According to the itinerary shared by the palace, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Chief Ayoade Olugbemigbe, on July 22, the Oloolu Masquerade will be out daily from 4:00 p.m. until dawn, moving through designated routes across Ibadan as part of the annual festival.

The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, July 28

Government House, Agodi

Aliiwo

Yemetu

Oje Market

Olubadan Palace

Isale-Afa

Oke Aremo

Popo-Yemoja

Bode Market

Molete

Isale-Ijebu

Elekuro

Kobomoje

Oranmiyan

Wednesday, July 29

Ojagbo

Alafara Olubadan

Ita-Baale

Ogboriefon

Labo

Kudeti

Ile Tuntun/Oke Odo

Kobomoje

Thursday, July 30

Ile-Aperin

Agugu

Iyana Idi-Iroko

Awotunde Jegede

Itamerin-Gangansi

Babanla

The movement schedule forms part of activities for the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival, which began on Monday, July 27, with Aisun Odun Oloolu (festival eve).

Earlier, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, urged residents and participants to ensure a peaceful celebration in line with the traditions of Ibadanland. The monarch reiterated that women are forbidden from seeing the Oloolu Masquerade in accordance with Ibadan tradition.

He also warned members of the public against taking photographs or recording videos of the masquerade during the festival.

Oba Ladoja further cautioned the Oloolu Masquerade, other Egungun leaders and their followers, adherents of various religions and members of the public against any act capable of causing unrest or a breakdown of law and order during the celebration.

Abubakar stated this during the ongoing player assessment exercise at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

The coach said every player currently undergoing evaluation has an equal opportunity to earn a place in the team, stressing that only those who demonstrate quality, commitment and readiness would be included in the final squad.

He disclosed that Wikki Tourists had so far played six pre-season friendly matches, winning four and losing two, noting that the fixtures had provided the technical crew with an opportunity to assess players and strengthen the team ahead of the 2026/27 Nigeria National League season.

“Our mission is clear: to return Wikki Tourists to the NPFL. We know what is expected of us, and by the grace of Allah, with the support of our management, government, supporters and all stakeholders, we will achieve that goal,” Abubakar said.

He added that the technical crew remained focused on selecting a team capable of making the people of Bauchi proud throughout the 2026/27 Nigeria National League campaign.

Wikki Tourists were relegated from the NPFL and will compete in the Nigeria National League this season as they seek an immediate return to Nigeria’s top-flight league.

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, plans to donate one-third of his wealth to charity as part of his succession plan, his daughter, Halima Dangote, has revealed.

Halima, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, disclosed the arrangement in an interview with Bloomberg published on Tuesday, saying the billionaire had secured his family’s support to dedicate 33 per cent of his estate to philanthropy.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current fortune would amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at that level.

Explaining the decision, Halima said her father considers philanthropy central to his legacy and has embedded it into the family’s long-term succession plans.

He sort of put all the structure in place whereby we focus a lot on health and education. He actually donated 25 per cent to the foundation. If you look at it, it is what we call in Sharia Code in Islam; it means he has donated 33 per cent of his whole inheritance to his foundation,” she said.

“That is how important it is to him because philanthropy needs to be in existence generation after generation.

“So giving back is part and parcel of what we do. We believe we’re here, that our business is successful because of the giving back and because of the philanthropic aspect. That is why the 33 per cent is important.

“And that is why he made an announcement and he asked myself, my two sisters and his mother to sign under that will that he is able to give that 33 per cent to humanity.”

The planned donation builds on Dangote’s existing philanthropic work through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, established in 1994.

According to Halima, the foundation was endowed with $1.25 billion about a decade ago and has since received an additional $700 million in funding.

She said about 70 per cent of the foundation’s spending is directed to Nigeria, while 20 per cent supports projects across Africa and the remainder funds initiatives in other parts of the world.

The foundation’s interventions span health, education, nutrition and humanitarian relief, and include partnerships with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and state governments in northern Nigeria that contributed to the eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa.

Dangote’s planned charitable commitment comes amid growing global attention on billionaire philanthropy. While the proposed 33 per cent allocation falls short of the 50 per cent threshold commonly associated with the Giving Pledge, it would rank among the largest philanthropic commitments ever announced by an African billionaire.

Earlier this year, TIME magazine named Dangote among the world’s most influential philanthropists in its inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list, recognising his charitable work through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which spends more than ₦50 billion annually on programmes across Africa.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel of justices led by Justice Abba Mohammed, the appellate court held that the June 15 judgment of the Federal High Court was a nullity, having been delivered without jurisdiction.

The appellate court held that the trial court wrongly assumed jurisdiction and made the order on an incompetent suit filed by a non-juristic entity.

It held that there was no valid suit that could have warranted the consequential order directing INEC to deregister the affected political parties.

The appellate court further held that the trial court failed to properly evaluate the evidence before it, noting that proof showing the parties had won various elective seats in previous elections was ignored.

It also held that the lower court acted in defiance of an order directing it to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal.

The appellate court consequently held that the Federal High Court ought to have dismissed the substantive suit for want of jurisdiction and merit.

It allowed the separate appeals filed by the political parties, restored their registration, and awarded costs against the National Forum of Former Legislators, which instituted the suit.

The affected parties are the African Democratic Congress, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.

The appellate court declared that all the affected political parties remain duly registered.

The appellate court had, on June 16, stayed the execution of the trial court’s judgment pending the determination of the appeals.

In its decision, the panel faulted the conduct of Justice Peter Lifu for proceeding with the case, despite an earlier order made on May 22 directing him to stay proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal.

The appellate court noted that although Justice Lifu’s attention had been drawn to the stay order, he proceeded to deliver judgment.

It described the action as “a form of judicial impertinence,” adding that the Supreme Court had previously held that a judge who acts in such a manner “is unfit for the bench, as the conduct amounts to judicial rascality.”

The PUNCH reports that Justice Lifu had ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties after holding that they failed to satisfy the constitutional requirements for their continued existence.

He also restrained INEC from recognising the parties, accepting candidates sponsored by them or giving effect to their activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators.

The plaintiff had asked the court to determine whether INEC was constitutionally bound under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022 and its regulations, to deregister political parties that failed to meet prescribed electoral performance thresholds.

The forum argued that the affected parties failed to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election, or win at least one elective seat at the national, state or local government levels as required by law.

It further contended that the parties’ poor performance in the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections rendered their continued registration unconstitutional and detrimental to the integrity of the electoral process.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who was joined as a defendant in the suit, supported the plaintiffs’ case, arguing that retaining the affected political parties was inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution and undermined the country’s electoral integrity.

Dissatisfied with the Federal High Court judgment, the affected political parties and INEC filed separate appeals, urging the Court of Appeal to set it aside.

The appellate court upheld the appeals and vacated the judgment in its entirety.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has faulted the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for appearing apologetic over shooting of criminals.

He insisted that security operatives should shoot armed criminals without hesitation.

The Edo North lawmaker spoke on Monday during an interview with TVC News.

“That’s why when this IG was saying he didn’t say “shoot at sight,” Why is he apologetic? Shoot at sight. If you see a criminal, shoot on sight,” Oshiomhole said.

Online reports that the Nigeria Police Force recently clarified that the IGP did not issue a “shoot-on-sight” order, saying he was referring instead to Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions for the use of firearms by police officers.

It said Disu had told stakeholders that officers had been briefed on the provisions of the order and understood the circumstances under which firearms could be deployed in line with established Rules of Engagement.

Oshiomole commended the Department of State Services for appealing a court judgment that handed life imprisonment instead of death sentences to convicted offenders.

I have said that judges should implement the law, not their personal sentiment. I’m also happy that the DSS is doing its job.

“They have appealed the judgment where people who should have been condemned to death were given life imprisonment,” he said.

Asked what he considered the President’s biggest political risk ahead of next year’s election, Oshiomhole said insecurity remained the only obstacle standing in the way of Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He urged the President to give the service chiefs a firm deadline to end insecurity.

“I would tell him to do everything he can to direct the armed forces to ensure that the service chiefs understand that they have a duty to terminate insecurity within the next few months,” he said.

Oshiomhole said there had to be a benchmark to measure what the military was given against the results produced. He insisted the President should hold the service chiefs firmly accountable.

“There has to be a benchmark to measure what we give them and the results that we get, and whether it’s commensurate. It is better he beats down their necks than anything else,” he said.

The former Edo State governor said Tinubu had already put the necessary macroeconomic tools in place, leaving insecurity as the only limiting factor.

“See, the president has put all the necessary macroeconomic tools in place. The only limiting factor is this insecurity. And unfortunately, again, it’s an issue that has reached a certain stage that you cannot terminate overnight. But Nigerians want to see consistent, deliberate effort,” he said.

Oshiomhole said the ongoing recruitment of 20,000 additional personnel into the armed forces, alongside the creation of new army divisions, reflected the President’s resolve to change Nigeria’s security architecture.

He said, “So I think on all fronts, the war is being waged. The DSS is working. We are beginning to see the Air Force more engaged. The Army—we have created more divisions which reflects the fact that the president believes that we can’t continue to do the same thing the same old way.”

On claims that Tinubu has not been visible enough in office, Oshiomhole dismissed the perception, saying he had seen the President address forums, preside over meetings and comment widely on Nigeria’s political economy.

“That the president is not visible enough. I don’t understand what is meant by visibility. Because I see the president addressing various forums. I see him receiving and presiding over meetings.

“I see him commenting on a wide range of issues that have to do with the Nigerian political economy and society,” he said.

He added that the opposition was entitled to criticise the administration, but warned that the ruling party would respond in kind.

“There is nothing the president is going to say that the opposition will not fault. That is the legitimate business of the opposition. I don’t grudge them, provided they understand that if they cast a stone, we have a right to return that stone. So, the day the opposition joins in praising the president, then that is the end of democracy,” he noted.

Oshiomhole said democracy thrived on contestation, adding that Nigerian voters would act rationally in the next election despite attempts by political actors to confuse them.

“Democracy thrives on debate, on contestation. And it is legitimate for actors to try to confuse the voters. But I think the voters are wiser. They will vote rationally,” he said.

He linked the emergence of Peter Obi as a political force to public anger during the last election cycle, which he attributed to the tenure of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Last time they voted in anger. That is why I brought up the issue of the former president. I’m not blaming him, he’s no more. May his soul rest in peace. But that situation is what produced Obi,” he said.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday withdrew his bid to subpoena the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, to testify in his alleged criminal defamation trial.

Sowore informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the evidence he intended to obtain from the DSS Director-General could be produced by another official of the service.

The development followed an objection by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who appeared for the Federal Government during Tuesday’s proceedings.

Fagbemi argued that the subpoena issued to Ajayi should be set aside because the document the DSS chief was expected to tender was neither authored nor signed by him.

The AGF further submitted that the document—a letter written to Sowore asking him to delete a Facebook post in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”—had already been tendered and admitted in evidence twice by the court.

He added that the author of the letter, Uwen Davis, testified in the matter on July 22 on behalf of the defence, making the appearance of the DSS Director-General unnecessary.

Counsel for Sowore, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), initially opposed the AGF’s intervention, arguing that another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Akinlolu Kehinde, was already the counsel on record for the Federal Government.

Olumide-Fusika also contended that although the Attorney General has the constitutional authority to appear in any matter, due notice ought to have been given to the defence before taking over the prosecution.

Earlier in the proceedings, the court confirmed that the subpoena had been served on the Director of Legal Services of the DSS after the court registrar informed Justice Mohammed Umar that service had been effected.

The Federal Government, however, maintained that Ajayi was unaware of the service and urged the court to vacate the subpoena and direct the defence to proceed with its case.

Following the arguments, Sowore informed the court that he would no longer insist on the appearance of the DSS Director-General, admitting that the evidence sought could be obtained through another official of the service.

Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the matter until August 3 for the continuation of the defence.

Uganda’s Minister of Health on Tuesday declared the country Ebola-free following the East African nation’s latest outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic disease, which infected 20 people and claimed two lives.

Uganda has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks since 2000, when it recorded its first epidemic.

However, health officials said the country has, over the years, developed the expertise needed to bring recent outbreaks under control quickly with limited community transmission.

Fifteen people in the latest outbreak, which was declared in mid-May, were infected in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicentre of the epidemic, where confirmed cases have exceeded 3,000.

The last Ebola patient in Uganda, a Congolese national, was discharged on June 22.

Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said the declaration followed the successful completion of the mandatory 42-day monitoring period, which began after the discharge of the last Ugandan national infected through local transmission on June 16, 2026.

According to the minister, of the 20 confirmed cases recorded during the outbreak, 18 patients recovered and were discharged, while two died from the virus. Both fatalities were nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Throughout this period, the Ministry of Health maintained intensive surveillance nationwide, and no new Ebola cases have been detected,” Baryomunsi said.

Officials said Uganda’s many tropical forests, which are home to fruit bats—the natural reservoirs of the virus—make the country vulnerable to recurring outbreaks.

The virus is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and tissues. Symptoms include headache, vomiting blood, muscle pain and bleeding.

(Reuters/NAN)

The Lagos State Government has deployed emergency responders and heavy rescue equipment to support ongoing rescue and recovery operations following the collapse of a three-storey building at Baale Road, Ajuwon, in Ogun State.

This is just as officials said three people have so far been confirmed dead.

The building, which collapsed on Monday after a downpour and thunderstorm, comprised two shops on the ground floor and residential apartments on the upper floors.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that eyewitnesses and emergency responders said the incident occurred at about 2 p.m. on Monday.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency said the intervention followed a request for assistance from the Ogun State Government.

According to the statement, the Lagos State Government approved the deployment in line with efforts to strengthen inter-state emergency response and cooperation.

LASEMA said its rescue team, accompanied by specialised heavy-duty recovery equipment, joined officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ogun State Fire Service and other emergency responders at the scene on Tuesday morning.

Giving an update on the operation, the agency said 12 people had been rescued alive, while three others were confirmed dead.

Casualty update as of 11:42 a.m.: 12 adults rescued alive, one adult female recovered dead, one baby girl recovered dead and one elderly man, aged 75, recovered dead,” the statement read.

It added that rescue and recovery operations were ongoing.

Speaking on the intervention, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Oke-Osanyintolu, said the deployment reflected the Lagos State Government’s commitment to regional emergency collaboration.

“This action reflects the Lagos State Government’s commitment to the principle that ‘disaster knows no boundaries’. By extending operational support beyond state lines, Lagos is setting a benchmark for regional solidarity and integrated emergency management across Western Nigeria and the nation at large,” he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the intervention underscored the state’s commitment to supporting neighbouring states during emergencies and aligned with international standards on mutual aid and cooperative disaster governance.

He also extended condolences to the families of the victims, wished the injured a speedy recovery and commended all emergency responders involved in the operation.

Lagos remains committed to partnering with the Federal Government, NEMA and all South-Western states to build a safer, more resilient region for all citizens,” he added.

The Qatar Government Scholarships 2026 is a fully funded study opportunity funded by the Government of Qatar for selected candidates to study in top universities in Qatar and abroad.

The scholarship covers tuition, monthly stipend, travel allowance, departure, and settling allowances. and flight tickets.

This post will provide you with the details of the Qatar Government Scholarships, its requirements, benefits, and step-by-step application guide for interested candidates.

Qatar Government Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Qatar
• Study Abroad: Study in Asia 
• Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: Qatar
• Reward: Full Scholarship | $5,500 Living & Travel Allowances | Flight Tickets
• No IELTS Required 
• Deadline: August 31, 2026
  

Qatar Government Scholarship 2026/27 Details:

The Qatar Government Scholarships for 2026/27 is officially now open.

The Qatar Government Scholarship aims to increase the number and percentage of individuals obtaining diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, and postgraduate studies in various fields, enhancing indicators related to the knowledge economy.

The scholarship seeks to provide opportunities for Qatari youths to study in top and high-ranking universities in Qatar, USA, UK, Canada, and other top countries abroad. 

The program includes multiple pathways such as the

• Amiri Scholarship,
• Abroad Scholarship, and
• Local Scholarship Program (including Tomouh), each designed to cater to different academic needs, talents, and future goals.

Eligibility Requirements for Qatar Government Scholarships 2026

To be considered for the Qatar Government Scholarships 2025, you must:

• Hold a valid high school diploma or equivalent
• The top 10 achievers in science, humanities, or specialized tracks are prioritized
• Have acceptance from one of the approved universities
• Commit to academic excellence and comply with follow-up procedures
• Be a Qatari national

Benefits of Qatar Government Scholarships 2026/27

Amiri Scholarship (Top 24 Global + 5 Local Universities):

• QAR 8,000 monthly basic scholarship salary
• QAR 12,000 monthly travel allowance
• Two business-class air tickets per year
• QAR 40,000 one-time pre-travel allowance
• Study duration counted toward government service

Medical Abroad Scholarships:

• QAR 8,000 monthly (Years 1–4)
• QAR 10,000 monthly travel allowance (Years 1–4)
• Two economy class tickets per year (Years 1–4)
• QAR 30,000 monthly salary (Year 5+)
• Two business class tickets annually (Year 5+)
• QAR 30,000 one-time pre-travel grant
• Study years count as part of the official service

Allowances for scholarship programs abroad

• Q.R 8,000 monthly: basic scholarship stipend
• Q.R 6,000: monthly allowance as a travel allowance.
• An economy class ticket annually
• Q.R 25,000: Pre-departure preparation, issued once.

Allowances for in-country scholarship programs

• Allowance 1: Q.R 10,000 monthly for medical and educational for disciplines.
• Allowance 2: Q.R 8,000 monthly for engineering and computer science disciplines.
• Allowance 3: Q.R 6,000 monthly for disciplines in applied and health sciences and arts.
• Allowance 4: Q.R 4,000 monthly for professional diploma disciplines.

Required Documents for Qatar Scholarship 2026/27

To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;

• Completed application form
• Qatari National ID Card
• High school diploma or equivalent certificate
• Academic transcripts
• University admission letter
• Passport-sized photo
• Updated CV
• Personal statement or motivation letter
• Recommendation letters (if applicable)

How to Apply for Qatar Government Scholarship 2026/27 (Step by Step)

To apply for the Qatar Government Scholarships, interested and qualified candidates should;

• Visit the Official Website: Click the green button below.
• Create an Account: Register using your email and national ID.
• Select Scholarship Track: Choose from Amiri, Abroad, or Local Programs.
• Fill Out the Application: Enter personal, academic, and scholarship-related details.
• Upload Required Documents: Ensure all documents are submitted in PDF or acceptable formats.
• Submit Before Deadline: Review your application and submit before 30 September 2025.
• Await Notification: Selected candidates will be contacted for further instructions.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said the new platform marked a major milestone in the government’s drive to build a modern, efficient and technology-driven public service in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking at the official IPPIS Go-Live Ceremony in Abuja on Monday, Walson-Jack said the platform would replace manual human resource processes with an integrated digital system covering the entire workforce lifecycle.

She said, “We are not just unveiling a digital platform, but institutionalising a better way of managing our most important resource, which is our people, our employees.”

The Head of Service explained that the platform would handle biometric enrolment, onboarding, payroll administration, employee mobility, human resource processes, reporting and data analytics across the 508 ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies currently on the IPPIS platform.

Announcing the end of manual influence over staff deployments, she declared, “Post me here, post me there. I want a juicy posting, no more. It is now digitalised. No more lobbying for posting.”

According to her, integrating all personnel functions into a single platform would eliminate duplication, improve personnel records, reduce errors and delays, while strengthening transparency and accountability through automated approvals, standardised workflows and reliable audit trails.

Walson-Jack said the employee self-service module would enable officers to securely access and update their records, thus reducing paperwork and administrative bottlenecks.

“This is the true value of digital transformation. Simpler processes, faster services, better information and greater accountability. Technology must make the work of civil servants easier and strengthen the capacity of government to serve Nigerians,” she said.

She noted that the transition from the Oracle Electronic Business Suite to the new platform followed extensive testing and technical evaluations, adding that the software was developed entirely by Nigerians.

“Significantly, this solution was built by Nigerians for Nigerians,” she said.

She described it as a practical expression of the Nigeria First policy.

The Head of Service urged ministries, departments and agencies to fully adopt the platform, stressing that technology alone could not deliver reforms without users embracing the new system

We cannot adopt new technology while retaining inefficient practices. The platform must not become an electronic version of old bureaucracy. Processes must be simplified, responsibilities clearly defined and unnecessary delays eliminated,” she said.

Also speaking, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, disclosed that the IPPIS, which commenced in 2007 with seven pilot MDAs, now covers 508 MDAs with over 1,008,800 employee records.

He said the introduction of the HR modules represented “a natural progression of the reform journey, moving from payroll administration to comprehensive digital human capital development.

According to Ogunjimi, integrating human resource management with payroll administration would strengthen fiscal discipline, improve workforce planning and enhance transparency in public financial management.

Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof Tunji Olaopa, described IPPIS as one of Nigeria’s most successful public sector reforms, noting that it had eliminated ghost workers and centralised personnel records.

He said the newly introduced HR modules would enable civil servants to manage their records, apply for annual leave online, track promotions and disciplinary processes, and support data-driven workforce planning.

The Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Nkiruka Jones-Nebo, described the launch as another milestone in the government’s efforts to modernise and strengthen human resource management through technology-driven reforms.

She said the successful implementation of the new modules would depend on the commitment of permanent secretaries and other accounting officers to drive their adoption across ministries and extra-ministerial departments.

Jones-Nebo urged directors of human resource management, IPPIS desk officers, information technology officers and other stakeholders to serve as “key implementers, change champions, and advocates for the effective utilisation of these modules.”

She also called for continued collaboration among government institutions to ensure a seamless transition and the optimal deployment of the platform, saying the initiative was aimed at building “a modern, digital, and efficient federal civil service.”

Managing Director of SoftAlliance and Resources Limited, Dr Bisi Aina, whose company developed the platform, said the launch completed a 15-year digital transformation journey that had evolved IPPIS from a payroll-focused system into a comprehensive human capital management platform.

He said the indigenous solution would reduce dependence on foreign software, shield government from foreign exchange volatility and ensure that sensitive personnel data remained under Nigerian control.

The government said the platform would serve as the foundation for future integration with other government systems, advanced analytics and predictive workforce planning, as part of efforts to build a more efficient, transparent and globally competitive Federal Civil Service.

Justice Amina  Mohammed, who presided over the matter at the Federal High Court No. 1, delivered the judgment after finding out that the respondents violated the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011 by failing to respond to the applicant’s request within the period prescribed by law.

The court granted Reliefs 1, 2, 3 and 4 sought by the applicant, but declined Reliefs 5 and 6, except for awarding N200,000 as costs.

The suit, filed on January 8, 2026 by the applicant’s counsel, Barrister M. U. Faruk, was brought pursuant to Sections 1, 2, 4, 7 and 20 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

Barrister Musa Adamu Kumo represented the respondents.

The applicant had asked the court to determine whether, under the FOI Act, he was entitled to access public documents relating to the award of the contract for the redesign of the Shehu Abubakar District Layout.

Among the documents sought were the list of companies that expressed interest in the project, copies of advertisements or calls for expressions of interest, bids submitted, the name of the successful contractor, contract value, evidence of payment, letters of award and acceptance, and the project profile.

The applicant also sought declarations that GOGIS’ failure to provide the information within seven days violated Sections 4 and 7 of the FOI Act and that the agency was legally bound to release the requested documents or provide written reasons for any refusal.

In her judgment, the court held that the applicant made a valid Freedom of Information request which was received by the respondents on December 9, 2025.

Justice Mohammed stated, “The court finds that the applicant made a valid Freedom of Information request which was duly received by the respondents on 9 December 2025.”

The judge further held that the respondents failed to prove they had responded to the request within the statutory period.

According to the judgment, “The respondents failed to establish that Exhibit R1 was ever served on the applicant and, in any event, failed to respond within the statutory period prescribed by the Act. Consequently, the respondents failed to discharge their statutory obligation under Sections 4 and 7 of the Freedom of Information Act and are deemed, by operation of law, to have refused the applicant’s request.”

