.

“The unfortunate incident, which occurred in the early hours of the first day of July, left scores dead, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries. It was allegedly carried out by terrorists masquerading as herdsmen.”

Describing the attack as a “senseless assault on innocent citizens,” the governor added:

“This attack is an ugly, cowardly and unacceptable act of violence, particularly coming at a crucial time when our hardworking farmers, who have returned to their ancestral lands, are cultivating their farms.

These enemies of progress have chosen to disrupt the peace and food security of our state by targeting the moment when crops are developing and the hope for a bountiful harvest is high.”

The governor extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attack, as well as to victims receiving medical treatment. He urged residents of Katsina-Ala and the state not to be discouraged and assured them of his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

“We will not allow the forces of darkness to drive you away from your lands or dampen your spirits. We are building a Benue where peace and justice prevail, and this setback will only strengthen our resolve,” the statement added.

Katsina-Ala Local Government Area is one of the flashpoints of violent attacks in Benue State and has frequently been affected by attacks attributed to armed herders and local bandits.

The Premier League giants reached an agreement for the 20-year-old in January and he has now signed a five-year contract at Anfield with the option of a further 12 months, subject to international clearance.

The defender is expected to be available from the start of pre-season after missing the end of his last campaign in France with a shoulder injury suffered in February.

“I feel really good, the first impressions are good and I am very happy to start here,” Jacquet told Liverpool’s website on Wednesday. “It’s a big dream for me

Jacquet made 33 senior appearances for Ligue 1 side Rennes after coming through their youth ranks. He spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Clermont.

AFP

The deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo threatens tens of thousands of jobs and could cost Africa up to $3.6 billion, the United Nations warned.

The UN Development Programme said the epidemic was “sparking a far-reaching socioeconomic crisis which could push 985,000 more people into poverty”.

“The Ebola crisis also risks eliminating tens of thousands of jobs, disrupting education and healthcare services, and costing African economies up to $3.6 billion if broader regional and global shocks intensify,” UNDP said in a statement on Tuesday.

The poverty shock — which would disproportionately affect women — would primarily impact the DR Congo and its neighbours, notably Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.

While the immediate public health threat is severe and requires containment measures such as quarantines, some of the broader restrictions on travel and trade are inadvertently devastating local economies and informal livelihoods,” UNDP warned.

In the DRC, there have been 1,333 cases and 399 deaths confirmed, while 189 people have recovered from the virus, according to figures from the World Health Organization.

“Ebola does not stop at the hospital gate,” said Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP’s Africa regional director.

It affects livelihoods, education, food security, trade, public finances and trust. If we treat this Ebola outbreak solely as a health challenge, we risk missing the much larger development emergency unfolding around it.”

UNDP said that even under a baseline scenario where the virus is successfully contained in the DRC and Uganda — which has seen 20 confirmed cases — the economic damage would be “severe”.

The DRC is projected to see “real GDP losses exceeding $1 billion and the loss of 55,000 jobs”, it said.

“Trade disruptions, border restrictions, transport delays, declining consumer confidence and interruptions to informal markets could reduce continental GDP by US$2.37 billion, even if transmission remains largely contained,” the agency warned.

UNDP recommended direct cash transfers to the most vulnerable, shifting from border closures to targeted screening, and setting up emergency financing mechanisms to ensure maternal, reproductive and infant healthcare services can continue during the crisis.

The conflict-hit northeastern Ituri province is the epicentre of the DRC’s latest outbreak of Ebola.

This epidemic of the viral haemorrhagic fever is caused by the Bundibugyo species of the virus, for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment.

AFP

The Nigerian Air Force has released the list of successful candidates for interview into Junior Secondary School 1 of the Air Force Military School, Air Force Girls’ Military School, Jos, and other Air Force Secondary Schools for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The NAF announced this in a statement published on its official website on Wednesday.

According to the statement, candidates can check the lists at NAF Secondary Schools or through the Nigerian Air Force’s official websites.

It stated that the list is available on the Nigerian Air Force website, www.airforce.mil.ng, and the Nigerian Air Force Education Command website

The Air Force also said sample interview letters are available for download on the portal.

It said the interview for the Air Force Military School and Air Force Girls’ Military School, Jos, would be conducted in two batches.

“Interview for Air Force Military School and Air Force Girls’ Military School, Jos, is scheduled from August 3, 2026, for Batch A and August 7, 2026, for Batch B.

And the one for other Air Force Secondary Schools will hold from August 18, 2026,” the statement read.

The Air Force also advised candidates to use the result checker on the portal to verify their examination results.

Former Nollywood actress and United States Navy officer Grace-Charis Bassey Effah has announced her engagement to her partner.

Bassey shared the news in a Facebook post on Tuesday, accompanied by photos of herself and her fiancé. Although she did not reveal his identity, she showed off her engagement ring in the pictures.

Announcing the engagement, she wrote, “Answered prayers. Age is just a number. Found someone worth calling life with, beyond blessed.”

In another post, she added, “It feels like a dream but when true love finds you, you melt.”

The engagement marks a new chapter for Bassey, who left Nollywood in 2025 to pursue a military career in the United States.

She enlisted in the United States Navy in May 2025 and later graduated from the Navy boot camp. She also became a US citizen after taking the oath of allegiance.

Bassey dedicated the milestone to her late father, Asido Bassey Effah, a retired naval commander.

The actress had earlier explained that she left the movie industry because she no longer found fulfilment in acting. She also revealed that joining the US Navy had been a lifelong dream, having attended the Nigerian Navy Secondary School in Port Harcourt and grown up in a military family.

Bassey made her Nollywood debut in the 2005 television series Shallow Waters before taking part in the reality show Next Movie Star.

During her acting career, she won several awards, including the Most Promising Actor of the Year prize at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards.

In 2021, she announced that she had changed her name from Belinda to Grace-Charis after what she described as a divine encounter, saying the decision was influenced by the meaning of her former name.

Former Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, Ibrahim Olarewaju, has dismissed claims that he failed to resign his appointment before contesting for the All Progressives Congress ticket for the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II seat in May.

Olarewaju’s Media Office also said the former member of the House of Representatives emerged victorious in the APC primary election for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II as a “reward for years of grassroots engagement, accessibility and unwavering commitment to the people through a transparent and democratic process conducted in accordance with APC rules.”

A statement by Moses Owoyemi, on behalf of the media team and made available in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, stated that the former lawmaker “fully complied with all constitutional, legal and party requirements before participating in the primary election.”

Owoyemi said, “His (Olarewaju’s) resignation as SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters took effect on March 31, 2026, in compliance with the directive issued to political appointees seeking elective office. It is incorrect and misleading to suggest that Olarewaju’s participation in the primary election violated any provision of the law. Allegations, no matter how loudly repeated, do not amount evidence

The media office, reacting to reports and claims that the former presidential aide did not resign, stated: “This (his resignation) is a matter of public record and can be independently verified through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as well as media reports.

“Olarewaju’s record in legal practice and public service reflects integrity, transparency and strict adherence to the law. Those who know him understand that he has never pursued public office by circumventing established legal processes.

The outcome of the APC primary election reflected the freely expressed will of accredited delegates across Moba, Ilejemeje and Ido-Osi Local Government Areas. Hon. Olarewaju emerged victorious.

We commend party leaders, delegates and members who conducted themselves peacefully throughout the primary election and appreciate the aspirants who have demonstrated political maturity by accepting the outcome of the exercise in the overall interest of party unity.”

According to the media office, “Hon. Olarewaju remains focused on the bigger task of uniting all stakeholders within the APC and preparing for victory in the 2027 general election. He believes that politics should be driven by ideas, service and respect for democratic processes, not by misinformation or attempts to delegitimise the clear choice of party delegates.

“We, therefore, urge members of the public to disregard speculative claims that are unsupported by verifiable evidence. Our confidence remains in the internal democratic processes of the APC and in the ability of the appropriate party organs to address any legitimate concerns fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law.

“The APC in Ekiti North Federal Constituency II is bigger than the ambition of any individual. Now is the time to close ranks, strengthen party unity and work collectively towards delivering greater dividends of democracy to the people.”

The media office, while noting that it was not unusual for disappointed aspirants or their supporters to express grievances after an election, advised that “such grievances should be pursued through the internal mechanisms provided by the party and, where necessary, the appropriate legal channels, rather than through media campaigns capable of creating unnecessary division within the APC

A student of Osun State University, identified simply as Ademola, has narrated how she was assaulted after some some soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo  invaded the halls of residence of students of the university.

Ademola, in a video shared by OsunDefenderNG, said the incident occurred while she was alone in her room preparing a meal.

According to her, she initially noticed the presence of soldiers around the area, but believed the situation had calmed down before the officers allegedly returned.

Recall that on Monday evening, some soldiers from the Army Depot, Osogbo, invaded halls of residence occupied by students of Osun State University, assaulted several students and carted away more than 60 mobile phones and other electronic gadgets.

Some female students were also reportedly stripped naked and forced to dance unclad by the soldiers, who were said to be among personnel that participated in the Army Depot’s passing-out parade held last Saturday.

Recounting the incident, she said, “My name is Ademola…, a student of Osun State University. I was in my hostel room cooking when I noticed they (soldiers) were around. After a while everything died down. However, later, we started hearing noise again.

“They started pointing their touch to my room and asked who was there and what were they doing this for. The next thing, they asked me to open my door and I opened the door.

So, one of them asked how many of us was inside the room and I told him two. I also told him my roommate wasn’t around.”

While her emotions betrayed her, Ademola alleged that one of the soldiers then became physically aggressive.

“Then, he pinned me to my bathroom door, told me I would like it. He also told me not to shout. So, I begged him.

“I had to look for a way to get out of his hold and moved to the door. On moving to the door, I told him to move out. He asked if I wanted him to move out,” she added.

She further alleged that another soldier entered the room and attempted to restrain her.

She narrated, “While on that, his colleague came in and also told me to calm down, that I would love it and that I shouldn’t shout.

So, when they started moving, I shouted and screamed. After shouting, they both moved out and I had to use force to close the door.”

According to the student, one of her hostel mates later came to check on her after hearing the commotion.

“After closing the door, one of my hostel mates that was there came to knock on my door to check up on me and he left,” she said.

Following the incident, the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, on Tuesday,announced that it had commenced an investigation into allegations of misconduct involving some of its personnel after receiving a complaint from the National Association of Nigerian Students, Southwest Zone D.

The Army said the investigation was intended to establish the facts surrounding the incident and assured that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

The Federal Government Microsoft AI Skills for Women aims to equip participants with beginner-friendly courses, and is designed to bridge the gender gap in tech, and provides practical Artificial Intelligence knowledge, prompt engineering, and productivity skills.

This post contains all you need to know about the program, including a step-by-step guide on to apply successfully.

Microsoft AI Skills for Women Summary

• Hosts: Federal Government of Nigeria | Microsoft | Founderz
• Category: Training
• Eligible Country: Nigeria
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Six victims abducted by suspected bandits in Katsina State have regained their freedom after troops of the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, rescued them during a routine patrol in Faskari Local Government Area of the State.

The victims, comprising four women and two young boys, were intercepted by troops deployed at Unguwan Doka on Monday, June 29, 2026, while wandering through the bush after escaping from their captors.

According to a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 17 Brigade, Capt Abayomi Adisa, the rescued victims were identified as Mrs Umaima Isiaku, 30; Amina Isiaku, 16; Safiya Isiaku, 15; Ramatu Suleiman, 30; Muhammad Shehu, 4; and Ibrahim Suleiman, 2.

The Army disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the victims had been abducted by bandits from Unguwan Lado in Kankara Local Government Area on June 22, 2026.

The statement said the victims managed to escape from their abductors before they were found by soldiers during a routine foot patrol.

“Troops deployed at Unguwan Doka, while on a routine foot patrol, intercepted six kidnapped victims comprising four women and two male children wandering in the bush after escaping from their abductors,” the statement noted.

The Army added that immediately after the rescue, the victims received first aid, food and other essential support before they were reunited with their families.

The statement further noted, “Following their rescue, the troops administered first aid, provided food and other immediate necessities before reuniting them with their families.”

Reacting to the development, the Commander, 17 Brigade, Brig Gen Ishaya Ibrahim, reaffirmed the Army’s determination to sustain ongoing operations against criminal elements operating within the state.

He said, “The Brigade remains committed to sustaining aggressive operations against criminal elements while ensuring the safety and security of lives and property across its Area of Responsibility.”

The rescue is part of ongoing military operations aimed at tackling banditry and other security threats across Katsina State and the North-West region.

The Lagos State Health Management Agency has won the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award for State Government Health Insurance of the Year 2026, marking the third time the agency has received the recognition for its contributions to health insurance delivery in Nigeria.

LASHMA emerged the winner of the category at the 12th Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award ceremony held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, with organisers recognising the agency’s efforts in expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare services across Lagos State.

The award was presented to the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, by the former Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Femi Olugbile, the state government announced on Monday via its Facebook page.

Olugbile congratulated LASHMA for emerging as the winner among five nominees in the category, urging the agency to continue developing innovations that would support the Lagos State Government’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.

With this award, more work is required from the agency to ensure that Lagos residents have unhindered access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare services,” Olugbile said.

The Chairman of the NHEA Advisory Board, Dr Anthony Omolola, said the award was established in 2014 to recognise excellence, leadership and outstanding performance across Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

Omolola explained that recipients were selected through a rigorous process involving research, public voting and independent evaluation by the advisory board.

Every nomination is based on credibility,” he said.

Speaking on the theme of the 2026 edition, “Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation in Healthcare,” Omolola said the healthcare sector had evolved beyond traditional approaches, with technology, partnerships, artificial intelligence, local production and sustainable financing becoming key drivers of modern healthcare delivery.

“Healthcare is not the way it used to be several years ago. It is now driven by ideas, partnership, artificial intelligence, local production of devices and sustainable financing,” he said.

Responding after receiving the award, Zamba thanked the organisers for recognising LASHMA’s contribution to the health insurance sector and appreciated stakeholders who supported the agency’s efforts.

She acknowledged the support of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, members of the state House of Assembly, local government chairmen, partners and other stakeholders.

Zamba also appreciated Lagos residents and individuals who voted for the agency, promising that LASHMA would continue working towards expanding access to healthcare services regardless of residents’ socio-economic backgrounds.

“We will continue to do our best to ensure that residents in the state have access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare services,” she said.

The latest recognition adds to LASHMA’s previous achievements at the NHEA, having won the State Government Health Insurance of the Year award in 2023, shared the award with Katsina State in 2025, and emerged as the winner again in 2026.

The Federal Government on Tuesday announced plans to abolish the long-standing policy separating junior secondary schools from senior secondary schools after revealing that more than 20 million pupils are dropping out before reaching senior secondary education.

Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the policy, introduced to separate junior and senior secondary education into distinct administrative structures, had failed to achieve its objective and had instead worsened access to education across the country.

Alausa disclosed this in Abuja during the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee.

He said the decision followed evidence showing a huge gap between the number of primary schools and junior secondary schools nationwide, leaving millions of children unable to progress in their education.

“We have 20 million dropouts from primary school to junior secondary school. Where are those students? We also found we have 80,000 public primary schools and only about 15,000 junior secondary schools. That’s a one-to-eight ratio,” he said.

According to him, the shortage of junior secondary schools resulted in severe overcrowding while many senior secondary schools remained underutilised.

The JSS-SSS structure was introduced in 1982 as part of the National Policy on Education (often referred to as the 6-3-3-4 system), which was initially formulated in 1977.

The minister said, “This disarticulation policy has failed. We will phase it out. We can’t create positions because we want to create a director-level position for people while we harm our education system. It’s about doing what is best for every Nigerian child,” he added.

Alausa said the proposal to scrap the policy would be presented at the next meeting of the National Council on Education for approval.

The minister said the reform forms part of broader efforts to improve access to education and raise learning outcomes.

“This government will not fail. We are fixing it,” he said.

The announcement came as the minister raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s deepening learning crisis, revealing that about three out of every four children at the basic education level are unable to read and understand an age-appropriate text by the age of 10.

Speaking later at the Federal Ministry of Education and Universal Basic Education Commission Roundtable Convening Meeting on Digital Resources Available to Achieve Learning Outcomes, Alausa described the country’s learning poverty rate as alarming.

“Learning poverty means that by the age of 10, a child cannot read and understand an age-appropriate text.

In Nigeria today, three out of every four children are learning poor. That is simply unacceptable,” Alausa added.

He said the statistics underscored the need to urgently transform teaching and learning through digital technology.

“We don’t have a choice. We have to use technology. It is no longer feasible to continue to do things manually. Digital learning is the future, and we must deploy it to every part of the country, including the most rural communities,” he said.

The minister urged state governments to maximise the use of digital learning platforms already developed by the Federal Government, including the Nigeria Learning Passport, Inspire, Ignite, EduRevamp, E-Learn, the Greenfield Learning Management System and virtual classroom solutions.

According to him, the platforms provide curriculum-aligned lessons taught by some of the country’s best teachers and can help address shortages of qualified teachers in subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Physics and Chemistry.

He explained that schools without subject teachers could connect learners to live or recorded virtual classes while allowing students to interact with teachers online.

Despite the investments, Alausa lamented that adoption of the platforms remained very low.

He disclosed that although the Nigeria Learning Passport currently has about 2.3 million users, the figure represents only a fraction of Nigeria’s estimated 67 million learners in primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools.

“This is still extremely low. We have invested significant resources in these platforms. If they are not used, then it becomes a wasted investment. We cannot continue to suffer in the midst of plenty,” the minister added.

He commended the United Nations Children’s Fund for supporting the development of the Nigeria Learning Passport, noting that it sustained learning during the coronavirus pandemic and later supported children affected by insecurity and school closures.

The minister also inaugurated a ministerial implementation and monitoring committee chaired by Prof Rashid Aderinoye to oversee Universal Basic Education Commission-funded smart schools, bilingual schools and alternative schools across the country.

The committee is expected to ensure that the projects are completed, handed over to state governments and opened for learning.

Alausa lamented that despite huge public investment, many of the schools remain uncompleted or have yet to admit learners, describing the situation as an unacceptable waste of public resources.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr Aisha Garba, said technology had become indispensable for building an inclusive, resilient and future-ready education system.

She said the commission had established digital learning centres in primary and junior secondary schools, deployed smart interactive boards, strengthened education data systems and introduced digital monitoring and evaluation platforms.

Garba added that the commission had inaugurated Digital Champions to drive digital transformation and support state governments in implementing education technology initiatives.

According to her, technology alone cannot transform education without effective coordination, strong partnerships, sustained capacity building and the willingness of stakeholders to embrace innovation.

She expressed confidence that the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission, state governments and development partners would accelerate the adoption of digital learning resources and improve learning outcomes nationwide.

Nigeria has one of the largest populations of out-of-school children in the world, with millions of school-age children—particularly in rural, poor and conflict-affected communities still unable to access or complete basic education.

Education experts have long argued that weak transition rates from primary to junior secondary school, inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages and insecurity continue to fuel the crisis.

The separation of junior secondary schools from senior secondary schools was introduced as part of reforms to the nation’s basic education system.

However, education stakeholders have repeatedly criticised the policy for creating administrative bottlenecks and limiting the progression of pupils, especially in areas where junior secondary schools are insufficient.

The Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has approved scholarships for more than 760 beneficiaries under the state’s 2025/2026 Local Scholarship Scheme.

The initiative is part of efforts to expand access to education and strengthen human capital development.

The Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loans Board, Chukwuemeka Mbah, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu.

He said the beneficiaries, drawn from the 17 local government areas of the state and across various fields of study, comprise of 500 undergraduate students, 100 postgraduate students and 160 public sector teachers.

According to him, successful applicants who passed the Computer-Based Test have begun receiving text messages and emails for verification and documentation on local government-by-local government basis.