The court answered all three questions raised in the originating summons in favour of the applicant.

Thus, Justice Mohammed declared, “The applicant is entitled to access the information and documents requested in his Freedom of Information request dated 9 November 2025 and served on the respondents on 9 December 2025.”

The court also ruled that the respondents’ failure to either provide the requested information or communicate lawful reasons for refusing access within the prescribed period amounted to a breach of the FOI Act.

The judge, consequently, ordered GOGIS and its Director-General to release all relevant information and documents within 14 days from the date of the judgment.

The court said, “An order is hereby made directing the respondents to provide to the applicant, within fourteen (14) days from the date of this judgment, all information and documents in their custody relevant to the request. Where any of the requested information is unavailable or exempt from disclosure under the Act, the respondents shall furnish the applicant with written reasons specifying the basis for such non-disclosure in accordance with Section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act.”

However, the court declined the applicant’s claim for N100 million in general damages and N5 million as the cost of the action.

While explaining the decision, Justice Mohammed held that the objective of the FOI Act is to promote transparency and public accountability rather than award punitive damages.

The judge stated further, “The primary purpose of the Freedom of Information Act is to secure access to information and promote accountability in public institutions, not to provide a basis for punitive enrichment. In this instant case, the applicant has not placed before the court sufficient material establishing any special injury, pecuniary loss, or exceptional circumstances warranting such an award.”

The court relied on the Supreme Court’ decision in Iyere v. Bendel Feed and Flour Mill Ltd. (2008) in refusing the claim for general damages while awarding N200,000 as costs in favour of the applicant.

The equipment was officially presented at a ceremony attended by officials of the Sokoto State Government, UNFPA, development partners and health professionals.

Representing the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, the Director of Nursing Services, Abubakar Shehu, described the intervention as another milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services.

He said the donation would enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide quality, safe and dignified care to women living with obstetric fistula.

This equipment will strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare and ensure that women affected by obstetric fistula have access to quality, safe and dignified care,” Shehu said.

He expressed appreciation to UNFPA for its continued partnership with the state government in advancing healthcare delivery and urged the management of the hospital to ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the equipment.

“I sincerely appreciate UNFPA for its invaluable partnership and support in advancing healthcare in Sokoto State. I urge the management of the hospital to make effective use of this equipment and ensure proper maintenance for the benefit of our people,” he added.

Speaking during the handover, the Team Lead of the UNFPA Sokoto Field Office, Dr. Rabi Sagir, said the agency’s ultimate goal is to eliminate obstetric fistula in Sokoto State through prevention while ensuring quality treatment for existing cases.

“Our ultimate goal in UNFPA is not to keep providing surgical equipment. Our ultimate goal is to have zero obstetric fistula in Sokoto State,” she said.

Dr. Sagir described obstetric fistula as a devastating but preventable condition that reflects deeper social 21 affecting women and girls.

“Obstetric fistula is devastating, but it is also preventable. It is a reminder of the inequality that exists in society. It speaks to lack of empowerment, minimal education and limited financial access for many women,” she noted.

The Team Lead stressed that UNFPA views obstetric fistula not only as a health challenge but also as a social and development issue.

“For us in UNFPA, obstetric fistula is not only a health issue; it is also a social issue. It is about women who have been left behind, and we cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals if we leave anyone behind.”

The medic explained  that the UNFPA has supported the facility for many years through funding from development partners, including the European Union under the SARA Health Project and the Government of Canada.

She thus urged the hospital to maintain the equipment to ensure that more women benefit from the intervention.

“We look forward to this facility making good use of this equipment, and we encourage continued investment in its maintenance so that many more women can benefit, Dr. Sagir pleaded.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Sokoto State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Muhammad Buhari Umar, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with development partners to improve healthcare delivery.

He said the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu was focused on building synergy and aligning development interventions with the state’s priorities under its nine-point agenda.

“The focus of this administration is to ensure that synergy and convergence are established. We appreciate UNFPA for aligning its interventions with the needs of Sokoto State, and we look forward to stronger collaboration with other development partners,” he said.

The permanent secretary, who said he was impressed by the level of improvement at the hospital during a recent visit, challenged the management to translate the new equipment into better health outcomes.

“The price of doing a good job is doing better. It is one thing to hold a ceremony, it is another thing to produce results from it. After this equipment, we want to see improved service delivery in this facility,” he maintained.

He assured stakeholders that the state government would continue to support initiatives that improve healthcare services and deliver measurable results for the residents of Sokoto State.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has faulted the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for appearing apologetic over shooting of criminals.

He insisted that security operatives should shoot armed criminals without hesitation.

The Edo North lawmaker spoke on Monday during an interview with TVC News.

“That’s why when this IG was saying he didn’t say “shoot at sight,” Why is he apologetic? Shoot at sight. If you see a criminal, shoot on sight,” Oshiomhole said.

Online reports that the Nigeria Police Force recently clarified that the IGP did not issue a “shoot-on-sight” order, saying he was referring instead to Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions for the use of firearms by police officers.

It said Disu had told stakeholders that officers had been briefed on the provisions of the order and understood the circumstances under which firearms could be deployed in line with established Rules of Engagement.

Oshiomole commended the Department of State Services for appealing a court judgment that handed life imprisonment instead of death sentences to convicted offenders.

I have said that judges should implement the law, not their personal sentiment. I’m also happy that the DSS is doing its job.

“They have appealed the judgment where people who should have been condemned to death were given life imprisonment,” he said.

Asked what he considered the President’s biggest political risk ahead of next year’s election, Oshiomhole said insecurity remained the only obstacle standing in the way of Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He urged the President to give the service chiefs a firm deadline to end insecurity.

“I would tell him to do everything he can to direct the armed forces to ensure that the service chiefs understand that they have a duty to terminate insecurity within the next few months,” he said.

Oshiomhole said there had to be a benchmark to measure what the military was given against the results produced. He insisted the President should hold the service chiefs firmly accountable.

“There has to be a benchmark to measure what we give them and the results that we get, and whether it’s commensurate. It is better he beats down their necks than anything else,” he said.

The former Edo State governor said Tinubu had already put the necessary macroeconomic tools in place, leaving insecurity as the only limiting factor.

“See, the president has put all the necessary macroeconomic tools in place. The only limiting factor is this insecurity. And unfortunately, again, it’s an issue that has reached a certain stage that you cannot terminate overnight. But Nigerians want to see consistent, deliberate effort,” he said.

Oshiomhole said the ongoing recruitment of 20,000 additional personnel into the armed forces, alongside the creation of new army divisions, reflected the President’s resolve to change Nigeria’s security architecture.

He said, “So I think on all fronts, the war is being waged. The DSS is working. We are beginning to see the Air Force more engaged. The Army—we have created more divisions which reflects the fact that the president believes that we can’t continue to do the same thing the same old way.”

On claims that Tinubu has not been visible enough in office, Oshiomhole dismissed the perception, saying he had seen the President address forums, preside over meetings and comment widely on Nigeria’s political economy.

“That the president is not visible enough. I don’t understand what is meant by visibility. Because I see the president addressing various forums. I see him receiving and presiding over meetings.

“I see him commenting on a wide range of issues that have to do with the Nigerian political economy and society,” he said.

He added that the opposition was entitled to criticise the administration, but warned that the ruling party would respond in kind.

“There is nothing the president is going to say that the opposition will not fault. That is the legitimate business of the opposition. I don’t grudge them, provided they understand that if they cast a stone, we have a right to return that stone. So, the day the opposition joins in praising the president, then that is the end of democracy,” he noted.

Oshiomhole said democracy thrived on contestation, adding that Nigerian voters would act rationally in the next election despite attempts by political actors to confuse them.

“Democracy thrives on debate, on contestation. And it is legitimate for actors to try to confuse the voters. But I think the voters are wiser. They will vote rationally,” he said.

He linked the emergence of Peter Obi as a political force to public anger during the last election cycle, which he attributed to the tenure of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Last time they voted in anger. That is why I brought up the issue of the former president. I’m not blaming him, he’s no more. May his soul rest in peace. But that situation is what produced Obi,” he said.

The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the accounting profession by supporting more indigenes to become members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

The Deputy Accountant-General of the state, Alhaji Junaidu Usman, gave the assurance on Saturday in Sokoto after receiving an Award of Excellence during the investiture of the new executive committee of the ICAN Sokoto and District Society.

At the ceremony, Mr Oluwakayode Adeboye was inaugurated as the seventh Chairman of the society alongside other executive members who will steer its affairs for the next one year.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the event, Usman noted that Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration remained committed to developing competent professionals capable of strengthening public financial management in the state.

“By the grace of Allah, Governor Ahmed Aliyu will do everything possible to ensure that more people from Sokoto State are enrolled as members of ICAN. We believe professional accountants are critical to promoting transparency, accountability and effective service delivery,” he said.

The Deputy Accountant-General described the Award of Excellence as both an honour and a challenge to continue serving with integrity.

“This recognition is a motivation for me to do more. It is a reminder that we must continue to uphold the highest standards of accountability and transparency in the management of public resources,” Usman added.

He maintained that professional competence among accountants would play a vital role in the successful implementation of the state’s Nine-Point Smart Agenda, thus urging young accountants to take advantage of government support to acquire professional qualifications.

The 62nd President of ICAN, Mrs Queensley Sofuratu, represented by the Institute’s North-West District Coordinator, Mallam Babayo Shehu, described the investiture as another milestone in strengthening the institute and advancing professionalism across the country.

“This seamless transition reflects the commitment of our members to transparency, unity and dedicated service. ICAN will continue to promote sound professional standards and good governance that will strengthen the institute and contribute to national development,” she assured the team.

Also speaking, the Zonal Head, North-West 4, Zenith Bank Plc, Alhaji Abdulkadir Farid, remarked that the inauguration marked a significant milestone for the Sokoto and District Society.

He expressed confidence that the new executive committee would advance the objectives of the institute and further strengthen the accounting profession.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Investiture Committee, Mr Matthew Ayinla, said the occasion celebrated the achievements of the outgoing leadership while ushering in a new era of purposeful service.

He urged members to remain committed to the institute’s ideals of accountability, transparency, excellence and service to humanity.

In his valedictory address, the outgoing Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Mustapha, appreciated members for their loyalty and support throughout his tenure.

“I thank every member for the confidence reposed in my administration. I urge you to continue supporting the new leadership as we uphold the core values of integrity, accountability, excellence and service,” he stressed.

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated Chairman, Mr Oluwakayode Adeboye, pledged to build a vibrant, innovative and globally competitive district society.

“Our vision is to build a district society that is vibrant, ethical, innovative and capable of producing world-class professionals. We will operate an inclusive, consultative and responsive administration while positioning our members for emerging global opportunities,” Adeboye vowed.

He thanked members and stakeholders for their confidence, expressing optimism that the society would attain greater heights through collective commitment.

The investiture was held under the theme, “Accounting Beyond Borders: Strengthening Professional Leadership in an Era of Geopolitics and Regional Integration.”

Other officials inaugurated included, Matthew Ayinla (Vice Chairman), Bello Ganiyu (General Secretary), Hajiya Latifat Alagbada (Financial Secretary), Abednego Leo (Treasurer), Dr Mary Ezeji (Assistant Secretary), Taiwo Atanda (Technical Secretary), Aki Akabom (Welfare/Publicity Secretary), Mrs Ayinka Obatoye (SWAN Representative), Ganiyu Mustapha (Ex-Officio I), Ismaeel Sulaiman (Ex-Officio II), and Yusuf Olatunji (Ex-Officio III).

Family members have launched a fundraising campaign to repatriate the remains of a Nigerian woman, Christiana Nwosu, who reportedly died of cardiac arrest while visiting the United Kingdom.

PUNCH Metro learnt this on Monday from a GoFundMe appeal signed by Chijioke Metuka on behalf of the Nwosu family.

According to Metuka, Nwosu died on July 19, 2026, leaving her children and loved ones devastated by the sudden loss.

Metuka described the deceased as “a beacon of light, love and warmth” whose passing had created an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who knew her.

The family said its greatest wish was to honour her memory by returning her body to Nigeria for burial, where she would be laid to rest among her extended family and ancestral roots.

The appeal read, “During this time of immense grief, Izuchukwu and his family’s deepest wish is to honour her memory by laying her to rest in her homeland of Nigeria, surrounded by her extended family and roots.

“Repatriating a loved one from the UK to Nigeria comes with significant and unexpected financial burdens.”

However, the family noted that repatriating her remains from the UK would cost about £10,000, covering funeral director fees, specialist repatriation services and documentation, air freight charges, transportation, and funeral and burial expenses in Nigeria.

We have set up this fund to support Izuchukwu and his family during this incredibly difficult time. Every single donation, no matter the size, will go directly towards covering these repatriation and funeral expenses to help ease the financial strain on the family,” the appeal read.

The organisers appealed to members of the public to support the family through donations or by sharing the fundraising campaign with others.

“If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with others and keeping Izuchukwu and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity and support,” the statement added.

As of the time of filing this report, a sum of £7,941 had been raised out of the £10,000 target.

PUNCH Metro reported in February that a Nigerian woman, Oluranti Akinyemi, died in the UK shortly after arriving in the country for her son’s graduation ceremony.

Her family had launched a fundraising campaign on JustGiving to raise £20,000 to repatriate her remains to Nigeria and cover related expenses.

Two persons have been confirmed dead, while three others were rescued after a three-storey hostel building, known as Elite Five Star Lodge, collapsed in Amaokpala, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The building, which had about 60 rooms, caved in on Sunday night, throwing residents and passers-by into panic as an unknown number of occupants, mostly students, were trapped beneath the rubble for hours before emergency responders arrived.

Eyewitnesses said the building collapsed while occupants were inside.

One resident, Ifeoma, who witnessed the incident, told PUNCH Metro that a loud noise preceded the collapse.

We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the area to see what had happened.

“Within moments after the loud noise, people started shouting for help as the building came crashing down,” she said.

Videos and photographs circulating online showed a large crowd gathered at the scene as rescue workers, security personnel and volunteers searched through the debris for trapped victims.

PUNCH Metro gathered that a joint rescue team comprising the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, the Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies arrived at the scene in the early hours of Monday and immediately commenced rescue operations.

Using heavy-duty excavators and other specialised equipment, emergency workers carefully removed debris in a coordinated effort to locate survivors while ensuring the safety of the rescue personnel.

The atmosphere remained tense as anxious residents, students and sympathisers watched the operation, while security operatives cordoned off the area to prevent interference and allow emergency responders unrestricted access.

As of 6:55 p.m., rescue workers recovered the body of another male victim, bringing the total number of fatalities to two.

The acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Ndidi Omega, confirmed the recovery of the female victim’s body and said three injured persons had earlier been rescued and taken to hospital.

She said, “One female body was recovered, while three persons were rescued and taken to the hospital. The rescue operation will continue until every section of the debris has been thoroughly searched.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, also confirmed the development

Upon arrival at the scene, fire service personnel immediately commenced search and rescue operations in collaboration with other emergency responders.

“Regrettably, one female victim was recovered from the rubble. She was confirmed dead at the scene, and her body was evacuated and handed over to the appropriate authorities for deposition in a morgue.

“Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to determine whether any other persons remain trapped beneath the debris.

“The cause of the building collapse was yet to be determined and remains under investigation,” Chiketa said.

He urged members of the public to stay away from the area to enable emergency officers to carry out their duties safely.

However, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, has appealed for calm, saying officers had secured the scene immediately after receiving the distress call.

“On receipt of the distress report, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area to prevent further danger and coordinated rescue efforts,” Ikenga said.

He added that rescue operations were ongoing to determine whether more victims remained trapped, noting that the total number of casualties could not yet be confirmed.

“Some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and taken to a hospital in Oko, where they are receiving treatment.

“Residents are advised to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access,” he added.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has sealed off the premises of the collapsed building.

A NEMA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the action was necessary to facilitate uninterrupted rescue operations and enable investigators to determine the cause of the collapse.

“The building has been sealed with red tape and barricaded to restrict movement around the premises. Before now, some students and residents were loitering around the site, thereby distracting rescue workers,” the official said.

The Emir of Potiskum, His Royal Highness Alhaji Umaru Bubaram Ibn Wuriwa Bauya, has urged Nigerian leaders to adopt a more inclusive approach to addressing insecurity, insisting that military operations alone cannot end the country’s security challenges.

The monarch also called on governments at all levels to tackle poverty, injustice and other socio-economic factors fuelling conflicts across the country.

Speaking on the state of the nation, the Emir described Nigeria’s diversity as one of its greatest assets.

“Nigeria is a complex and beautifully diverse country, blessed with over three hundred ethnic groups, each with its own customs and languages. Diversity should never be viewed as a weakness. It is our greatest strength. Every Nigerian deserves to feel a sense of belonging, which inherently inspires public cooperation for national development,” he said.

Concerning the current security challenges being experienced across the country, he maintained that the government must look beyond the use of force if lasting peace is to be achieved.

Insecurity cannot be solved by force alone. Leaders must address the underlying socioeconomic causes of conflict with sincerity and justice,” the monarch said.

According to him, national leaders must see themselves as parents to every citizen regardless of ethnic, religious or political differences.

“A national leader must act like a good parent, listening to every child without discrimination, correcting mistakes with wisdom and ensuring everyone feels valued. When leaders put the welfare of the citizenry above personal interests, the nation will make meaningful progress,” he stated.

The Emir of Potiskum who also emphasised the importance of traditional institutions in promoting peace and preventing communal conflicts, stressed, “Because we live among the people, we understand their challenges firsthand. This uniquely positions us to advise the government, facilitate peaceful dialogue and resolve local issues before they escalate. Traditional rulers must champion community development, promote education, support economic activities and foster peace,” he insisted.

Ibn Wuriwa Bauya thus urged both political and traditional leaders to govern with a sense of justice, accountability, and sincerity, saying history would ultimately judge leaders by the positive impact they leave on their people rather than the offices they occupy.

The Kaiama Development Association and the Batombu Unity and Development Initiative have urged both the federal government and the Kwara State Government to urgently rescue the 176 persons abducted during the February 3 attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The groups warned that the worsening insecurity across Kaiama and Baruten LGAs could degenerate into a full-scale insurgency if urgent action is not taken.

Speaking on behalf of the groups during a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, the President of the KDA Abuja Branch, Alhaji Umar Gunu, observed that the security situation in the two local government areas had reached a critical stage, with more than 500 people reportedly killed since the beginning of 2026, thousands displaced and several communities repeatedly attacked by terrorists and armed bandits.

Gunu said the press conference became necessary because the communities could no longer remain silent while residents continued to suffer attacks, displacement and neglect.

We have chosen to address you directly because our communities can no longer afford to remain silent and invisible. Today, however, we speak not only of neglect but of an unfolding humanitarian and security catastrophe that has devastated our communities,” he said.

Gunu noted that although Kaiama and Baruten account for more than half of Kwara State’s landmass and remain one of its most productive agricultural belts, the communities had suffered decades of neglect and remained the only two local government areas without direct road access to Ilorin, the state capital.

According to him, the poor road network has further compounded the security crisis by slowing the movement of security personnel while providing armed groups with opportunities to launch attacks and retreat into surrounding forests.

“Our poor road infrastructure has compounded this crisis. The deplorable condition of the roads isolates our communities and creates a significant operational advantage for terrorists,” he said.

“While security forces struggle to reach affected areas quickly, armed groups navigate the difficult terrain with relative ease, enabling them to strike repeatedly and retreat into the forests before help can arrive. Better roads are no longer simply a development issue; they are an urgent security imperative.”

The group’s spokesperson recalled that terrorists attacked Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities on February 3, killing more than 200 residents and abducting over 170 others, including women, nursing mothers and children.

He lamented that nearly six months after the incident, families of the victims had yet to receive any meaningful information about their loved ones or evidence of sustained rescue efforts.

“The attack on Woro remains one of the darkest chapters in our recent history. On the night of February 3, 2026, terrorists descended on Woro and neighbouring Nuku, killing well over 200 people and abducting more than 170 others, among them women, nursing mothers, and children.

“Since then, we have received no meaningful update on their condition or whereabouts, and we have seen no evidence that any sustained operation has been mounted to bring them home. Nearly six months on, their families still wait, uncertain whether their loved ones are alive or dead, while the trail to their rescue appears to have gone cold.”

He lamented that the violence has spread to several other communities, including Tungan Maje, Kemanji, Tungan Aboki, Karonji, Sekugbe, Kenugbe and Yashikira, where armed men reportedly invaded the Emir’s palace and abducted his wives and children

According to him, the persistent attacks had displaced thousands of residents, crippled economic activities and forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands.

As we speak, hardly a day or two now passes without our communities suffering one attack or another.

“The consequences are devastating. Communities now live under the constant fear of spontaneous attacks.

“Economic activities have been severely disrupted: markets have collapsed, businesses have closed, children have lost access to education, and healthcare has become increasingly difficult to obtain.

“The socio-economic fabric of our communities is steadily unravelling,” he bemoaned.

The KDA president who also warned that the crisis had evolved beyond ordinary banditry into a dangerous combination of organised terrorism and criminal violence, stressed that intelligence reports from local communities suggested links between some of the attackers and jihadist groups operating across Nigeria and the wider Sahel region.

“We are deeply concerned that the violence confronting our communities has evolved beyond ordinary criminality. What our people are living through today is a hybrid threat: the calculated, ideologically driven violence of jihadist networks operating side by side with the opportunistic criminality of armed bandits,” he disclosed.

Our situation can no longer be treated as an isolated local security problem. It bears disturbing similarities to the early stages of the insurgency that engulfed North-East Nigeria and banditry in the North-West. Unless urgent, coordinated, and decisive action is taken, there is a real danger that this region could become another entrenched theatre of violent extremism,” Gunu pointed out.

He expressed fears that political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections could overshadow the worsening security situation, alleging that some elected representatives had remained silent over the crisis.

“We are also deeply worried that, as campaigns and electioneering for the 2027 general elections gather pace, our people risk being entirely forgotten.

“We say clearly: no election cycle, and no political calculation, should be allowed to bury the crisis unfolding in Kaiama and Baruten.”

As a result, Gunu urged the federal government, the Kwara State Government, the National Assembly, security agencies and humanitarian organisations to act urgently by rescuing the 176 Woro abductees, securing the release of the wives and children of the Emir of Yashikira, dismantling terrorist camps around the Borgu Game Reserve, providing humanitarian support for displaced persons, rebuilding destroyed communities and rehabilitating strategic roads linking Kaiama and Baruten with Ilorin.

“We therefore call on the federal government, the Government of Kwara State, the National Assembly, the security services, humanitarian agencies, and the international community to act with urgency,” he pleaded.

Gunu maintained, “The people of Kaiama and Baruten are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for what every Nigerian is entitled to: security, dignity, equal citizenship, and the protection guaranteed by our Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Our communities should not remain invisible because they are remote. Our suffering should not be ignored because we are minorities. The time to act is now, before more lives are lost, more communities disappear, and more of our people are forgotten.”

A British funeral director faced prison Monday over a scandal that saw bodies left uncremated while relatives were handed other people’s ashes, sparking calls for better regulation of the industry.

An ex-employee described Robert Bush’s funeral parlour as “something from a horror scene”, prosecutor Chris Paxton said at the start of a five-day sentencing hearing.

Police who searched his premises after a tip-off found 31 bodies in a cold storage area that should have been cremated months earlier, including a stillborn baby that had been there for almost two years.

They also found more than 100 sets of ashes.

“There were bodies stored on the racks on both sides of the room,” the lawyer said at Hull Crown Court in northeast England.

“The vast majority were uncovered and in varying states of decomposition,” he added.

The 48-year-old previously pleaded guilty to 67 offences spanning 12 years and affecting hundreds of victims.

Jasmine Beverley, whose son Sunny was stillborn in May 2022, said Bush appeared “lovely” and presented himself as “very respectful”.

“It was a shock to learn what had actually been going on behind the closed doors,” she told BBC radio, adding Sunny’s remains were found in an brown envelope on the floor even though she believed he had been cremated.

“I discovered that he was still in there almost two years after we’d had the funeral,” she said, describing the discovery as “distressing”.

Beverley and her husband and a number of other families are campaigning for changes to funeral parlour regulation.

Bush, who ran Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, was trusted by bereaved families but mistreated them on an “almost industrial scale”, Paxton said.

Police began investigating in March 2024 after being contacted by someone over concerns for “the deceased” at the business.

The sentencing hearing is to hear statements from over 100 victims.

Bush has admitted dozens of charges including preventing lawful and decent burial, theft, and fraud.

Four of the fraud charges involved falsely presenting ashes to women as the remains of their unborn children.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared Tuesday, July 28, 2026, a public holiday to enable civil servants and other public workers to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVCs.

The governor, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Monday, said the work-free day is to allow public servants to participate in the electoral process by picking up their PVC before the closure of the exercise.

The directive, which was conveyed in a circular across the public service, said the work-free day approval was to enable public servants to perform their civic obligation during the forthcoming gubernatorial and future elections in the state.

According to the circular, those on essential duties, like medical workers, security staff, etc., are, however, advised to make necessary arrangements among themselves in this regard so as not to have negative consequences on the lives of the citizenry.

Governor Adeleke urges public servants and other informal workers to collect their voter cards as urgently as possible, reminding the public of how critical next month’s election is to the state and her future.

“I encourage all registered voters to reach all the collection points without delay. Your vote is your power. Your voter’s card is your licence to the ballot paper and, by extension, to the ballot box,” the statement added.

A British funeral director faced prison on Monday over a scandal that saw bodies left uncremated while relatives were handed other people’s ashes, sparking calls for better regulation of the industry.

An ex-employee described Robert Bush’s funeral parlour as “something from a horror scene”, prosecutor Chris Paxton said at the start of a five-day sentencing hearing.

Police who searched his premises after a tip-off found 31 bodies in a cold storage area that should have been cremated months earlier, including a stillborn baby that had been there for almost two years.

They also found more than 100 sets of ashes.

“There were bodies stored on the racks on both sides of the room,” the lawyer said at Hull Crown Court in northeast England.

“The vast majority were uncovered and in varying states of decomposition,” he added.

The 48-year-old previously pleaded guilty to 67 offences spanning 12 years and affecting hundreds of victims.

Jasmine Beverley, whose son Sunny was stillborn in May 2022, said Bush appeared “lovely” and presented himself as “very respectful”.

“It was a shock to learn what had actually been going on behind the closed doors,” she told BBC radio, adding Sunny’s remains were found in an brown envelope on the floor even though she believed he had been cremated.

I discovered that he was still in there almost two years after we’d had the funeral,” she said, describing the discovery as “distressing”.

Beverley and her husband and a number of other families are campaigning for changes to funeral parlour regulation.

Bush, who ran Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, was trusted by bereaved families but mistreated them on an “almost industrial scale”, Paxton said.

Police began investigating in March 2024 after being contacted by someone over concerns for “the deceased” at the business.

The sentencing hearing is to hear statements from over 100 victims.

Bush has admitted dozens of charges including preventing lawful and decent burial, theft, and fraud.

Four of the fraud charges involved falsely presenting ashes to women as the remains of their unborn children.

AFP

A former international footballer, Segun Hunkarin, and a fugitive drug kingpin, Ntoruka Chinedu, have been sentenced to a combined 24 years’ imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Lagos for importing cocaine into Nigeria.

Justice Musa Kakaki handed down the sentences after finding the duo guilty of offences relating to the unlawful importation of 7.05 kilograms of cocaine.

According to a statement on Monday by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, Chinedu was first arraigned in September 2015 over the importation of 6.25kg of cocaine but absconded after being granted bail, remaining at large for nearly 10 years.

The agency said he was re-arrested on June 24, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, while attempting to smuggle another 800 grams of cocaine into the country aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa.

NDLEA said investigations revealed that Chinedu had travelled from Turkey and transited through Ethiopia, where he allegedly collected the cocaine-laden luggage before arriving in Nigeria.

The agency added that Hunkarin, who had previously played professional football in Brazil, was arrested at the airport car park while waiting to receive the consignment.

According to the NDLEA, Hunkarin admitted in his statement that he had trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia during his football career in South America.

Investigation showed that the convict was coming from Turkey on Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria.

“Further checks revealed that an accomplice who turned out to be a former professional footballer, Segun George Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport carpark to collect the consignment from him. Hunkarin, who had stayed for years in Brazil playing for football clubs, was promptly tracked and arrested at the carpark, ” the statement said.

Both men were subsequently arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful importation of 800 grams of cocaine.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Kakaki sentenced Chinedu to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine for the 2015 cocaine importation case and an additional two years for conspiring with Hunkarin to import the 800 grams of cocaine, bringing his total sentence to 22 years.

Hunkarin was sentenced to two years imprisonment for conspiracy, bringing the combined jail terms to 24 years.

During the trial, NDLEA prosecutor Adekunle Adebajo reminded the court that Chinedu had earlier been arraigned before Justice Salihu Saudi in 2015 but jumped bail before the conclusion of his trial. He urged the court to convict the defendants in line with the provisions of the NDLEA Act.

Counsel for the convicts pleaded for leniency and asked the court to impose fines instead of custodial sentences, but the court rejected the request.

Reacting to the judgment, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the conviction as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s commitment to combating drug trafficking.

Marwa said, “The eventual re-arrest of Chinedu after nearly 10 years on the run demonstrated the doggedness, patience and thoroughness of NDLEA operatives in tracking down fugitives and ensuring that no drug trafficker escapes the long arm of the law.”

He also commended officers involved in the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the case, reiterating the agency’s commitment to working with the judiciary and other stakeholders to ensure that drug traffickers are brought to justice regardless of their status or how long they evade arrest.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a phone theft syndicate allegedly responsible for stealing brand-new mobile phones from retail shops in Asaba and its environs, recovering nine Android phones believed to have been stolen during the operation.

The police said the suspects were apprehended following intelligence-led operations targeting a series of reported phone thefts from shops across the Delta State capital.

The spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the suspects were arrested on July 25, 2026, at their hideout along St. Brigid’s Road, Asaba.

Phone theft remains one of the common property crimes reported in major urban centres, with criminal syndicates increasingly deploying sophisticated methods to steal, reprogram and resell mobile devices, making recovery difficult for owners and investigators.

According to the statement, the suspects were identified as Johna Omarocha, Kelvin Onogho, Nkechi Nnaji and Ufuoma Joshua.

Edafe said a search of the hideout led to the recovery of nine brand-new Android phones still in their cartons.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects belonged to a syndicate specialising in stealing new phones from retail outlets in Asaba and neighbouring communities.

The police spokesperson said the suspects had confessed to the crime, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and identify the owners of the recovered phones.

He said, “Following a series of reported stealing of mobile phones from shops in Asaba and its environs, operatives of the command, acting on credible intelligence and technical intelligence analysis, on 25 July 2026, arrested four suspects at their hideout along St. Brigid’s Road, Asaba. The suspects are Johna Omarocha (m), Kelvin Onogho (m), Nkechi Nnaji (f), and Ufuoma Joshua (m).

A search of the hideout led to the recovery of nine brand new Android phones still in their cartons. Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects are members of a syndicate specialising in stealing brand new phones from retail shops within Asaba and its environs.

“The suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and identify the owners of the recovered phones.”

Edafe explained that the syndicate allegedly employed a coordinated method of operation to evade detection.

According to him, the suspects disguised themselves as genuine customers visiting shops and supermarkets before concealing mobile phones with newspapers and walking away with them unnoticed.

He added, “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, in the guise of buying items from shops and supermarkets, use newspapers to cover phones in the shop and cart away with the phones when leaving the shops.

The syndicate engages the female suspect among them, who then waybills the phones to Lagos, where the IMEI numbers of the phones are altered and then sell the phones. The four suspects are in custody and will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Yemi Oyeniyi, commended the operatives for the successful operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling robbery and other property-related crimes across the state.

He also urged members of the public, particularly shop owners and business operators, to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the police.

The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has insisted that none of its students died in the collapse of the Elite Five Star Hostel in Amaokpala, near the institution, in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state on Sunday night.

In a statement issued on Monday, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Oguegbu Udoka, clarified that the building, located in Amaokpala and not within the polytechnic, was a privately owned lodge occupied by both students and non-students.

Udoka said, “No Federal Polytechnic, Oko, student has been confirmed dead in the collapsed building. The two persons believed to be trapped in the rubble are reportedly not students of our institution.

“Most students had already left campus after completing their second-semester examinations before the incident occurred.

The Rector of the institution, Dr Chioma Awuzie, visited the scene on Monday morning alongside school officials to assess the situation, while state government officials also joined the rescue efforts.”

The institution urged the public to disregard contrary reports, assuring all that it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as rescue operations continue.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has sealed off the premises of the collapsed building.

This is just as the lifeless body of a female victim has been recovered from the rubble, while three rescued victims are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital.

The atmosphere at the scene remained tense as anxious residents, students and sympathisers watched the operation with growing concern.

Using heavy-duty excavators and other rescue equipment, emergency workers were seen carefully removing debris in a coordinated effort to locate anyone who might still be trapped while ensuring the safety of rescue personnel.

Security personnel cordoned off the area to prevent interference and ensure emergency responders had unrestricted access, while officials continued to account for all occupants of the collapsed structure.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Ndidi Omega, who confirmed the recovery of the female victim’s body, said the body of a young man was still trapped beneath the rubble.

Omega added that three injured persons had earlier been taken to the hospital for treatment.

She said the rescue operation would continue until every section of the debris had been thoroughly searched.

India’s youth-led “cockroach” movement, whose nationwide protests forced the resignation of the education minister, urged authorities on Monday to release all detained demonstrators.

The online Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which organised protests over exam paper leaks and other irregularities, said they had received reports of students held in detention, particularly in the states of Assam, West Bengal and Bihar.

The CJP accused the government of backtracking after authorities had assured them that no punitive action would be taken against protesters.

“If the government does not honour the agreement and release everyone detained or arrested, we will be compelled to resume the protest,” Ashutosh Ranka, a spokesperson of the CJP told reporters.

The Indian government have not issued an official statement on the issue.

It comes two days after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as education minister over repeated failures in the conduct of competitive exams that have fuelled anger among millions of young Indians.

At least 100 people have been arrested, many of them on stringent non-bailable charges, across the country, according to the group.

The CJP has set up a legal fund to help meet the expenses of protesters implicated in criminal cases by the police, Saurav Das, another spokesperson for the youth-led movement, said.

The movement has won millions of followers on social media since it was launched in May by 30-year-old public relations graduate Abhijeet Dipke.

Tens of thousands of protesters, mainly students, rallied last week in New Delhi and other cities, demanding Pradhan’s resignation and broader reforms of the examination system.

– ‘One of the gravest assaults on democracy’ –

Demonstrations in the Indian capital turned violent on July 20 when huge crowds attempted to march towards parliament from the Jantar Mantar protest site.

Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse the protest, triggering clashes and a wave of detentions.

In the eastern state of Bihar, a police official was suspended for using an assault rifle to disperse student protesters in Siwan district on Saturday.

He has been suspended, and the three people injured in the incident are undergoing treatment,” police superintendent Puran Kumar Jha told AFP on Monday.

The Chief Justice of India called for an independent investigation after a petition was filed in the Supreme Court alleging police brutality.

The “right to peaceful, lawful protest is absolutely guaranteed” under the Indian constitution,” local media reports quoted Surya Kant as saying.

“If there is excess committed, it should be independently examined… discipline is integral to democratic process.”

The issue also reverberated in parliament on Monday, with repeated disruptions as opposition lawmakers demanded a response from the government over last week’s police crackdown.

“It is one of the gravest assaults on democracy in our history,” opposition Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said on X.

“Never before have students been beaten, dragged, and treated like criminals for raising their voices.”

Despite the disruptions, the government introduced legislation in the lower house seeking tougher penalties for examination paper leaks.

AFP

Speaking on Sunday during a thanksgiving service at Antioch Baptist Church, Ogbomoso, Mrs Alamu said the seventh week of captivity was the most difficult as military operations against the kidnappers intensified.

“Just one instance, apart from seeing the hand of God right from the beginning, the seventh week was the hardest for us all. That was when the troops increased their air raids. It was so intense and persistent that at a point the fear of the bandits became secondary. We were just praying that missiles would not be accidentally dropped on us. But God kept us because we were so exposed, only covered with polythene bags and grasses,” she said.

She recalled that the kidnappers became enraged after hearing that the government had promised the hostages would be released before the end of the week.

They had told us the previous week that the governor said that before Friday, the next week, we would be released. So we were calm. But when the air raids started on Tuesday, they became so furious,” she said.

According to her, the camp commander later summoned her and threatened to kill one of the captives.

“He said, ‘Principal, come.’ I was already shaking because I knew what that could mean. Immediately, he said, ‘See what your government has done. I’m going to kill one of you today.’ I just fell down, rolling on the ground,” she recounted.

Mrs Alamu said she pleaded with the commander to reduce his ransom demands rather than carry out the threat.

“I said, ‘What your heart is asking for is beyond any of the victims’ families. Just ask for what we can run around for.’ He said, ‘Okay, I will send you a message.'”

She added that later that night, the captives feared another hostage was about to be executed after hearing the kidnappers digging.

“Later in the night, we started hearing shovels working. The two men with us were shouting and pleading. We all knew what that meant. They were about to bury another person. But to the glory of God, they only asked us to move because they could no longer stay in that place,” she said.

The principal also described the harsh conditions in the forest, saying hunger became a daily reality because the kidnappers were afraid smoke from cooking fires would expose their location.

They would say, ‘Mama Principal, tell them we are ready to sacrifice any one of them if they make noise. They cannot kill all of us.’ How do you tell a one-year, three-month-old baby not to cry? How do you tell a two-year-old that you must not ask for food? They were not free to prepare food because they were afraid the smoke would give them away. So we went hungry most of the time,” she said.

Mrs Alamu said she also battled illness during the final days of captivity but believed divine intervention preserved her life.

I specifically asked God for two things. One, I prayed that I would not meet an empty house. I knew how fragile my husband’s health was. The other thing I specifically asked was for my health. I told God my grave should not be numbered in the forest.”

She recalled breaking down with a high fever during the last week and requesting medication from one of the kidnappers.

“I just called one of them, the camp commander. I said, ‘Can I have two tablets of paracetamol?’ He said, ‘No problem.’ The woman sitting next to me said, ‘Mommy, this is not paracetamol.’ I said, ‘God will work with it.’ I used it and, to the glory of God, it was as if I never had the symptoms of malaria.”

Reflecting on her rescue, Mrs Alamu described her release as miraculous.

“The release was miraculous. I cannot say this is what happened. But like the man in the Book of Luke who said, ‘I was blind, but now I can see,’ I know that I was incarcerated for a period of time, and at the right time God rescued me and brought me back to my people. So I give glory unto the Lord,” she said.

A woman living with hirsutism, Dora Semanu, has opened up about the stigma and discrimination that comes with excessive facial hair, saying that she stopped shaving so she can be different.

Hirsutism is a condition that causes women to develop excessive, coarse hair in areas where men typically grow hair, including the face, chest and back.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Pidgin, Semanu said her appearance has made her the subject of constant public scrutiny, with many people staring, whispering and making insensitive remarks whenever they see her.

“Anytime people meet me, they will say, ‘Hey, is she a man or a woman?’ And you will see that I have a big breast. Even with all this, I don’t resemble a man,” she said.

According to her, although people frequently mock and judge her, she has chosen not to let their opinions define her.

“I saw many people looking at me. Some people will be talking about me anyhow they like. They look down on me like I’m nothing. But me, I don’t care. I am me. I just want to look natural. That’s all.”

Semanu explained that she first noticed the unusual hair growth when only a few strands appeared on her face before it gradually increased.

The first time I saw this hair, only one hair like this. We have this kind of thing in our family. They don’t have plenty. It’s only me who has it like this,” she said.

Rather than continue shaving it off, she decided to embrace her appearance.

“The reason why I stopped shaving it, I just want to look different,” she said.

“I want to be like this so that if you don’t have anything to say in your house, when you see me at any place, you will have something to talk about. The two of you can raise my topic.

“I met a lady at this place. Oh, she looks like this. Even when you are not fully happy, so far as you raise some topic about me, you can forget some of your problems.”

Despite her confidence, Semanu admitted that some comments have deeply hurt her, especially those questioning whether anyone could love or accept her.

“The most painful thing that somebody has said to me before was that, the way I look, she didn’t think that any man could approach me,” she said.

She stressed, however, that such remarks would never make her change who she is.

“It doesn’t make me shave. I asked myself, that person is judging me because of this thing. But this thing doesn’t change my lifestyle to be a good person or a bad person.”

Encouraging others living with visible differences to embrace themselves, Semanu urged people not to be discouraged by public opinion.

“Don’t mind anyone. You are on your own. If you listen to people, you can’t keep it.

“And it’s nothing wrong. We are not thieves, we don’t kill, we don’t do anything. We are like you people, so please accept us like this,” she said.

Alausa, who spoke in a statement signed and released by his Special Adviser on Media, Ikharo Attah, on Monday, said the administration had implemented difficult but necessary reforms that were beginning to strengthen Nigeria’s economy, improve macroeconomic indicators and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.

He argued that the country’s economic progress was being validated by both domestic and international institutions rather than political narratives.

“Nigeria’s economic progress is no longer a matter of political rhetoric but one supported by credible data and independent assessments,” the minister said.

He added that reports by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, Bloomberg and the National Bureau of Statistics indicated that the country’s economic reforms were producing measurable results and strengthening confidence in the economy.

According to Alausa, key economic indicators are showing positive signs, with inflation gradually easing, economic activities expanding and other macroeconomic indices recording steady improvements.

“The President is focused on building a stronger Nigeria for generations to come. These reforms are not designed for short-term gains but to create lasting prosperity. There is no value in making difficult decisions if they cannot stand the test of time,” he said.

The minister said the administration remained committed to ensuring that the reforms were sustainable and continued to benefit Nigerians beyond the current tenure.

He said the government’s emphasis on fiscal discipline, structural reforms and long-term economic stability was already yielding positive outcomes across several sectors of the economy.

According to him, the reforms are positioning Nigeria on a stronger path towards inclusive economic growth, increased productivity and national development.

Alausa maintained that as Nigerians continue to experience the impact of the reforms, the administration’s record would speak for itself ahead of the next general election.

He also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing policies aimed at strengthening the economy, improving citizens’ welfare and advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The gains of the current reforms will continue to deliver lasting prosperity for all Nigerians,” he said.

President Tinubu’s administration has undertaken a series of major economic reforms since assuming office in May 2023, including the removal of petrol subsidy, the unification of foreign exchange windows, tax and fiscal reforms, and measures aimed at boosting domestic revenue and attracting investment.

While the reforms have been commended by international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for addressing longstanding structural distortions, they have also triggered significant economic hardship, with soaring inflation, high food prices and rising cost of living prompting widespread concerns among Nigerians.

The Federal Government has consistently defended the policies, arguing that the short-term pains are necessary to restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen public finances and place the economy on a path of sustainable growth. The administration has also introduced a range of social intervention programmes and economic support measures to cushion the impact of the reforms on vulnerable households and businesses.

As Big Brother Naija returns for its 11th season, the reality television show has once again opened the door to a new generation of housemates hoping to emerge as Nigeria’s next winner.

Season 11 premiered on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and PUNCH Online had earlier reported the profile and profession of all the contestants.

The new season comes nearly two decades after Katung Aduwak became the first winner of the original Big Brother Nigeria in 2006.

Since then, the franchise has produced a succession of winners whose victories have made them household names and, in several cases, launched careers in entertainment, business and others

From Katung’s historic triumph to Imisi Ayanwale’s victory in Season 10, each edition has produced its own defining personality and memorable story.

As the latest batch of housemates begins its journey in the house, here is a look at all the previous winners of the show, from the first season in 2006 to the most recent champion before the commencement of Season 11.

Full list of BBNaija winners from 2006 to 2025

1. Katung Aduwak — Season 1 (2006)

Katung Aduwak made history as the first winner of the reality show, then known as Big Brother Nigeria.

He defeated Francisca Owumi in the final.

2. Efe Ejeba — Season 2, See Gobe (2017)

Michael Efe Ejeba won the show’s return season in 2017, defeating Bisola Aiyeola.

His catchphrase, “Based on logistics,” became strongly associated with his campaign.

3. Miracle Igbokwe — Season 3, Double Wahala (2018)

Pilot and model Miracle Igbokwe won the third season, with Cynthia “Cee-C” Nwadiora finishing as runner-up.

4. Mercy Eke — Season 4, Pepper Dem (2019)

Mercy Eke became the first female winner of the modern BBNaija era when she won the Pepper Dem season in 2019. Mike Edwards was the runner-up.

5. Laycon — Season 5, Lockdown (2020)

Olamilekan “Laycon Agbeleshe won the Lockdown season.

His victory remains one of the most dominant in the show’s history, with 60 per cent of the final votes, according to reports based on the official finale results.

6. Whitemoney — Season 6, Shine Ya Eye (2021)

Hazel Oyeye Onou, popularly known as whitemoney won the sixth season, defeating Liquorose in the final.

7. Phyna — Season 7, Level Up (2022)

Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna emerged as the winner of the Level Up season, with Bryann finishing as runner-up.

8. Ilebaye — Season 8, All Stars (2023)

Ilebaye Odiniya won the All Stars edition, defeating former winner Mercy Eke in the final.

9. Kellyrae — Season 9, No Loose Guard (2024)

Kingsley Kellyrae Sule won the No Loose Guard season, with Wanni Danbaki finishing as runner-up.

10. Imisi — Season 10, 10/10 (2025)

Opeyemi Imisi Ayanwale became the 10th BBNaija winner after emerging victorious in the 10/10 season.

Precious “Dede” Ashiogwu finished as runner-up.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, will distribute 1,800 bags of rice and other relief items to vulnerable residents under the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The beneficiaries include widows, persons with disabilities, women and other vulnerable groups across the state.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, disclosed this during a media briefing in Akure, the state capital, on Monday.

The commissioner said the intervention formed part of two empowerment programmes approved by the governor, noting that the present administration remained committed to the welfare and prosperity of the people of the state.

Osamaye said, “The first programme is the Food Outreach and Empowerment Programme for specific gender and vulnerable groups, targeting widows, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and other vulnerable members of our society. The prevailing economic realities have undoubtedly placed enormous pressure on many households.

“As a responsive and compassionate government, we remain committed to cushioning these challenges by implementing targeted interventions that directly improve the living conditions of our most vulnerable citizens. A total of 1,800 bags of rice will be distributed to the groups.

“Through this programme, deserving beneficiaries across the state will receive food items and essential support aimed at alleviating hardship, restoring dignity and improving household welfare.

Beyond the distribution of relief materials, this intervention reflects the compassionate and inclusive leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa, whose administration remains committed to ensuring that no citizen is left behind in the state’s development journey.”

The commissioner explained that the programme would provide immediate relief to vulnerable households, promote social inclusion and improve the quality of life of beneficiaries, “as well as strengthen public confidence in government-driven social intervention programmes.”

“It will also encourage self-reliance and restore hope and dignity among widows, persons with disabilities, the elderly and other vulnerable groups,” she said.

According to her, the second programme is the Sensitisation and Empowerment of Women on Gender Equality and Adequate Representation in Governance, also known as the Project 774 Explode Initiative.

“This initiative is designed to inspire, educate, enlighten and empower women on the importance of participating actively in governance and decision-making processes. Despite the invaluable contributions of women to nation-building, their representation in elective and appointive positions remains below expectation.