Mbah said the scholarship scheme reflects the governor’s commitment to investing in education, empowering young people and equipping the state’s workforce with the knowledge and skills required to drive its development agenda.

He urged successful candidates to respond promptly to the notifications sent to them to facilitate the verification process.

More beneficiaries will be captured in the next phase of the scholarship programme. It’s open to the people of Enugu State, and I want to urge our people to continue to apply.

“This is not the time to say you’re unable to get quality education because of funding. The governor has made it easy for our people to access free, quality education,” the statement added.

Twenty-two days after he was abducted by gunmen in Ora, Osun State, the Vice Chairman of the Ifedayo Local Government Area of the state, Mr Debo Farounbi, is yet to regain freedom.

The reports that Farounbi was abducted in Ora, a boundary community along the Osun/Kwara boundary, around 10 pm on Tuesday, June 9, by gunmen suspected to be bandits, alongside three other people.

But sources in the community said the military men and local volunteers stationed in the town put up a strong resistance, forcing the perpetrators to abandon three of those abducted and flee with Farounbi amid a heavy gunfight.

A close family source who preferred anonymity since he was not authorised to comment on the incident said on Tuesday that the abductors established contact with the family of the victim and demanded a sum of N200m for his release a few days after he was abducted.

Another family source, who does not want to be named in the print, however, said the abductors’ demand has been reduced to N50m after days of intense negotiation.

“It is true that they (abductors) demanded N200m. They used his mobile phone to call his family.

“But after days of negotiating, the amount has been reduced to N50m, but his family are still running around to raise the money.

There was a day the abductors took pictures of him and sent them to his relatives to put pressure on them. There is growing concern over his state of health.

“But as of 7pm today (Tuesday), he has not been released. I don’t even think there are any search and rescue efforts again from the security agencies,” the family source said.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that the command was still working towards a safe rescue of the victim.

He also said the command was unaware of any negotiation for ransom between the family of the victim and the perpetrators of the crime.

Ojelabi, who said that after the abduction, two people were arrested in the forest, added that two suspects had been arraigned and remanded in a correctional centre.

“We are still working within the information available to us to see to the safe rescue of the victim.

“Two people were arrested inside the forest after the abduction, and after our investigation, we charged them in court.

“The court has since remanded them to the correctional centre. We are working hard to rescue the victim,” Ojelabi said.

A 1978 law requires the president and vice president of the United States to declare their income as well as their assets.

According to the documents, which are more than 900 pages long, Trump received nearly $`550 million from his ties to the startup World Liberty Financial.

The Trump family lent its support and its name to this cryptocurrency platform, launched in September 2024.

World Liberty Financial issued its own cryptocurrency, WLFI, whose initial sale brought in `$550 million.

Trump and his three sons also obtained, via an intermediary company, DT Marks Defi, an additional 22.5 billion WLFI, currently worth around $`1.3 billion.

In April 2025, WLF also marketed its stablecoin — a digital currency whose value is pegged to a traditional currency, in this case the dollar.

Trump’s income disclosure also mentions $635 million in royalties received under a licensing agreement related to the $TRUMP cryptocurrency, launched just hours before his inauguration in January 2025.

The president’s activities in the cryptocurrency sector are the main reason for the near tripling of his personal fortune, which rose from `$2.3 billion to $6.5 billion between 2024 and 2026, according to Forbes.

The former real estate developer is regularly accused of conflicts of interest, in particular for having invested in the crypto-currency industry while as president taking several measures to deregulate the sector, causing asset prices to soar.

Beyond the income derived from WLF and its cryptocurrency, Trump has also earned several million dollars from shares in various publicly listed companies active in cryptocurrencies, such as the Coinbase exchange platform.

The president’s assets are held in a trust managed by his son, Donald Trump Jr. But its bylaws stipulate that the entity can be dissolved at any time, which means the billionaire could regain control of it as soon as his second term ends.

AFP

Floodwaters swept through several communities in Lagos State on Tuesday following hours of heavy rainfall, submerging homes and roads, disrupting movement and knocking out electricity in parts of the state after critical transmission facilities were affected.

Videos obtained by PUNCH Metro showed flooded streets in FESTAC, Gbagada, Evans, Olushi, Anikantamo and Adeniji Adele on the Lagos Island, with residents wading through waterlogged roads and motorists struggling to navigate submerged streets.

Correspondents who monitored the situation in Ikeja observed that floodwaters entered several homes and shops, forcing some residents to temporarily relocate over fears of worsening conditions.

The flooding, worsened by blocked drains filled with plastic waste and inadequate drainage infrastructure, left many roads submerged in knee-deep water.

A resident of Ikeja, Abidemi Raji, blamed the flooding on the poor road design and blocked drainage channels.

“The way the road was constructed contributes to the flooding. Although there is a drainage channel, it usually takes between 30 minutes and one hour after the rain stops before the water recedes because of the volume of water,” he said.

Raji alleged that a drainage channel linking the area to another street had been blocked after a hotel was built.

There is supposed to be a channel connecting this compound to the next street, but the back passage was blocked after the hotel was built. That has worsened the flooding,” he added.

The downpour also submerged several streets in the Festac area of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, disrupting movement and leaving residents and motorists stranded.

A video shared by Lagos Reporters on X showed floodwaters covering major roads and inner streets, forcing pedestrians to wade through water while motorists struggled to move.

A resident, Okeke Mmesoma, described the flooding as a recurring challenge.

“Anytime it rains heavily, this place gets flooded. It is usually after the rain stops that the water begins to clear. My shoes were soaked this morning on my way to work,” she said.

She added that many motorists avoided the flooded roads to prevent their vehicles from breaking down, while commuters stayed away to avoid getting drenched.

Flooding was also reported in Ajah, while roads around Adeniji Adele, Evans, Olushi and Anikantamo on Lagos Island were inundated.

The heavy rainfall also caused electricity outages after floodwaters damaged facilities at the Oworo 132/33kV Transmission Station.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, Ikeja Electric said severe flooding at the station affected two power transformers and several 33kV feeders.

The affected feeders include Oworo Injection Substations 1 and 2, serving Ladilak, Bariga, Araromi, Oworo, Pedro, GTB, Alapere, Agboyi, Araba, Hospital and Gbagada.

The electricity distribution company said it was working with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to restore supply as soon as the damaged facilities were returned to service.

The flooding also affected neighbouring Ogun State, where residents of Gloryland Estate in Ibafo appealed to the state government to urgently intervene.

Residents said the flooding had damaged buildings, disrupted movement and forced some families to temporarily vacate their homes during the rainy season.

A member of the Community Development Association, Oladipupo Awoyemi, blamed the flooding on blocked drainage channels linked to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Whenever it rains continuously for two or three days, the whole community becomes flooded. We have reported the blocked drainage channels several times, but the problem remains unresolved,” he said.

Awoyemi added that indiscriminate construction and refuse dumping had further obstructed waterways.

“Years ago, the flooding was not this severe because water flowed freely. Today, many canals have been blocked by buildings and factories, while refuse dumped into the drains has made the situation worse,” he said.

According to him, the annual flooding has damaged buildings, disrupted economic activities and exposed residents to health risks.

“It affects everybody. People cannot use the roads freely, vehicles are forced to take longer routes, and some residents have to leave their homes whenever the flooding becomes severe,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the dredging of 28 additional primary drainage channels to improve flood control across the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kunle Adeshina.

Wahab described Tuesday’s downpour as an extreme weather event that overwhelmed drainage infrastructure, resulting in temporary flooding in Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoluku and several other communities.

He explained that Lagos’ unique coastal geography, with its network of lagoons, rivers and tidal water bodies, naturally slows the discharge of stormwater into the sea during high tide, making temporary flooding inevitable after exceptionally heavy rainfall.

The commissioner assured residents that the government was closely monitoring drainage infrastructure and flood-prone locations while emergency response agencies remained on the ground to support affected communities.

He also urged residents to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels, desist from illegal reclamation of wetlands and avoid building on drainage alignments, warning that such practices worsen flooding.

Wahab advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads during heavy rainfall and urged residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas, to comply with weather advisories and safety guidelines issued by relevant authorities.

The average fare paid by commuters for bus journeys within Nigerian cities rose to N1,431.25 per trip in May 2026, highlighting continued pressure on transportation costs despite signs of easing inflation in other sectors of the economy.

This was contained in the National Bureau of Statistics’ latest Transport Fare Watch report, released on Tuesday.

According to the report, the average intra-city bus fare increased 2.43 per cent from N1,397.27 recorded in April 2026. On a year-on-year basis, the fare rose 38.63 per cent from N1,032.46 paid in May 2025.

The report also showed that transport costs increased across other major categories, including intercity bus travel, domestic air transport, motorcycle (okada) rides, and water transportation during the review period 

The NBS noted that transport fares continued to rise across virtually all categories in May, with motorcycle transportation recording the highest annual increase.

According to the data, the average fare for intercity bus travel increased to N9,699.55 in May, up 0.96 per cent from N9,607.41 in April. Compared with May 2025, the fare rose 21.89 per cent from N7,957.41.

Similarly, the average airfare for specified domestic routes stood at N157,552.19, reflecting a 0.12 per cent month-on-month increase and a 20.86 per cent rise from N130,361.85 recorded in May 2025.

Motorcycle transport recorded the sharpest increase among all transport categories, with the average fare rising to N1,072.51. This represented a 3.56 per cent increase from April and a 52.45 per cent year-on-year increase.

Water transport fares also increased to N2,276.48 during the month, up by 2.41 per cent from April and 30.88 per cent higher than the N1,739.32 recorded in May last year.

The bureau said the figures showed that transport costs remained elevated nationwide despite relatively modest monthly increases.

State-by-state analysis showed wide disparities in transport fares across the country.

Ondo State recorded the highest average intercity bus fare at N11,080, followed by Abia State at N11,066.13, while Kwara and Edo states posted the lowest average fares.

For intra-city bus transportation, Zamfara State recorded the highest average fare at N1,878.80, followed by Taraba State at N1,771.96. Abia and Adamawa states recorded the lowest city bus fares.

The report further showed that Kano State posted the highest average domestic airfare at N184,139.29, ahead of Lagos State at N176,971.65, while Gombe and Nasarawa states recorded the lowest airfares.

Kaduna State recorded the highest average fare for motorcycle transportation at N1,720.76, while Rivers State posted the highest average water transport fare at N6,893.55.

At the regional level, the South-West recorded the highest average fares for city bus services, intercity buses, and motorcycle transportation, while the South-South recorded the highest average water transport fares.

A total of 1,271 offenders are currently serving various non-custodial sentences across Nigeria, according to the latest statistics released by the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The figures, obtained from the NCoS on Tuesday, showed that 1,137 of those serving non-custodial measures are males, while 134 are females.

The data indicated that community service remains the most widely used non-custodial measure, accounting for 1,038 offenders nationwide.

Of those on community service, 992 are males, while 46 are females.

The statistics further revealed that 12 offenders are currently on parole, comprising nine males and three females.

Similarly, 34 persons are serving probation sentences, including 30 males and four females.

“Non-Custodial Statistics Summary Summary Of Inmates Population By Convict And Awaiting Trial Persons As At 29th June 2026

Total: 1,271. Total Male: 1,137. Total Female: 134: Community Service: 1,038. Male: 992 and Female: 46

“Parole: 12, Male: nine and Female: three,” the data read.

The NCoS data also showed that 162 offenders are undergoing restorative justice programmes. The category consists of 84 males and 78 females.

In addition, 25 offenders fall under other non-custodial measures, with 22 males and three females.

Overall, the figures show that males account for about 89 per cent of the total non-custodial population, while females make up the remaining 11 per cent.

The non-custodial service, introduced under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, is designed to decongest custodial centres by providing alternative sentencing options such as community service, probation, parole and restorative justice for eligible offenders.

Nigeria formally introduced the Non-Custodial Service with the enactment of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, replacing the old Nigerian Prisons Service framework.

The reform established alternatives to imprisonment—including community service, probation, parole and restorative justice—to reduce overcrowding in custodial centres, promote offender rehabilitation and improve the administration of criminal justice.

The initiative also aligns with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

Implementation began in phases, with the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos among the first jurisdictions to adopt community service and other non-custodial measures, before the programme gradually expanded to other states.

In recent years, awareness and implementation have grown in states including Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Lagos and Plateau, while the Nigerian Correctional Service has continued to encourage wider adoption by state judiciaries as part of efforts to decongest custodial centres nationwide.

The Federal Government has set a target of generating ₦2.5 trillion in independent revenue in 2026.

The acting Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Charles Abana, disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting between the Commission’s management and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, in Abuja.

A statement by the spokesman for the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chris Ugwuegbulam, Abana said the target followed the commission’s monitoring of approximately ₦1.84 trillion in independent revenue generated by Ministries, Departments and Agencies as of September 2025.

He said, “Through enhanced monitoring of operating surplus from Government-Owned Enterprises and independent revenue generated by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the Commission recorded approximately ₦1.84 trillion in monitored independent revenue as at September 2025 and has set an ambitious target of ₦2.5 trillion in independent revenue for 2026.”

He explained that the commission was intensifying efforts to improve transparency in revenue reporting, ensure timely remittance of operating surpluses into the Consolidated Revenue Fund and eliminate revenue leakages across public institutions.

According to him, the commission has also reviewed and upgraded its Operating Surplus Calculation Template, first developed in 2016, to align with current fiscal realities and the provisions of the Finance Act 2020.

“The template has now been fully automated to improve efficiency, accuracy and transparency in revenue computation and compliance monitoring,” Abana added.

Speaking during the meeting, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, called for stronger collaboration among fiscal and oversight institutions to deepen transparency, accountability and prudent management of public finances.

Akume urged the Fiscal Responsibility Commission to strengthen cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Debt Management Office and other oversight agencies.

“I want to urge deeper collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation, Office of the Accountant General and the Federal Debt Management Office and other oversight institutions to eliminate duplication and strengthen fiscal governance,” he said.

The SGF described the Fiscal Responsibility Commission as a critical institution in Nigeria’s fiscal governance framework, noting that prudent management of public resources remains essential for economic stability.

“The Fiscal Responsibility Commission occupies a strategic position in strengthening public financial management and ensuring that government resources are managed with discipline, transparency and accountability in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Akume said.

He added that fiscal responsibility was fundamental to sustaining macroeconomic stability, boosting investor confidence, ensuring debt sustainability and promoting the efficient utilisation of public resources across all tiers of government.

The Federal Government is intensifying efforts to boost non-oil revenue and improve fiscal discipline as it seeks to strengthen public finances amid growing expenditure demands.

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission monitors the independent revenue and operating surpluses of Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Government-Owned Enterprises to ensure compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and remittance into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, on Tuesday expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for approving the award of the contract for the construction of the Oyo Circular Road from Ijawaya–FGGC–Sabo–Ilora to Akinmorin in Oyo Federal Constituency.

The commendation was contained in a statement issued by the monarch’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The Alaafin noted that, for decades, the poor condition of roads in Oyo metropolis had posed severe socio-economic challenges for residents, adding that the Tinubu administration’s prompt attention to the critical infrastructure would bring immense relief.

The reports that the monarch, during a recent visit to the President at his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, called for the urgent provision of critical infrastructure in the metropolis to improve the socio-economic well-being of the people.

Speaking through the statement, Owoade said the newly approved circular road, when completed, would transform residents’ daily lives and empower the metropolis by boosting the local economy, as farmers and traders would have faster access to major markets, while reducing travel time and crop spoilage and encouraging new business investments.

He said, “It will also improve healthcare and emergency access, as residents, particularly pregnant women and the elderly, can now easily access nearby hospitals and emergency services without delays caused by poor road conditions.

This will also enhance safety and connectivity through the smooth, well-paved surface that will drastically reduce vehicular wear and tear, make daily commuting safer, and connect our communities to neighbouring towns.

This landmark project stands as a testament to your (Tinubu) commitment to grassroots development and the dividends of democracy. We see your dedication to the infrastructural transformation of our nation, and we remain fully supportive of your administration’s continued efforts to bring progress to our metropolis.

“A massive thank you to our dear President Tinubu for his outstanding support and investment in our metropolis infrastructure. These landmark projects align perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda—creating jobs, connecting producers to markets, and uplifting lives.

“Your Excellency, President Tinubu, the good people of Oyo metropolis send our deepest gratitude for your visionary leadership and unwavering support.

“We pray for continued wisdom, good health and success as you pilot the affairs of our great nation. Thank you once again for listening to our plea and for remembering our metropolis,” the Alaafin said.

The paramount ruler also commended some illustrious sons of the ancient city, including Idris Adegboyega, Wasiu Adebisi and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacheus Adelabu, for their commitment and supportive roles in the development of the metropolis.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday hailed a “big win” after the Supreme Court upheld state laws barring transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports.

Reacting to the ruling on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “The United States Supreme Court just ruled against men playing in women’s sports. Wow! That takes that ridiculous situation off the table!!!”

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state laws barring transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s school sports, delivering a major victory to conservatives in one of the country’s most fiercely contested culture-war battles.

In a 6-3 decision split along ideological lines, the court held that the US Constitution does not prevent states from enforcing laws restricting transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports.

The justices were, however, divided on a separate issue concerning whether the bans violate federal law.

The ruling is expected to uphold similar laws already enacted in at least 27 states, including West Virginia and Idaho, where officials argue the measures are necessary to ensure fairness and safety in girls’ sports.

Writing for the majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said state legislatures and educational institutions were best placed to determine policies on the issue.

The legislatures and the schools are better equipped — and under the Constitution, are the more appropriate entities — to assess the competing medical and scientific considerations and draw appropriate lines,” Kavanaugh wrote.

The decision allows Idaho, West Virginia and more than two dozen other Republican-led states to enforce measures requiring students to compete in public school and college teams according to their sex assigned at birth rather than their gender identity.

The ruling is the latest sign of the conservative-dominated court’s willingness to side with states on the issue, following last year’s decision upholding Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

The cases before the court were brought by transgender students who argued that the bans violated the US Constitution’s equal protection guarantee and Title IX, the federal civil rights law barring sex discrimination in education.

Supporters of the laws say they are needed to preserve fair competition and protect athletic opportunities for girls and women.

Opponents say they single out a tiny number of vulnerable students for exclusion and discrimination, turning children’s participation in school sports into a national political battleground.

The Idaho case arose from the state’s 2020 Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which was challenged by a transgender athlete at an Idaho university. Lower courts found the law unconstitutional.

Idaho Solicitor General Alan Hurst told the justices during arguments in January that “sex is what matters in sports,” citing differences in size, strength, muscle mass and lung capacity.

The West Virginia case involved a teenage transgender girl who was barred under a 2021 state law from running on her middle school girls’ track team.

Her lawyers argued that transgender girls who receive testosterone-suppressing treatment do not retain an unfair athletic advantage and that the laws are broad bans driven more by politics than evidence.

Recall that Trump signed an executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports”, directing federal agencies to support restrictions on transgender athletes in female sports.

His administration has also challenged state policies permitting transgender participation in girls’ and women’s sports.

AFP

The Osun State Government has announced the temporary closure of all roads leading to the newly constructed Lameco Flyover Bridge in Osogbo ahead of the official commissioning of the project on Wednesday.

The announcement was contained in a public notice issued on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Bashir Bello.

“This temporary road closure is to ensure orderliness, public safety, and smooth coordination during the official commissioning ceremony of landmark projects executed by Governor Ademola Adeleke, with the event headlined by the commissioning of the five-span Lameco Overhead Bridge,” the statement read

The government advised motorists, commuters, transport operators, residents and other road users to plan their movements accordingly and use alternative routes throughout the duration of the event.

It added that security agencies and traffic management officials would be deployed to manage traffic and maintain public order around the venue.

“The government appreciates the understanding, patience, and cooperation of members of the public as Osun State continues to advance infrastructure development for the benefit of all,” the statement said.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 7 for the hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit filed by the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the Kabir Turaki-led interim National Working Committee of the party.