“It is therefore imperative to continue creating platforms that prepare women to occupy leadership positions with confidence and competence. Through this programme, participants will benefit from intensive sessions on gender equality, leadership development, political participation, advocacy, mentorship, networking opportunities and capacity building that will equip them with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to aspire and excel in leadership responsibilities at all levels.”

She added that the programmes were strategic interventions and investments in human capital development, social inclusion and sustainable community development, noting that they reaffirm the commitment of the state government to building an inclusive society where every woman is empowered to contribute meaningfully to governance and where vulnerable citizens receive the care, protection and support they deserve.

The opposition’s plan to unite behind a single presidential candidate against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election may be losing momentum, with key opposition factions and parties adopting different positions on the proposed arrangement.

Although the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party keeps the possibility open, the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction ruled out any alliance.

Also, the camp of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar affirmed that opposition parties have already produced their candidates but remain committed to working together.

However, the APC dismissed the proposal by the opposition parties as incapable of stopping the President’s re-election bid.

On April 25, opposition political leaders gathered at a summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, where they resolved to work together ahead of the 2027 general election and explore the possibility of presenting a single presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu.

Among the party leaders said to have signed the communique were former Senate President David Mark of the African Democratic Congress, Tanimu Turaki (SAN) of the PDP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed of the Peoples Redemption Party, Ajuji Ahmed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Cleopas Moses of the Nigeria Democratic Coalition, Uche Nnadi of the Action Peoples Party and Mgbudem Maxwell of Accord.

Others were Yusuf Dantalle of the Allied People’s Movement, Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance, Samuel Memeh, Abdulrahman Abubakar of the Young Progressives Party, Yabagi Sani of the Action Democratic Party and Dan Nwanyanwu of the Zenith Labour Party.

The summit was attended by prominent opposition figures, including Atiku, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Peter Obi, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, former transport minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

However, about three months after the Ibadan summit, several of the leaders who attended the meeting have emerged as presidential or vice-presidential candidates of different opposition parties.

Atiku and Amaechi have emerged as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the ADC, respectively, while Makinde emerged as the presidential candidate of the APM.

Similarly, Obi and Kwankwaso emerged as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the NDC, respectively, while other participants at the summit have also secured presidential or vice-presidential tickets on various opposition platforms.

Following the May 30 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission for political parties to conduct their primaries and elect candidates, the parties have since concluded the exercise and uploaded the names of their candidates on the INEC portal.

Speaking on the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, disclosed in an exclusive interview with our correspondent that the opposition’s proposal to present a single presidential candidate against Tinubu remained a viable strategy and possibility.

He said the proposal was still on the table, stressing that no single opposition party could win the election alone.

Ememobong stated, “The simple answer is that the end justifies the means. The ultimate objective is to defeat the incumbent, and every strategy that can help achieve that objective remains under consideration.

“The principle was adopted as part of the broader strategy to bring opposition forces together and provide a stronger platform capable of challenging the ruling party.

“Therefore, the issue is still under review, and discussions are ongoing. It remains a possibility that the final decision will be determined by what best serves the collective interest and increases the chances of achieving the desired outcome.

“The PDP is engaging in conversations with other opposition political parties and stakeholders as part of efforts to explore the possibility of working together.

“The reality is that the opposition understands the importance of unity and collaboration. No single opposition party can afford to operate in isolation if the goal is to present a formidable challenge to the incumbent.

“All opposition political parties are therefore disposed to discussions and negotiations that could lead to greater cooperation.

“Ultimately, what matters is finding a workable strategy that can unite the opposition, strengthen its chances and provide Nigerians with a credible alternative in the next election. So, the end justifies the means.”

The Wike-backed faction of the PDP, however, dismissed reports of an alliance with any political party ahead of the general election, insisting that the party was preparing to contest the polls with its own presidential, governorship and other candidates.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led NWC, Jungudo Mohammed, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, said the PDP remained focused on winning elections, not an alliance.

He stated, “We have said this time and again that the PDP, the one and only authentic Peoples Democratic Party, is not in alliance with any political party.

“We are not fielding any candidate with anybody. We have our own presidential candidate, governorship candidates, and other candidates. So, we are not in any alliance with anybody.

“The party is focused and determined. We are focused on the next election, and we are preparing for it.

“Nigerians are waiting for us, and we are optimistic that they will give us all the necessary support.

“The PDP, under the leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed, is rebuilding and gradually gathering momentum ahead of the next election. So, we are not party to any alliance with anybody or any political party.”

Atiku’s camp on Wednesday appeared to downplay the likelihood of a single opposition presidential candidate emerging.

Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Senior Special Assistant to Atiku on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said opposition parties had already concluded their internal processes and produced candidates in line with their respective constitutions and the Electoral Act.

Shaibu, however, maintained that the commitment among opposition leaders to work together remained intact, stressing that discussions on possible areas of collaboration would continue ahead of the election.

“The African Democratic Congress has already concluded its presidential primaries and produced His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.

“Other opposition parties have equally produced their candidates in accordance with their respective constitutions and the Electoral Act.

That said, the resolve of opposition leaders to work together in the national interest remains as strong as ever.

“There is a shared understanding that Nigeria deserves a competent, accountable and people-centred government, and that objective will continue to guide engagements among democratic forces.

“As the election draws closer, discussions on areas of cooperation and collaboration aimed at ensuring the defeat of the APC and the emergence of a government that truly reflects the aspirations of Nigerians will continue within the framework of the law and mutual respect among all stakeholders,” he said.

Also, key opposition leaders and political parties distanced themselves from a proposal to field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 election.

The NDC, PRP, Labour Party, Accord and a faction of the ADC said no such arrangement had been agreed, with some insisting they would field their own candidates.

The National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, ruled out discussions on a consensus candidate after the party announced the Obi-Kwankwaso joint ticket.

“We are not ready to discuss anything on the opposition fielding a single presidential candidate for the 2027 election for now. When the time is right, the media will be one of the first to know about it,” he told our correspondent at his residence in Abuja.

Also, the National Chairman of the PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said while opposition parties remained open to alliances, their immediate focus was ending the APC administration.

“When we know who is in the team, we will devise ways in which we can either on our own or together collaborate. The key issue, the only goal in mind of the opposition, all of them, is to change this administration because it needs to go. Nigeria cannot survive another four years under this administration.

Whatever we have to do legally, whatever we have to do to win this election either as a party or an alliance of parties, we will do. We will do it not because we want to take up offices but because we have to salvage this country and we’re very serious about this.

“So we are willing to enter into any arrangement that reinforces the strength of the opposition and so that we can change this government and make sure that President Tinubu and his government don’t come back and destroy this country,” he stated.

The Accord rejected claims linking it to any coalition plan for a single presidential candidate, distancing itself from a recent political summit in Ibadan where the proposal reportedly featured.

A faction of the ADC led by Nafiu Bala Gombe said it was not part of the initiative to field a sole presidential flag bearer to contest against Tinubu in 2027.

In an exclusive phone chat with The PUNCH, Gombe’s Chief of Staff, Bala Kumo, kicked against the proposition, saying the idea was unacceptable to them.

He said, “We are not in support of it as the authentic members of the African Democratic Congress. So whatever resolution was taken in that place, we are not in support of it.

“The ADC is an existing party. It didn’t exist yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week or last month. ADC has been in existence for almost 20 years now. We are fielding a candidate, and Insha Allah, all the elective offices at all levels will support it.

In my view, the Ibadan summit can best be described as the reunion of former members of the Peoples Democratic Party, aligning with aggrieved or disgruntled individuals who have been ignored by the party.

“So, for the record, I want to assure you that the African Democratic Congress was not involved in the summit, and should not be linked to any outcome or resolution coming from that summit.”

The Labour Party also dismissed reports suggesting it was part of the proposed arrangement.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said, “As it stands today, we are not part of the Ibadan summit arrangement. That is the position of the party for now.

“If there is a need for us in future to be in coalition with other political parties, we will inform Nigerians.”

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who is a leading figure in the Labour Party, had expressed a similar position.

He said, “Unfortunately, we are not part of that arrangement. We held our national convention. So, we are not bound by whatever happened at that summit.”

Reacting, APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the possibility of opposition parties defeating Tinubu in 2027, even if they unite behind a single presidential candidate.

Ibrahim said none of the opposition candidates listed on the INEC portal possessed Tinubu’s qualities, expressing confidence that the APC would retain power whether the opposition contests the election separately or collectively.

He stated, “We are not worried about the possibility of the opposition presenting a single candidate against our candidate. We are not worried because we know it is an issue that is dead on arrival.

“None of the candidates so far on the INEC portal has the qualities our candidate has, so we are not bothered.

“Whatever is going to happen is not going to be a problem for us. We are confident that we will win.

“Since we were able to defeat them individually, defeating them collectively will not be a problem. It is not going to be a problem at all.”

He added that even the opposition knew that the reforms Tinubu carried out were necessary for the country’s sustenance.

“The fear in the minds of the people because of the reforms that were introduced is no longer there, because they are beginning to see that the reforms were necessary.

“There was no way the country would have survived without the introduction of these reforms, and the reforms are beginning to yield results. Despite the pains, the people are courageous,” he said.

The German creator of the controversial “Body Worlds” exhibitions of dissected human and animal bodies, Gunther von Hagens, has died at age 81, his family said Monday.

They added in a statement that “it was Gunther von Hagens’ own wish to make his body available for plastination after his death”, referring to his technique of preserving human remains.

“His family will respect and carry out this wish.”

Von Hagens, an anatomist, lecturer and entrepreneur nicknamed “Dr Death,” in the 1970s invented the plastination process, which involves removing water and fat from human and animal tissue and replacing them with chemical compounds.

He would then display the bodies in lifelike poses, revealing their muscles, skeletons and internal organs in exhibitions that drew millions worldwide but also occasionally faced calls for bans.

He faced charges of voyeurism and profiting commercially from death. Controversies such as a 2002 autopsy performed in London — on camera and before an audience —- further fuelled his notoriety.

The Body Worlds exhibit featured in a scene of the 2006 James Bond film “Casino Royale”.

Von Hagens was born on January 10, 1945, in what was Nazi-occupied Poland and grew up in communist East Germany.

He was jailed after an attempt to flee communist Germany but later made his way to West Germany where, following his medical studies, he invented the process to preserve biological specimens in 1977.

Von Hagens died on Friday, according to his his team who praised him as “a pioneer, a researcher, an inventor” and an “iconoclastic and sometimes controversial thinker” who through his work made “anatomy accessible to the general public”.

His wife and collaborator Angelina Whalley wrote that “Gunther wanted to give people a look beneath the skin -— not out of a desire for sensationalism, but out of the deep conviction that knowledge of one’s own body can contribute to a more conscious, healthy and responsible life.

“His work was scientific, educational and deeply humanistic. He led millions of people to see their own bodies in a new light,” she said.

AFP

The House of Representatives Committee investigating the operations of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to produce the self-acclaimed Director-General of the organisation, Adeyemi Adeniyi, before it on Wednesday.

The directive was issued on Monday during the resumed investigative hearing at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

Representing the IG, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bashir Abdullahi, appeared before the committee and was instructed to ensure Adeyemi’s appearance by noon on Wednesday to assist lawmakers in their ongoing investigation into the activities of the organisation.

The committee is probing the circumstances under which the PFIPC, despite not being legally established, allegedly secured office accommodation in Phase III of the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja and received a budgetary allocation of ₦1.32bn in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The directive followed the Nigeria Police Force’s confirmation of key aspects of its criminal investigation, including petitions from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President alleging that Adeyemi fraudulently presented himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

The Committee Chairman, Yusuf Gagdi, said Adeyemi’s appearance had become imperative given the seriousness of the allegations and the institutions implicated in the matter.

“This committee clearly needs the suspected DG to appear before this committee. People’s names are involved. People’s integrity are involved. Institutional names are involved. Institutional integrity is involved.

It is not an option now. We will need him here to confirm some documents to us in such a way that will not undermine our investigation to enable us to submit our report on time,” Gagdi said.

The committee subsequently directed its clerk to formally communicate its resolution to the Inspector-General of Police.

“The committee hereby resolves that the Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do kindly present Mr Adeyemi on Wednesday by 12 noon. That is the ruling of the committee,” Gagdi declared.

Earlier, ACP Abdullahi informed lawmakers that although investigations were ongoing, the police had already filed an eight-count charge against Adeyemi before the Federal High Court.

“The Nigerian Police Force investigated part of this case late last year and filed eight-count charges before a Federal High Court. The case is ongoing,” he said.

He disclosed that the suspect had been arrested and arraigned, but cautioned against making public disclosures that could prejudice the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

“We don’t want to say things that are under investigation. It is definitely going to prejudice the ongoing investigation and make people have opinions that may prejudge the outcome of an investigation or judicial decision,” Abdullahi stated.

Despite the police’s reservations, the committee sought confirmation of documentary evidence already in its possession.

The police confirmed that on October 17, 2025, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President petitioned security agencies over allegations against Adeyemi, prompting investigations that culminated in criminal charges bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

Investigators also confirmed receiving another petition alleging that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

According to the police, the petition alleged that Adeyemi used the purported office to obtain accommodation within the Federal Secretariat, sought approval to recruit about 300 personnel, attempted to secure a $1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the non-existent agency, and planned to organise a World Investment Summit under the platform of the purported council.

One of the highlights of the hearing came when the committee compared signatures on documents allegedly issued from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President with signatures on authentic official correspondence obtained by the police.

When asked whether the signatures matched, the police witness responded unequivocally,”They are not the same.”

The committee said the discrepancy reinforced concerns that official State House documents may have been forged.

Gagdi further asked, “So, it is not only a letter that was suspected to be forged? We are dealing with documents that include what is said to be a forged Act of the National Assembly in an attempt to establish a fake agency,” he added.

Gagdi disclosed that investigators had identified about 29 allegedly forged documents, including purported approvals from the State House, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministry of Finance and several other government institutions.

According to him, representatives of many of the affected agencies had already appeared before the committee and disowned the documents attributed to their offices.

Gagdi, however, stressed that the committee had deliberately avoided compelling the police to disclose information that could compromise ongoing criminal investigations.

“We are avoiding a situation whereby they will be pushed to make statements that will undermine their ongoing investigation,” he added.

He assured that the House investigation would continue independently and that its final report could recommend further action by relevant security agencies.

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has unveiled a N20m palace project for the traditional ruler of Elebele Community in Ogbia Local Government Area as it moves to consolidate support in the home community of former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2028 governorship election.

The State Chairman of the PDP, George Turnah, announced the project on Sunday during a reception organised for a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Gabriel Claudius, popularly known as “One Million Man,” and his supporters, who defected to the PDP.

Turnah said the intervention became necessary after party leaders visited the community and found the traditional ruler’s palace in a deplorable condition.

He disclosed that the party had already approved N20m for the project and directed that construction should begin immediately rather than waiting until election campaigns.

According to him, the project demonstrates the PDP’s commitment to rewarding communities that have remained loyal to the party over the years.

He noted that although Elebele is one of the largest and most politically active communities in Ogbia, it had for years received little political recognition until the PDP facilitated the appointment and election of several of its sons and daughters into public offices.

Turnah recalled that the party produced the community’s first Secretary of Ogbia Local Government Area, secured the election of its representative in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, who later became Chief Whip, and appointed other indigenes into strategic positions.

He assured the people that more development initiatives would be unveiled for the community when electioneering activities officially commence.

The PDP chairman said the event was not a campaign rally but a homecoming for Claudius and his supporters, adding that the party remained committed to restoring political and economic prosperity in the state.

“We are not going to wait until after the election. We have seen the condition of the palace, and it is not befitting of Elebele. Our leaders have already provided N20m, and work will commence immediately.

“This is not a campaign rally. We are here to receive our brother and his supporters back to the PDP.

“Elebele has remained loyal to the PDP, and the community will continue to benefit from that loyalty.

“The PDP has the structure, the people and the experience to return to Government House in 2028.”

Speaking at the event, a PDP leader, Great Joshua Maciver, expressed confidence that the party would return to Government House in 2028.

Maciver urged members to remain united and intensify grassroots mobilisation, saying the PDP possessed the structure, experience and capacity to reclaim key elective positions across Bayelsa.

He also described Turnah as a courageous leader who had kept the party united despite recent political realignments.

Earlier, Claudius pledged to work with his supporters to strengthen the PDP and ensure its victory in future elections.

The event was attended by PDP candidates for the National Assembly, state House of Assembly candidates, party leaders and supporters from across Bayelsa State.

Canada-based Nigerian woman, Prophetess Ezinne Nwanorue, has stirred reactions on social media after celebrating the death of her mother-in-law, describing the deceased as a “wicked witch” in a Facebook post.

Ezinne shared the funeral poster of her late mother-in-law, Comfort Nwanorue, on Facebook on Monday.

She wrote, “One wicked witch is down: my dead mother-in-law, Comfort Chika Nwanorue, rest in pieces in hell with other dead witches; your members will soon join you. I am the weapon fashioned against all the witches and wizards and all the evil people in the world; you all shall go down in my hands. Very wicked beings

You people should repent now and accept Christ; if not, you won’t escape the judgment of de@th from my hands, in Jesus’ name. Amen. These people have dealt with me in this life; they found out about my destiny, and they did everything within their power to bring me down, but I thank God for helping me discover who I am and coming through for my destiny; I am now in my season of manifestation, and no one can stop it.

They will all go down in my hands as God empowers and permits me, in the name of Jesus. Amen. I am talking from the place of my office as a prophetess of God Almighty. Prophetess Ezinne Maryjane Nwanorue.”

The post has since attracted mixed reactions, with many social media users criticising her for celebrating the death of a family member.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Ezinne and her husband, Franklin Chimaobim Nwanorue, went viral after she made his relocation to Canada conditional on him publicly swearing an oath that he would never be unfaithful to her.

According to the report, she insisted that her husband record and publish a video declaring that if he cheated on her after arriving in Canada, he should die, saying the instruction was from God.

In the viral video, Franklin accepted the condition, declaring, “I confess, and I promise that if I come to Canada and cheat on you, let me die in the name of Jesus.”

He also pledged to remain faithful to his wife and be a good husband and father to their children.

Ezinne later claimed her husband had been involved with another woman despite taking the public oath, alleging in a Facebook post that he had “still slept with one of his side chicks” after making the declaration.

Her latest Facebook post celebrating the death of her mother-in-law has brought renewed public attention to the family’s ongoing dispute.

Neither Franklin Nwanorue nor other members of the family had publicly responded to Ezinne’s latest post as of the time of filing this report.

The Government of Slovak Republic annually invites applications for the National Scholarship Programme from interested international candidates.

The Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship Program offers fully-funded study opportunities for international students. These scholarships are available for Masters and PhD studies covering up to €1,470 monthly.

This post is a detailed insight into the details of the scholarship opportunity and how to apply for it.

Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Slovakia
• Study Abroad: Study in Europe 
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: Full Scholarship | €620 –  €1,470 Monthly Living Allowance | Accommodation | Travel allowance
• Deadline: October 31, 2026
  

Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship Details:

 The National Scholarship Programme of the Slovak Republic (NSP) is financed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic from the state budget of the Slovak Republic.

The provision of government scholarships of the Slovak Republic is a long-term part of the development cooperation of the Slovak Republic.

In 2026, the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic will implement bilateral development cooperation through the government scholarship program

Eligibility Requirements for Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship Program 2026

To be considered for the 2026 Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship Program, you must:

• Be a citizen of a foreign country
• Be students who:
• are university students at universities outside Slovakia;
• are students of the second level of higher education (master’s students), or are students who at the time of the application deadline have already completed at least 2.5 years of their university studies in the same/similar study programme;
• will be on a study stay in Slovakia during their higher education outside Slovakia and who will be accepted by a public, private, or state higher education institution in Slovakia for academic mobility to study in Slovakia.
• Be enrolling to study a postgraduate degree in a Slovakian institution
• Be PhD students whose higher education or scientific training takes place outside Slovakia and who are accepted by a public, private or state higher education institution or a research institution in Slovakia eligible to carry out a doctoral study programme.
• Be international university teachers, researchers and artists who are invited to a teaching/research/artistic stay in Slovakia by an institution with a valid certificate of eligibility to carry out research and development, which is not a business company.
• Meet the Language requirements of the country (English, French, Slovak or Spanish)

Benefits of 2026 Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship Program:

• The scholarship is intended to cover international scholarship holders’ living costs, i.e. the costs related to staying in Slovakia (food, accommodation, etc.), during their study, research/artistic or teaching stay at universities, and in research organizations in Slovakia.
• The scholarship holder can ask for assistance concerning accommodation and formalities related to entering and staying in the territory of the Slovak Republic either his/her host institution, or he/she can handle all the necessities him-/herself.
• Amount of the monthly scholarship
• university students of the second level of higher education 620€
• PhD student 1025€
• university teacher/researcher/artist: 1470€

Required Documents for Government of Slovakia Scholarship Program:

Required documents that must be attached to online application as listed below:

• curriculum vitae;
• motivation letter;
• detailed study programme
• two recommendation letters issued by applicant’s university teachers 
• confirmation issued by the applicant’s home university confirming that the applicant is a regular student of the respective university at the time of applying 
• scan of applicant’s bachelor’s diploma, diploma supplement and state examination certificate (if applicable);
• admission/invitation letter issued by applicant’s host university in Slovakia indicating the period of stay. 

How to Apply to 2026 Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship

To apply for the 2026 Government of Slovak Republic National Scholarship, interested and qualified applicants should;

• Use the link created below to proceed to the application page.
• Download the scholarship application form and fill it out.
• To apply for the provision of Slovak governmental scholarship, you have to meet the conditions, which can be found on the website –  (only select your country). 
• Once you have met the requirements, register on the website and verify your account.

Best Wishes.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Deadline: October 31, 2026

Some people suspected to be hoodlums reportedly stormed a ward collation centre located at Oyinlola DC School, Okuku, Osun State, where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were distributing Permanent Voters Cards, and carted away some of the items.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday, was learnt to have disrupted the exercise, as those at the scene reportedly ran in different directions.

A resident of Okuku, identified simply as Gbadebo, told our correspondent that the perpetrators entered the premises without drawing the attention of people around and shot into the air as they made for some packs of PVCs placed close to the chairs of the INEC staff members attending to those waiting to collect their cards.

“The incident occurred at Oyinlola DC School, Ward 2, Okuku, Osun State, on Sunday. Some of us were around to collect our PVCs, and I can’t say when those hoodlums got into the premises.

They shot into the air and disrupted the exercise. Some of us around fled in different directions, and they went straight to where those INEC staff put the PVCs and made away with some packs.

The hoodlums involved are about eight in number,” Gbadebo said.

Confirming the incident in a statement, Osun Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Gotan, condemned the act.

Ojelabi also said that Gotan had directed a comprehensive investigation with a view to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting those involved.

He also said tactical and intelligence assets of the command had been deployed, adding that efforts had been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators and recover the stolen PVCs.

“Some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State, who were peacefully distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, were attacked by about 10 armed thugs.

“The hoodlums reportedly fired sporadically into the air and carted away with three packs of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, has condemned the incident in its entirety and has directed a comprehensive investigation with a view to identifying, arresting, and prosecuting all those responsible.

“The command reiterates its unwavering commitment to professionalism and strict adherence to the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and refrain from any action capable of causing further breach of the peace,” Ojelabi said.

He appealed to residents and eyewitnesses with credible information that may assist police investigation to promptly report to the nearest police station or contact the Command through its emergency lines.

The Army, in a statement on Sunday, said he was arrested by troops of 7 Provost Group, Operation Hadin Kai, at Jidari Bus Stop, Maiduguri, while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon.

The acting Military Information Officer, Northeast Joint Taskforce Operation Hadin Kai, Capt Muhammed Goni, said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect absconded from his unit on July 7, 2026, and subsequently relocated to Maiduguri, where he reportedly went into hiding.

The statement read: “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a soldier recently declared wanted by the Nigerian Army for his alleged involvement in the illegal supply of military accoutrements to terrorist and other criminal elements, in a sustained effort to dismantle criminal support network

According to Goni, the suspect, 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, Lagos, was arrested at about 6:30 pm on 25 July 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group, following credible human intelligence.

“He had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army on 23 July 2026 over the same allegations. The suspect was apprehended at Jidari Bus Stop, Maiduguri, while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon,” he stated.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect absconded from his unit on 7 July 2026 and subsequently relocated to Maiduguri, where he reportedly went into hiding in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area with the assistance of an associate,” he added.

The Army spokesman said his arrest underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to holding personnel accountable for actions that undermined military ethics, discipline and national security.

“The suspect is currently in the custody of 7 Provost Group, where further investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of his activities and identify other individuals who may have been involved,” he noted.

Goni emphasised that there was no safe haven for individuals who supported terrorism or any form of criminality, irrespective of their status.

“The military remains resolute in upholding professionalism, accountability and the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of ongoing counter-insurgency operations,” he stressed.

He called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, saying their cooperation remains critical to the restoration of lasting peace and security across the theatre.

The recognition places Ogun among the states implementing Project 220145 Component 2, which is designed to advance Nigeria’s green and just transition to net-zero emissions through circular economy initiatives.

Announcing the development on Thursday while declaring open a UNIDO workshop on the State-Level Implementation Plan and Guidelines on Data Collection and Management under the Used Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment Waste Management Project in Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, described the recognition as an endorsement of the state’s environmental policies.

He said, “The UNIDO recognition of the state as one of the core states under Project 220145 Component 2… adds to the various achievements in climate change programmes and circular economy projects.”

According to Oresanya, the latest recognition follows a series of environmental interventions by the state government, including the distribution of biomass smokeless stoves to more than 3,000 residents in partnership with the Federal Government to reduce carbon emissions and cushion the rising cost of cooking gas.

He said Ogun was also among the first states to deploy electric motorcycles and compressed natural gas buses as cleaner alternatives to fossil fuel-powered transportation.

The state government was one of the first in the country to adopt and launch thousands of electric bikes and compressed natural gas buses, which offered eco-friendly alternatives to traditional vehicles’ over-reliance on fossil fuel, thereby reducing carbon emissions,” Oresanya said.

The commissioner added that the state’s environmental initiatives also include the Blue Box waste segregation scheme, the Plastic for Cash recycling programme, community recycling projects, cement industry decarbonisation initiatives and senatorial material recovery centres, all aimed at promoting resource recovery, reducing pollution and creating green jobs.

He urged participants at the workshop, drawn from government agencies, academia, the private sector and civil society, to contribute meaningfully to the development of a robust implementation framework for the renewable energy waste management project.

Responding, the National Field Coordinator of the UNIDO Nigeria Office, Emem Umana, commended Ogun State for its commitment to circular economy initiatives.

She urged the state government to sustain its environmental and socio-economic reforms, saying its achievements had earned it international recognition and positioned it as a model for other states pursuing green development initiatives.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has condoled with victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Zamfara State and directed the military to intensify ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North-West.

The minister expressed his condolences to the people of Bungudu Local Government Area and other affected communities following the recent wave of attacks by terrorists.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, on Sunday, Matawalle reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and improving security despite the recent escalation of attacks in parts of the North-West.

He directed the leadership of Operation Fansan Yamma to “remain resolute and sustain the offensive against terrorists in collaboration with other security agencies operating in the affected areas.”

Matawalle also instructed Operation Fansan Yamma and all military formations engaged in counter-terrorism operations across Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna states to intensify their operations by deploying every lawful and necessary measure to eliminate terrorist activities through targeted military operations.

The minister further appealed to the public, particularly traditional rulers and community leaders, to support security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence on individuals collaborating with terrorists or supplying information used to carry out attacks on rural communities,” the statement read.

He also directed senior military commanders in the most volatile operational areas to strengthen surveillance and increase patrols aimed at identifying and destroying terrorist hideouts, camps and safe havens before they could be used to launch further attacks.

Matawalle commended the gallantry, professionalism and sacrifices of the Armed Forces and other security personnel, praising their recent successes in neutralising several high-profile and low-level terrorists in Gummi, Bukkuyum, Anka, Tsafe, Faskari and other locations.

He urged the troops to “sustain the momentum and continue applying decisive pressure until terrorism is completely defeated across all affected parts of the country.”

As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X on Monday, in a statement, Pirlo said he had deliberately refrained from commenting in recent days out of respect for the Italian Football Federation and those involved in the ongoing process.

“I chose to remain silent in recent days out of respect for the Italian Football Federation and everyone involved,” Pirlo said.

The former midfielder stressed that throughout his playing and coaching career, he has always acted in accordance with the laws of the countries where he has worked and the contractual obligations he accepted

Throughout my career, both as a player and as a coach, I have always worked in full compliance with the laws of the countries in which I have been employed and with the contracts I have signed,” he said.

Addressing the partnership at the centre of the controversy, Pirlo explained that the agreement originated during his coaching spell in the United Arab Emirates and insisted it was “exclusively commercial and sporting in nature.”

He also dismissed claims that the collaboration reflected his political views.

To attribute a political meaning to this agreement is to attribute opinions to me that I have never expressed and that do not belong to me,” Pirlo said.

Pirlo also thanked Paolo Maldini and Leonardo for the confidence and respect they have shown him over the years.

“I thank Paolo Maldini and Leonardo for the trust and respect they have always shown me, as well as for their professionalism and dedication to Italian football,” he said.

Concluding his statement, the 2006 FIFA World Cup winner said he was disappointed that what he considers a purely sporting and commercial matter had become the subject of public debate.

“I regret that a matter which is purely sporting and commercial has become the subject of public controversy. My love for Italy is part of my history and my identity, and it does not depend on whether I hold the position of national team head coach,” Pirlo said.

Fresh controversy has erupted over former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s political role ahead of the 2027 general election, with the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum accusing him of secretly working to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Obasanjo’s former Political Adviser, Dr Akin Osuntokun, however, insisted the ex-President is the architect of the Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential alliance on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The conflicting positions come amid growing political realignments and intensified coalition-building by opposition parties seeking to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress in the next presidential election.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its President, Akin Malaolu, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum alleged that Obasanjo’s recent political interventions were carefully designed to weaken the opposition rather than strengthen it.

The group pointed to Obasanjo’s recent letter to former Ogun State Governor, Segun Osoba, in which the former president alleged that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had mobilised the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, in an attempt to impeach him during his administration.

According to the forum, the letter was not merely a personal attack on Atiku but part of a broader strategy to destabilise the opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.

“What many perceive as an attack on Atiku is, in reality, a deliberate assault on the opposition parties in Nigeria,” Malaolu said.

The group also criticised Obasanjo for invoking the name of the late Na’Abba, arguing that the former Speaker could no longer defend himself against the allegation.

“By dragging the name of Ghali Umar Na’Abba into his allegation, Obasanjo knows too well that the late Speaker is incapable of a right of reply.

“To respond to Obasanjo, he has to be resurrected from the dead, which the former President knows is impossible,” the statement further read.

The forum further alleged that Obasanjo’s public support for the presidential aspirations of Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, was merely a political smokescreen intended to conceal his alleged support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid.

“By this letter, Obasanjo has only confirmed speculations that he is working for his kinsman, President Bola Tinubu, to actualise his second-term ambition,” Malaolu stated.

The group claimed that before the opposition coalition settled on its political platform, consultations were held with several national leaders, including Obasanjo, but alleged that the former President was determined to ensure Obi emerged as the coalition’s presidential candidate.

It further alleged that when those efforts failed, Obasanjo facilitated political realignments that ultimately resulted in Obi and Kwankwaso contesting on the NDC platform.

The forum also alleged, without providing evidence, that Obasanjo was collaborating with a member of Tinubu’s family to build political structures that would aid the President’s re-election.

Osuntokun, however, dismissed the allegations as unfounded, insisting that Obasanjo remains one of the principal forces behind the opposition alliance.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television on Sunday, the former presidential adviser said Obasanjo personally brokered the alliance between Obi and Kwankwaso and continues to support their joint presidential ticket.

“If you can say that Obasanjo is supporting any ticket, it is the Peter Obi–Kwankwaso ticket. As a matter of fact, he is the principal sponsor of that ticket,” Osuntokun declared.

Rejecting claims that the former president was secretly backing Tinubu, he described the allegation as illogical.

“How do you then suggest that he is secretly working for Tinubu? It does not make sense to me.

“I think that claim is absolute bunkum. The evidence is in the public domain. Obasanjo is playing a major role in supporting the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket. He was the one who brought the two men together,” he said

When pressed on whether Obasanjo directly negotiated the alliance, Osuntokun maintained that there was no ambiguity about the former president’s role.

“Yes, of course. That’s what I said. He brokered the ticket between Obi and Kwankwaso. Both of them are quite close to him. It is a ticket that makes sense and has the potential to make a significant impact in the 2027 election.

“I can tell you for free that he was the one who brought the ticket together,” he added.

Osuntokun also disclosed that discussions on a possible Obi-Kwankwaso partnership predated the current political arrangement.

“Kwankwaso could have teamed up with Obi four years ago. I remember him saying that if they had agreed then, they would probably have had an arrangement in which they would each spend one term in office, and Kwankwaso would now have been the beneficiary,” he added.

The latest disagreement over Obasanjo’s political positioning comes only days after the former president reignited his long-running feud with Atiku by alleging in a public letter that the former vice president supported attempts to remove him from office while he served as president.

Atiku, through his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, rejected the allegation, insisting that his opposition to Obasanjo’s failed third-term bid remains one of the defining moments of Nigeria’s democratic history.

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, major opposition figures have intensified consultations and alliance-building efforts aimed at presenting a formidable challenge to the APC.

Obasanjo, who has maintained close relationships with several leading opposition politicians, has increasingly become the subject of speculation over his preferred political direction, with Sunday’s conflicting claims further highlighting the intense political manoeuvring already shaping the race for Nigeria’s highest office.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery reverted to the sale of petrol in naira because importers were allegedly holding back their stocks, a management official of the company has told The PU 

The official, who pleaded for anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, told our correspondent that the refinery’s decision to halt dollar-denominated fuel sales was not because the issue of crude oil shortage had been resolved.

He said the reversal was taken in the interest of the country to prevent fuel scarcity and further increases in petrol prices. According to him, the importers were deliberately holding back their stocks in anticipation of higher fuel prices.

“We took a decision in the interest of the country to start selling Premium Motor Spirit in naira, since we saw that the importers were holding back their goods, looking for a price rise,” the source said.

The Dangote refinery recently resumed the sale of petrol in naira, ending its brief dollar-denominated pricing regime. A notice issued by the refinery’s commercial department on Wednesday informed customers that the gantry price of petrol was N1,215 per litre, while the coastal price was N1,602,495 per metric tonne.

The development marked a reversal of the refinery’s decision to sell petrol in United States dollars, a move that triggered anxiety across the downstream petroleum sector and prompted emergency intervention by the Federal Government.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that independent marketers suspended the loading of petrol from the refinery after it commenced dollar-denominated sales, saying they could not source the foreign exchange required for the transactions.

The refinery had defended the decision, explaining that it was compelled to adopt dollar sales because it was no longer receiving adequate crude oil under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative and had to source additional crude from the international market in dollars.

Speaking further, the source disclosed that the Dangote Group was still in talks with the Federal Government, expressing hope that the government would act in good faith once an agreement was reached. “We are still in talks with the government, but I hope that they will be sincere,” he noted.

The Dangote official also regretted that some people in government preferred exporting crude oil and importing refined petroleum products into the country. “As you know, they like to sell the crude to the traders outside the country and import the petroleum products,” he stated.

Before the Dangote refinery began operations in 2024, Nigeria had for years depended on imported petrol despite being one of Africa’s leading oil-producing countries.

The country’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna were non-functional, leaving Nigerians at the mercy of fuel importers. The period was marked by persistent fuel shortages and the controversial fuel subsidy regime.

With the commencement of operations at the Dangote refinery, the downstream sector became more decentralised. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited also ended the payment of implicit fuel subsidies, bringing an end to the long queues at filling stations.

It will be recalled that some depot owners last week raised petrol gantry prices to as high as N1,275 per litre after the Dangote refinery temporarily halted loading at its gantry.

Following the refinery’s announcement of a gantry price of N1,215 per litre, many depots reduced their prices to remain competitive. According to Petroleumprice.ng, depot prices ranged between N1,215 and N1,220 per litre on Sunday.

Similarly, pump prices of petrol are now hovering between N1,260 and N1,300 per litre, depending on the location. The PUNCH reports that the rise in petrol prices resulted from renewed tensions in the Middle East, which pushed up global oil prices.

Before closing at $96 per barrel on Friday, global oil prices climbed above $100 per barrel on Thursday for the first time in nearly two months after escalating attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea heightened fears of prolonged supply disruptions across key global energy routes.

The  reports that the latest price surge could have mixed implications for Nigeria. While higher crude prices may increase the country’s export earnings and boost government revenues, they could also raise the cost of imported refined petroleum products, worsen inflationary pressures and increase the burden on consumers if domestic supply remains insufficient.

A suspect has reportedly been arrested and confessed to stealing cash belonging to several Super Falcons players at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, just days before Nigeria’s opening match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

The suspect is expected to return all the stolen money while criminal proceedings are set to follow.

The incident occurred on the final day of the team’s training camp in Casablanca before the Super Falcons relocated to Rabat for their Group C matches.

Nigeria opened their WAFCON 2026 camp on July 15 in Mohammedia, a coastal city in Morocco, before moving to Rabat on Saturday, where they will be based throughout the group stage.

Midfielder Esther Okoronkwo revealed on social media that she, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie and captain Rasheedat Ajibade were among the players who had cash stolen from their hotel rooms.

According to Okoronkwo, more than $1,000 was taken during the incident. She also accused the hotel staff of failing to properly address the matter when the players reported the theft.

We started talking to them and they don’t have answers. They also started being disrespectful,” Okoronkwo said while warning members of the public against patronising the hotel.

Following the players’ public complaints, Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles media officer, Colin Udoh, disclosed that the case had made significant progress.

“I have been informed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the theft at the Super Falcons’ Marriott Hotel in Casablanca and has confessed. Full restitution will be made to the players while the law takes its course,” Udoh posted on Sunday.

Despite the unsettling incident, the Super Falcons have now shifted their focus to the tournament, with head coach Justine Madugu’s side set to begin their campaign against Malawi on Tuesday at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.

They had two training sessions at the AS FAR training ground on Sunday.

Nigeria, the record 10-time African champions, will also face Zambia and Egypt in Group C as they chase a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the controversial establishment and operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council is set to question the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, today as its high-profile investigation enters the third week.

The committee, chaired by the lawmaker representing Kanke/Kanam/Pankshin Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Yusuf Gagdi, is probing how an organisation the Federal Government has described as non-existent allegedly secured official office accommodation within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja and received a budgetary allocation of more than N1.32bn in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The investigation has drawn significant public attention following allegations that the agency operated within government structures despite lacking legal recognition, raising concerns about possible lapses in public financial management and institutional oversight.

At today’s hearing, Ogunjimi is expected to explain the processes through which the PFIPC obtained a government budget code, a development that enabled the agency to appear in the national budget despite questions surrounding its legal status.

His testimony is expected to provide further insight into the budgetary and financial procedures that facilitated the agency’s inclusion in the federal government’s expenditure framework.

Since the commencement of the probe, the committee has heard from several top government officials whose testimonies have highlighted apparent gaps in administrative processes that allowed the agency to function as though it had official government approval.

Among those who have appeared before the lawmakers are the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack; the Director of Banking Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Abdullahi Hamisu; and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Mr Tanimu Yakubu.

Their submissions focused on the sequence of events that enabled the PFIPC to navigate bureaucratic procedures, obtain official documentation and become integrated into aspects of the federal administrative system despite questions over its legitimacy.

The committee’s investigation gathered further momentum following the arrest of Mr Adeyemi Adeniyi, who presented himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC.

Adeniyi was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force after allegedly claiming that he paid N400m through an intermediary to the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, to facilitate his appointment as head of the council.

The allegation generated widespread public interest because of its implications for transparency and accountability within government institutions.

However, both the Presidency and Gbajabiamila have firmly denied any connection to Adeyemi or the claims attributed to him.

The Presidency described him as an impostor, while the Chief of Staff dismissed the allegations as false, maintaining that neither he nor the presidency had any involvement in the establishment or operations of the purported agency.

Government officials have consistently maintained that the PFIPC is not a legally established federal agency, a position that has deepened concerns over how it was able to obtain office space, process official documentation and secure budgetary provisions.

The committee is expected to determine whether administrative failures, institutional negligence or deliberate misconduct enabled the agency to operate within the federal bureaucracy.

Beyond the Accountant-General, several senior government officials are still expected to appear before the panel as the investigation progresses.

Those yet to testify include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele; and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi.

Their testimonies are expected to assist the committee in establishing whether due process was followed at various stages of the agency’s emergence and whether any public officials played a role in facilitating its activities.

The House committee has reiterated its commitment to conducting a thorough, transparent and non-partisan investigation, insisting that anyone found culpable will be held accountable in accordance with the law.

Lawmakers have maintained that the probe is aimed at strengthening public institutions, safeguarding public funds and restoring confidence in government systems by identifying weaknesses that allowed the controversy surrounding the PFIPC to arise.

Rescuers are searching for 17 missing people on Sunday after a Vietnamese cargo ship carrying 62 people sank during stormy weather in the contested South China Sea, Vietnam’s foreign ministry said.

Vietnamese authorities arrived at the scene after the vessel Khoi Nguyen 18 “sank while operating in bad weather conditions in the East Sea”, foreign ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said in a statement to AFP.

Beijing claims the South China Sea, known as the East Sea in Vietnam, in nearly its entirety, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

Vietnam, along with the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan, have competing claims to areas of the strategic waterway, including the Spratly Island chain, which are believed to sit on vast oil and gas resources.

Hang said Vietnamese rescuers, with “the support of Chinese rescue forces, including ships and helicopters”, and other vessels in the area, rescued 45 of the 62 people, as of 12 noon (0500 GMT) on Sunday.

Authorities and fishing vessels were “actively searching for the remaining people”, Hang added.

The Khoi Nguyen 18 encountered trouble near Yongshu Reef, also known as Fiery Cross Reef, in the Spratly archipelago, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said.

Fiery Cross Reef is controlled by Beijing but also claimed by Hanoi and Manila.

A Chinese rescue vessel first spotted what was believed to be a distress signal from the endangered Vietnamese ship on Saturday evening, China’s state news agency Xinhua said on Sunday.

Six Chinese vessels and a rescue helicopter as well as one Vietnamese vessel were conducting search and rescue operations in the area, according to Xinhua.

The Khoi Nguyen 18 is a Vietnamese-registered cargo ship measuring just under 70 metres in length, according to the Marine Traffic monitoring website.

In a separate incident on Friday, another Vietnamese vessel sank amid rough seas in the area of the Spratly Islands, with 33 fishermen rescued and three missing, Vietnamese state media said on Saturday.

The fishing vessel encountered strong winds, took on water and sank on Friday morning, according to the state-run Tuoi Tre News site, with other fishing vessels in the area mobilised to aid the rescue.

By around 9:00 pm on Friday, 33 fishermen had been rescued about 15 nautical miles west of the location of the sinking, Tuoi Tre said.

They were brought to Da Tay, or West Reef, an atoll under Vietnamese control that is part of the Spratlys, for medical care and were in stable condition.

The three missing fishermen were “clinging to plastic containers” and not wearing life jackets when they left the ship, the report said.

More than 25 per cent of all global trade passed through the vital South China Sea in 2024, according to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

Its islands and reefs are coveted by China and Southeast Asian nations situated around the strategic sea.

Beijing has expanded reefs it controls in the Spratlys, and set up air bases, naval facilities and other installations, including landing strips able to accommodate military planes.

Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia have asserted their own claims in the area by stationing troops in the Spratlys and building airstrips there since the 1970s.

AFP

The bout, watched online, marked Joshua’s first fight since a car crash in Ogun State, Nigeria, in December claimed the lives of Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele, his personal trainer.

Joshua entered the ring wearing camouflage attire bearing the names of the deceased coaches in their honour.

Speaking after the fight, the former world heavyweight champion described the victory as a tribute to their memory.

It’s what champions do. We rise, we get knocked down and we stand up and keep going. That’s life.

“It was more than punch power. That was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina and their families. It still hurts to talk about it. It’s been tough,” he said.

Joshua, who started the contest as the overwhelming favourite, suffered a dramatic opening round after Prenga knocked him down twice within the first three minutes.

However, the British boxer recovered to dominate the contest, eventually stopping the Albanian in the second round to remain on course for a highly anticipated showdown with fellow Briton Tyson Fury.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, praised the former champion’s resilience, describing his performance as remarkable given the personal tragedy he had endured.

No one can imagine what Anthony has been through in the last seven months.

“To even step into the ring was astonishing,” Hearn said.

He added that Joshua had used his training camp to remain focused while coping with grief, noting that the fighter had shown exceptional determination after being knocked down twice.

Hearn also confirmed that contracts had been been signed for the long-awaited heavyweight clash between Joshua and Fury, although the date and venue have yet to be announced.

Fury, who defeated 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday, did not attend Joshua’s fight as he returned to the Isle of Man after his bout.

Joshua welcomed the prospect of facing Fury, saying he respected his fellow Briton’s achievements but was ready for the contest.

“I respect everything he has achieved, but this is the fight we’ve been calling for and now we’re here.

“I hope the fans will enjoy it.

“I’ve learned that I can’t be stopped, I won’t be denied, and we’re coming.” Joshua added. (NAN)

The Kaduna State Government has said its School Feeding Programme is improving the health of pupils in public boarding schools while reducing the financial burden on parents, as hundreds of residents benefited from a free medical outreach in Kaura Local Government Area.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on school feeding, Hajiya Fauziyah Buhari-Ado, the government’s position was made known by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Uba Sani on the School Feeding Programme, Fauziya Buhari-Ado, during a free medical outreach organised by the Bantex Memorial Foundation in collaboration with the Second Chance Humanitarian Aid Foundation in Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area on Sunday.

The statement partly read, “The outreach provided hundreds of residents with free medical consultations, laboratory tests and treatment for ailments, including cancer, eye diseases and hepatitis.”

Speaking at the event, Buhari-Ado said five public boarding schools in Kaura Local Government Area are currently benefiting from the state government’s School Feeding Programme, with the government fully covering feeding costs and approved school charges.

She said the intervention has significantly reduced the financial burden on families.

“Parents have confirmed they no longer pay for these services,” noting that the development has eased financial pressure on households.

Buhari-Ado added that parents have also reported visible improvements in the health and wellbeing of their children due to regular access to balanced and nutritious meals.

She said the intervention has significantly reduced the financial burden on families.

“Parents have confirmed they no longer pay for these services,” noting that the development has eased financial pressure on households.

Buhari-Ado added that parents have also reported visible improvements in the health and wellbeing of their children due to regular access to balanced and nutritious meals.

She urged parents to sustain healthy feeding practices during school holidays to ensure students return to school in good health and are ready to learn.

The governor’s aide also commended the Bantex Memorial Foundation for sustaining annual humanitarian interventions in memory of the late former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Bala Bantex.

She described the medical outreach as a valuable complement to the Kaduna State Government’s investments in healthcare, education and social welfare.

Buhari-Ado expressed optimism that the state would continue to strengthen partnerships with humanitarian organisations to expand access to healthcare and education.

She added that the increasing participation of community leaders, traditional rulers and residents in such programmes reflects growing public confidence in grassroots development initiatives.

School feeding has become a key component of Kaduna State’s education reforms under Governor Sani, with the government positioning the initiative as a strategy to improve school enrolment, retention and learning outcomes while reducing the financial burden on vulnerable families.