Justice Salim Ibrahim fixed the date on Tuesday after parties agreed to file and exchange all outstanding processes before the next adjourned date.

The judge directed all parties to file and serve their processes on or before July 6 and warned that no further delay would be entertained when the matter comes up for hearing.

Online reports that the court had, on June 19, ordered an accelerated hearing of the suit after counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Gordy Uche (SAN), argued that the case was time-sensitive in view of INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general elections.

The plaintiffs, including Wabara, former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief Olabode George and the PDP, are asking the court to direct INEC to recognise the Turaki-led interim NWC and update the party’s leadership records on its official website.

They also want the commission to accept all communications from the interim leadership, which they said was forwarded to INEC through letters dated May 4.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Uche urged the court to hear all pending joinder applications alongside the substantive suit to save judicial time and enable his clients to comply with INEC’s electoral timetable.

He said, “The commission has reiterated that its July 11 for the submission of names of candidates is sacrosanct.

“They said the submission started yesterday and parties have been given access code and we also need the access code too.”

Describing the request as “a passionate appeal,” Uche urged other counsel not to oppose the application.

Counsel for the PDP, Sunday Ameh (SAN), counsel for INEC, O.A. Adeyemi, Chief Fedinard Orbih (SAN), representing parties seeking to be joined, and Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), appearing for another set of applicants, raised no objection.

Justice Ibrahim thereafter adjourned the case until July 7 for hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit.

The PUNCH reports that the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026, was filed on June 4 by lawyers led by Chief Chris Uche (SAN).

The plaintiffs are seeking declarations that INEC is constitutionally bound to give effect to judgments of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which they contend invalidated the PDP’s November 2025 national convention and upheld the suspension of key party officials.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, Aliyu alleged that former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and three other party officials were suspended by the PDP National Working Committee on November 1, 2025, for alleged gross misconduct, anti-party activities and insubordination.

He further claimed that subsequent decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court affirmed the suspension of the affected officials and nullified the party’s November 15 and 16, 2025 national convention.

According to him, following those judgments, the PDP Board of Trustees constituted an interim National Working Committee led by Turaki, pending the conduct of a fresh national convention, and formally notified INEC of the development through letters dated May 4 and May 15.

Aliyu alleged that despite receiving the correspondence, the electoral commission failed to update its records or recognise the interim leadership.

He described INEC’s refusal as “a grave affront to the rule of law and the supremacy of the Constitution,” urging the court to compel the commission to comply with what he described as subsisting appellate court judgments.

The new Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Prof. Samuel Oladipo, on Tuesday unveiled a six-year roadmap to reposition the university with a vow to pursue academic excellence, digital transformation, research innovation and financial sustainability that will place the university ahead of its peers.

Prof Oladipo made the declaration in his address at his investiture as the sixth Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, where he pledged to provide transformational leadership anchored on accountability, innovation and service.

Addressing a gathering that included the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Rahamon A. Bello, members of the Governing Council, principal officers, Senate members, traditional rulers, security chiefs, academics, students and other dignitaries, the new Vice-Chancellor described his appointment as both “a profound honour” and “a deep responsibility.”

Oladipo said that “It is with profound humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today at this historic moment, my investiture as the sixth Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education.

“I am honoured to lead an institution founded on noble ideals, a legacy of excellence, and a steadfast commitment to education and societal progress”

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the university, established in 2005 before its transition to a Federal University in 2025, had demonstrated resilience and was now poised for greater national and international relevance.

He unveiled the university’s strategic framework, tagged the S.T.A.R.-W.I.N. agenda, which, according to him, would drive sustainable development through Sustainable Funding and Smart Governance, Technology and Digital Campus, Academic Excellence and Innovation, Research Productivity and Global Ranking, Welfare and Wellbeing, Infrastructural Development, and National Alumni and International Relations.

Our bold yet attainable vision is to position TASFUED among Nigeria’s top 25 universities and within the top 3,000 globally by 2031.

” This aspirational goal is rooted in our unwavering belief that academic excellence, impactful research, inclusive infrastructure and digital innovation, coupled with a steadfast commitment to integrity and societal service, will be our guiding light,” Oladipo said.

To achieve the target, the Vice-Chancellor said the administration would prioritise financial sustainability through innovative revenue generation, stronger commercial ventures, professional programmes and expanded international collaborations.

He also pledged to accelerate the university’s digital transformation through improved internet connectivity, smart classrooms and technology-driven teaching, learning and administration.

Oladipo promised comprehensive curriculum reviews, expansion of academic programmes, pursuit of international accreditation and the establishment of a vibrant research ecosystem capable of improving the institution’s global visibility.

The Vice-Chancellor equally assured staff and students of improved welfare, promising investments in infrastructure, staff and student housing, transportation, healthcare and other welfare initiatives to create a more conducive learning environment.

He further disclosed that the administration would embark on the construction of modern academic facilities, upgrade laboratories and improve accessibility across the campus.

Beyond physical development, Oladipo said the university would strengthen collaborations with industries, alumni, local communities and international institutions to boost research, innovation and global competitiveness.

He stressed that the success of the administration’s vision would depend on collective commitment from all stakeholders.

“This vision calls for deliberate, accountable and transformational leadership, values I am committed to uphold. I invite every member of our community, staff, students, alumni, partners and stakeholders, to join hands in realising the immense potential of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education,” he said.

Oladipo equally paid glowing tribute to the late educationist and social critic, Dr Tai Solarin whom the institution was named after, describing the late educationist as a symbol of integrity, resilience and selfless service.

He said that Solarin’s unwavering commitment to education and national development remains the moral compass upon which the university would continue to build its future.

Speaking during the investiture, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Prof Rahmon Bello, said that Professor Oladipo emerged as the VC of the university after a diligent, rigorous, transparent, and merit-based selection process that reflected the Council’s unwavering commitment to excellence, fairness, and institutional integrity.

Bello said that the new Vice-Chancellor’s track record within the university and beyond speaks eloquently of his dedication to academic excellence, institutional development, staff welfare, student success, and community engagement.

The Council Chairman said that he has a strong belief that the new VC has what it takes to further take the university to higher height and has therefore called on the staff and the students to extend their support and cooperation to the new leadership and further advance the university’s mission of producing competent, innovative, and socially responsible graduates.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has sympathised with residents affected by flooding in Lagos State.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, Atiku expressed concern over the impact of the flooding on families, commuters, motorists and business owners.

“I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the people of Lagos who have been affected by the ongoing flooding. My thoughts are with the families, motorists, commuters, business owners and everyone whose lives and livelihoods were disrupted by this unfortunate event,” he said.

The former vice president said the incident underscored the need for solidarity during difficult times.

He also prayed for the safety of those affected and a quick return to normalcy.

“At moments like this, we are reminded of the strength of our shared humanity and the importance of standing together in support of one another.

“I pray for the safety of all, for a swift return to normalcy,” Atiku added.

The message comes as part of Lagos including areas such as Gbagada, Iyana Ipaja, Ikorodu Road, Ikeja, Maryland, Mushin, Ogudu, Lekki, Oshodi, Agege, Alimosho and Obalende, experienced flash flooding from torrential rains that began on Sunday.

The flooding extended to sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and Lekki-Epe Expressway, worsening traffic congestion across the state.

Authorities have linked the disruption to overwhelmed drainage systems amid seasonal downpours.

A former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has begun high-level consultations in the United States with Nigerians in the diaspora on strategies to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2027.

The consultations, held in collaboration with former Action Congress vice-presidential candidate, Senator Ben Obi, cut across party lines and are aimed at mobilising progressive Nigerians at home and abroad to defend the country’s democratic institutions, preserve political pluralism and resist any attempt to undermine Nigeria’s multi-party system.

Speaking in a telephone interview with journalists in Umuahia on Tuesday, Wabara said the meetings focused on growing concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, the shrinking democratic space and the urgent need for patriotic forces to unite in defence of constitutional governance.

He disclosed that participants expressed deep concern over what they described as “increasing pressure on opposition parties, the erosion of public confidence in the neutrality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the danger of weakening Nigeria’s democratic foundations.”

According to him, the consultations also focused on “building a broad national consensus on how to rescue Nigeria from state capture and restore confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

According to him, the consultations also focused on “building a broad national consensus on how to rescue Nigeria from state capture and restore confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

The common objective of these consultations is to rescue Nigeria from state capture, free up the democratic space and ensure that the will of the people, not the will of a few powerful individuals, prevails in 2027,” he said.

Wabara warned that “Nigeria’s democracy is facing one of its most critical moments since the return to civil rule.”

He also urged all eligible Nigerians who are yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise before the July 10 deadline, stressing that “active citizen participation remains the strongest safeguard against electoral manipulation.”

The consultations in the United States followed similar high-level engagements Wabara held in London a few weeks ago with former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George.

The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Press Secretary of the Kwara State Ministry of Health, Saad Hamdalat.

According to the statement, the Director of Public Health, Dr Oluwatosin Fakayode, made the disclosure during the Kwara State Malaria Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation Quarterly Meeting and the inauguration of the State Malaria ACSM Working Group in Ilorin.

Represented by the State Malaria Control Coordinator, Dr Kazeem Oladapo, Fakayode said environmental conditions remained a major driver of malaria transmission despite the progress recorded in reducing the disease burden.

“Environmental conditions account for nearly 60 per cent of malaria transmission,” he said.

He added, “More than half of malaria cases in Nigeria can be traced to poor sanitation, stagnant water and other conditions that encourage mosquito breeding.”

Fakayode urged policymakers, development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration to eliminate malaria, stressing that environmental management must complement other preventive measures.

The quarterly meeting was convened to coordinate ACSM activities across the state, promote community participation and ownership of malaria prevention efforts, as well as increase the uptake of malaria interventions, particularly in health facilities,” he said.

Also speaking, the Data Analyst for the Johns Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (Jhpiego) STOP Antimicrobial Drug Resistance Project, Jeremiah Ngutor-Ulaa, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and improving existing health systems to support malaria elimination.

“Nigeria can prevent widespread antimalarial drug resistance through the appropriate use of combination therapies and strengthened collaboration among partners,” Ngutor-Ulaa said.

He added that Jhpiego would continue to leverage existing structures while promoting demand creation and accountability mechanisms to support malaria control interventions.

Earlier, the state’s ACSM Desk Officer, Yemisi Ajala, identified climate, environmental, behavioural and social factors as the major drivers of malaria transmission in Kwara.

She lamented the inconsistent use of Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) by many households but commended the state government for sustaining malaria control interventions, including the mass distribution of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention for children, community sanitation campaigns, and the implementation of the “Test, Treat, Track” policy to strengthen malaria diagnosis, treatment and surveillance.

Five states will receive a combined $15 million in performance-based incentives under the World Bank-supported HOPE Governance Programme after emerging as the best-performing states in the implementation of key education and healthcare reforms.

The National Coordinator of the HOPE Governance Programme, Assad Hassan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a retreat for commissioners, permanent secretaries and directors of budget and planning from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Communications Officer of the HOPE Governance Programme, Joe Mutah.

The programme, domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, approved a total of $27 million in incentives for states that successfully achieved the Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Results under the programme.

The incentives are based on the findings and recommendations of the Interim Independent Verification Agent, which assessed states’ performance in meeting the programme’s Disbursement-Linked Indicators.

The statement read, “The World Bank-supported HOPE Governance Programme, domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, is set to disburse $27 million as performance-based incentives to states that successfully achieved the Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Results.”

A breakdown of the incentives showed that Bayelsa, Borno, Kano, Kebbi and Yobe states emerged as the biggest beneficiaries.

The five states will receive $1.5 million each for meeting the requirements under Disbursement-Linked Result (DLR) 2.1, which focuses on the adoption of comprehensive guidelines for the preparation and submission of consolidated work plans for state basic education budgets.

The same five states also qualified for another $1.5 million each under Disbursement-Linked Result (DLR) 2.2, which measures the adoption of comprehensive guidelines for the preparation and submission of consolidated work plans for state primary healthcare budgets.

Together, the five states are expected to receive $15 million from the two indicators alone.

Under Disbursement-Linked Result (DLR) 2.3, which centres on the adoption of harmonised budget guidelines and a chart of accounts by local governments, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Kano, Plateau, Taraba and Yobe states qualified for incentives of $500,000 each.

Similarly, under Disbursement-Linked Result (DLR) 4.1, which focuses on the publication of the 2025 Citizens Budget for basic education and primary healthcare by February 28, 2025, 15 states qualified for incentives.

The states are Abia, Bayelsa, Borno, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Plateau and Yobe.

Each of the states will receive $500,000.

Explaining the basis for the disbursement, Hassan said only states that met the stipulated conditions within the specified timelines qualified for the incentives.

The statement noted: “The incentives are based on the findings and recommendations of the Interim Independent Verification Agent, which carried out a rigorous assessment of states’ performances against the Year Zero Disbursement-Linked Indicators.

For DLR 2.1 and DLR 2.2, Bayelsa, Borno, Kano, Kebbi and Yobe states met all the requirements and are therefore eligible to receive $1.5 million each for both indicators.

“For DLR 2.3, nine states successfully adopted harmonised budget guidelines and a chart of accounts for local governments and will receive $500,000 each.

“Also, under DLR 4.1, 15 states met the conditions relating to the publication of the Financial Year 2025 Citizens Budget for basic education and primary healthcare and will equally receive $500,000 each.”

He added that many participating states failed to qualify for the incentives because they either missed the stipulated deadlines or failed to meet the programme’s requirements.

“Other participating states were not eligible for the incentives because they either published the required guidelines after the March 31, 2025 deadline, failed to meet most of the stipulated criteria, or did not publish the required results on their official state websites,” he said.

The coordinator identified weak institutional coordination as one of the major factors responsible for the poor performance recorded by some states.

According to him, “One of the key challenges observed is the inability of many states to establish effective institutional coordination mechanisms. This has undermined institutional ownership of the reforms and threatens their sustainability.

“States need to strengthen coordination among ministries, departments and agencies to ensure that these reforms are not treated as one-off activities but become institutionalised governance practices.”

Hassan disclosed that the Interim Independent Verification Agent was already working to conclude the second phase of verification for Year Zero results by July 2026.

He also said the programme had begun implementing a capacity-building action plan to provide technical support to states and improve their ability to achieve future programme targets.

“The programme has commenced preparations for the implementation of a robust capacity-building action plan that will provide hands-on technical support to states. The objective is to help states improve their systems and successfully achieve subsequent programme results,” he added.

According to him, the overall objectives of the HOPE Governance Programme are to maximise the utilisation of federal and state funds at the facility level for primary healthcare and basic education, promote transparency in intergovernmental transfers and expenditure, strengthen accountability, and improve staffing in both sectors.

“The programme seeks to strengthen the execution of coordinated annual plans for primary healthcare and basic education, improve accountability in public expenditure, and close staffing gaps through the recruitment and deployment of teachers and priority healthcare workers across the states,” he said.

The  reports that the HOPE Governance Programme is a $500 million World Bank-supported initiative designed to improve the availability and effectiveness of financing for basic education and primary healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The programme also seeks to promote transparency and accountability in public spending on the two sectors while supporting improvements in the recruitment, deployment and performance management of teachers and primary healthcare workers by the federal, state and local governments.

The latest $27 million incentive package represents one of the first major reward mechanisms under the programme and underscores the growing use of performance-based financing to drive reforms in Nigeria’s education and healthcare sectors.

Speaking under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ibadan Zone comprising University of Ibadan, Ibadan, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Osun State University, Osogbo, Kwara State University, Malete and Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, met at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo in Oyo State where they maintained that the non-implementation by the two states puts the lives of their members in danger of meeting their personal and family needs under the excruciating Nigerian economy.

While commending the roles of the Governing Councils of the state universities, ASUU noted that her members are being treated unjustly by the governors who, “have failed to provide financial backing required for full implementation of the signed agreement.

“It is provocative and unjust. Our members in these institutions are being shortchanged by the Governors and Visitors of Oyo and Kwara States, who have failed to provide the financial backing required for full implementation of the signed agreement.

However, the role of Governing Councils of these State Universities must be commended for their efforts to address the implementation of the agreement,” it said.

Speaking through its zonal coordinator, Prof Biodun Olaniran, the Ibadan Zone of ASUU noted that the patience of its members has been exhausted after waiting patiently for the governors to act and have “commenced full mobilisation for a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike, in response to the persistent failure of the State Governments involved to honour the Agreement.”

The Ibadan Zone ASUU leader stated that the zone views the continued refusal to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement at these three Universities with serious concern and demanded that.

“The next salary of our members in these universities must reflect the CATA component and all other allowances stipulated in the Agreement; All accrued arrears from January 2026 must be paid in full, without delay. We state, with all sense of responsibility, that any failure or further prevarication by the State Governments will inevitably provoke a total, comprehensive, and indefinite industrial action,” he said.

ASUU appealed to the Governors of Oyo and Kwara States to act now, before “our universities are shut down”, noting that “the only path to lasting harmony is the immediate and full implementation of the Agreement.”

ASUU sympathised with the Oyo State Government, parents, and families of all citizens affected by insecurity across the state and nation, calling for greater review of security systems and ensuring safety of vulnerable communities, adding that “education thrives best in an atmosphere of peace and security.”

Gunmen shot and killed two policemen while another officer sustained severe bullet wounds along the Obiri-Kwere axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Monday night.

It was gathered that the three policemen were attached to the Aluu Division in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

They were said to be on a routine stop-and-search operation at a security checkpoint along the Mbodo/Aluu axis of Obiri-Kwerre Road when the assailants opened fire at about 9 pm.

The gunmen immediately zoomed off in their vehicle after committing the act.

The incident came barely 24 hours after the Rivers State Police Command said it arrested a suspected high-profile criminal identified as Austine Emenike, who goes by the nickname “Oyibo,” and recovered one locally made pistol, four single-barrel guns, and five live cartridges.

The State Police spokesperson, in a statement on Monday, also said the arrested suspect, Emenike, is linked to a wider criminal network.

In the latest incident, a video circulating on social media shows the lifeless bodies of the officers still in their uniforms lying in pools of their own blood at the scene.

From the video seen by our correspondent, a voice from the background said the gunmen were robbing in the area before opening fire on the operatives and immediately took to their heels.

He stated, “You can see, it happened now. Armed robbers came here and robbed everybody. They killed these policemen. Look at their bodies.”

When contacted for her reaction on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the state police command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident, saying that the investigation is ongoing.

Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, also said the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, visited the scene on Tuesday morning alongside his management team for an on-the-spot assessment.

She stated, “Yes, I can confirm. Two of our men died, and the other one was injured and is receiving treatment in the Hospital.

“The Commissioner of Police, with other members of the command’s management team, visited the scene of the incident this morning to assess the situation, and the investigation is ongoing.”

The Federal Executive Council on Monday approved maritime infrastructure and safety projects worth about N286bn aimed at modernising the country’s ports, improving navigational safety and unlocking the economic potential of the sector.

The approval came barely weeks after Online highlighted the urgent need for Nigeria to bridge the gap between its ambitious blue economy agenda and weak maritime infrastructure.

The approvals, granted at the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, cover the procurement of marine pollution control vessels, pilot cutter boats, firefighting vessels and the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the projects formed part of the Federal Government’s strategy to improve port efficiency, strengthen navigational safety and align Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure with international standards.

According to him, the council approved the procurement of two state-of-the-art marine pollution control vessels valued at about N59.05bn to combat plastic pollution, oil spills and other marine waste across Nigeria’s territorial waters, creeks and inland waterways.

He said the vessels would enhance environmental protection efforts while improving navigational safety within the country’s maritime domain.

The council also approved the acquisition of six pilot cutter boats worth about N80.03bn to facilitate the safe movement of marine pilots to and from vessels entering Nigerian ports.

Lawal explained that the boats would improve pilotage services, support vessel navigation through port channels and enhance operational efficiency in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority.