The programme aligns with broader efforts by governments across Nigeria to tackle child malnutrition, improve educational attainment and strengthen social protection. Alongside education interventions, Kaduna has continued to partner with development and humanitarian organisations to expand access to healthcare through community-based medical outreaches, particularly in underserved rural communities.

She urged parents to sustain healthy feeding practices during school holidays to ensure students return to school in good health and are ready to learn.

The governor’s aide also commended the Bantex Memorial Foundation for sustaining annual humanitarian interventions in memory of the late former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Bala Bantex.

She described the medical outreach as a valuable complement to the Kaduna State Government’s investments in healthcare, education and social welfare.

Buhari-Ado expressed optimism that the state would continue to strengthen partnerships with humanitarian organisations to expand access to healthcare and education.

She added that the increasing participation of community leaders, traditional rulers and residents in such programmes reflects growing public confidence in grassroots development initiatives.

School feeding has become a key component of Kaduna State’s education reforms under Governor Sani, with the government positioning the initiative as a strategy to improve school enrolment, retention and learning outcomes while reducing the financial burden on vulnerable families.

The programme aligns with broader efforts by governments across Nigeria to tackle child malnutrition, improve educational attainment and strengthen social protection. Alongside education interventions, Kaduna has continued to partner with development and humanitarian organisations to expand access to healthcare through community-based medical outreaches, particularly in underserved rural communities.

Suspected gunmen have abducted a judge of the Kebbi State High Court, Justice Faruku Bunza, from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of the state.

The incident, which occurred before dawn on Sunday, has triggered a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies as efforts intensify to secure the judge’s release.

A family source told journalists that Justice Bunza had returned home from Sokoto State shortly before the armed men invaded his residence along Zogirma Road and abducted him.

The source said the attackers stormed the house while shouting, alerting residents in the area, but succeeded in abducting the judge without causing physical harm to other occupants or neighbours.

Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza had just returned from Sokoto. Shortly after he arrived at his residence around midnight, armed men invaded the house and abducted him.

“They were shouting during the operation, attracting the attention of people around, but they left with him before anyone could intervene,” the source said.

The incident was immediately reported to the relevant authorities, including the management of the Kebbi State High Court.

The family appealed to security agencies and the state government to intensify efforts to secure the judge’s safe release.

“We are deeply worried about the abduction of our brother. We appeal to Nigerians to pray for his safe return and urge security agencies to act swiftly,” the source added.

A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, describing it as a disturbing setback for the judiciary.

The official said the court management had already begun consultations with security agencies to coordinate efforts to secure Justice Bunza’s release.

“It is indeed a painful moment for the judiciary. We have engaged the heads of security agencies in the state to strategise on securing his immediate release,” the official said.

Confirming the abduction, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Hadejia, had deployed tactical and intelligence teams to rescue the judge.

“I can confirm that Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza around midnight.

Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed tactical and intelligence operatives to ensure his safe rescue,” Usman said.

He added that security operatives had launched a coordinated manhunt for the perpetrators, with teams combing suspected hideouts and surrounding forest areas.

The police spokesperson assured residents that the command was working with other security agencies to rescue the judge unharmed and bring the abductors to justice.

No group had claimed responsibility for the abduction as of the time of filing this report, while investigations into the incident were ongoing.

Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant, Osasere Okundaye, has said the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is not excessively difficult to pass, arguing that the quality of education available to students has a greater impact on performance than lowering admission standards.

Okundaye, a 16-year-old, spoke during an interview on ARISE Television on Sunday.

She was commenting on the ongoing debate over JAMB performance, admission cut-off marks, and standard of education in the country.

The teenager, who recently became Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant after qualifying through the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, said she had written UTME twice and believed students could perform well if they received quality education and adequate support.

“I feel that JAMB is not too difficult to pass,” she said.

She explained that she first sat the examination after finishing secondary school just to gain experience, as she was not planning to seek admission at the time, before taking it again the following year.

Okundaye, however, acknowledged that educational standards differ significantly across the country, making it difficult to compare students’ performances.

I understand that it depends on the quality of education that you are receiving.

“I went to a private school in Lagos. So, there are different standards of education across Nigeria.

“I can’t use my case as a single indicator of the quality across board. I understand that the level of education being provided at different schools would impact how students will be able to perform in those examinations.

And you can’t say JAMB should like create different examinations for everyone, but the cut-off for certain institutions, I believe they exist there for a reason,” she said.

She argued that reducing admission cut-off marks was not the solution to poor performance in JAMB examinations.

“I don’t think bringing the standard down is the solution.

“I believe moves should be made to improve the quality of education that students are receiving in schools to help them perform better.

“I think increasing the resources given to people to reach that standard is the solution instead,” she said.

According to her, Nigerian youths have the ability to excel academically if they are provided with the necessary support.

“I believe young people have the ability; they have the potential, so they would be able to perform if they are given additional resources and additional guidance,” she added.

Okundaye recently made history by becoming Nigerians Youngest chartered accountant at the age of 16 after successfully completing the rigorous ICAN professional examinations.

Her achievement surpassed the previous record set in 2022 by Jonathan Adewale, who qualified as Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant at the age of 17.

She had earlier disclosed that she failed one of her final professional examination paper rewriting and passing it, describing the setback as part of her three-year journey to qualification.

The party said the move is part of preparations to coordinate its nationwide campaign structure and mobilise support for its candidate in the forthcoming election.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

According to the statement, the campaign council was constituted through a notice signed by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

Online reports that Osun is one of the states expected to hold off-cycle governorship elections this year, with political parties intensifying campaigns and strategic preparations ahead of the poll, which is expected to test the strength of the major parties in the South-West.

It partly read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) announces the composition of its National Campaign Council and its Sub-Committees for the Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 15 August, 2026.

“As contained in a Notice signed by the Party’s National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, Ph.D., BL, the National Campaign Council is chaired by H.E. Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

“The Council has H.E. Hon. Mai Mala Buni, CON, Governor of Yobe State; H.E. Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, President of the Senate; and Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, GCON, Speaker of the House of Representatives, as Co-Chairmen. Hon. Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, serves as Deputy Chairman, while Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CON, Deputy President of the Senate, is the Secretary of the Council.”

The party said the council comprises governors, members of the National Working Committee, principal officers of the National Assembly, ministers, federal and state lawmakers and other stakeholders drawn from across the country.

The statement added, “The Council comprises eminent Party leaders, governors, members of the National Working Committee, principal officers of the National Assembly, ministers, federal and state legislators, and other key stakeholders drawn from across the country to drive the Party’s campaign towards victory.”

The APC added that it had also established specialised sub-committees to oversee key aspects of the campaign, including election planning and management, finance and resource mobilisation, grassroots engagement, logistics, monitoring and compliance, media and publicity, security, youth mobilisation, women mobilisation, mobilisation of persons with disabilities and secretariat functions.

The statement further read, “To ensure seamless coordination and effective execution of campaign activities, the Party has also constituted specialised sub-committees covering Election Planning and Management; Finance and Resource Mobilisation; Contact, Grassroots Engagement and Mobilisation; Logistics and Campaign Management; Monitoring and Compliance; Protocol; Media and Publicity; Security; Youth Mobilisation; Special Interest (Persons with Disabilities) Mobilisation; Women’s Mobilisation; and Secretariat functions.”

The ruling party disclosed that the National Campaign Council and its sub-committees would be inaugurated on Tuesday, July 28, at the Transcorp Hilton Event Centre in Abuja.

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have arrested two suspected criminals and recovered two pistols, live ammunition, suspected cocaine and other incriminating items during a stop-and-search operation along the Agbarho–Warri Road.

The arrests, according to the police, were made on Saturday by operatives of the Safer Highway Patrol, as the command intensified efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and drug-related crimes across the state.

The Delta State Police Command has in recent months intensified intelligence-led operations and highway patrols aimed at disrupting criminal networks, intercepting illegal arms and combating drug trafficking as part of broader efforts to improve security across the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, the command said the suspects, identified as Omini Ezeri, 46, and Chinedum Wagbara, 42, both residents of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were intercepted while travelling in a grey Mercedes-Benz ML SUV with registration number AAA 604 JZ.

The statement noted that a third occupant of the vehicle escaped during the operation

It partly read, “The Delta State Police Command has recorded another significant operational success with the arrest of two suspected criminals and the recovery of firearms, live ammunition, suspected cocaine, and other incriminating exhibits during a stop-and-search operation carried out by operatives of the Safer Highway Patrol along the Agbarho–Warri Road on 25 July 2026.

The suspects, Omini Ezeri (46) and Chinedum Wagbara (42), both residents of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were intercepted while travelling in a grey Mercedes-Benz ML SUV with registration number AAA 604 JZ. During preliminary interrogation, a third occupant of the vehicle, God Knows Ifreke, suddenly took to his heels and escaped into a nearby swamp.

“A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two locally fabricated Beretta pistols loaded with nine rounds of live ammunition, approximately 200 grams of a substance suspected to be cocaine, one walkie-talkie, one dagger, one grinder, and two sophisticated phones. The suspects are in custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect.”

The police said the operation underscores the command’s ongoing crackdown on violent crime, illegal firearms and illicit drug trafficking across Delta State.

Commending the operatives for the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, praised their vigilance and professionalism.

The statement added, “The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, psc, acipm, mnips, commended the operatives for their vigilance and professionalism. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment towards ensuring that Delta State remains a hostile environment for criminals and all those involved in the unlawful possession of firearms and trafficking in illicit drugs.

“He urged members of the public to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information that will aid ongoing efforts to keep the State safe.”

The former Chief of Staff to former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha also urged Igbo professionals across the world to embrace mentorship and entrepreneurship as tools for securing the economic future of the younger generation.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Nwosu made the call while speaking at the 2026 Igbo National Convention organised by Igbo Union Canada on Saturday.

He described the apprenticeship model as one of the greatest expressions of Igbo enterprise and resilience but stressed that it must evolve to meet the demands of the modern economy.

Nwosu noted that long before concepts such as mentorship, startup incubation, venture funding and business networking became popular globally, the Igbo people had already institutionalised similar principles through Igba Boi, Imu Ahia and Imu Oru.

“A young person entered the home or business of an experienced entrepreneur, not merely as a worker, but as a future business owner.

“At the end of the agreed period, the master did not simply hand over a certificate. The master provided a pathway into business through capital, goods, equipment, business contacts or access to customers,” he said.

He described the willingness of successful entrepreneurs to train future competitors as the defining strength of the system.

“The greatest beauty of the system is this: a successful master deliberately trains someone who may one day become his competitor.

It is a system where success is not complete until another person has been raised. It reflects one of the deepest principles of our people: Onye aghana nwanne ya—let no one leave his brother or sister behind,” Nwosu said.

Reflecting on the period after the Nigerian Civil War, Nwosu said the apprenticeship system played a critical role in rebuilding the Igbo economy by transforming young people into traders, manufacturers, craftsmen, transporters, importers and employers.

However, he acknowledged that the model has significant shortcomings that must be addressed.

“The system is not without its shortcomings. Some apprentices served faithfully but were never settled. Some agreements existed only in verbal promises and fading memories. Some young people experienced exploitation instead of mentorship. Women and girls were often excluded from opportunities,” he said.

He added that many apprentices are still not being equipped with the technology, financial management and digital marketing skills needed to compete in today’s global economy.

Nwosu advocated reforms, including written apprenticeship agreements, structured learning plans, transparent settlement arrangements, safe working conditions, certificates of completion and effective dispute-resolution mechanisms.

He also called for greater inclusion of women in the apprenticeship system.

“The future of Igbo enterprise cannot be built while excluding half of our talent. Our daughters must have equal access to these opportunities,” he said.

The saxophonist of Fuji music star, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, Olawale Adekoya, has apologised over the viral stage performance that sparked outrage on social media, saying the singer was not responsible for the controversial chant.

In a video shared on his TikTok page on Sunday, Adekoya said he was taking “full responsibility” for interpreting the drum rhythm, known as alujo, which many linked to the ongoing paternity controversy involving the Fuji musician.

Online had earlier reported that K1 came under criticism after a viral video showed him singing about “unnecessary pregnancy” during a performance, days after a woman, Ogechi Eleana, alleged in an interview that the singer abandoned her and their 12-year-old daughter.

Although the performance followed the allegations, K1 did not directly state that the song referred to the woman or her claims.

Addressing the backlash, Adekoya said the rhythm had existed in the band’s repertoire for years and only recently acquired different playful interpretations among band members.

“I will start by taking full responsibility for whatever happened on stage on that particular day because I was the one who interpreted the alujo to Alhaji when the percussionists were playing the beats.

“And I think where everything went bad was the fact that it happened at a very sensitive period, which I take full responsibility and accountability for,” he said.

He explained that the rhythm originated from percussionist Ayokunle Ayolowo after he rejoined the band and had become one of K1’s favourite alujo beats.

According to him, the beat initially had no meaning until band members jokingly began creating different interpretations during a backstage conversation months before the current controversy.

“This particular beat that caused the whole issue is not new, and we’ve been using this beat for a very long time now, since Mr Ayokunle Ayolowo rejoined the band. He was the one who originated the beat.

“But as at that time, it had no meaning, it had no interpretation, and it has become one of Alhaji’s favourite alujo so far. He’s always excited whenever he hears the beat,” Adekoya said.

The celebrity saxophonist added that the phrase now attracting criticism was only one of several humorous versions the band had invented long before the allegations against K1 became public.

He insisted that K1 neither created nor suggested the interpretation.

“To be honest, this is why I’m making this video, because Alhaji knew nothing about this. He was not involved in the interpretation, he never told us anything, he didn’t put any words to our mouth.

That was why he was really shocked that, ‘Ah! So you guys eventually found a meaning to this rhythm?'”

Adekoya also denied that the band was mocking the woman or her daughter during the performance.

“We were all excited that day. We were not laughing because of the mother and the daughter. We were not referring to anybody. It was just a fun moment. That’s all. It was totally harmless and not intentional,” he said.

He apologised on behalf of the band’s percussionists and other members, acknowledging that the performance came at the wrong time.

“Whatever reactions we are getting online now is expected because it happened at a very sensitive period, and we are very sorry about it.

“On behalf of the percussionist and the whole band, we are very, very sorry about it. And to everyone who was hurt, disappointed, please, please, please, we are very, very sorry.”

Adekoya added that he was making the video voluntarily.

I’m not doing this video out of threat or pressure because I wasn’t pressured to do any video. I’m doing this with all honesty and sincerity.

“We had different versions to this alujo, but we accept the fact that it came at the very wrong time. Please, we are sorry.”

London’s Gatwick Airport said Sunday it was suffering from “a water supply issue”, with toilets reported to be out of order and restaurants closed at Britain’s second busiest air hub.

The issue impacting both terminals at the airport south of the capital — served by several no-frills carriers including EasyJet — comes during the busy summer holiday period.

Flights were not reported to be affected, but passengers posted online that they were unable to flush toilets, get hot drinks, wash their hands or fill up water bottles.

“A water issue in the Horley area is causing disruption at the airport this morning,” Gatwick Airport said on X.

“The problem is affecting water supply in both terminals and is currently under investigation.”

It added bottled water was being handed out to passengers and staff and “other contingency measures are being put in place to ensure the welfare of our passengers”.

Regional water provider SES Water said a power outage at a nearby water treatment site had caused “a number of complications” and that some customers were “experiencing low water pressure or a temporary loss of supply”.

The company said it was working with Gatwick Airport “to restore normal service as quickly as possible.”

AFP

The DAAD Study Scholarship supports candidates from developing countries to pursue Master’s degrees in STEM disciplines at top German universities.

The 2027 DAAD Study Scholarship is fully funded; candidates apply to study in tuition-free universities in Germany while the DAAD provides living stipends of €11,904 per year, health insurance and accommodation.

Study in Germany exposes you to high-quality learning environment and opportunities. In this post, we will provide a detailed step-by-step guide on the requirements and how to apply for the opportunity.

2027 DAAD Study Scholarship in Germany Summary

• Host Country: Germany
• Study Abroad: Study in Europe 
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: Developing Countries
• Reward: Full Scholarship | €11,904 stipend  per year | Travel Costs | Accommodation
• Deadline: August 31, 2026

2027 DAAD Study Scholarship in Germany for STEM Disciplines Details:

The DAAD Study scholarship programme aims to support the qualification and employability of young academics and future professionals from developing and emerging countries.

The DAAD Scholarship offers the opportunity to continue their academic and professional career in innovation-driving STEM fields in Germany with a Master’s degree in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and engineering.

The DAAD is the world’s largest funding organization for the international exchange of students and researchers. Read more about the details, criteria, and application procedure for the scholarship in this post.

2027 DAAD Scholarship for STEM Disciplines Requirements:

For applicants to be considered for the 2027 DAAD Scholarship for STEM, they must at least fulfill the following baseline requirements:

• Be a citizen of a developing country
• Have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field
• Demonstrate proficiency in English or German
• Your university degree should not date back more than 6 years at the time of the application deadline. 
• Apply for admission to the German university for your chosen study programme is submitted by the due date.
• Your application cannot be considered, if you have been resident in Germany for longer than 15 months at the application deadline.
• You must demonstrate above-average academic performance.

2027 DAAD Study Scholarship in Germany Benefits

DAAD Study scholarship recipients will have

• their tuition fees waived for the 2 years of the Master’s program, 
• monthly scholarship payments of 992 euros
• payments toward health, accident, and personal liability insurance cover
• travel allowance
• annual study allowance of 460 euros
• Funding is available for 10 months to 2 years to complete a Master’s degree (full-time, on-campus) at a state or state-recognized university in Germany in the STEM subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and engineering.

Required Documents for 2027 DAAD Scholarship for STEM

Scholarship applicants must also fulfill the basic requirements for the Master’s program:

• DAAD Application Form, 
• Up-to-date CV (Europass format) 
• Motivation Letter (max 2 pages)
• Admission letter from German university
• Proof of English proficiency,
• Diploma & Transcript of Records copies in original form, with certified translations into English or German (if issued in another language)
• One recent, supporting letter of recommendation (on a DAAD-form) from a university teacher which provides information about your qualifications. 
• Passport/national identity card and personal data page of the passport/national identity card

How To Apply for 2027 DAAD Study Scholarship in Germany

To apply for the 2027 DAAD Study Scholarship in Germany, interested and qualified applicants should;

• Click on the button below to visit the DAAD scholarship website
• Apply to a state or state-recognized tertiary institution in Germany (It must be a tuition-free Master’s degree programme).
• Proceed to the application webpage and apply online.
• If you have not yet received notification of admission at the time of application, you must submit this before the funding period begins.
• Upload all relevant documents in scanned acceptable PDF or JPEG format
• Don’t forget to request and upload the recommendation form before submitting your application.
• If you have any technical questions or problems, please do not hesitate to contact portal@daad.de via e-mail.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Deadline: August 31, 2026

The newly commissioned Hajaj-ZOEC Digital Market in Kano is expected to generate about N50bn in revenue and create more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, the Chief Executive Officer of Hajaj ZOEC Real Estate Limited, Alhaji Jamilu Abdussalam, has said.

The market, commissioned on Saturday at the former Luxurious Bus Park, along New Road, Tudun Wada, Sabon Gari, was developed under a Public-Private Partnership involving the Kano State Government, Hajaj ZOEC Real Estate Limited and ZOEC Construction.

Speaking during the inauguration, Abdussalam described the facility as one of the largest dedicated electrical and electronics markets in West Africa, saying it would position Kano as a major commercial and distribution hub for Nigeria and the sub-region.

He said the market would accommodate more than 1,500 shops, bringing dealers in electrical and electronic products under one roof while providing modern infrastructure to support trade and investment.

We believe this market is not only an opportunity for Kano State or Northern Nigeria but for the entire African continent. Instead of travelling all the way to China to purchase goods in bulk, traders will be able to come to Kano and place their orders here,” he said.

Abdussalam disclosed that the project, valued at between N25bn and N30bn, had already attracted international partners, including companies from Egypt and China establishing permanent showrooms within the market.

According to him, between 60 and 65 per cent of the shops have already been sold, while the facility features a basement parking space for about 700 vehicles, underground storage capable of accommodating more than 30 forty-foot containers, a central firefighting system and sprinkler installations.

The economic impact will be enormous. During construction alone, over 1,000 people, including labourers, masons and professionals, worked on the site every day. When suppliers and other participants in the value chain are included, more than 8,000 people have already benefited from the project. After the market is fully operational, we project that more than 100,000 people will benefit directly and indirectly,” he said.

Abdussalam added that the project was designed to deepen commerce, create employment opportunities and reduce the need for Nigerian traders to travel overseas to source electrical and electronic products.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata, said the Federal Government had streamlined bottlenecks associated with Public-Private Partnership arrangements to encourage greater private sector participation in infrastructure development.

Ata, who was represented by his Special Assistant (Technical), Kabir Aminu Dutse, said the ministry had developed a workable PPP framework that was accessible to investors across Nigeria and beyond.

“As part of our mandate and responsibility as a government, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has streamlined the bottlenecks associated with Public-Private Partnership arrangements. We have developed a workable model that is accessible to all our partners across Nigeria and even beyond,” he said.

The minister described the Hajaj-ZOEC Digital Market as a reflection of the growing importance of digitalisation in modern commerce, stressing that businesses must embrace technology to remain competitive.

“There is no better way to transform the market sector today than through digitalisation. That is the global trend. Across the world, every meaningful improvement in commerce and economic prosperity is driven by digital innovation, and that is exactly what we are witnessing in this project,” he said.

The commissioning attracted government officials, business leaders, investors, development partners and industry stakeholders, who expressed optimism that the Hajaj-ZOEC Digital Market would stimulate economic activities, expand regional trade and reinforce Kano’s status as Northern Nigeria’s commercial hub.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the development in a late-night statement on Saturday, noting that the success serves as another major operational breakthrough in the fight against insurgency.

The acting Military Information Officer Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, in the statement said the terrorist surrendered at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route in Borno State.

The statement reads, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, underscoring the sustained impact of ongoing kinetic and intelligence-driven operations across the North East.

He said the development comes amid a growing wave of terrorist surrenders, with approximately 46 terrorists and their family members voluntarily surrendering to troops in recent days

According to Goni, his decision to lay down his arms follows the recent series of coordinated and decisive land and air offensives conducted by Operation HADIN KAI against terrorist enclaves.

“The terrorist surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on 25 July 2026 along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route,” he said

Preliminary profiling indicates that the terrorist served as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the group’s financial activities and logistics. He surrendered alongside two male children,” he stated.

The Army spokesperson said Items recovered from the terrorist include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and the sum of ₦40,000.

“The individual is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to exploit actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and facilitate the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the Theatre,” he stressed.

He further noted that the surrender of such a key finance operative represents another significant setback for ISWAP, reflecting the growing erosion of the group’s command structure, operational capability, and sustainment network under the relentless pressure of Operation HADIN KAI.

“Coupled with the increasing number of recent surrenders, this development confirms deepening disillusionment within terrorist ranks and points to an accelerating wave of defections from terrorist camps,” he emphasised.

Goni assured all that Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its mission to restore enduring peace, security, and stability across the North East.

“The Theatre Command therefore calls on all remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms before it is too late,” he added.

Goni urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will enhance ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

The Federal Government has dismissed reports of an impending electricity tariff increase, stating that there are no plans to hike tariffs for any category of grid consumers.

In an official statement issued on X on Saturday, the Special Adviser to the President on Power Infrastructure in the Office of the Vice President, Sadiq Wanka, said media reports had misrepresented comments he made earlier in the week.

“There is no planned tariff hike for any grid consumer across any service band. The government remains committed to protecting vulnerable households through continued tariff support,” Wanka stated.

Wanka explained that his remarks, delivered during a presentation at the Asharami Square 3.0 event in Lagos on July 22, 2026, focused on investment opportunities in the power sector and the government’s long-term reform agenda.