To strengthen emergency response capacity, the council equally approved the procurement of two firefighting boats valued at about N34.06bn, equivalent to approximately $16.46m.

According to the minister, the specialised vessels would improve Nigeria’s ability to respond swiftly to fires involving ships, oil terminals, jetties and other critical maritime infrastructure, thereby reducing risks to lives, property and the marine environment.

The largest approval was for the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel at a cost of N112.85bn under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement involving the Nigerian Ports Authority and private sector operators.

Lawal said the dredging project would improve navigational access to the channel by removing silt and other obstructions, maintaining critical navigational aids and strengthening marine pollution surveillance.

He added that the project was expected to improve vessel turnaround time, increase port efficiency and reinforce Nigeria’s competitiveness as a maritime and shipping hub in West Africa.

Describing the four projects as strategic investments, the minister said they would deepen maritime safety, protect Nigeria’s coastal ecosystem and stimulate trade and investment within the country’s expanding blue economy.

“The approvals underscore the Federal Government’s commitment to building a modern, safe and environmentally sustainable maritime sector capable of supporting economic growth, facilitating international trade and creating new opportunities across the blue economy value chain,” he said.

The approvals come shortly after PUNCH Online reported from the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, that environmental experts had warned Nigeria’s blue economy ambitions could be undermined by weak ocean governance, deteriorating coastal ecosystems and inadequate maritime infrastructure.

The newspaper also reported Tinubu’s commitment to creating five million ocean-based jobs through investments in the blue economy and stronger maritime governance.

Echono gave the charge in Abuja during the presentation of the outcomes of a TETFund-sponsored Mega Research Project on Lassa Fever conducted by the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.

Speaking after receiving the findings, Echono said the research had reinforced the need for Nigeria to move beyond generating scientific evidence to developing practical interventions that directly improve the lives of citizens.

He urged the research team to prioritise vaccine development, stressing that immunisation remains the most effective strategy for controlling infectious diseases.

He said, “What is the shortest route towards developing a vaccine? How can we ensure that the burden on our people is reduced? Every year, thousands of Nigerians die from Lassa fever. How can we reduce this burden?

“I know a vaccine is usually the most effective mode of disease control. You vaccinate people, and they become almost immune. What is the fastest path, and how can TETFund support that drive so that we can achieve direct benefits and direct impact on the lives of Nigerians?”

The TETFund boss assured the researchers that the intervention agency would work with relevant government institutions to ensure the findings translate into national health policies and interventions.

We will escalate these findings to the relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Ministry of Health. If we receive the validation we expect, it will strengthen our case for establishing a vaccine development centre in Nigeria,” he said.

He commended the researchers for producing findings capable of improving healthcare delivery, adding that defeating diseases such as Lassa fever would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Francis Uba, described the project as one of the institution’s most significant research investments.

According to him, TETFund demonstrated remarkable foresight about four years ago by awarding the university a N250 million Mega Research Grant to investigate Lassa fever.

“This significant investment was not merely financial support; it was an expression of confidence in the capacity of Nigerian scientists and institutions to generate evidence-based solutions to one of our nation’s most persistent public health challenges,” he said.

Uba noted that recurrent outbreaks of Lassa fever continue to impose heavy medical, social and economic costs on Nigeria and other West African countries by claiming lives, overstretching health facilities and threatening national health security.

He added that the project had generated valuable evidence on the epidemiology, diagnosis, management and control of the disease while strengthening the university’s research infrastructure, laboratory capacity and collaborations with local and international partners.

The vice-chancellor appealed to TETFund and the Federal Government to designate the institution as a National Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research to consolidate the gains of the project and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to emerging infectious diseases.

In one of the study’s key findings, Okopi said the widely held belief that eating rodents is the major predictor of Lassa fever infection was not supported by the evidence.

“We discovered that the commonly held belief that eating rodents is the major predictor of infection was not supported by our findings. Rodent consumption was not an independent predictor of Lassa fever infection,” he said.

Also presenting the clinical findings, Audu Onyemocho said 1,266 participants were enrolled in the study, while 392 suspected cases were investigated across Benue and Kogi states.

He said 43 cases were confirmed through real-time polymerase chain reaction testing, with Benue accounting for 25 confirmed infections and Kogi recording 18.

According to him, bleeding, older age and seizures emerged as the strongest predictors of death among confirmed Lassa fever patients.

Speaking on future research priorities, John Idoko emphasised that developing an effective vaccine should remain the country’s ultimate objective.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus and is endemic in Nigeria and several West African countries. The disease is primarily transmitted through exposure to food or household items contaminated by the urine or faeces of infected multimammate rats, although human-to-human transmission can also occur, particularly in healthcare settings.

Nigeria experiences seasonal outbreaks almost every year, with the disease placing enormous pressure on the country’s health system. Despite decades of research, there is currently no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever, making early diagnosis, prompt treatment and preventive measures the main strategies for reducing deaths.

The latest TETFund-backed research is expected to provide new evidence to guide public health interventions and strengthen the country’s quest to develop its first indigenous Lassa fever vaccine.

The Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the arrest of its Akwa Ibom State Publicity Secretary, Ewa Okpo, describing the action as an attempt to intimidate opposition figures over the exercise of their constitutional rights.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said Okpo was being questioned by officers of the Police Quick Intervention Unit in Ikot Akpan Abia following a petition reportedly filed by former Senator Effiong Bob.

According to the PDP, the matter is civil in nature and does not warrant police intervention.

“We have made contact and are aware that the police authorities at the Quick Intervention Unit, Ikot Akpan Abia, are currently interviewing Ewa on the subject of the petition, which is ex facie civil in nature, not requiring the intervention of the police. However, we are hopeful that the police will exhibit professionalism in the discharge of their duties,” the statement read.

The opposition party also criticised what it described as the use of security agencies to suppress political opponents.

We strongly condemn any attempt by highly placed people to use security agencies to hound and intimidate real or perceived opponents into political submission,” the PDP said.

The party disclosed that its National Chairman of the Interim National Working Committee had directed the National Legal Adviser to constitute a high-powered legal team to represent Okpo and another party member in Akwa Ibom State.

According to the statement, the legal support is intended to protect party members who it claims are being targeted over the exercise of their constitutional and political rights.

“The party will defend any of its officials or members who are arrested, intimidated or threatened in the course of the exercise of their fundamental or political rights, which are protected by the constitution,” the PDP stated.

Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy will stand trial after one of his dogs allegedly attacked a teenager and two other dogs after escaping from his property, according to Spanish reports on Tuesday.

The private prosecution is asking for a six-month prison sentence to be issued for causing injury by gross negligence, as well as fines, a Madrid court said in a document dated January 7 and seen by AFP.

The public prosecutor’s office is requesting fines for a minor offence of causing injury.

Spanish media said the events took place in January 2023, after four dogs owned by Mendy escaped from his property in the affluent Madrid suburb of Alcobendas when the gate was left open after a vehicle entered.

The reports said one of the dogs bit another woman’s dog, which was injured and later needed to be euthanised, before a 17-year-old boy tried to intervene and was bitten himself, along with a relative’s dog that he was walking.

Left-back Mendy, 31, signed for Real Madrid in 2019 from French side Lyon but several injuries have disrupted his career.

AFP

A total of 102,025 new HIV infections were recorded across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in 2025, with Lagos State accounting for the highest number of new cases at 10,430, according to data obtained from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025.

The report, obtained by our correspondent, provides a state-by-state breakdown of newly recorded HIV infections and highlights the geographical distribution of the epidemic despite years of intensified prevention efforts by the Federal Government and its partners.

The data showed that Lagos recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in 2025 with 10,430 cases.

Rivers State followed with 6,287 new infections, while Kano recorded 6,106 cases

Akwa Ibom reported 5,413 new infections, Taraba had 4,854, Benue recorded 4,804, and Anambra accounted for 4,468 cases. Kaduna registered 3,659 new infections, while Adamawa and the Federal Capital Territory recorded 2,989 and 2,764 cases, respectively, completing the list of the 10 states with the highest number of new HIV infections during the year.

Other states recording more than 2,000 new infections included Sokoto (2,592), Cross River (2,595), Abia (2,546), Imo (2,537), Delta (2,469), Borno (2,311), Ogun (2,107), Plateau (2,084), Niger (2,020) and Ebonyi (2,015).

At the lower end of the scale were Ekiti with 462 new infections, Bayelsa with 982, Gombe with 1,083, Osun with 1,093, Kwara with 1,371, Enugu with 1,429, Yobe with 1,483, Katsina with 1,541 and Kebbi with 1,572

The figures underscore that HIV remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria despite years of progress in expanding access to treatment and reducing AIDS-related deaths.

Nigeria is home to one of the largest HIV treatment programmes in the world, with millions of people living with the virus receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy through government-supported facilities and donor-funded interventions.

However, public health experts have consistently warned that reducing new infections remains one of the country’s greatest challenges, particularly among young people, adolescent girls and young women, infants exposed to HIV, and key populations.

In recent years, the Federal Government, working through the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of HIV by expanding free HIV testing services, increasing access to antiretroviral medicines, scaling up Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission programmes, promoting pre-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk groups, strengthening community awareness campaigns and improving surveillance through digital health information systems.

The government has also adopted the global 95-95-95 targets, aimed at ensuring that 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed receive sustained treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.

Health authorities say achieving these targets is essential to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Speaking during the launch of the 2025 Global AIDS Update on July 10, 2025, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima warned that while the world has made remarkable gains in reducing HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, progress remains fragile.

She noted that approximately 1.3 million people acquired HIV globally in 2024, stressing that sustained investments in prevention, testing and treatment are critical to keeping the epidemic under control.

Earlier, at a Multistakeholder Consultation on the Global AIDS Strategy on April 28, 2025, Byanyima cautioned that HIV “is not over,” urging governments to strengthen domestic financing and maintain prevention programmes to avoid a resurgence of infections.

Similarly, NACA Director-General, Dr Temitope Ilori, has repeatedly stressed the need for stronger domestic financing and community-led interventions to sustain Nigeria’s HIV response.

Speaking at various engagements in 2025, she said Nigeria was committed to reducing new HIV infections through improved access to testing, treatment and prevention services while strengthening the country’s health systems.

Public health experts have also warned that declining international donor funding could undermine decades of progress if governments fail to increase domestic investment in HIV programmes.

According to UNAIDS, interruptions in prevention services could lead to a rise in new infections, particularly in countries with high HIV burdens such as Nigeria.

Although Nigeria has made significant progress compared to previous decades, the 102,025 new infections recorded in 2025 illustrate that the epidemic remains far from over.

The latest data suggest that the country’s HIV burden continues to be concentrated in a handful of states, with Lagos, Rivers and Kano accounting for a substantial proportion of newly reported cases.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday admitted activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to fresh bail in the sum of N200 million, weeks after revoking his earlier bail over his failure to appear for trial.

Justice Muhammad Umar, in a ruling, directed Sowore to provide two sureties before the bail could take effect.

One of the sureties must be a traditional ruler from his community, while the second must own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory.

The judge also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the court registrar pending the determination of the case.

After granting the application, Justice Umar handed Sowore over to his lawyers and adjourned further proceedings until Monday, July 6, when the defendant is expected to open his defence.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services on allegations bordering on cybercrime, following social media posts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”

He has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

The court revoked Sowore’s bail on June 16 and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to attend proceedings.

Sowore had explained that he was unable to appear because of a prior engagement in Lagos and sought an adjournment, but the prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), opposed the request, urging the court to proceed with the trial.

Following the revocation of his bail, Sowore challenged the bench warrant and sought the trial judge’s recusal.

The application was dismissed, after which he was remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his fresh bail application.

Delivering Tuesday’s ruling, Justice Umar restored the defendant’s bail on fresh terms, requiring him to meet the N200 million bail bond and fulfil the conditions attached before regaining his freedom.

Reacting shortly after the ruling, Sowore described the bail conditions as part of the authorities’ continued efforts against him but insisted they would not deter his movement.

He said, “There is no bus on earth that can stop this revolution. We warned them, but they would not listen. But now, it appears a little bit of common sense is returning to them, and as a result, I was granted bail, requiring a traditional ruler, somebody with property in Abuja, and N200m and my international passport.

They have always been after the passport. So nobody can come after our movement. Nobody can stop the movement. Nobody can stop the idea whose time has come.

“What I want to tell Nigerians is that it is not about my freedom; it is about the liberation of the Nigerian people.”

The University of British Columbia in Canada has announced the 2027 UBC Dean Entrance Scholarships for prospective applicants to pursue a postgraduate degree at the university.

The University of British Columbia Dean Entrance Scholarships award up to $60,000 to outstanding applicants who have demonstrated high standards of academic excellence, community involvement, and business leadership skills.

This post will explain the details of the scholarship opportunity in Canada for interested candidates. We will also provide information on the requirements, benefits, and the method of application.

2027 UBC Dean Entrance Scholarships Summary

• Host Country: Canada
• Study Abroad: Study in Canada 
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: Full Scholarship | $60,000 Grant
• Deadline: January 8, 2027

UBC Dean Entrance Scholarship Details:

The UBC Sauder School of Business – Canada is awarding an opportunity worth up to $60,000 to successful students.

By 2021, UBC ranks second in Canada overall and 13th globally out of more than 1,115 participating institutions from 94 countries, based on its contributions through research, outreach and stewardship.

The prestigious, merit-based UBC Dean Entrance Scholarship award is open to both Canadian and international applicants who embody a strong alignment with UBC Sauder values of rigour, respect, and responsibility.

University British Columbia Dean Entrance Scholarship Requirements:

To be considered for the 2027 University British Columbia Dean Entrance Scholarship, you must:

• Be applying to the UBC Saunders MBA program for 2027 session
• Be a domestic, permanent resident, or international student
• Hold a bachelor’s degree certificate 
• Have an exceptional track record of academic excellence, community involvement, and business leadership skills.
• Be able to speak, comprehend, and write fluently in English.

UBC Dean Entrance Scholarship Duration and Reward

• The Scholarship will award $20,000 – $60,000 to selected international applicants who demonstrate academic and leadership excellence and satisfy the program’s requirements.
• A full fee (tuition) scholarship is also available for applicants who are Canadians or Permanent Residents.

How To Apply for 2027 University British Columbia Dean Entrance Scholarship

To apply for the 2027 University of British Columbia Dean Entrance Scholarship, interested and qualified applicants should;

• Click on the button below to visit the scholarship application webpage
• On the scholarship webpage, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button (on the top right)
• Applicants who submit their required documents before the deadline will be considered automatically for the scholarship.

Interested and qualified candidates should click on the button below to begin their application.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Deadline: January 8, 2027

The APC Governorship Candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI), on Tuesday continued his statewide consultations with party leaders and stakeholders, holding separate strategic meetings with APC leaders from Ewekoro, Odeda and Abeokuta South Local Government Areas at H3 Events Centre, Abeokuta.

The meetings formed part of his ongoing engagements across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State to strengthen party unity, assess the APC’s performance in previous elections and consolidate grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Addressing stakeholders, Senator Yayi emphasised the need for reconciliation, inclusiveness and stronger grassroots mobilisation, stressing that the party must always place its collective interest above individual ambitions. He warned against anti-party activities and internal divisions, assuring members that efforts were underway to reconcile aggrieved stakeholders and accommodate both former aspirants and new entrants into the party.

He also unveiled plans to strengthen the APC’s ward structures through a collegiate leadership system, noting that greater responsibility would be placed on ward leaders to coordinate mobilisation, deepen stakeholder engagement and improve the party’s electoral performance across the state.

While expressing concern over the party’s previous electoral performances in Ewekoro and Abeokuta South, Senator Yayi urged stakeholders to address the factors responsible for the setbacks and work together to secure decisive victories in 2027. He, however, commended Odeda Local Government for its impressive performance in the last election, while challenging party leaders to surpass that achievement by delivering even more votes for the APC.

The meetings featured robust contributions from stakeholders across the three local government areas, with participants reaffirming their commitment to party unity, grassroots engagement and the success of the APC. They also advocated greater inclusiveness, sustained reconciliation, stronger collaboration among party leaders and continued support for party structures at the ward level.

In his closing remarks, Senator Yayi reiterated his commitment to building a united and formidable APC across Ogun State, expressing confidence that with sustained unity, effective grassroots mobilisation and the collective commitment of party members, the APC would record overwhelming victories in the 2027 general elections.
The meetings were attended by APC leaders including 
Chief Yemi Sanusi, Ogun State APC chairman, Rt Hon Daisi Elemide, Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Senator Shuaib Salisu(APC, Ogun Central),Hon Olumide Osoba,(APC, Obafemi Owode/Abeokuta North/Odeda Federal Constituency)
Hon Kayode Jelili Amusan, former APC Governor aspirant, Chief Derin Adebiyi, former Ogun State APC chairman, Hon Bode Mustapha, the Osi of Egbaland, Prince Segun Adesegun and 
Alhaja Salmot Badru, both former deputy governors, Rt.Hon. Titi Oseni and Rt.Hon. Suraj Adekunmbi, both former Speaker of Ogun state House of Assembly, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele, APC Senatorial candidate for Ogun West, Hon. Olaolu Olabimtan, Ogun State Commissioner for Budget, Dr. Tomi Coker, Ogun State Commissioner for Health and Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, Ogun State Commisioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs among others.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her earlier comments on small-scale businesses, saying the Federal Government’s empowerment programmes extend beyond akara sellers to include traders in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain.

Tinubu spoke on Monday during the inauguration of the newly constructed Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, according to a video aired by TVC News.

Her remarks come days after comments she made about akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses sparked widespread backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing her of trivialising the country’s economic hardship.

Addressing the criticism directly, the First Lady said the Federal Government had donated N100m to the Jigawa State Government to empower 2,000 petty traders in the state.

Because of the atmosphere, what is going on, I’ve told Her Excellency that we’ve already given, donated about 100 million to her to use to empower 2,000 petty traders.

“And I know they’ve been talking that I said akara. It’s not only akara, we also have tomato sellers. We have boole, and those also selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market.

“We will continue to empower them and add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable. So that is what we are doing,” she said.

Tinubu said the beneficiaries would each receive N50,000 to recapitalise their businesses.

“We continue to carry the capacity. We have the amount of 2,000 women who are already in small businesses. They will recapitalise their businesses with the N50,000 each. We’ve already given the N100 million,” she added.

She maintained that the criticism trailing her earlier remarks would not deter the government from its empowerment programmes.

“I know all those people who are affected, they do appreciate it. And we are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. But we are forging ahead and making sure that our people, you know, are well cared for,” Mrs Tinubu said.

The First Lady also spoke about Nigeria’s untapped resources, citing an orange orchard she visited in Benue State, and expressed hope that young Nigerians would explore opportunities beyond oil.

“Nigeria is a really blessed country. I’ve been ttravelling, and I pray that our young people will see the resources we have in this nation. We have not even gone to explore yet because we are thinking it’s oil. But there are so many things,” she said.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has warned the Federal Government and security agencies to act before Muslims ‘run out of patience’, saying the community’s continued restraint amid what it described as persistent attacks, profiling and marginalisation should not be mistaken for weakness.

The council said Muslims had deliberately responded with restraint despite what it described as repeated provocation, while calling for swift justice over recent killings in Kaduna and Benue states and investigations into alleged police misconduct.

The warning was contained in a statement by the NSCIA’s Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, on behalf of the council led by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

“While the NSCIA continues to appeal to Muslims for continuous restraint, it is imperative that government and security agencies should act decisively before the Muslims run out of patience in the light of persistent attacks and unbridled marginalization,” the council said.

The NSCIA also called on the government to ensure that those responsible for what it described as heinous crimes in Kaduna and Benue states were brought to justice without delay.

“The NSCIA hereby calls on government to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes in Kaduna and Benue States are brought to justice, without delay and according to the laws of the land. Anything short of this is an invitation to anarchy,” the statement said.

The council urged the authorities to rein in what it described as persistent attacks on Islam and Muslims in public spaces, saying that was essential to preserving peace and national cohesion.

“The barrage of open assaults on the integrity of Islam and the Muslims in public spaces should be checked in the interest of peace and order. Enough is enough,” the statement added.

It also demanded a thorough investigation into allegations that divisional police officers handed over a female Muslim scholar for burning, as well as claims that the officer who allegedly invited the slain Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, should be investigated and brought to justice.

According to the council, Muslims had remained committed to Nigeria’s unity despite feeling increasingly marginalised and unfairly portrayed as oppressors.

The commitment necessitates silence and restraint despite unwarranted provocation, assault, and baseless profiling of Islam and the Muslims in the country. It should be clear that restraint is not cowardice. But there is always a limit to endurance,” it said.

The body also faulted remarks it attributed to a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, during a recent live television programme, describing the comments as reckless, and arguing that the programme should have attracted sanctions from the appropriate government agencies.

The statement added that if a Muslim leader had made similar remarks, he would likely have been invited for questioning by the police and other security agencies.

The NSCIA also rejected claims by some Christian leaders linking Muslims and Fulani communities to recent kidnapping incidents in Oyo State, saying those arrested in connection with the incidents bore names suggesting otherwise and that the suspect arrested over the kidnap and murder in Oriire Local Government Area was not only a ‘Christian’ but also a pastor.

It further accused Arise Television of applying double standards in its coverage of the incident, alleging that the station dismissed it as unrelated to religion but would have taken a different position had the suspect been identified as a Muslim.

The council also cited the killing of Benue State Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, and his associate, Mallam Yakubu Isah, after a peace meeting, alleging that it formed part of what it described as a systematic attempt to provoke Muslims into retaliation.

Beyond security concerns, the council also alleged that Muslims were being sidelined in public appointments, particularly in southern Nigeria, arguing that when Muslim office holders left office they were often replaced by non-Muslims. It cited Mr Adebayo Adelabu as an example.

The statement further criticised opposition to Muslim-Muslim political tickets, arguing that similar objections were not raised when Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo sought the presidency with Christian running mates, or when General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) appointed Awolowo Federal Commissioner for Finance and Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council.

Even so, the council reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s peace and unity, while urging the government, security agencies and the media to act responsibly to prevent religious tensions from escalating.

Culled from vanguard

Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out to advance to the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday after a thrilling battle in Monterrey finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the crucial save to block the Netherlands’ fifth penalty from Crysencio Summerville before striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning spot-kick that sealed a 3-2 shootout win.

The victory sends Morocco into a last 16 clash with Canada in Houston on Saturday.

An enthralling match had gone to extra time after Issa Diop had glanced in a dramatic equaliser for Morocco in the first minute of stoppage time as the Netherlands closed in on victory.

The Dutch had taken the lead midway through the second half with a goal from Cody Gakpo, playing just days after his partner had confirmed the death of the couple’s unborn son.

Liverpool forward Gakpo sank to the turf and appeared overcome with emotion as he was surrounded by team-mates in a prolonged group embrace.

But Morocco forced extra time when an unmarked Diop headed home from substitute Chemsdine Talbi’s cross in injury time.

Morocco had created the better chances of a fractious encounter, which saw players from both sides flying into tackles to test the patience of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.

The Atlas Lions almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Neil al-Aynaoui glanced an Achraf Hakimi corner goalwards only to be denied by a superb reflex save from Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Verbruggen was pressed into action moments later, this time doing well to tip a vicious strike from Hakimi over the bar.

The fierce nature of the contest was on full display midway through the half when Saibari was lucky to escape sanction after elbowing Jan Paul van Hecke in the face.

The Dutch continued to enjoy plenty of possession but were unable to convert it into goalscoring chances.

Their best effort came on 44 minutes when Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven uncorked a ferocious shot from the edge of the area that was tipped over by Bounou.

Van Hecke continued to find himself in the thick of the action, and after bloodying his head in a collision in the penalty area, made his presence felt with a crunching tackle that upended el-Aynaoui just before half-time.

As the half ended Saibari just failed to connect with a cross that flashed across the Dutch goal before going behind.

The drama continued into an end-to-end second half, but appeared to have tilted in the Netherlands’ favour when coach Ronald Koeman brought on forward Wout Weghorst in a flurry of substitutions after the hydration break.

Weghorst made an immediate impact flicking on a long ball to send Summerville bearing in on goal. Summerville crossed to Gakpo, who hurled himself at the ball to score.

The Netherlands, superbly marshalled by Gakpo’s Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk, appeared to be heading for victory but Diop’s late header sent it to extra-time.

Morocco looked to have made the breakthrough when Soufiane Rahimi went through on goal in the 96th minute, only to be denied by a jaw-dropping save from Verbruggen.

The Netherlands held on for penalties but despite Morocco missing their first when El-Aynaoui hit the bar, the north Africans recovered to win.

LAGOS — The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, to ensure petroleum marketers do not exploit Nigerians through excessive pricing under the deregulated downstream petroleum market.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, gave the directive in Abuja yesterday while delivering the keynote address at the NMDPRA General Counsel and Legal Advisers Forum.

The two-day forum has as its theme: “Beyond Compliance: Driving Regulatory Certainty and Investment Confidence in Nigeria’s Petroleum Sector.”

Lokpobiri said although the downstream sector had been fully deregulated, the regulator must ensure that deregulation does not become an avenue for profiteering at the expense of consumers.

According to him, following de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East and decline in global crude prices, Nigerians expected corresponding reductions in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol.

However, this is yet to happen, as refiners and marketers have continued to sell petrol at elevated pump prices despite the significant decline in crude oil prices from a peak of $120 per barrel to about $72 per barrel last week.

He said: “Following de-escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States, we expected to see a commensurate downward adjustment in the prices of PMS and other petroleum products. However, that has not yet happened.

While we believe that market forces will eventually restore equilibrium, the regulator also has a statutory responsibility to ensure that deregulation does not become an avenue for profiteering. This must be done in line with the extant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.”

The minister also charged the agency to intensify monitoring to ensure consumers receive the correct quantity of fuel purchased at filling stations.

‘What is the regulator doing?’ Lokpobiri asks

He said: “Beyond allowing prices to be determined by market forces, the question is: what is the regulator doing to ensure that consumers receive the correct quantity of product? When someone pays for 10 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, they should receive exactly 10 litres, not less.”

Lokpobiri noted that despite recent geo-political tensions arising from the conflict involving the United States and Iran, Nigeria did not experience fuel shortages, attributing the stability to  deregulation of the downstream sector and  operationalisation of domestic refineries.

He described the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, as the foundation for transforming Nigeria’s petroleum industry but stressed that building investor confidence now depends on consistent and predictable regulation.

He said: “The PIA gave us the architecture. What we must now build is the culture, the institutional habits, the interpretive discipline and the regulatory character that make the law’s objectives real for every investor evaluating Nigeria against any other destination in the world.”

The minister urged legal advisers and general counsel in the petroleum industry to serve as strategic partners in promoting investment, rather than becoming obstacles through unnecessary regulatory bottlenecks.

According to him, “we will not be judged by the number of regulations we produce or the volume of guidelines we issue. We will be judged by the investments we attract, the businesses we enable, the jobs we create and the value we leave behind for future generations.”

Earlier, Chief Executive of NMDPRA, Mallam Rabiu Umar, said the petroleum industry has reached a stage where regulatory certainty, transparency and investor confidence has become more important than mere compliance with regulations.

Umar said implementation of the PIA shifted focus from what the law provided to how it is being implemented and whether it is delivering the certainty required by investors.

He said: “Compliance remains the foundation. The broader objective is to create a petroleum industry characterised by certainty, predictability, transparency and confidence.”

In his presentation,  Secretary and Legal Adviser, NMDPRA, Dr Joseph Tolorunse, explained that regulatory certainty had ensured  stability of fiscal rules throughout the lifespan of projects and prevented policy reversals.

Tolorunse noted that the law has made Nigeria’s oil and gas industry more competitive, adding that increased competitiveness will attract investment, with “investment leading to growth.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector continued to record marginal movements in petrol prices across major depots in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri yesterday, reflecting continued market adjustments among petroleum marketers and depot operators.

The latest mid-day market data showed that PMS depot prices remained largely stable, with most locations recording slight reductions of between N1 and N6 per litre, while a few depots maintained unchanged prices.

In Lagos, one of Nigeria’s major petroleum trading hubs, PMS prices across several terminals recorded downward adjustments. African Terminal reduced its PMS price from N1,125 to N1,122 per litre, representing a N3 decline, while AIPEC adjusted its price from N1,125 to N1,124 per litre.

Other Lagos-based facilities, including AITEO, BONO, EMADEB and TECHNO OIL, also recorded marginal reductions. EMADEB posted the biggest decline among Lagos terminals, cutting price from N1,125 to N1,119 per litre, a reduction of N6.

The Lagos market continues to reflect the impact of increased domestic refining capacity and stronger competition among suppliers, particularly following the growing role of local refiners in meeting national fuel demand.

In Port Harcourt, depot prices also recorded mixed movements. Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel, witnessed notable changes, with some terminals increasing prices. African Terminal’s AGO price rose from N1,435 to N1,503 per litre, representing an increase of N68. 

Duport also increased its price from N1,435 to N1,503 per litre, while Menj and Wosbab recorded similar increases of N63 per litre.

However, some operators reduced diesel prices. Matrix and Sigmund depots lowered AGO prices by N20 per litre, reducing them from N1,505 to N1,485 and from N1,503 to N1,483, respectively.

For PMS in Port Harcourt, prices remained relatively stable, with several depots trading within the N1,120–N1,126 per litre range.

The Calabar market also recorded modest adjustments. Fynfield reduced its PMS price from N1,145 to 1,140 per litre, while Soroman maintained its price at N1,140 per litre.

In Warri, PMS prices remained largely stable with slight downward adjustments. Matrix reduced price from N1,135 to N1,133 per litre, while Nepal adjusted from N1,133 to N1,132 per litre. Prudent also cut price from N1,135 to N1,133 per litre.

The latest depot price trends indicate a relatively stable downstream market, with PMS prices showing signs of moderation in several locations despite ongoing fluctuations in diesel prices.

Dangote Refinery determines price changes — Marketers

Managing Director of 11 Plc, Osagie Ogedegbe, said Dangote Refinery currently plays a dominant role in determining petrol prices in the country. He said: “Everybody gets petrol from Dangote and sells at the price it advises. This is the outcome of a country having just one refinery.

“However, the price will soon begin to decline because there has been stability in the country’s exchange rate. Despite the Middle East crisis, which is not yet fully resolved, there is hope that with the steady decline in crude oil prices in the international market, the price of petrol will gradually nosedive.

“I am very optimistic that the price will be reviewed downward between now and next week if the exchange rate remains stable and crude oil prices continue to fall.”

Also speaking, an energy expert and Lead Strategic Consultant at Acepontis Ltd, Atiemoria Ebhodaghe, said: “Nigerian pump prices remain high despite falling global crude oil prices largely because of the ‘rockets and feathers’ market phenomenon, where marketers are quick to raise prices when crude oil prices increase but deliberately delay passing savings on to consumers when prices fall until old, expensive inventory has been exhausted.

“We should also understand that while Dangote Refinery now purchases local crude in naira, the valuation of that crude remains pegged to the global dollar market, meaning that the depreciation of the naira continues to inflate baseline production costs.

“However, the decline in international crude oil prices indicates that relief is structurally on the way, as evidenced by recent cuts in wholesale gantry prices and NNPC’s reduction of its retail price to roughly N1,210 per litre in Abuja.

“Ultimately, until the naira strengthens and stricter regulatory compliance compels independent marketers to align with the new landing costs, the average Nigerian consumer will continue to experience delays in price reductions and pay high prices at filling stations.”

Also speaking, an operator in the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, MEMAN, who pleaded anonymity, said pump prices  are expected to decline gradually because marketers are still recovering losses incurred over the past 18 months.

The price is expected to go down slowly because marketers are trying to recover their losses. Marketers have recorded very significant losses over the last 18 months.

“Losses occur throughout the supply chain every time prices fall. Marketers therefore reduce prices as gradually as possible in order to recover as much as they can. When prices increase, marketers enter the new price into their Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP, system, which immediately reflects the value of the stock available before they begin selling. The reverse happens whenever prices fall.

“This is standard practice in every trading business. What Dangote Refinery can do is try as much as possible to keep costs low, but it is not going to absorb your losses, neither will Dangote subsidise them,’’ he said.

Consumers yet to benefit from recent market adjustments — Petroleumprice.ng

Despite the significant decline in global crude oil prices and the reduction in petroleum product prices at depots across Nigeria, petrol prices at filling stations have remained largely unchanged, raising concerns among industry stakeholders over slow response of downstream operators.

The observation was made by Petroleumprice.ng, which noted that consumers are yet to benefit from recent market adjustments.

Commenting on the situation, Managing Director of Petroleumprice.ng, Mr Olitide Jeremiah, said the industry is still awaiting a corresponding response from downstream operators.

He said: “Despite the significant drop in crude oil prices and depot prices across Nigeria, the prices of petrol and other petroleum products have remained high at filling stations. We are still waiting to see how downstream operators will respond to developments in the global market and at the depots.”

Marketers slown to adjust prices — OGSPAN

The National President of the Oil and Gas Services Providers Association of Nigeria, OGSPAN, Mazi Colman Obasi, attributed the slow adjustment of pump prices to the absence of a fully responsive deregulated downstream petroleum market.

According to him, price adjustments in Nigeria’s petroleum market have historically been quicker when prices rise than when they decline.

He said:  “We don’t have a very dynamic downstream market yet. Once prices go up in Nigeria, it is not always easy to bring them down and stabilise the market.”

NLC blames govt for fuel price standoff

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has blamed the Federal Government for the apparent refusal of marketers to reduce the pump price of petrol, despite sustained decline in crude oil prices in the international market.

Reacting yesterday, an NLC official, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said Nigerians should hold the Federal Government accountable for what the Congress described as excessive powers being exercised by marketers in the downstream petroleum sector.

The official said: “We warned government against creating a monopoly in the downstream petroleum industry. Unfortunately, our fears have now been confirmed. 

‘’We are not surprised by the greed being displayed by the marketers because it was the government that empowered them. Nigerians should hold government responsible for the excessive powers that marketers are exerting in the downstream petroleum sector.”

The NLC argued that genuine deregulation can only exist where there is healthy competition, transparency and effective regulation, not where a few dominant players are allowed to dictate prices without regard to prevailing market realities.

“How can anyone claim that the sector has been deregulated without first creating a conducive environment for competition? What we have today is not a competitive market but a monopoly that has been allowed to thrive unchecked.  The government has allowed a monopoly to grow out of control in the sector, and ordinary Nigerians are paying the price,’’ the Congress said.

The labour centre noted that, with decline in global crude oil prices and improvements in other market indicators, Nigerians should ordinarily be benefiting from lower fuel prices.

According to NLC, the continued refusal by marketers to reduce pump prices raises serious concerns about  effectiveness of the current deregulation framework and whether it is serving the interests of consumers or a privileged few.

The Congress recalled that it had consistently warned against policies that concentrate excessive market power in the hands of a few operators, stressing that such an arrangement would inevitably lead to price manipulation and profiteering at the expense of the public.

The NLC urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to dismantle monopolistic practices in the downstream petroleum sector, promote genuine competition and strengthen regulatory oversight to ensure that Nigerians benefit from favourable developments in the international oil market.

Former Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and healthcare stakeholders have called for the adoption of innovative financing mechanisms to address funding challenges confronting healthcare systems in Africa.

They made the call at a high-level roundtable on Innovative Financing Models for Africa’s Healthcare Systems, organised by Future Perspectives, a platform founded by Osinbajo, in partnership with the Gates Foundation, in Lagos.

The roundtable held earlier this month brought together government officials, development finance institutions, investors, financial sector leaders and healthcare executives to examine ways of mobilising sustainable capital for healthcare delivery amid persistent funding gaps.

Speaking at the event, Osinbajo said government funding alone could not meet the growing demands of healthcare systems, stressing the need for alternative financing models that would expand access and reduce dependence on direct payments by patients.

Government spending alone can never address the scale of the challenge,” Osinbajo said.

He noted that many Nigerians still relied heavily on out-of-pocket healthcare payments, adding that the objective of the dialogue was to identify “practical ways to finance healthcare through innovative and sustainable mechanisms.”

The former Vice President said stronger collaboration between government, private investors, financial institutions and development partners was necessary to build resilient healthcare systems capable of serving Africa’s growing population.

The session was moderated by the Executive Director for Africa at ONE, Serah Makka, who is also a member of the Future Perspectives Board.

The meeting was attended by representatives from healthcare organisations, financial institutions, investment firms and development agencies, including the Nigeria Exchange Group, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, World Bank, International Finance Corporation and other sector stakeholders.

Representing the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Pate, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, Dr Abdu Mukhtar, said limited insurance coverage remained one of the major barriers to healthcare access in Nigeria.

Mukhtar said only about 10 to 12 per cent of Nigerians currently had health insurance coverage, adding that expanding access would require significant investment and stronger partnerships.

He said ongoing collaborations with institutions, including Afreximbank and the European Investment Bank, were aimed at unlocking large-scale financing opportunities for the healthcare sector.

He, however, noted that smaller healthcare providers continued to face difficulties accessing growth capital.

“There is a missing middle. Many businesses need just $2m to $5m to grow, but struggle to access capital,” he said.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MedServe, Dr Tolulope Adewole, who represented the Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, said affordability remained a major challenge affecting healthcare demand.

According to him, sustainable healthcare financing requires collaboration among stakeholders.

The bigger problem sits on the demand side,” Adewole said, noting that many Nigerians lacked the financial capacity to access available healthcare services.

“Collaboration is what will take us out of this challenge,” he added.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AfyA Care, Dapo Akisanya, said healthcare could become a profitable and scalable sector if supported with disciplined financing structures and coordinated investments.

Akisanya advocated increased impact investing and blended financing models to support businesses operating across the healthcare value chain.

The Chief Executive Officer of Chapel Hill Denham, Bolaji Balogun, said private capital would be critical in closing the healthcare financing gap, arguing that government resources alone were insufficient

Government funding is wholly inadequate, and private capital is essential,” Balogun said.

He added that healthcare investments required patient, long-term financing, which could be provided through capital markets.

A Senior Investment Officer at the International Finance Corporation, Chishamiso Mawoyo, stressed the importance of financing healthcare providers in local currencies, noting that providers served communities whose economic realities differed from international markets.

“Healthcare providers serve local populations, so financing must reflect that reality,” Mawoyo said.

The Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation, Ekenem Isichei, said financing models must focus on measurable outcomes, ensuring that resources are translated into improved health outcomes and better livelihoods.

“Financing must translate to real impact,” Isichei said, adding that philanthropy should help unlock wider sources of capital through blended financing approaches.

A Senior Health Financing Specialist at the World Bank, Dr Olumide Okunola, emphasised the importance of strengthening public financing systems, warning that private investments alone could not replace government responsibility.

Without strong public financing, everything else is limited,” Okunola said.

In his closing remarks, the Co-Founder of Future Perspectives, Yemi Asekun, said the next step was to transform discussions from the roundtable into practical financing solutions that could support healthcare development.

“Capital always follows capacity and management,” Asekun said, adding that stakeholders would continue exploring structures that could support a national healthcare investment platform.

They stated this at the 2026 Faith Defender Award Gala at the Hilton Garden Inn on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., on June 23, according to a press release signed by the President of Save Nigeria Group USA, Stephen Osemwegie.

Adeboye urged the United States and its allies to intensify support for Nigeria in its fight against insecurity, and he made a direct appeal for more international support.

“If you want to help us, help us more. No matter who is in office in Nigeria, only God can help us. Use your influence to help us,” the cleric emphasised.