The Special Adviser’s comments were made during a presentation… where he addressed investment opportunities in the power sector and how the Federal Government’s reform programme has opened new avenues for investors across the power value chain,” the statement read.

He reaffirmed the direction set out in the National Integrated Electricity Policy, which was finalised in December 2024 and approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2025.

In that context, he reaffirmed the tariff policy direction set out in the National Integrated Electricity Policy… a long-standing, publicly available policy of gradually transitioning to cost-reflective tariffs, already implemented for ‘Band A’ electricity consumers,” the statement added.

Wanka was emphatic that subsidies will remain for other consumer categories.

“For all other consumer bands, he was clear that there is no plan to remove subsidies. Rather, the Government is exploring how to deliver value and support more efficiently,” the statement noted.

The special adviser highlighted the Power Consumer Assistance Fund (PCAF), enabled by the Electricity Act 2023, as a mechanism for delivering targeted subsidies directly to vulnerable consumers, through consumer electricity accounts or other identity-linked means, improving transparency and strengthening investor confidence,” the statement said.

The government also commended the role of the media in public communication.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu recognises the vital role journalists play in policy communication… Government counts on the continued support of the media in this important national duty.”

Global pop star, Shakira, has revealed why she chose Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Burna Boy, for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, saying she wanted a strong masculine voice to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound.

Speaking in an interview that aired on July 8 on capital evening show with jimmy hill, the Colombian singer said the song’s energy and musical direction made Burna Boy the perfect choice for the collaboration.

“Well, once I had the song, I felt that I really needed a male vocal, a male voice in the song.

“I don’t know, because the World Cup carries a big male energy, you know? And so I was like, who can give me that, you know, very masculine voice that I want in this sort of like Afrobeat setting?”she said.

According to Shakira, the song blends several musical influences but is primarily rooted in Afrobeats.

“Because this song is very Afrobeat-y, but it also has some Caribbean sounds and a little bit of, like, R&B-ish, but it’s mostly Afrobeat,” she explained.

The Grammy-winning singer added that she had admired Burna Boy’s music for years and had always wanted to collaborate with him.

And I always loved Burna. I always wanted to do something with him,” she said.

Shakira disclosed that although Burna Boy initially took about 20 days to send his contribution, she never stopped hoping the collaboration would happen.

“So I called him. I’m like, ‘Hey, are you down to do this?’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah, why not?’

It took a while. I was waiting for 20 days for him to send something. And I’m like, ‘Okay, maybe he’s not going to do it.’”

She said the wait proved worthwhile after Burna Boy eventually delivered his verse.

“But then he sent his magic and it was just absolutely perfect.

“I think his voice is just… It works so well on this song. So well. I couldn’t imagine anybody else on it, actually.”

Shakira further admitted she had been determined to secure Burna Boy’s participation on the record.

“I was so obsessed about having Burna on this track. I’m so glad that I got him,” she said.

PUNCH Online reports that Dai Dai served as the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Shakira and Burna Boy first performed the track during the tournament’s opening ceremony on June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The duo reunited for another performance during the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19, 2026, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where they were joined by Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance group.

The collaboration marked Shakira’s latest contribution to FIFA World Cup music following the success of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), the official song of the 2010 tournament. Burna Boy’s appearance also highlighted Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global music stage, with Dai Dai emerging as one of the tournament’s biggest songs.

A United States lobbying firm linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has renewed calls for the release of records relating to President Bola Tinubu’s case in the United States, while announcing plans to engage anti-drug organisations and victims of heroin abuse over the matter.

The firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, made the announcement in a statement shared on its official X account on Saturday, alleging that US law enforcement agencies under former President Joe Biden refused to release documents relating to Tinubu’s alleged links to heroin trafficking investigations despite multiple Freedom of Information Act requests.

According to the firm, the requests were submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration by American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan.

It listed the requests as FOIA numbers 1588244-000, 1593615-000, 22-00892-F, 24-00201-F, and EOUSA-2023-002028.

The FBI, the Justice Department, and the DEA under President Joe Biden refused FOIA requests to release records concerning Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s alleged heroin trafficking from Nigeria to Chicago.

“The FOIA requests were made by Aaron Greenspan, an American transparency activist. The refusal and stonewalling by the Biden Administration led to US District Judge Beryl Howell ordering the Biden Administration in 2025 to release the files. Yet, no files have been released. This is going to change,” the statement partly read.

The lobbying firm further announced plans to meet anti-drug organisations, religious leaders and victims of heroin abuse in the United States.

As President Donald Trump has rightfully shown, US agencies must never protect foreign leaders accused of having links to drugs smuggled into the United States.

“Next week, we will be engaging with anti-drug organisations, religious leaders, and victims of heroin abuse and deaths regarding President Tinubu’s alleged link to heroin trafficking in Chicago,” it stated.

The latest statement comes days after Atiku criticised the Presidency over its response to petitions reportedly submitted by his US lobbying team to President Donald Trump and the US State Department concerning Tinubu’s 1993 civil forfeiture case.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Atiku accused the Presidency of scoring a “monumental own goal” by invoking China’s legal system while defending Tinubu against renewed scrutiny over the decades-old case.

The former vice president, through his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, argued that China’s stringent anti-drug laws had only drawn greater public attention to the allegations surrounding Tinubu’s past.

“It takes a peculiar kind of unintelligence for a spokesman to set out to drag an opponent before a hypothetical Chinese court, only to end up dragging his own principal into the dock,” Atiku had said.

The Presidency had earlier dismissed Atiku’s petitions and maintained that the United States had confirmed there were no outstanding criminal proceedings against Tinubu.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga also accused Atiku of corruption during his time as vice president, arguing that if he were Chinese, he would have been imprisoned for his actions.

The exchange is the latest chapter in the political war of words between the Presidency and the opposition over Tinubu’s 1993 US civil forfeiture case, which has resurfaced ahead of the 2027 general election.

The civil forfeiture, concluded more than three decades ago, involved funds linked to bank accounts associated with Tinubu.

The matter has remained a recurring subject of political debate, with the Presidency insisting that no criminal conviction was secured against the President in the United States, while opposition figures continue to demand the release of additional records relating to the case.

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have warned that persistent insecurity, an acute shortage of healthcare workers, inadequate funding and weak constitutional provisions for healthcare are major obstacles to achieving Universal Health Coverage in the country.

The stakeholders made the observation on Saturday during the 4th Annual Scientific Conference of the College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), themed: “Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria: Overcoming Access and Workforce Gap in the Face of Insecurity.”

They stressed that unless the challenges are urgently addressed through sustained investment, stronger policies and improved security, millions of Nigerians, particularly those in rural and conflict-affected communities, would continue to face limited access to quality healthcare.

Speaking at the conference, Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Abubakar, disclosed that the state government had introduced a two-year compulsory service policy for health professionals trained on state scholarships to bridge the widening manpower gap.

He revealed that the distribution of health workers across the state remained uneven.

“Some primary healthcare centres in urban areas have as many as 80 health workers, while some facilities in rural communities are managed by only one health worker. This imbalance must be corrected if we are to provide equitable healthcare services,” he said.

The commissioner said the administration had awarded 500 scholarships for the training of midwives, renovated more than 160 primary healthcare centres, restored services in 92 facilities, and expressed confidence that all 244 PHCs in the state would become fully operational before the end of the year.

Former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Shehu Kakale, called for constitutional reforms to make healthcare a fundamental right for every Nigerian.

According to him, healthcare remains a non-justiciable socio-economic objective under Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution, making it difficult to hold governments accountable for healthcare delivery.

“Health should be recognised as a fundamental right of every Nigerian. Without constitutional backing and adequate legislation, achieving universal health coverage will remain difficult,” he said.

Kakale also lamented Nigeria’s failure to meet the 2001 Abuja Declaration, under which African countries agreed to allocate at least 15 per cent of their annual national budgets to the health sector.

He noted that sustained financing remained critical to expanding healthcare access and addressing workforce shortages.

Highlighting the effect of insecurity on healthcare delivery, Wamban Isa and Alhaji Nasiru Yahya Isa said nearly 40 per cent of primary healthcare centres across Sokoto East were facing serious operational challenges due to persistent bandit attacks.

“Many health facilities, schools and entire communities have been abandoned as people flee to safer areas such as Sokoto and Isa. This has overstretched available health services and worsened poverty and sanitation challenges,” he said

He appealed to governments and development partners to prioritise healthcare delivery in conflict-affected communities to ensure that vulnerable populations were not left behind.

Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Alhassan, the Sarkin Sudan and District Head of Wurno, also stressed the need for innovative strategies to extend healthcare services to underserved communities affected by insecurity.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Kurfi Abubakar, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), urged governments at all levels to take advantage of the financial autonomy of local governments to strengthen primary healthcare and expand health insurance coverage.

He also advocated stronger collaboration between federal and state governments, increased use of data for policymaking, improved accountability mechanisms and strategic purchasing of health services to maximise limited resources.

According to him, continuous investment in healthcare workers and greater community participation would be essential to sustaining healthcare programmes, particularly as donor support continues to decline globally.

Representing the Minister of Defence, Colonel A. O. Akingbemila, conveyed the minister’s message that insecurity remained a major threat to the nation’s healthcare system.

The minister, General Christopher Musa, said lasting improvements in universal health coverage would only be possible when peace and security were restored across the country.

He stressed that tackling insecurity required a whole-of-society approach involving governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and local communities.

Earlier, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, UDUS, Professor Abdulganiyu Jimoh, said the annual conference was organised to encourage collaboration among health professionals, policymakers and researchers in developing practical solutions to Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.

He observed that insecurity and the growing wave of migration of health professionals, popularly known as the “japa” syndrome, had further depleted the country’s healthcare workforce.

Jimoh reaffirmed the college’s commitment to producing highly skilled health professionals while advancing medical research and specialist services, including kidney transplant programmes.

Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in achieving Universal Health Coverage despite several policy initiatives. According to health experts, shortages of skilled healthcare workers, poor funding, insecurity and the migration of medical professionals abroad have weakened healthcare delivery, particularly in rural communities.

The Federal Government has repeatedly identified strengthening primary healthcare, expanding health insurance coverage and improving health workforce retention as key strategies for achieving universal access to quality healthcare.

Seventy-three Public Relations Officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service have been inducted into the professional ranks of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations following the successful completion of the Institute’s Training and Certification Programme at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.

In a post on X on Saturday, Service Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Immigration Service
Service Headquarters, Abuja, DCI Akinsola Akinlabi, said the induction is part of the service’s ongoing efforts to institutionalise strategic communication and professionalise its Public Relations cadre in line with its broader reform agenda.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, at the ceremony, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Visa and Residency, FU Nwanneka, charged the newly inducted officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities.

She urged them to “proactively manage public perception, counter misinfo bymation, respond effectively to crises, and strengthen public trust” as the Service continues to implement technology-driven reforms in migration management and border governance.

Nwanneka also commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations for partnering with the Nigeria Immigration Service to deepen professionalism and strengthen the practice of Public Relations within the Service.

Speaking at the event, the President and Chairman of the Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, formally inducted the participants into the Institute and reminded them of the ethical demands of the profession.

He charged the newly inducted members to “uphold ethics, professionalism, and lifelong learning as core values of the Public Relations profession.”

In his closing remarks, the Service Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration Akinlabi, said the programme reflected the Comptroller-General’s unwavering commitment to capacity building and the standardization of Public Relations practice across the Nigeria Immigration Service.

According to Akinlabi, the initiative underscores the Service’s determination to build a corps of communication professionals equipped to engage the public effectively and support institutional reforms.

He thanked NIPR, the resource persons, and other stakeholders whose contributions ensured the success of the programme.

Akinlabi also urged the officers to “translate the knowledge gained into practical action,” adding that doing so would further reinforce the Service’s commitment to effective public engagement.

The NIS said the successful completion of the training and induction demonstrates its commitment to the continuous professional development of personnel through strategic partnerships and specialised training programmes aimed at strengthening the delivery of its core mandates of migration management and border governance.

The Nigeria Police Force has released a video highlighting the dismantling of a suspected kidnapping syndicate that had allegedly terrorised communities along the Federal Capital Territory–Nasarawa axis.

In a post alongside a video shared on its official X handle on Saturday, the Force said operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad tracked down the criminal network through an operation codenamed Operation Gbagalape.

According to the police, the operation led to the arrest of suspected members of the syndicate, the discovery of their hideout, the rescue of victims and the recovery of evidence linked to their activities.

The Force described the operation as a major breakthrough against kidnapping in the area.

Speaking in the video, the Commander of the FID-STS, Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Victor, said the operation followed a deadly attack on the Badalapé community on May 16, 2026.

According to him, armed kidnappers invaded the border community, abducted several residents and killed at least three people during the attack.

“I am Assistant Commissioner of Police Godfrey Obeide Victor, Commander, STS FID Abuja. This is a case of banditry and kidnapping,” he said.

Giving an account of the incident, Victor said, “On the 16th of May 2026, in the community of Badalapé, a border community that borders Nasarawa and the FCT, a group of five kidnappers went to houses.”

He explained that the gang vandalised a CCTV camera at one residence before abducting a resident identified as Elijah.

“They broke into the house, damaged the front camera and abducted one Elijah. Elijah was abducted… and it is interesting to know that that person never made it back alive again. So he was murdered,” he said.

The ACP added that the gang also abducted a pastor, who was later killed, while another civil servant survived after being shot.

“They kidnapped a pastor… the pastor was kidnapped and also he was murdered. One civil servant was equally picked by the kidnappers when he was returning from work. He was shot at, but thank God he survived,” Victor said.

According to him, intelligence gathering, area surveillance and digital analysis enabled operatives to identify members of the gang.

“So we conducted our intelligence, carried out area surveillance and digital analysis, and we were able to identify those responsible.

“I personally led the operation and one of them was arrested. He gave useful information which led us to another key member who was receiving treatment at a district hospital,” he said.

Victor disclosed that coordinated operations carried out between June 24 and June 26 across Badalapé, Mararaba and Abuja resulted in the arrest of two suspected members of the syndicate, Buhari Adamu and Abubakar Saido.

He said further investigations led operatives to the gang’s forest hideout, where they uncovered more evidence about the killings.

“We also wanted to know why they killed those victims. We were told that one of the suspects accidentally shot himself in the leg while guarding the captives. Angered by that incident, the other members killed all the victims and threw their bodies into a nearby stream,” he said.

The police commander also revealed that investigators traced proceeds of the kidnappings to livestock purchases.

“What they do with the proceeds of this crime is buy cows and sheep. So far, we have recovered 14 cows and three sheep,” he said.

While noting that efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the gang were ongoing, Victor assured Nigerians that the police had profiled the suspects and remained determined to bring them to justice.

We have profiled them, we know them and we know how to get them as soon as possible

“There is no hiding place for criminals. Crime does not pay. STS will fetch you out,” he said

Superhero movie fans will officially return to the world of Wakanda in “Black Panther III,” the newest entry in the Marvel film franchise, the studio announced at Comic-Con on Saturday.

British actor David Jonsson will play the lead role in the film, due out on December 15, 2028.

Known for his performances in the HBO television series “Industry” and the 2025 film “The Long Walk,” Jonsson steps into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the son of T’Challa, the original Black Panther superhero played by actor Chadwick Boseman.

Boseman, who rocketed to fame in 2018’s “Black Panther,” died in 2020 at the age of 43 as a result of colon cancer.

Marvel announced the Black Panther three-quel with Jonsson appearing in front of thousands of fans at Comic-Con’s famous Hall H.

“Thank you to this amazing family that I have the honor and the privilege and the blessing to join,” Jonsson told the crowd.

“I actually don’t want to say too much because I want to let this screen do the talk,” he said

Oscar-winning filmmaker Ryan Coogler, who directed the first two “Black Panther” films, will return to helm the third.

“Today is extra special,” Coogler said, joining Jonsson and Marvel executive producer Kevin Feige on stage.

Coogler told the audience “Black Panther III” will follow T’Challa’s son as he comes of age and follows in his father’s superhero-sized footsteps.

The first “Black Panther” film grossed $1.3 billion when it was released in 2018, starring Boseman alongside a cast including Michael B. Jordan — who won this year’s Best Actor Oscar — Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Forest Whitaker, Danai Gurira, and Letitia Wright, many of whom reprised their appearances in “Black Panther 2.”

Comic-Con runs through Sunday, July 26.

AFP

A total of 81 suspected criminals have been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command during intelligence-led raids on identified criminal black spots within the Asaba metropolis.

The command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday.

He said the operation, which was carried out on July 24, 2026, formed part of the command’s proactive strategy to dismantle criminal networks and deny offenders safe havens across the state.

Edafe said the operation was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, alongside tactical teams of the command.

The statement read in part, “Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives raided identified criminal flashpoints, leading to the arrest of 81 suspects comprising 50 males and 31 females.

“The suspects were apprehended for offences including the sale and possession of suspected illicit drugs and the establishment of an illegal checkpoint at the Asaba-Onitsha Head Bridge.

Exhibits recovered during the operation include large quantities of Tramadol and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

The enforcement exercise also resulted in the impoundment of five vehicles for various violations, including operating an unauthorised taxi park at Pinnacle Junction along Okpanam Road and facilitating the sale and distribution of suspected illicit drugs within the area.

“The suspects and exhibits remain in police custody as investigations continue.”

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, reaffirmed the command’s “unwavering commitment to intelligence-led policing and proactive crime prevention.”

The commissioner warned individuals involved in criminal activities to desist or face the full weight of the law.

No fewer than six Nigerian governors have pledged to draw practical lessons from the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone in the Republic of Benin to revive the country’s textile industry and strengthen domestic manufacturing.

The governors made the commitment while joining Vice President Kashim Shettima on an inspection tour of the integrated industrial zone near Cotonou.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the visit formed part of efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to establish agro-industrial processing hubs and revive domestic manufacturing.

The delegation comprised Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma; Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal; Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang; Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Katsina Governor Dikko Radda; and Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi.

The governors said the GDIZ model demonstrated how deliberate government policies, reliable infrastructure and private-sector investment could connect farmers with processors, reduce the export of raw commodities and create jobs in agriculture and manufacturing.

AbdulRazaq, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, described the visit as an African peer-learning mission designed to help Nigerian states avoid costly mistakes and adopt tested industrial practices.

“Nigeria is on the verge of developing industrial processing zones across the federation.

“We previously visited Ethiopia to study what they had done, and we are now in Benin Republic to learn from both the challenges and the successes of this industrial zone.

“We have examined the cotton, cashew and soybean value chains. What we have seen has been a tremendous success, and we will take these lessons back to Nigeria as we implement our own projects,” he said.

He said participating states were working with the Federal Government and development partners to provide the infrastructure required for the zones.

‘We can industrialise Jigawa’

Namadi said the industrial zone had provided useful lessons for Jigawa’s efforts to add value to agricultural production under Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme.

“What we have seen here is very encouraging, both for us as a country and as a state.

“We have learnt many things that will help us industrialise Jigawa and create sustainable jobs for our young people,” he said.

Namadi added that adopting the concept and implementing the SAPZ programme would enable Jigawa to add value to its agricultural products and create more opportunities for its people.

Zamfara governor recalls thriving textile industry

Lawal said the visit revived memories of Zamfara’s once-thriving textile industry, where factories, cotton ginneries and oil mills previously employed thousands of people.

“This takes me down memory lane because I grew up around this industry. My father was one of the owners of the Zamfara Textile Industry.

At one point, the factory operated three shifts, with about 2,000 workers on each shift. Zamfara also had about 23 ginneries and an oil mill, where even cotton seeds were converted into oil,” he said.

The governor said the GDIZ model had strengthened his determination to restore cotton production and textile manufacturing in Zamfara.

“This visit has given me a clear pathway. Reviving this industry is one of the legacies I want to leave in Zamfara State, and I am determined to make it a reality,” Lawal said.

He added that restoring the value chain would enable farmers, processors and manufacturers to participate in the industry, create jobs and improve the economic conditions of residents.

Uzodimma said African countries must deepen peer learning and develop industries around their respective comparative advantages to create employment and shared prosperity.

He commended Tinubu for directing Shettima to lead the delegation, describing the visit as a practical step towards implementing the administration’s industrialisation agenda.

“We are satisfied with what we have seen. If this model is properly adopted in Nigeria, with every state building around its comparative advantage, we will create the prosperity and employment opportunities our people need,” he said.

Radda said the production systems at GDIZ could be replicated in Nigerian states with strong agricultural value chains.

“What we have seen today is achievable in our states. Katsina is one of Nigeria’s major cotton-producing states, and we are also doing well in soybean production.

“We have both comparative and competitive advantages in these commodities. By applying the lessons from this zone, we can create jobs for our young people, generate wealth and build stronger links between agriculture and industry,” he said.

Mutfwang described GDIZ as a successful proof of concept, saying its transformation from an idea into a functioning industrial ecosystem demonstrated the importance of political commitment, careful planning and competent management.

“What we have seen is something that has moved from an idea to reality. The lesson is that this kind of success requires intentionality.

“It cannot happen by chance. It requires political will and the appointment of the right people to drive the process,” he said.

Mutfwang said Nigeria and Plateau State possessed even greater economic potential but must take deliberate steps to convert raw agricultural output into processed goods.

“We came with the Vice President to see a practical demonstration of what we have been discussing. This aligns with the President’s vision of building a $1tn economy.

“It demonstrates that ambition must be driven by production, processing and a firm belief that Nigeria has the capacity to achieve it,” he said.

NAN

The Lagos State Government has sealed more than 20 properties in Ikeja Local Government Area for various physical planning infractions.

The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority carried out the exercise as part of efforts to enforce compliance with the state’s planning laws.

According to a statement by the Lagos State Government on Saturday, the enforcement was led by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Olayinka Wasiu, alongside the General Manager of the authority, Kehinde Osinaike, and other directors.

The affected properties included landed properties, uncompleted buildings and structures with unauthorised extensions, all found to be in contravention of the Lagos State Physical Planning Law.

Speaking during the exercise, Wasiu said in the statement that the action was a proactive measure.

“The enforcement action was a proactive measure aimed at preventing building collapse, promoting orderly physical development and ensuring strict compliance with the Lagos State Physical Planning Law,” the statement read.

He said the state government was committed to protecting lives and property through enforcement of the law.

The state government remains committed to safeguarding lives and property by enforcing planning regulations that guarantee a safe, resilient and sustainable built environment across Lagos State,” the statement added

The permanent secretary disclosed that the affected property owners had been notified before the exercise.

“Contravention notices had been served on the affected property owners, clearly outlining the necessary steps required to regularise their developments before the enforcement exercise became inevitable,” the statement said.

He urged property owners and developers to always obtain the appropriate planning permits and approvals before embarking on any development or structural alteration.

Compliance with planning regulations is essential to achieving sustainable urban development,” the statement noted.

Wasiu said the authority would sustain its enforcement drive across the state.

“The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, through LASPPPA, will continue to intensify monitoring and enforcement activities across the State to curb illegal developments and preserve the integrity of the built environment,” the statement read.

He assured law-abiding residents of the authority’s commitment to a well-regulated built environment.

“The Authority remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring an orderly, aesthetically pleasing and legally compliant physical environment that supports the Lagos State Government’s vision of a safe, modern and sustainable megacity,” the statement added.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner-designate to India, Saidu Muhammad, has assumed office in New Delhi.

He formally took up the position on Thursday, days after his arrival in India with his spouse, Rukayya Muhammad.

According to a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday, Muhammad was received at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by officials of the Nigerian High Commission, representatives of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, members of the Nigerian community and several African heads of mission accredited to India, ahead of his assumption of duty.

Declaring his assumption of office before High Commission staff and members of the Nigerian community, Muhammad said the moment marked his return to a country he had known for almost two decades.

Twenty years ago I was here as a young officer writing for my first promotion exams overseas, which I am happy again to have come back for the second time in 2009 again for another promotion exam,” he said.