Thank God for Trump. He means business,” he added, commending U.S. President Donald Trump’s stance against terrorism, although he noted he did not agree with all of his positions.

In a keynote address delivered on his behalf, Oyedepo painted a grim picture of the situation in Nigeria, describing the country as being “virtually at the brink of collapse” due to unrelenting terrorist attacks and violence.

“My heart bleeds,” he said, while expressing support for proposed U.S legislation aimed at strengthening accountability for terrorism-related atrocities in Nigeria

Former U.S Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, warned that Nigeria risked violent civil unrest if urgent steps were not taken.

“Nigeria is at a fork in the road. Address this insecurity or face violent civil unrest,” he noted.

Human rights advocate Dr Katrina Swett also called for increased U.S. involvement in protecting religious freedom and supporting victims of extremist violence.

“The future is in the hands of Nigerians, but America has powerful leverage to do more,” she added.

The President of Save Nigeria Group USA, Osemwegie, urged the U.S. Congress to pass the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act, noting that it would strengthen accountability for terrorism-related crimes.

The event, themed “Thank You, America,” marked the end of a week-long advocacy campaign that included engagements with U.S. lawmakers aimed at boosting international cooperation against terrorism.

Meanwhile, Trump was honoured at the event with the 2026 Faith Defender Award for what organisers described as his administration’s commitment to promoting religious freedom and combating terrorism globally.

The Federal Government on Monday approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps since its establishment in 1973, replacing military leadership with a civilian Director-General.

It also restructured the one-year scheme into 11 specialised skills-based streams, redesigned the orientation camp programme and uniform, and directed the amendment of the NYSC Act to give immediate legal effect to the changes.

This followed Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

It is the first in three months since March 4, 2026, when the President swore in Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu.

Also on Monday, the Federal Government approved the establishment of a National Snakebite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State.

It also approved N128.29bn across five health and aviation projects, including the procurement of tuberculosis commodities worth N62bn, reproductive health drugs worth N25bn, 10 blood donation vans worth N6.9bn, and the construction of the Gboko airstrip in Benue State at N34.39bn.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Wisdom, said the reform process for the NYSC began in 2025 when a committee was constituted to carry out a full review of the scheme, adding that the outcome represented a fundamental repositioning of the NYSC from a mobilisation exercise into a platform for skills development, job creation, productivity and national growth.

He explained, “The NYSC was created in 1973 to promote national unity after the civil war. For 53 years, it has helped bring together Nigerian graduates and strengthen national unity. But today, our needs as a country have changed, and many expect the objectives of NYSC to also change.

“Our review found a number of challenges with NYSC, outdated laws, weak links between education and jobs, and concerns about the safety and welfare of corps members, among others.”

The minister noted that the Ministries of Youth Development and Education and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination worked together to develop the reform framework, adding that the council was invited to ratify the framework, the new organisational structure, and the directive to begin amending the NYSC Act and related regulations.

The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, who has oversight of the reform implementation, described the move as the first holistic reform of the scheme in its 53-year history and linked the overhaul to the administration’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy.

She said, “One of the important things on the basis of which we decided to embark on this reform process is that there is a need for us to intervene to build the present ambition of a $1tn economy by repositioning NYSC as a civilian-led, skill-oriented, productivity-driven and youth-empowering national institution.

“Indeed, as mentioned, the NYSC has been in existence for 53 years, and this is the first time there has been a holistic reform.

“The reform areas speak to all the strategic aspects of NYSC, starting from the area of the main area of deployment, how you are registering, what modality is being used to post you to several states, how we are recognising the areas where we have security challenges.”

She said the reform now segments the NYSC into 11 distinct core streams, which every corps member will be required to select upon registration based on academic background and personal skills profile.

The streams are the Agriculture Core, the Medical Core, the Education Core, the Technology and Digital Core, the Legal Core, the Public Service Core, the Infrastructure Core, the Green Core, the Enterprise Core, the Creative Economy Core, and the Paramilitary and Security Core.

“When you come in as a youth corps member, you will now pick which stream you want to participate in. Once you have uploaded and been recognised and accepted as a corps member, you are required to pick one of those cores, and once you register in that, certain trainings will be given for each of those cores within the two weeks,” Usman explained.

The orientation camp programme, she revealed further, will be redesigned from its current format into a structured six-week curriculum divided into three distinct two-week phases.

“The first two weeks speak to laying a foundation on civic responsibility, you will be made aware of what civic duties mean, our national values and leadership development,

“The next two weeks will look at career mapping, basic accounting literacy skills, business planning and access to finance, how do we access finance and then we intend to introduce a structured career day programme to enable corps members to engage directly with the public.

“The final two weeks, we intend to have focused corps-stream-specific training aligned with the corps member’s designated stream based on his choice, his academic background and skills profile,” Usman said.

She noted that for streams requiring longer certification periods, such as the Digital Core, where relevant certifications may span three to six months, corps members would remain in structured training rather than being posted to primary assignment locations.

“We want them to have skills that will enable them to be self-employed,” she said.

The new management structure will be headed by a civilian Director-General, supported by three Executive Directors and a security directorate to be led by a military or paramilitary officer, she revealed.

Responding to questions on the security implications of removing military operational leadership, Usman argued that the arrangement will preserve the military’s core protective function while transferring administrative authority to civilian professionals.

She noted, “We recognise that NYSC is spread across the whole country, and security is a core aspect of ensuring the safety of our corps members.

“The safety aspect still remains with the military, but the operational leadership of NYSC will be civilian-led, while security will continue to be anchored and implemented by the Nigerian military.”

She also noted that the Passing-Out Parade will be redesigned and renamed as a graduation ceremony.

The NYSC uniform, she added, would also be overhauled to reflect a more professional identity while preserving its distinctive character.

Usman confirmed that the Attorney-General of the Federation, working with the Ministry of Youth Development, has been directed to amend the NYSC Act and related regulations to give immediate legal backing to the approved changes.

On brain drain, the Japa wave driving thousands of NYSC-age graduates abroad each year, she said the reform was designed to turn the challenge into an asset rather than simply try to stem the outflow.

According to her, “Brain drain is something that we cannot stop as a country. We’re looking to see how we can produce more graduates that will enable us to have more,  and actually export and earn foreign exchange from the brain drain.

“What happened in India: they left, and now they are back to promote and support various areas within the tech industry; this is the model. The more we produce, the more we are able to retain and channel brain drain back into Nigeria’s development.”

Also briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, said the council considered four critical health items, beginning with the upgrade of the existing snakebite treatment facility in Kaltungo into a comprehensive research and medical institution with an expanded mandate for clinical services, research and training.

Pate explained, “The Federal Executive Council today considered four important items related to the health of Nigerian people.

First was the upgrade of the snake bite treatment centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, into the National Snake Bite Research and Medical Centre in Kaltungo, Gombe State, with an expanded mandate for clinical services, research, and training to respond to the need that exists in our country for adequate attention to snake bites and snake envenomation.

“Snakebite remains a significant yet neglected public health challenge, particularly in our rural communities here in Nigeria, in the savannah regions, but also across the sub-region, and is especially hard on vulnerable populations, farmers, herders, hunters, women and children, whose livelihoods and daily activities expose them to encounters with snakes.

“We do have a large burden. Over 43,000 snakebites annually occur, many of which result in death, disfigurement, disability and psychological trauma with severe socioeconomic impact.

“This new centre will be an important new institution that will address the challenge, particularly in the Northeast, the Northwest and the North Central geopolitical zones of Nigeria, where the issue is most dire.”

He said the new centre would provide comprehensive, specialised care for snakebite and related envenomations, undertake research on snakebite epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment, and ensure sustainable access and supply of quality anti-snake venom through a full clinical and medical department.

“It will also partner with international institutions. This is a major step that brings an institution that will be the first of its kind in this country, but also in our sub-region,” Pate added.

On the second approval, Pate said the council approved the procurement of 10 units of compressed natural gas-powered blood donation medical clinic vans for the National Blood Service Agency’s zonal activities, at a cost of N6.9bn.

Approximately, we require 1.8 million units of blood donations annually. At the current rate, we only get about 25 to 30 per cent.

“These blood donation vehicles can be deployed to mobilise donors so that we enhance the collection of blood that is critical for pregnant women who may require caesarean sections, for trauma victims, for patients undergoing surgery, but also for those being treated for cancers who require repeated transfusions.

“It is part of the effort to build infrastructure comprehensively for emergency medical services dealing with maternal health,” the minister explained.

The third approval, Pate revealed, was for the procurement of tuberculosis commodities.

He argued that the item reflected a deliberate pivot away from decades of dependence on external actors for the country’s TB treatment supply chain.

He said, “Nigeria is among the countries that have the highest burden of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a socially determined disease, a disease of those who are poor, vulnerable, a disease of poverty, malnutrition, comorbidities and poor housing.

“Until now, most of the treatment for tuberculosis depended on external actors. Now the Nigerian government is stepping in to procure those commodities and put us on a path to manufacture them locally.

“We don’t manufacture those at the moment, so the effort to procure by the Federal Government will ultimately lead to the manufacturing of anti-tuberculosis drugs, both the first line and the second line.”

The health minister said the fourth approval, worth N25bn, covered reproductive health drugs and commodities to be procured through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and distributed through primary health care centres nationwide.

According to him, “The procurement is to provide family planning commodities and maternal health commodities for those who choose to use them for birth spacing,  essentially allowing women to exercise their wish, if they so wish, to use family planning.

“This is also with a view to getting us on a path to manufacturing those commodities in Nigeria.”

For his part, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), said the council also approved the construction and development of the Gboko airstrip in Benue State, awarded to MESSRS CCECC Nigeria Limited at a contract sum of N34.39bn.

“The Gboko area, in particular, serves as an important hub for agricultural activities around the Middle Belt, and also, in particular, for security agencies who have had to look for airstrips and bases to confront the challenges we are facing around that axis,” Keyamo said.

He added, “It will also be a base for humanitarian activities and services and emergency medical services. That is how important that area is, and we thought it was important to put an airstrip there to confront and address these challenges of government.”

Households across parts of the country are beginning to experience relief as retail prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, popularly known as cooking gas, decline following improved product supply and softer depot prices, The PUNCH reports.

The latest market update from gas marketers showed that retail LPG prices have started easing in major cities after weeks of elevated prices, although the reductions have not been uniform because of varying transportation costs, distance from supply depots and retailer margins.

Checks by marketers indicated that cooking gas is now selling for between N1,100 and N1,350 per kilogramme in Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta, while consumers in Benin City, Port Harcourt and Warri are paying between N1,150 and N1,400/kg.

In Onitsha and Enugu, retail prices range from N1,200 to N1,450/kg, while consumers in Abuja pay between N1,250 and 1500/kg

The National President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Edu Inyang, told our correspondent that northern cities, including Kano and Kaduna, currently record prices of N1,300 to N1,550/kg, while consumers in Maiduguri and parts of the North-East still pay the highest prices, ranging from N1,350 to N1,650/kg, reflecting the additional logistics costs of transporting products to the region.

Overall, Inyang said the national retail price range now stands at approximately N1,100 to N1,650 per kilogramme, although some neighbourhood retailers continue to charge above the range where transportation and distribution costs remain elevated.

The improvement marks a reversal from the sharp increases witnessed from May, when supply tightness and rising depot prices pushed cooking gas costs significantly higher across several parts of the country.

According to the NALPGAM president, the latest decline follows improved product availability from both domestic production and imports, as well as lower depot prices. He also attributed the easing to increased competition among marketers and the disappearance of panic buying that had briefly tightened supplies.

“Following reports of improved LPG supply and softer depot prices in late June 2026, retail cooking gas prices have started easing in some markets, although the reduction has not been uniform across Nigeria. Transport costs, distance from depots, and retailer margins still create noticeable differences between cities.

“Overall, the national retail range is roughly N1,100 to N1,650 per kilogramme, with some neighbourhood retailers charging slightly above this range where logistics costs remain high. The recent easing reflects lower depot prices as supply improved, increased product availability from domestic sources and imports, reduced panic buying and hoarding after government market interventions, and more competition among marketers in major cities,” Inyang said.

The development is expected to provide some relief to households grappling with rising living costs, although industry players noted that prices may continue to differ from one location to another depending on local distribution expenses.

Based on the prevailing retail prices, a 5kg cylinder refill now costs between N5,500 and N8,250, while a 6kg refill ranges from N6,600 to N9,900. Inyang said consumers refilling a standard 12.5kg cylinder are expected to pay between N13,750 and N20,625, depending on location and retailer.

Despite the improvement, marketers cautioned that retail prices are yet to stabilise nationwide, noting that communities located farther from major LPG depots may continue to experience relatively higher prices because of transportation costs.

Industry operators expressed optimism that sustained product availability from local producers, alongside steady imports, would further moderate prices in the coming weeks, provided there were no major disruptions to supply or logistics.

Also, the National Chairman of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Retailers Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Ayobami Olarinoye, told our correspondent that normalcy was gradually returning to the sector.

However, Olarinoye, whose members sell gas in neighbourhood shops, said they currently sell to consumers at prices ranging from N1,600 to N1,800/kg. “The inflow and supply are gradually getting back to normal. There is more availability.

“The price is also coming down gradually. As of today (Monday), we buy from between N1,300 and N1,500 per kg from the marketers (plant operators), depending on the locations, while we sell between N1,600 and N1,800 per kg to consumers. This also depends on the location and associated logistics.”

The PUNCH earlier reported that as cooking gas prices rose by about 140 per cent in many locations across the country, marketers finalised plans to import the product on a large scale to improve affordability and availability.

Cooking gas prices rose from an average of N1,000 per kilogramme in January and February this year to as high as N2,400 between May and June. Consequently, the regulator began issuing licences for the importation of LPG. This followed the inability of local LPG producers to meet domestic demand, according to industry operators.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, intervened, warning operators against hoarding and profiteering.

Medical doctors have called for the public ranking of governors and states based on health outcomes, saying such a system would promote accountability and encourage greater investment in healthcare delivery.

The physicians argued that assessing state governments using indicators such as maternal and child mortality, immunisation coverage, primary healthcare performance and disease control would provide a clearer picture of their commitment to improving citizens’ health.

They noted that making the rankings public could foster healthy competition among states and drive evidence-based policymaking.

Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the President of the Nigeria Medical Association, Prof. Afekhide Omoti, said healthcare failure should not primarily be that of the Federal Government alone.

He said the country must strengthen the state and local governments’ responsibility in financing healthcare.

“Healthcare failure is not only a federal problem. Many primary healthcare centres are under the state and local governments, but remain abandoned.

“States should match federal healthcare interventions, local governments should begin publishing PHC spending reports, governors should be assessed publicly on health outcomes, while federal allocations for health should be tied to measurable performance. Nigeria cannot centralise all blame in Abuja while states neglect frontline healthcare,” he said.

He urged relevant government agencies and health institutions to develop transparent performance assessment frameworks and publish regular scorecards on state health outcomes.

Omoti stressed that measuring and publicising progress is essential to improving health systems and accelerating Nigeria’s journey towards universal health coverage.

Omoti, who spoke on the effect of shrinking donor funding and poor release of budgetary allocation to health, said it was time for states and local governments to fully contribute to the healthcare of their residents.

The NMA president also said that the government should enforce full and timely budget releases to the healthcare sector.

“One major problem is that ministries and hospitals receive partial releases long after budgets are passed. We have observed that the problem is no longer only about budget allocation; it is now fundamentally about budget credibility, release efficiency, and accountability.

“Nigeria can decide to announce ambitious health budgets every year, but if funds are not fully released, poorly utilized, or diverted through bureaucratic bottlenecks, the health sector will continue to deteriorate,” he said.

According to him, the government must move from symbolic budgeting to enforceable health financing reforms.

“Critical healthcare funding should be treated like debt servicing and national security obligations. This means that certain health expenditures, especially primary healthcare, immunization, emergency response, and salaries, should receive automatic statutory releases,” he said.

He said that releases for healthcare funding should not depend on political discretion or quarterly cash-flow politics.

“Healthcare cannot remain the first victim whenever revenue falls short,” he said.

The NMA president said Nigeria’s heavy reliance on oil revenues to fund public services has made healthcare financing unstable.

He called for increased diversification of health financing through increased domestic resource mobilisation and expanded health insurance coverage, among others.

Although the FG finances healthcare through a combination of direct budgetary allocations, mandatory health insurance, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, and tax-based revenue, donor funding is still used for some health services.

But the funding cuts by the Donald Trump administration in January 2025 are affecting many health services largely funded by donors in Nigeria.

In the wake of the funding crisis, PUNCH Healthwise reported that experts warned Nigeria’s heavy reliance on donor support could trigger a rise in HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria infections, urging the immediate mobilisation of domestic resources.

In August 2025, the United Nations Children’s Fund stated that it faced a $160 million funding gap for crucial humanitarian aid in Nigeria.

But speaking on what the country can do, the NMA president said Nigeria can expand health financing beyond oil revenue.

He listed public-private partnerships, diaspora health investment bonds, among others, to support revenue from oil in financing healthcare in Nigeria.

“Depending heavily on oil revenues makes health financing unstable. Nigeria should diversify health funding through expanded health insurance contributions, sin taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks dedicated specifically to health, public-private partnerships, diaspora health investment bonds, and special intervention funds for health infrastructure,” he said

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Monday called on residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies, declaring that defeating terrorism and other forms of criminality requires collective action.

The governor made the appeal in a statewide broadcast to mark the launch of the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, stressing that security is the responsibility of every citizen and not the government alone.

“Security is everyone’s responsibility. The government and security agencies cannot do it alone. If you see something, say something. If you notice any suspicious movement, unusual gathering or activities that threaten the peace and security of your community, report them promptly to the appropriate security agencies,” Yahaya said.

He described insecurity as the greatest threat confronting Northern Nigeria, warning that sustainable development would remain impossible without peace and stability.

Insecurity remains the single most significant threat to the stability and development of Northern Nigeria. There is a direct and undeniable nexus between security and development. Without security, there can be no development, and without development, there can be no lasting peace,” he said.

The governor commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting lives and property.

“Day and night, in the face of grave danger, you stand guard over our communities. We salute your courage and pay special tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty,” he said.

Highlighting his administration’s security initiatives since assuming office in 2019, Yahaya said Gombe had remained one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states despite its proximity to insurgency-ravaged parts of the North-East.

According to him, the state established the Ministry of Internal Security and Internal Affairs, created the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps, launched Operation Hattara, strengthened local vigilante groups, equipped security agencies with operational vehicles and logistics, and set up local peace committees to resolve communal and farmer-herder conflicts before they escalated.

He added that two security summits organised by the state had improved intelligence sharing, community participation and rapid response to security threats.

As Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Yahaya said he had championed the establishment of the Northern States Security Trust Fund to enable states to pool resources in tackling insecurity.

“We cannot confront these challenges in isolation because of our porous borders, which allow criminals to move freely across state lines. If we are to succeed, no state can achieve peace in isolation,” he said.

The governor urged security agencies to embrace modern technology alongside community-based intelligence gathering while ensuring respect for human rights during operations.

“The threats we face are evolving, and we must evolve with them. Community engagement, intelligence-led operations and respect for human rights must remain the guiding principles of your work,” he said.

He also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups, civil society organisations and community associations to sustain their support for peace-building efforts.

Yahaya further appealed to residents to reject terrorism, violence, hate and other forms of criminality, saying criminals thrive where communities are divided.

“Criminals and terrorists thrive where there is division; they fail where communities are united and vigilant,” he said.

The governor expressed support for the Federal Government’s anti-terrorism efforts under President Bola Tinubu, urging residents to cooperate fully with security agencies to ensure the success of the national campaign against terrorism and violent extremism.

He urged citizens to embrace the spirit of the “Unite Against Terror” campaign and continue praying for security personnel, leaders, and the peace, unity and prosperity of Gombe State and Nigeria.

Warns that withdrawal of Federal Government funding would  compromise the standard of the airport

ENUGU -Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), a group of prominent Igbo intellectuals, traditional rulers and stakeholders, has totally rejected the transfer of the management of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, (AIIA) Enugu to a private company by the Federal Government.

ILT described the action of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration as “another grave act of injustice against Ndigbo in Nigeria and further escalation of the prolonged marginalisation of the South-East region in the affairs of the nation.”

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN) had last Thursday handed over the Enugu International Airport to the concessionaire, Aero Alliance Limited, following the completion of all the necessary documentation.

Under the 30-year Public-Private partnership arrangement, facilitated by the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mba, the company will undertake the financing, rehabilitation, expansion, operation and management of the airport.

However, in a strong worded statement on Monday, ILT totally rejected the transfer of the airport to the concessionaire, warning that the withdrawal of Federal Government funding would definitely compromise the standard of the airport, including safety infrastructure, operational efficiency and passenger experience.

The group recalled that when the Federal Government commenced the process for the concession of the airport, it sparked significant controversy and backlash, revolving around issues of transparency, inadequate consultation, labour rights, contract duration and the sustainability of private funding for such a critical national asset.

It regretted that while the issues surrounding the concession were still pending, the Federal Government went ahead to concession Enugu International Airport to a company without any visible record of managing an airport of such magnitude within Nigeria or overseas.

The implication is that out of the six international airports in Nigeria, Enugu International Airport is the only one to be financed, operated and managed by a private company, while the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Aviation, continues to fund the remaining five.

“The Enugu Airport was established in the 1950s by the Government of Old Eastern Region as an aerodrome, before the Obasanjo military regime in the late 1970s upgraded it to a regular airport. The government of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua later upgraded it to international status in 2007 and after major refurbishment, it was eventually opened to international flights in 2013, and was renamed Akanu Ibiam International Airport by the Goodluck Jonathan government. It cost the Federal Government N14 billion to upgrade the airport under both the Yar’Adua and Jonathan governments.

“In October 2019, Tinubu’s predecessor, President Muhammmadu Buhari (now late), approved a N10 billion special intervention fund for a comprehensive upgrade and rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, focusing on rehabilitating the degraded runway, fixing the airfield lighting and installing proper perimeter fencing”, ILT noted   in the statement signed Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi, the
President and Prof. Jerry Chukwuokolo, the
Secretary.

According to them, this major upgrade, which gave the airport a facelift, was officially inaugurated in August 2020 with fanfare in the South East when Hadi Sirika was the Minister of Aviation.

It regretted that the Tinubu government has reversed all the gains by handing Enugu airport over to a private company, while the Federal Government will continue funding and managing the remaining five international airports in the country.

As of today, there is currently no active private concessionaire operating any of the other five international airports in Nigeria, namely, Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, Malam Aminu Kanu International Airport Kano, Port Harcourt International Airport and Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo. Why should the case of Enugu International Airport, the only international airport in the South East be different?

Curiously, the same Tinubu government that handed over Enugu International Airport to a private company, earlier cancelled the concession bidding programme for the international terminal of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, and opted for a ₦712 billion structural rebuild, through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.

“Festus Keyamo claimed during the handover ceremony that there are bidders for the other five international airports. Why did he not wait for the bidding processes to be concluded, so that all the six international airports would be handed over to concessionaires the same time? Why the haste in handing over Enugu International Airport?

“When President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, he described his government as a continuation of Buhari government, meaning that he would continue the programmes and projects of his predecessor. Unfortunately, Tinubu changed his policy in the case of Enugu International Airport, by handing it over to a private company, rather than approve more intervention funds for the airport, like he did for the Lagos International Airport.

“This is another grave injustice to Ndigbo and further escalation of the marginalisation of the South-East in the affairs of the nation. We will not allow this injustice to Ndigbo by the Tinubu Government to stand”, they said, and vowed to use every lawful means possible  to challenge the concession of Enugu International Airport.

ILT regretted that the Federal Government proceeded to hand over the Enugu Airport to the company in spite of the reservations expressed by aviation unions about the opaque nature of the concession programme, including possible ties between the concessionaire and state officials

The group maintained that the concession would retard the growth and development of the only international airport in the South East

“Based on our findings, none of the six international airports in Nigeria is profitable. What it means is that they are all relying on government funding to operate. If the federal government stops funding Enugu International Airport, even if for one day, the facilities will go down.

“If the airports are not profitable, where will the concessionaire get the money to maintain the airport for the next 30 years? So, the handover of Enugu Airport is injustice to the South East. The government should fund Enugu airport like other international airports in the country,” ILT stated.

Women and youth members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State on Thursday staged a protest, blocking the busy Ilesha-Owo Expressway over the National Assembly candidates’ list released by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Respect the Will of Party Members,” “No to Candidate Substitution,” “Restore Our Mandates,” “Justice for APC Aspirants,” and “NWC, Reverse the List Now,” disrupted traffic for several hours, leaving motorists and commuters stranded.

They demanded the withdrawal of the list and the reinstatement of what they described as the authentic candidates who emerged from the party’s May primaries.

The demonstrators accused the party leadership of replacing candidates who won the primaries, alleging that the list released by the NWC did not reflect the outcome of the ward and local government elections conducted across the state’s 203 wards.

The protest also caused a traffic gridlock that temporarily delayed the convoy of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was returning from Osogbo, Osun State.

Addressing the protesters, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Seun Osamaye, described the demonstration as a peaceful rejection of what she called a “fake list” circulating online.

“We know those we voted for and those who won the elections. What is being circulated does not reflect the people’s mandate.

“This is a peaceful protest. We say no to mago-mago appeal, no to fake appeal and no to corner-corner appeal. People’s votes should count,” she said.

Osamaye expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would ensure justice prevailed.

We know President Tinubu is a man who listens and believes in justice. What we are demanding is simple: let the people’s votes count,” she added.

She also urged the APC National Working Committee to publicly explain the appeal process that allegedly resulted in changes to the candidates’ list.

“Let Nigerians know the appeal that overturned the will of party members,” she said.

The APC State Women Leader, Princess Oluwayemisi Iji-Ayeola, maintained that credible primaries were conducted across the state’s 18 local government areas, insisting that the names released by the NWC did not reflect the actual results.

“This is a slap on the APC in Ondo State and a direct affront to our leader, Governor Aiyedatiwa,” she alleged.

According to her, the APC State Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, had visited the party’s national secretariat several times without resolving the issue.

“We have authentic results from ward, local government and state levels. We want candidates chosen by members, not imposed ones,” she said, warning that more protests could follow if the party failed to address their grievances.

A youth leader of the party, Bright Ojo, described the development as a threat to internal democracy.

“The people voted and the results reflected their wishes, but suddenly names were changed. We will resist every attempt to subvert the mandate of our members because nobody can suppress the will of the people,” he said.

Security personnel were deployed to the scene to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the protest and to restore normalcy, while efforts were made by officials to persuade the demonstrators to reopen the highway.

Former Spain and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has become a shareholder in Melbourne Victory, with the World Cup winner also set to take up a senior off-field role at the Australian club once he retires from professional football.

The A-League club announced on Monday that Mata’s investment extends beyond his playing career, making him part of Melbourne Victory’s long-term plans after joining the club from Western Sydney Wanderers in September last year.

The 38-year-old, who won the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Spain and enjoyed successful spells at Valencia, Chelsea and Manchester United, made 25 appearances for Victory during the 2025-26 campaign, scoring five goals and providing 13 assists.

His impressive debut season also earned him the Johnny Warren Medal as the A-League Men’s Player of the Year, helping Melbourne Victory finish fourth with 40 points.

Mata is still weighing up whether to continue playing next season, but the club confirmed he will chair a newly created football committee after retirement to support its football operations.

“Australian football has a future I genuinely believe in,” Mata said.

“From the moment I arrived at Melbourne Victory, I’ve felt the passion of this club and the potential of the A-Leagues, and I want to be part of building what comes next – not just for a season, but for the long term.

“I have enjoyed so much this past season on the pitch and committing to Victory as a shareholder is the natural next step.”

The investment adds to Mata’s growing business portfolio in football. He is already a part-owner of Major League Soccer expansion club San Diego FC and has also invested in Formula One outfit Alpine Racing.

Mata’s professional career began in Spain before he established himself as one of Europe’s top midfielders, winning the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League with Chelsea, before lifting the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his time at Manchester United.

US President Donald Trump said that Iran has requested a meeting that will be held in the Gulf state of Qatar on Tuesday, despite an earlier denial from Tehran that talks were planned.

“IRAN HAS REQUESTED A MEETING. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN DOHA!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday.

Iran’s foreign ministry on Monday denied reports that Iranian and American technical teams will meet this week to discuss the implementation of the deal to end the Middle East war.

AFP

The Oyo State Police Command has rescued two abducted children, arrested four suspected kidnappers and recovered a cache of sophisticated firearms in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the first operation followed a distress report that armed hoodlums invaded Ebinpejo Village via Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, where they attacked residents and abducted two children.

Following the report, Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga ordered an immediate rescue operation involving police operatives, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.

The statement said, “Acting on credible intelligence, supported by technical resources and coordinated field operations, the joint security team successfully traced the abductors’ hideout deep within the forest.

“On sighting the advancing security team, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a gun duel. The operatives responded professionally, overpowering the criminals and forcing them to flee in different directions.”

Police said one suspect, Umaru Usman, 25, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to escape and was arrested, while three mobile phones were recovered at the scene.

The command added, “In a follow-up operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday, 28th June, 2026, another suspect, Abdullahi Ahmed (28), was arrested. He was found to have sustained gunshot wounds believed to have been inflicted during the exchange of fire with the joint security team. He was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment and remains in police custody.”

Further investigations led to the arrest of Sunday Idowu, 30, described by police as a local collaborator, and Muhammed Ibrahim Shina, 29, who allegedly travelled from Ilorin, Kwara State, to participate in the kidnapping operation.

According to the statement, “The four suspects are currently assisting investigators with useful information aimed at identifying and apprehending other members of the criminal network.”

The police confirmed that the victims were rescued alive and reunited with their family.

“The two abducted children were rescued safely and promptly taken for medical attention. One of the victims sustained injuries during the ordeal but received treatment before both children were successfully reunited with their family.”

In a separate operation targeting an armed robbery syndicate, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit acted on intelligence indicating that a wanted robbery kingpin was hiding in the Ajah area of Lagos State with members of his gang.

The police said, “The intelligence revealed that a wanted armed robbery kingpin, believed to be in possession of an English-made pistol, was hiding in the Ajah area of Lagos State alongside members of his criminal syndicate.”

Although the suspects escaped upon sighting the operatives, a search of the hideout led to the recovery of several weapons.

The statement listed the recovered exhibits as:

“Two Russian-made JOJEFF double-barrel guns with serial numbers T3586 and 0217/2011; One Magnum pump-action rifle with serial number S&W357; One English-made revolver pistol; and Thirty-six (36) live cartridges.”

Police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

“The recovery of these sophisticated firearms underscores the dangerous capability of the criminal network and demonstrates the Command’s resolve to proactively prevent violent crimes and dismantle organised criminal groups.”

The command described the operations as evidence of its commitment to intelligence-driven policing and effective collaboration with other security agencies.

“These operational successes reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Oyo State Police Command to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led policing, prompt operational response, and effective inter-agency collaboration.”

The police also commended the contributions of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, hunters and members of the public, noting that their cooperation played a significant role in the success of both operations.

Investigations are continuing, while all suspects are expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations, the release noted.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has explained why Bafana Bafana were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup, saying his side could not match the power and speed of Canada in their last-32 defeat.

This is as he also suggesting he may reconsider his decision to retire from coaching.

Speaking after South Africa’s 1-0 loss to co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday, the 74-year-old Belgian admitted that physical qualities made the difference between the two teams.

“I have said many times that modern football is more than just technique. There is power and speed, and we do not have it in our team yet. Canada had those qualities,” said Broos in an AFP report.

South Africa’s World Cup campaign ended when Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic 92nd-minute winner to send Canada into the round of 16.

Broos had previously announced that he intended to step away from football after South Africa’s participation at the World Cup, bringing an end to a coaching career spanning more than three decades.

“I want to spend more time with my wife, children and grandchildren,” he told AFP in a pre-World Cup interview.

However, the veteran coach indicated after the defeat that he may not be ready to make a final decision on his future.

It is not clever to make decisions when you are disappointed, so I will not do it here,” Broos said during his post-match press conference.

Reports from within the South African Football Association suggest Broos could yet remain involved with the national team.

A football association insider said: “Hugo may continue as head coach or fill some other role, such as scouting and watching South Africans playing in Europe.”

Broos has earned widespread praise for transforming South Africa’s fortunes since taking charge in 2021. Under his leadership, Bafana Bafana qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 16 years and reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

His tenure has also coincided with a resurgence in support for the national team. While fewer than 200 spectators attended a friendly against Botswana shortly after his appointment, a World Cup warm-up match against Panama in Cape Town attracted a capacity crowd of 50,000 fans.

The coach also guided South Africa to a landmark Group A victory over South Korea during the tournament, helping the team advance beyond the group stage for the first time after three previous first-round exits.

While South Africa head home following their elimination, Canada will face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the round of 16 in Houston.

The next assignment for South Africa will be the qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, where they have been drawn in Group D alongside Kenya, Guinea and Eritrea.

The President of the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria, Prof Uche Uwaleke, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria to gradually reduce interest rates and revive development finance through specialised institutions, warning that persistently high borrowing costs are hurting investment, business expansion and job creation.

Uwaleke made the call on Monday in Abuja during a world press conference organised by CMAN, arguing that Nigeria’s inflation had become increasingly structural and could no longer be effectively tackled through repeated increases in interest rates alone.

He said, “CMAN respectfully advises that, as inflationary pressures become increasingly structural and cost-push in nature, monetary policy should gradually rely less on repeated increases in the Monetary Policy Rate as the primary instrument for controlling inflation. Excessively high interest rates, while helping to moderate aggregate demand, also increase the cost of borrowing, discourage productive investment and constrain business expansion.

“We therefore encourage a gradual moderation of the interest rate environment as inflation expectations continue to improve. This should, of course, be undertaken cautiously and supported by complementary fiscal measures aimed at addressing supply-side bottlenecks.”

On development finance, Uwaleke said the apex bank’s renewed emphasis on price stability should not result in the abandonment of targeted financing for productive sectors.

He said, “Accordingly, we call upon the Central Bank to create appropriate room for carefully designed development finance interventions through existing Development Finance Institutions. Rather than directly administering intervention programmes, the Bank can continue to provide strategic support through specialised institutions that possess the expertise to finance agriculture, manufacturing, exports, housing and small businesses.”

His comments come as the CBN under Governor Olayemi Cardoso has shifted away from direct intervention lending towards restoring price stability and investor confidence, retaining the Monetary Policy Rate at 26.5 per cent at its May 2026 meeting.

While commending the CBN’s reforms, Uwaleke praised the clearance of over $7bn in inherited foreign exchange obligations, the discontinuation of Ways and Means financing, banking sector recapitalisation and foreign exchange reforms, saying they had restored confidence in Nigeria’s financial system and improved the country’s standing among investors.

He also applauded the Federal Government for implementing long-delayed reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification and the Nigerian Tax Acts 2025, describing them as important steps towards restoring macroeconomic stability.

However, he said the benefits of those reforms had yet to reach many Nigerians.

According to him, “economic success should not be measured solely by rising stock prices, improving reserves or favourable sovereign ratings,” noting that many households and businesses continued to grapple with a high cost of living, weak purchasing power and limited access to affordable finance.

He said lending rates remained prohibitively high despite stronger banks, while private sector credit relative to Gross Domestic Product continued to decline.

Uwaleke noted that although headline inflation had eased to about 15.9 per cent, rural inflation remained elevated due to insecurity, poor infrastructure, inadequate storage facilities and unreliable electricity supply, while geopolitical tensions in the Middle East had added pressure through higher energy prices.

He said Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026 but described the growth as modest because agriculture and manufacturing remained too weak to generate enough jobs and reduce poverty.

The economist also cautioned against Nigeria’s growing reliance on short-term foreign portfolio investment, noting that more than 95 per cent of the over $10bn in capital imported during the first quarter of 2026 came from portfolio investors rather than long-term foreign direct investment.

He urged the government to attract more productive investment through policy consistency, improved security and stronger contract enforcement.

Uwaleke further expressed concern over Nigeria’s public debt, which exceeded N159tn at the end of 2025, warning that widening fiscal deficits and low capital expenditure threatened infrastructure development.

He called for greater use of the capital market to finance infrastructure through project-linked instruments such as Sukuk and Green Bonds instead of relying heavily on conventional FGN Bonds, which account for nearly 80 per cent of domestic debt.

To deepen the capital market, he urged the Federal Government to encourage more indigenous and government-owned companies to list on the Nigerian Exchange by introducing tax incentives, including reducing Company Income Tax for listed firms from 30 per cent to 25 per cent.

He also commended the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Nigerian Exchange Group for reforms such as the T+1 settlement cycle and longer trading hours but urged regulators to further improve market liquidity, promote financial technology, sustainable finance and retail investor participation.

Uwaleke welcomed the forthcoming Capital Market Master Plan and the Investments and Securities Act 2025, saying both would strengthen investor protection and position Nigeria’s capital market for long-term growth.

He concluded that while recent reforms had improved macroeconomic stability, stronger banks, foreign exchange stability and investor confidence, their success would ultimately be judged by improvements in household welfare, affordable credit, infrastructure, job creation and poverty reduction.

“Our collective challenge is therefore to ensure that macroeconomic stability evolves into inclusive prosperity,” he said.

Popular Nollywood actor, Kunle Remi, has stirred controversy after attributing the recurring flooding in Lagos to what he described as the “dirtiness” of Nigerians.

In a video shared on his Instagram story on Monday, the actor, known for his roles in several hit movies, vented his frustration over the recent heavy rains that have left many parts of Lagos State submerged.

“Let us call a spade a spade, We are a dirty people. Nigerians are dirty people and that’s why there is flood everywhere,” Remi stated in the clip.

He narrated how the flooding has escalated beyond previous limits, noting that it was no longer confined to the Island alone.

“I saw in the news Gbagada is flooded, even Ilupeju… My friend i do not even know if he is eating well or if he is alive he has been stuck in Agungi.”

He stressed the need for Nigerians to change their habits regarding waste disposal to prevent blocked drainage and repeated flooding disasters.

The video, shared widely on platforms including X, quickly drew mixed reactions. Many agreed with his assessment while others criticised him for oversimplifying a complex issue involving poor infrastructure and governance.

Reacting to the Video reshared by popular blog Instablog9ja, user #_Temmyyyyy wrote “This is so true, 80% of Lagos is so dirty and smelly, both the island and mainland whether it’s rainy or not. I don’t think it was as bad as this when Fasola was governor.”

Another user, #OluwatobiTofun1, noted “Kunle Remi’s comments have sparked debate, with many agreeing that indiscriminate waste disposal contributes to blocked drainage systems and worsening floods. Others argue that while public behaviour plays a role, stronger urban planning, proper drainage infrastructure, and effective waste management are equally essential to tackling flooding in Lagos.”

However, not everyone agreed. #Son_Of_Grace12 countered “So dirtiness makes everywhere dey flood? Be like dis one no get sense is there any proper drainage system?”

Actor Kunle Remi has previously used his platform to comment on social issues affecting Nigerians. The latest outburst comes amid reports of severe flooding in several Lagos communities following days of torrential rainfall, displacing residents and causing significant damage to property.

As reactions continue to pour in, many are calling on authorities to intensify efforts in clearing drainages and enforcing sanitation laws, even as citizens reflect on personal habits that may worsen the situation.

Adamawa is the home state of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress.

Speaking with journalists in Yola on Monday, Abbati, an agricultural scientist, economist and policy strategist, attributed Tinubu’s expected victory in the state to the appointment of Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser and other federal appointments given to indigenes of Adamawa.

“My advice to the president is that he should focus his campaign on other states, but for Adamawa State, Ribadu has finished his presidential election victory,” he said.

Abbati said the Tinubu administration had given Adamawa more federal appointments than previous administrations.

“Adamawa State has never had it so good as under President Tinubu. We occupy top positions. Two days ago, another Adamawa State citizen, Abdulrazaq Namdas, was appointed Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency. What else do we need again for us to give the president 99.9 per cent of our votes?” he asked.

He also cited the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development and the appointment of an indigene of Adamawa as minister as evidence of the President’s commitment to the state.

As an economist and policy strategist on agriculture, I know the wealth creation that the ministry can generate for Adamawa State can be more than that of oil-producing states.

“The president has shifted economic prosperity to the rural areas through the Ministry of Livestock and, by implication, he is fighting insecurity because the youths who have been recruited by criminals are those in rural areas due to poverty,” he said.

The former Managing Director of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending urged Nigerians to support Tinubu, alleging that opposition from some elites stemmed from policies that benefit rural communities.

On insecurity, Abbati called for a review of security operations and greater use of technology while advocating community participation in tackling crime.

“Before community policing will fully come on board, rural people should be empowered with controlled arms to defend themselves against attacks from bandits and terrorists.

“Security is the duty of everyone, so traditional leaders, local government chairmen and other individuals should team up to mobilise their youths for self-defence. Government alone cannot do it because some of the criminals are members of the communities, and the leaders of those communities can fish them out through community policing,” he said.

He described the Tinubu administration as one of the best in recent times and called on Nigerians to support the government to achieve more development.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has approved a cabinet reshuffle that affects all Special Advisers, Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, as well as the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Principal Private Secretary.

The development was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the governor’s Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Agboola, who described the move as a minor cabinet shake-up.

“Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved a minor cabinet shake-up involving all Special Advisers, Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the decision was taken to create opportunities for more members of the ruling party and bring renewed energy into the administration.

The statement noted that the exercise also affects the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor.

It added that the governor expressed appreciation to the affected appointees for their service to the state and wished them success in their future endeavours.

The statement further said the governor directed all affected officials to hand over government property in their possession to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The reshuffle comes as part of efforts by the AbdulRazaq administration to reconstitute parts of its team while broadening participation within the government.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has called on the people of Isoko Nation to support and vote for all candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections, citing his administration’s investments in infrastructure, healthcare and education across the area.

The governor made the appeal on Monday while inspecting ongoing and completed projects at the College of Health Technology, Ovrode, and the Ozoro Modern Market in Isoko North Local Government Area.

According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, Oborevwori said the people of Isoko Nation should reciprocate the government’s development efforts by supporting APC candidates at the polls.

“What the Isoko people owe us is that in 2027, they should deliver all our candidates. We have done roads here, we have invested in health and education, and our footprints are visible across the state. We are working in all 25 local government areas and the three senatorial districts,” he said.

The governor noted that project inspections are a standard part of his administration’s approach before commissioning any completed facility.

“Before I commission any project, I always carry out an inspection to assess the quality of work and ascertain whether it is satisfactory and ready for commissioning. Having inspected this project, I can say the work is impressive, though it is not yet 100 per cent complete.

“There are one or two areas that still require correction before commissioning. Some minor adjustments need to be made, particularly in the landscaping and a few finishing touches. Once these corrections are made, the project will be ready for inauguration,” he stated.

Speaking on the College of Health Technology, Ovrode, Oborevwori described it as a special project and said the government also approved the construction of an access road to improve accessibility.

“When we approved this project, we also decided that it deserved a good access road. Today, the road has been completed, and when we commission the college, we will commission the road as well,” he said.

The governor also expressed satisfaction with the quality of work at the Ozoro Modern Market, declaring the facility ready for commissioning.

“We earlier visited the Ozoro Modern Market, and I am impressed with what I saw. The project has been completed for several months and is ready for commissioning.

“We are not concentrating only on roads. We are making huge investments in education, healthcare and other critical sectors. We don’t spend time publicising every project on social media. When people visit these places, they see the massive work we are doing. Many people don’t even know projects like this market, the College of Health Technology and the Irri Technical College exist,” he said.

Oborevwori added that his administration had also undertaken major projects at Southern Delta University, stressing that development was taking place across the state under the M.O.R.E. Agenda.

Earlier, the contractor handling the Ozoro Modern Market project, Chief Iduh Amadhe, disclosed that the market had been completed since last year and was awaiting commissioning by the state government.

According to him, the facility comprises 192 open shops, 28 lock-up shops, eight warehouses, 16 modern toilets, water facilities, four fire points, meeting halls for market leaders, offices for market administration and labour unions, as well as two security posts.

Amadhe, however, raised concerns over repeated incidents of vandalism at the market, revealing that about N3.2 million had been spent on repairs after the facility was attacked on three separate occasions.

He appealed for improved security around the complex to protect the investment and ensure its effective use by traders and residents after inauguration.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has congratulated Osasere Okundaye on emerging as Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant at the age of 16.

In a statement on Monday, Olawande described the feat as a remarkable demonstration of hard work, discipline, resilience and commitment to excellence.

“I heartily congratulate Miss Osasere Okundaye on her outstanding achievement of becoming Nigeria’s youngest Chartered Accountant at just 16 years of age.

“This remarkable milestone is a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” the minister said.

He noted that Okundaye had become a shining example of the limitless potential of Nigerian youths, saying her achievement should inspire others to pursue excellence.

“Osasere has distinguished herself as a shining example of the limitless potential of Nigerian youth. Her accomplishment reminds us that with determination, dedication, and the right support, young Nigerians can break barriers, set new records, and inspire a generation to dream bigger and strive for excellence,” he added.

The minister also congratulated her parents, family, teachers and mentors for supporting her journey.

“I also congratulate her parents, family, teachers, mentors, and everyone who has supported and guided her journey. Their encouragement, sacrifices, and belief in her abilities have undoubtedly contributed to this exceptional success,” he said.

Olawande reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians through programmes and policies aimed at helping them realise their potential.

“Osasere’s achievement reinforces our confidence that the future of Nigeria is bright in the hands of focused, determined, and talented young citizens,” he said.

He wished the teenager greater success in the years ahead, expressing hope that her story would inspire millions of young Nigerians.

Okundaye earned the feat after qualifying as a chartered accountant through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, becoming the youngest person to achieve the professional qualification in the country.

Her achievement surpasses the previous record set in 2022 by Jonathan Adewale, who became Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant at the age of 17 after completing the rigorous ICAN professional examinations.

The qualification, which is typically obtained by graduates and professionals after years of study and examinations, has been widely regarded as one of the country’s most demanding professional certifications.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kaduna State Command, says it seized 12,724.652 kilogrammes of assorted illicit drugs and psychotropic substances and arrested 1,107 suspects between June 2025 and June 2026.

The State Commander of the NDLEA in Kaduna, CN Maijama’a Muhammad, disclosed this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna.

Muhammad said the seizures reflected the command’s sustained commitment to disrupting drug supply networks and preventing harmful substances from reaching communities.

According to him, the seized drugs comprised 9,091.974kg of cannabis sativa, 0.004kg of heroin, 0.315kg of cocaine, 2.949kg of methamphetamine, 301.852kg of tramadol and 3,345.558kg of psychotropic substances.

He said the command also intensified intelligence-led operations, surveillance and enforcement activities across the state, leading to the arrest of 1,107 suspects for various drug-related offences.

“The breakdown shows that 1,075 of the suspects were male, while 32 were female,” he said.

The commander further disclosed that 297 suspects were charged to court during the period under review, while 251 convictions were secured through collaboration with the judiciary.

He said the convictions underscored the agency’s determination to ensure offenders faced justice and served as a deterrent to illicit drug trafficking.

On drug demand reduction and rehabilitation efforts, Muhammad said the command admitted 94 clients into treatment and rehabilitation programmes, comprising 88 males and six females.

He added that 78 persons were successfully rehabilitated, while 1,458 individuals received brief interventions, including 1,413 males and 45 females.

According to him, anti-drug sensitisation campaigns also reached thousands of students, youths, workers, community leaders and faith-based organisations across Kaduna State.

Muhammad said the command dismantled 662 drug joints within the review period through intelligence gathering, community support and sustained enforcement operations.

He noted that the action had significantly disrupted local drug distribution networks and improved public safety in affected communities.

The commander said the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse campaign continued to record successes through partnerships with schools, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, youth and women groups.

He stressed that prevention remained the most cost-effective and sustainable strategy for reducing substance abuse and its consequences.

Muhammad appreciated the Kaduna State Government and other stakeholders for supporting anti-drug initiatives and strengthening security efforts in the state.

He also acknowledged the contributions of traditional and religious institutions, rehabilitation centres, civil society organisations and sister security agencies.

The commander urged parents, schools, community leaders, the media and youths to sustain collective efforts towards preventing drug abuse and supporting rehabilitation.

“The fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking is a collective responsibility. Government agencies alone cannot win this battle,” he said.

Muhammad reaffirmed the commitment of the Kaduna State Command to protecting communities from drug abuse and illicit trafficking through prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, enforcement and strategic partnerships.

NAN

The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent empowerment of micro-traders, saying criticisms of the initiative are driven by ignorance of her record and the role of Nigeria’s informal economy.

In a statement shared on Monday, Olusegun described the backlash over the First Lady’s focus on traders such as akara and kulikuli sellers as a “performative circus of selective amnesia.”

He argued that critics had ignored the numerous interventions carried out by the Renewed Hope Initiative across healthcare, women’s empowerment, support for military widows and persons living with disabilities.

According to him, the First Lady’s interventions extend beyond petty traders, citing her donation of ₦1bn to the National Cancer Fund for cervical cancer screening and another ₦1bn for tuberculosis diagnostic equipment in Abuja in 2025.

He also referenced the disbursement of ₦250,000 each to 1,709 widows and orphans of fallen military personnel in 2023, as well as ₦200,000 business grants to persons living with disabilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Olusegun further highlighted the Renewed Hope Initiative’s partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which targeted 18,500 women nationwide with ₦50,000 grants and the distribution of equipment, including industrial grinding machines, freezers and generators.

He further criticised what he described as an “Olodo uprising” on social media, accusing critics of reacting to trends without researching the facts.

This entire controversy perfectly mirrors what is now happening with the broader ‘Olodo uprising” across our social platforms. We live in an era where people jump on trending hashtags and soundbites without dedicating a single minute to researching context. Memes are manufactured in seconds; accurate history takes time to read.

“When the critics are done making their superficial memes, writing cynical captions, and circulating ignorant narratives, the reality on the ground will remain unchanged. They would be better off advising their constituents to find credible means to key into these ongoing government initiatives,” he stated.

He maintained that empowering small-scale traders should not be viewed as “weaponising poverty.”

“According to various economic metrics, the informal sector contributes over 50 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP and accounts for over 80 per cent of employment. The akara fryer, the kulikuli processor, and the petty trader are not just marginal actors; they are the literal shock absorbers of our micro-economy.

“When you give a micro-grant or operational tools to an akara seller, you are not validating poverty; you are reducing immediate operational capital friction, securing food chains at the grassroots, and expanding household income. Mocking these initiatives as ‘petty’ shows a deep-seated contempt for the actual working class of Nigeria,” he said.

Olusegun also defended the political value of grassroots empowerment, saying such interventions create trust among beneficiaries.

He cited the TraderMoni and MarketMoni programmes introduced during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration under then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as examples of initiatives that directly impacted market traders.

The opposition often wonders why the poorest segments of the population continually familiarise themselves with the All Progressives Congress during elections. The answer is simple: the party meets them at their point of immediate need,” he said.

Olusegun added that Tinubu’s record as former First Lady of Lagos State, a three-term senator and now First Lady of the Federation showed a consistent commitment to structured empowerment programmes.

“She will not be distracted by digital static from doing what she has mastered over decades: empowering the poorest among us, one structured intervention at a time,” he said.

Three Brazilian sisters aged 109, 104 and 103, respectively, have been officially recognised by Guinness World Records for setting a record for the highest combined age of three living siblings.

With a combined age of 316 years, their incredible survival has caught the attention of top scientists who want to understand the secret behind their long lives and sharp minds.

According to a June report published by LongeviQuest, an organisation that verifies longevity records and partners with Guinness World Records, a researcher, Lara Souza, personally visited the world’s oldest living sibling trio at their residence.

Originally from the rural town of Cedro de São João in Sergipe, Brazil, the sisters grew up in a big family of eight children.

They spent their youth doing heavy manual work, eating fresh food straight from the farm, and swimming in open rivers. Later in life, they all migrated to Rio de Janeiro.

A profiling of the family revealed that despite their history-making longevity, the three sisters led largely conventional, hardworking lives.

“Levita de Deus Nunes was born on 7 June 1917, and has turned 109 since the visit took place. The second-eldest of eight siblings, it was Levita who managed the home, organized the household routine, and cared for the family while her parents worked in the fields.

Around 1953, she moved to Rio de Janeiro to support Zulina during the difficult process of adapting to the new city. Although she never married nor had children, Levita devoted her entire life to her family,” the report partly read.

Levita reportedly inherited from her mother a talent for handmade crafts and transformed crochet, knitting, and sewing into activities that combined livelihood, leisure, and personal expression. She later joined Rede Globo Television, where she worked for 12 years.

When asked about her favourite foods today, Levita reportedly mentioned sorubim and lau-lau catfish.

The second oldest of the sisters, Zoraide de Deus Mota, was born on 24 November 1921.

She reportedly graduated as a primary school teacher, and began her professional journey in São Cristóvão, Sergipe, before moving to Rio, where she went to nursing school.

“Over the years, she built a respected and solid career, working in several hospitals until her retirement. On 6 February 1950, she married Enéas Alves da Mota, with whom she had five children.

“Zoraide recalled that the family enjoyed high-quality pork in their youth. Their father raised pigs and butchered them himself, selling the meat directly from their home. While much of it was sold to customers, he always set aside the best cuts for his family to enjoy,” the report revealed.

The youngest of the trio, Zulina de Deus Nunes, born on March 4, 1923, reportedly learned domestic and artisanal skills, including sewing, cross-stitch embroidery and refined handmade crafts from an early age that would later become fundamental to her survival and independence.

She married José Benvindo dos Santos on July 17, 1945, when she was said to have taken responsibility for managing the household and raising their six children while her husband worked, travelling the railway route as an employee of the former Federal Railway Network

Zulina reportedly faced tough times after their marriage ended with no financial stability.

“Alone, with small children and no financial stability, she decided to migrate to Rio de Janeiro around 1952 in search of a better future for her family. Upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro, she found fundamental support in Zoraide, who offered her shelter and assistance during the first month,” the report said.

The rare concentration of extreme longevity within a single immediate family has reportedly drawn intense interest from the global medical community.

As all three sisters have crossed the 100-year mark while remaining healthy and mentally sharp, they have been enrolled in The DNA Longevo Project, a major scientific study led by renowned geneticist Dr Mayana Zatz at the University of São Paulo.

Reuters reports that the scientific study aims to pinpoint specific biological markers that preserve physical and mental functional resilience at exceptionally advanced ages.

The researchers are reportedly comparing the genetic data of healthy nonagenarians and centenarians against that of individuals who develop early frailty, chronic diseases, or cognitive decline.

“Through DNA testing, we look for protective genes, and we know there are several of them,” Dr. Zatz, who coordinates the university’s Human Genome Research Center, reportedly stated to Reuters. “The more people we have who live past 100, especially families with multiple centenarians, the more accurate our research will be in identifying them.”

Believing that inherited biological factors play a far more substantial role in extreme survival than environmental habits alone, researchers also hope to understand how genetic factors, rather than lifestyle, help protect the heart, muscles, ⁠and cognitive function from the ravages of ageing.

A co-researcher, Joao Paulo Guilherme, who works with Zatz, said the study’s goal “is to reach 500 centenarians so we can draw more definitive conclusions about longevity.”

When sisters reach that age, ‌there ⁠is clearly a strong genetic component, but because they live near each other, they also have a support network, with family able to help when needed. There is definitely a community aspect as well,” the Chief Executive Officer of LongeviQuest, Ben Meyers, was also quoted as saying.

When asked about their secrets, the sisters themselves pointed to a lifetime of natural nutrition.

Recalling their childhood in rural Brazil, the youngest sister, Zulina, told Reuters that they spent their youth swimming and fishing in open rivers.

“Everything ⁠was fresh. We didn’t have a refrigerator,” she said. “Breastfeeding is incredibly important,” Zoraide added.

Reflecting on her 109-year journey, the eldest sister, Levita, told researchers she has no regrets about her life, concluding, “I had a good childhood and adolescence. I can’t complain.”

Report that the world’s oldest person, British woman Ethel Caterham, turned 116 in August 2025, months after the title passed to her following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas.

When asked about her secret to longevity, she humorously replied, “Never arguing with anyone! I listen, and I do what I like.”

Strait of Hormuz traffic slowed over the weekend after a vessel was struck while transiting the waterway on Saturday, and a fresh exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran strained their preliminary deal to end the conflict.

In total, 29 commodity vessels crossed on Saturday and 12 transited on Sunday, according to data from the maritime tracking firm Kpler.

Sunday’s figures marked a sharp decline from last week, when a memorandum of understanding signed by Tehran and Washington on June 15 boosted traffic through the strait to its highest level since the start of the Middle East war, reaching 70 crossings on Wednesday, according to Kpler.

Despite Iran’s warning against using unapproved shipping lanes, vessels continued to take several routes through the waterway over the weekend.

After a vessel was struck while transiting the strait on Saturday morning, ships continued for several hours to use a southern corridor through Omani waters before traffic appeared to slow, according to the Kpler-owned website MarineTraffic.

The website tracks only vessels with active transponders, meaning additional ships may have crossed with their signals switched off.

More ships entered the Gulf over the weekend than departed, reversing a trend seen over the previous week, when efforts focused on evacuating seafarers stranded in the Gulf.

A UN-led operation to evacuate 11,000 seafarers was suspended on Thursday after a vessel was struck in the Gulf of Oman.

Four tankers and a container ship used the southern Omani corridor to enter the Gulf on Sunday, escorted by US Navy vessels, according to a post on X by HFI Research.

No vessels used that corridor to exit the Gulf on Sunday, according to Kpler.

Total figures may rise further as crossings are identified retrospectively, notably through satellite imagery.

Iran said Monday that it had held its first meeting with Oman to discuss managing the strait, as Washington warns it will not accept transit fees for using what it considers an international waterway.

AFP

Online had earlier reported that the attackers stormed the school at about 9 a.m. on Monday, shooting sporadically before abducting students and women selling food items within the school premises.

Confirming the deployment to PUNCH Online, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, Nahum Daso, said security operatives confronted the attackers, preventing a larger-scale abduction.

“Around 9 a.m. in the morning, ISWAP attacked Lassa Day Secondary School. They shot sporadically. An unspecified number of students have been abducted.

Security forces confronted them. For now, we have an unspecified number of students who were abducted. The CP deployed the Area Commander in Askira/Uba. They are currently combing the bush,” Daso said.

The Special Adviser to Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, on Media and Strategy, Mr Solomon Kwamagar, a resident of Lassa, also confirmed the incident to PUNCH Online on Monday morning.

He disclosed that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and invaded the school.

Today is Lassa market day. I was informed that they came through the market on motorcycles and went to Government Day Secondary School, Lassa. They shot and killed one teacher and took away all the students who were in their classrooms,” he said.

Kwamagar added, “Lassa in Borno State is predominantly inhabited by my people, the Margi. We are in both Adamawa and Borno states. I am from Lassa, but I chose to reside in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.”

He further said, “I’m still making contacts to ascertain the total number of students and teachers who were kidnapped from the school.”