He said he had since returned to India on several occasions for regional meetings and other official engagements, including the regional IPPIS verification exercise and further promotion examinations in 2010, 2012 and 2015.

“And today, by the special grace of Almighty Allah, I have assumed duty here as substantive Nigerian High Commissioner to the Republic of India,” he said.

Muhammad pledged an inclusive approach to his new office as he seeks to strengthen relations between Nigeria and India. He assured embassy staff and members of the Nigerian community that his tenure would be marked by consultation, engagement and inclusiveness.

“The only thing I can say to you is that I can assure you that nobody is going to be left out in terms of working relationship,” he said.

Borrowing a phrase from former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he described as a late mentor and father figure, Muhammad said he belonged to everybody and to nobody.

He explained that his approach to service would depend on context and circumstance rather than personal considerations.

The envoy also urged Nigerians in India to maintain a positive outlook and a strong sense of self-belief, citing lines from a poem on the power of mindset.

He said one’s outlook in life often determined the outcome of one’s efforts.

Muhammad said Nigeria and India enjoyed longstanding cordial relations.

He expressed his determination to strengthen bilateral ties during his tenure, particularly in trade and investment, with a view to achieving a more favourable balance for Nigeria.

Hilary Okeke, President of the All India Nigeria-India Students and Community Association, welcomed the ambassador on behalf of the Nigerian community and students.

He said the community had long anticipated Muhammad’s arrival and looked forward to his support.

Okeke also commended officials of the Nigerian High Commission for their continued support to Nigerians living and studying in India, noting that the mission’s doors had always remained open to students and community members alike.

Several media outlets had reported on Friday that Disu ordered police officers to shoot on sight anyone found carrying illegal firearms following his remarks at a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State.

However, in a clarification issued on Saturday, the Force said the IGP had been referring to Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions for the use of firearms by police officers.

The clarification, titled “Clarification: What the Inspector-General of Police Actually Said in Makurdi,” was accompanied by a video of Disu’s remarks at the meeting.

At a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Benue State, Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, did not issue any ‘shoot-on-sight’ order as widely misreported,” the Force said.

“What he actually said was that officers have been briefed on Force Order 237, which governs the legal and operational conditions for firearm use, and that they know when it is appropriate to deploy their weapons in line with established Rules of Engagement.

He further stressed that illegal arms possession and killings would not be tolerated. The public is encouraged to view the attached video of the Inspector-General’s actual remarks for the full context,” the Force added.

In the video, Disu partly said, “We have given instructions to our men. We are the only ones recognized to carry arms around. No other person is entitled to do that.

“You cannot move around freely carrying arms as if there is no law and order in this country. It will not be tolerated. We have given them necessary instructions.

“We have Force Order 237. Police officers have been told they don’t need to wait for any superior order. They know where to deploy their firearms.”

He added, “We are tired of losing our men. We are tired of police officers, soldiers and other members of security agencies dying anyhow. They have been instructed, they have been trained to do what is necessary.”

Meanwhile, an independent check by PUNCH Online on policinglaw.info shows that Force Order 237 is a set of regulations governing the use of force and firearms by the Nigeria Police Force, including the circumstances under which officers may legally deploy firearms, such as self-defence, the escape of felony suspects or immediate armed threats.

The death toll from a collision between two passenger buses in central-eastern Syria rose to 35 on Saturday, state media reported.

The SANA news agency, quoting a Health Ministry official, said 30 other people were injured in the crash on the Damascus-Deir Ezzor road.

Syria’s Interior Ministry said one of the buses was carrying security personnel while the other was a civilian bus, but did not specify how many of the casualties were members of the security forces.

State media broadcast footage showing one of the buses on fire, with debris scattered across the highway.

Earlier this month, five people were killed and dozens injured, most of them Lebanese pilgrims, when a bus returning from Saudi Arabia overturned on a highway in southern Syria’s Daraa province.

Provincial authorities had suggested speeding may have caused that crash.

After years of civil war and neglect, Syria’s infrastructure has deteriorated, with many of the country’s roads in need of repairs.

Last year, at least 12 people were killed and several others injured when a bus collided with an oil tanker in northeastern Syria

Wahab stated this in a post on X on Saturday while responding to an X user, #Faveo Autos, who had asked about the fine for movement during the exercise and alleged an arrest at the Ikeja Police Station.

The X user, Faveo Autos, had asked the commissioner, “What is the fine for movement during environmental… Ikeja police station.”

The commissioner said any arrest carried out on the basis of movement during the exercise was unlawful and did not reflect the position of the state government.

“For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government,” he said.

Wahab explained that the exercise was reintroduced to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state, noting that it is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.

“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state. The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise,” he said.

The commissioner added that the government’s focus was on encouraging residents to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic duty rather than relying on enforcement.

“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures,” he said.

Motorists, commuters and residents have appealed to the Ogun State Government to urgently complete the second section of the Mowe-Ofada Road to ease transportation difficulties and improve road safety.

The road users made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, acknowledging the reconstruction of the first section but urging the government to extend the work to the remaining stretch.

They said the uncompleted section had become a major concern, causing prolonged delays, frequent vehicle breakdowns and increased transportation costs for residents, workers and business owners.

A commercial driver, Johnson Fadeyi, said the deteriorating condition of the road had reduced the number of trips he made daily while increasing vehicle maintenance costs

We face serious problems on this section of the road, especially when it rains. I want to appeal to the state governor to urgently find a lasting solution to the road,” he said.

A commuter, Bimpe Olaitan, said the poor state of the road subjected passengers to unnecessary hardship, particularly during peak hours and the rainy season.

A transporter, Kadiri Bala, noted that the damaged section slowed the movement of goods and services, affecting businesses operating in Mowe, Ofada and neighbouring communities.

Bala appealed to the state government to treat the project as a priority, saying completion of the road would boost economic activities and improve connectivity across the axis.

Similarly, a resident, Pastor Sunday Famuyiwa, called on relevant agencies to intensify palliative measures on the failed portions pending full reconstruction.

Famuyiwa expressed confidence in the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development but appealed for swift intervention to complete the entire road project.

“Timely completion of the second section will enhance transportation, promote economic growth and improve the quality of life for thousands of residents using the corridor daily,” he said. NAN

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday in Abeokuta.

The suspects were identified as “Sodiq Raji, 32; Zubby Nzube, 28; Adeyemi Omoyajuowo, 30; and Chimezie Iwuanya, 35.”

Babaseyi said the suspects were arrested during an investigation into a house-breaking incident reported on July 5.

According to him, “forensic tracking of one of the stolen mobile phones led detectives attached to the Agbado Division to Raji.”

His arrest subsequently led to the apprehension of Nzube, Omoyajuowo and Iwuanya.

“Some of the stolen property has been recovered from the suspects, while investigation continues to recover other exhibits and apprehend fleeing accomplices,” he said.

Babaseyi added that the suspects would be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigations.

NAN

A yet-to-be-identified middle-aged man has been run over by a vehicle at Orogun Bus Stop along the Ojoo/Iwo Road in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Eyewitnesses told The PUNCH on Saturday that the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Friday while the victim was crossing the expressway.

One of the eyewitnesses, who identified herself simply as Iya Kadijat, said the hit-and-run driver fled the scene immediately after the incident.

She said, “I was at the bus stop when the incident happened. I was waiting to board a commercial vehicle to General Gas Bus Stop, under the bridge before Iwo Road, when I suddenly heard a loud noise. The driver did not stop at all, while the man died immediately.

“I was so panicked, so I didn’t know what to do. I had to leave immediately in an available Micra taxi,” she said.

Another eyewitness, who did not want her name in print, said, “Almost all the shops were closed at that time because of yesterday’s weather.

This morning, we asked around the community and nobody knows him. So, we are calling on the authorities concerned to come and evacuate the corpse before it causes environmental hazards.

We are also calling on the authorities concerned to announce on radio and television stations that whoever has a missing family member around Orogun/Agbowo, especially a man, should check the morgue of a nearby hospital.”

When contacted, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said he would get in touch with the appropriate authorities for the evacuation.

The University College Birmingham (UCB) Vice Chancellor Scholarship is a full scholarship support for outstanding international students who demonstrate academic excellence.

The University College Birmingham Vice Chancellor Award covers the full tuition fee for selected international students who seek to study at the institution in the United Kingdom (UK).

In this post, we will highlight more about the scholarship, its requirements, benefits, and step-by-step application guide for all applicants.

University College Birmingham Vice Chancellor Award Summary

• Host Country: United Kingdom (UK)
• Study Abroad: Study in UK 
• Category: Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: Full Scholarship
• No IELTS Required 
• Deadline: October 31, 2026

University College Birmingham (UCB) Vice Chancellor Scholarship Details:

The University College Birmingham (UCB) is pleased to welcome applications for its 2026 Vice Chancellor’s Award.

prestigious University College Birmingham Vice Chancellor Scholarships aim to recognize and support outstanding international students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership qualities, and a commitment to the betterment of society.

University College Birmingham is a centre of excellence for higher education and as one of our students, you will have so many opportunities to gain real-life experience and immerse yourself in your industry.

Eligibility Requirements for UCB Vice Chancellor Award

To be considered for the UCB Vice Chancellor Award, you must note the following:

• You must have received and accepted an offer to study on a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate  programme University College Birmingham starting in September 2026. Part-time courses, distance learning courses or other levels of study are not eligible.
• You must have overseas fee status and be paying overseas tuition fees. Home fee payers are not eligible.
• You must have paid at least £1,000 towards your deposit within 14 days of receiving your scholarship offer. Otherwise, the scholarship offer will be withdrawn.
• You agree to provide testimonials, feature in case studies and/or participate in marketing activities upon request.
• The minimum requirements are 144 UCAS tariff points (or international equivalents) for undergraduate programmes and 1st class honours (or international equivalents) for postgraduate programmes.
• This scholarship is available to students’ first year of study only.
• You agree to provide testimonials, feature in case studies and/or participate in marketing activities upon request.

Benefits of University College Birmingham Vice Chancellor Scholarship

Value: Cost of full tuition fee covered for the first year of your study

How to Apply for University College Birmingham Vice Chancellor Scholarship 2026 (Step by Step)

To apply for the University College Birmingham Vice Chancellor Scholarship, interested and qualified candidates should 

• Click the button below to visit the university’s webpage
• Apply for admission and obtain an offer.
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Deadline: October 31, 2026

President Donald Trump’s administration announced in May 2025 a halt on imports of live cattle, horses and bison over its southern border because of an outbreak of the screwworm fly, whose flesh-eating larvae can kill cattle.

Beginning on August 24, federal officials will open the Douglas, Arizona port of entry to cattle trade and take steps to later reopen New Mexican ports in Santa Teresa and Columbus, according to a government statement.

“Every animal entering the United States through these ports will undergo a full USDA inspection to ensure it is free of any signs of New World screwworm (NWS),” the statement said.

The parasite has been present in Mexico for years, but reappeared on US soil in early June.

According to official US data, 42 cases of NWS have been recorded since then.

The closest active case to the Arizona port is about 325 miles away, and was detected on Wednesday, the USDA said.

US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins called the closure of southern ports a “tough but necessary action” to protect American livestock.

The US successfully eradicated NWS in 1966, and managed to eliminate a resurgence in southern Florida in 2017.

AFP

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four of its officers captured in a viral video allegedly demanding money from a motorist along the Ijebu-Ode–Ore–Benin Expressway.

According to a statement on Friday, the arrested officers are: “AP/No. 207454, ASP Elomore Sodayo; AP/No. 332012, Inspector Adefila Adewale; AP/No. 332449, Inspector Olorunfemi Opeyemi; and AP/No. 332369, Inspector Odusola Peter.”

Speaking at the command headquarters in Akure on Friday, the state Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, said the police had zero tolerance for indiscipline and unprofessional conduct.

He added that a comprehensive investigation had been ordered to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the level of culpability of each officer involved.

Ohagwu said the police remained a disciplined and professional institution that would not condone misconduct, incivility or any action capable of undermining public confidence in the Force.

He added that officers were expected to conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism, respect human dignity and comply strictly with the Force’s Code of Conduct and Standard Operating Procedures.

“The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined and professional institution that does not condone any form of misconduct, incivility, or actions capable of undermining public confidence, promoting ethnic division, or bringing the Force into disrepute,” the commissioner said.

He assured the public that the investigation would be conducted to determine the facts of the case, adding that any officer found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action.

The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, asking the lower chamber to disregard what they described as “false and disparaging” allegations levelled against it by the member representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency of Kogi State, Abdullahi Danga.

The petition followed a motion sponsored by Danga during the House of Representatives plenary on Wednesday, when he called for an investigation into the operations, funding and legal status of the unit.

Danga alleged that the unit had exceeded its statutory mandate, was involved in the illegal arrest and detention of licensed miners, extortion, abuse of power and financial impropriety.

The lawmaker also called on the House to probe the operations and funding of the outfit.

The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have petitioned the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, asking the lower chamber to disregard what they described as “false and disparaging” allegations levelled against it by the member representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency of Kogi State, Abdullahi Danga.

The petition followed a motion sponsored by Danga during the House of Representatives plenary on Wednesday, when he called for an investigation into the operations, funding and legal status of the unit.

Danga alleged that the unit had exceeded its statutory mandate, was involved in the illegal arrest and detention of licensed miners, extortion, abuse of power and financial impropriety.

The lawmaker also called on the House to probe the operations and funding of the outfit.

The unit argued that Danga’s claims were based largely on allegations previously made by a police officer, CSP Abdulmajeed Oyewumi of the Force Intelligence Department, which it said had already been refuted with documentary evidence.

According to the petition, “The allegations had been comprehensively rebutted with documentary evidence, including the bank statement of the officer concerned and official rejoinders published in national newspapers.”

The Mining Marshals further alleged that the police officer could face criminal prosecution over the alleged facilitation of the escape of foreign nationals standing trial for illegal mining offences, arguing that the circumstances surrounding the case exposed the motive behind the allegations.

Responding to allegations of financial misconduct, the unit denied misappropriating public funds, insisting it operates with limited logistical support from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the NSCDC.

“The Mining Marshals have never received or diverted public funds as alleged. The unit operates with limited logistics support from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” the petition stated.

Highlighting its achievements, the Mining Marshals said their operations had disrupted numerous illegal mining sites, led to the seizure of mining equipment, the arrest of suspects and ongoing prosecutions before the Federal High Court.

The petition also credited the Federal Government’s mining reforms and the unit’s enforcement activities with increased revenue generation in the sector.

Official figures indicate that revenue from the mining sector rose from about ₦6 billion in 2023 to over ₦70 billion by June 2026, reflecting the impact of ongoing reforms and intensified enforcement efforts,” the petition said.

Onoja appealed to lawmakers, stakeholders and the public to disregard what he described as attempts to discredit the Mining Marshals and the reforms in the mining sector.

“We remain committed to sanitising the mining sector and enforcing the provisions of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, the Mining Regulations 2011 and other government policies aimed at ensuring a safer and better regulated mining industry,” he said.

An agribusiness firm, Davidorlah Nigeria Limited, has called for increased investment in Africa’s agricultural value chains, saying strategic financing and infrastructure development are critical to driving economic growth and improving food security across the continent.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Segun Alabi, made the call while speaking at the Africa Social Impact Summit (ASIS) 2026 held at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos.

This was contained in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Saturday.

Delivering a presentation titled, “Building Africa’s Agri-Value Chains into Investable Infrastructure,” Alabi urged governments, development partners and private investors to reposition agriculture as an investment-driven sector capable of attracting long-term capital.

He said although Africa possesses enormous agricultural potential, the continent must address gaps in value addition, infrastructure, technology adoption, financing and market access to unlock the sector’s full economic value.

According to him, “Transforming agricultural value chains into investable infrastructure would not only boost food production but also stimulate industrialisation, expand export opportunities and generate employment for millions of Africans.”

Alabi stressed that “achieving these goals would require stronger collaboration among governments, development finance institutions, private investors and agribusiness operators to tackle the structural challenges limiting agricultural productivity and competitiveness.”

He noted that “coordinated investments across the agricultural value chain would help build resilient food systems while strengthening Africa’s position in the global agricultural market.”

The Africa Social Impact Summit brought together policymakers, business leaders, investors, development partners and social innovators to explore solutions for sustainable development and inclusive economic growth across the continent.

Davidorlah Nigeria Limited said its participation at the summit reflected its commitment to promoting agricultural transformation and encouraging greater private-sector investment in Nigeria’s agribusiness ecosystem.

According to the company, stakeholders at the summit also agreed that strengthening agricultural value chains is critical to improving food security, increasing productivity and positioning Africa as a competitive player in the global agricultural economy.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Abba El-Mustapha, announced the suspension in a statement issued by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Sulaiman, on Saturday.

According to the statement, the measure is part of the board’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with regulations governing the activities of masters of ceremony and event centres across the state.

“The attention of the board has been drawn to the growing trend of this activity, which is considered a Western cultural practice increasingly introduced into wedding celebrations in the state.

Consequently, the board has suspended the practice in order to safeguard the cultural, moral and religious values of the people of Kano State,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the decision also became necessary as part of the board’s mandate to sanitise entertainment activities and ensure that public events are conducted in accordance with the state’s cultural and religious values.

The statement emphasised that the board welcomes positive and responsible forms of entertainment at weddings and other social gatherings, provided they promote morality, respect the culture of the people and conform to religious teachings.

It noted that entertainment remains an important aspect of ceremonies when conducted within acceptable ethical standards.

The board further directed all event centres, MCs, event planners and other stakeholders involved in organising social events to comply fully with the directive, warning that any individual or organisation found violating the suspension may face appropriate legal sanctions in accordance with the laws enforced by the board.

The board also called on residents of the state to support its efforts by reporting any event centre or MC found engaging in or promoting the suspended activities.

It said such reports should be made promptly and must relate to incidents occurring within Kano State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has urged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the remaining days of the Continuous Voter Registration, warning that the registration window will close on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

In a public notice issued on its X handle on Saturday the electoral body reminded prospective voters that they could complete their registration online from start to finish through its dedicated CVR portal or visit designated registration centres nationwide for physical assistance.

“Your future won’t wait. Neither should you. The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ends Sunday, 26 July 2026,” the commission said.

INEC encouraged Nigerians who require assistance to visit any of its state offices, local government area offices or designated registration centres to complete the process in person.

The commission also stated that all registration centres would remain open daily, including weekends, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until the exercise ends.

“You can complete your voter registration online from start to finish via cvr.inecnigeria.org. If you need assistance, visit any INEC State Office, LGA Office, or designated registration centre to complete your registration in person,” the commission added.

The CVR exercise is part of INEC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, enabling eligible Nigerians and those seeking to update their voter information to be included in the national register of voters.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has announced the programme of activities lined up for the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival, urging residents and participants to ensure a peaceful celebration in line with the traditions of Ibadanland.

The announcement was contained in a press statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Chief Ayoade Olugbemiga, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to the statement, the four-day festival will commence on Monday, July 27, 2026, with Aisun Odun Oloolu (festival eve).

“The Oloolu Masquerade will first pay a courtesy visit to the Olubadan at his Oke-Aremo Palace where prayers will be offered for the monarch, members of the Olubadan-in-Council, indigenes, residents and the continued peace and prosperity of Ibadanland. The masquerade will thereafter visit the residence of the Otun Olubadan, Oba (Sir) Eddy Oyewole, at Foko, Ibadan.

On Tuesday, July 28, the Oloolu Masquerade, led by the Mogaji Ile Aje, Ode-Aje Oloolu Compound, Chief Kazeem Omotoso Abija, will visit Governor ‘Seyi Makinde at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan. The day’s itinerary also includes visits to Aliiwo, Yemetu, Oje Market, Isale-Afa, Oke-Aremo, Popo-Yemoja, Bode Market, Molete, Isale-Ijebu, Elekuro, Kobomoje and Oranmiyan. The festival will continue on Wednesday, July 29, with visits to Ojagbo, Alafara Olubadan, Ita-Bale, Ogboriefon, Labo and Kobomoje.

“The grand finale will hold on Thursday, July 30, when the masquerade will visit Ile-Aperin, Agugu, Iyana Idi-Iroko, Awotunde Jegede, Itamerin-Gangansi and Babanla,” the statement said.

Congratulating the masquerade, indigenes and residents of Ibadanland for witnessing this year’s celebration, Oba Ladoja called on all stakeholders to allow peace to reign throughout the festival.

The monarch reiterated that, in accordance with the tradition of Ibadanland, women are forbidden from seeing the Oloolu Masquerade. He also cautioned members of the public against taking photographs or recording videos of the masquerade during the festival.

Oba Ladoja further warned the Oloolu Masquerade, other Egungun leaders and their followers, adherents of various religions and members of the public to refrain from any act capable of causing unrest or a breakdown of law and order during the celebration.

The statement added that Oba Ladoja also urged security agencies to remain vigilant and discharge their responsibilities by protecting lives and property throughout the festival.

The Olubadan recalled that the Ibadan Egungun Festival, which began on June 21, 2026, will officially end on Thursday, July 30, with the Oloolu Masquerade’s traditional visits to notable areas of Ibadan metropolis to offer prayers for security, peace, unity, progress and the continued development of Ibadanland.

Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has set August 11 as an exclusive live premiere date for his forthcoming album, ‘Oriade’, in London.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ‘OBO’, as the singer is fondly called by fans and industry peers, shared the announcement in a post on his X account, @davido, on Friday.

He wrote: “London! Join me on Aug. 11 at the O2 Forum Kentish Town for a very special show.

“This will be the first and only chance to hear Oriade performed live, so if you want to experience the new album before anyone else. Tickets are on sale now I’Il see you there

NAN reports that Davido had earlier announced to his teeming fans that Oriade, his sixth studio album, would be released on July 31.

Derived from the Yoruba words “ori” (destiny) and “adé” (crown), Oriadé translates to “the crowned head”.

According to him, the album, with lead single “I Know Who I Be”, is to mark his 15 years in music.

“Over fifteen years ago, I decided to trust something I couldn’t fully explain. I just knew music was my destiny,” he

told Billboard.

“The biggest blessings often come from betting on yourself, even when the destination isn’t in sight yet,” he said.

The lead single “I Know Who I Be,” featuring South African producers Jazzwrld and GL Ceejay, is already out and gives the first real taste of where this album is headed.

The 13-track Oriade is a deliberate shift back to his original, high-energy African sound rather than heavily pop-focused cross-overs.

It follows his 2025 Billboard chart hit album “5ive”.

NAN

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has reported an increase in confirmed Lassa fever cases in epidemiological week 28 after a decline in week 27.

This is with cumulative confirmed infections rising to 963 and deaths reaching 229 in 2026.

According to the NCDC, Lassa Fever situation report released in a statement on Friday, new confirmed cases dropped from 31 in week 26 to 14 in week 27 before increasing to 25 in Week 28.

The report said that this indicated continued transmission across affected states.

It also said that the week 28 cases were reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Kogi and Cross River, while week 27 cases were recorded in Ondo, Edo, Benue, Bauchi and Kogi.

The report showed that as of week 28, Nigeria had recorded 963 confirmed cases and 229 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 23.8 percent, higher than the 18.7 percent recorded during the same period in 2025.

“For week 27, the country recorded 936 confirmed cases and 224 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 23.9 percent, also higher than the 18.9 percent reported during the corresponding period in 2025,” it said.

The NCDC said 23 states had recorded at least one confirmed Lassa fever case, with the disease spreading across 113 local government areas in week 27 and increasing to 114 in week 28.

The agency noted that the majority of confirmed infections remained concentrated in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo, accounting for 85 percent of cases in week 27 and 86 percent in week 28.

It added that people aged between 21 and 30 years remained the most affected age group, highlighting the continued impact of the disease on young adults.

The report also revealed that no healthcare worker was infected during week 27, but one healthcare worker contracted the disease during week 28.

NCDC urged continued surveillance, early case detection, prompt treatment, strict infection prevention and control measures, and sustained community awareness to reduce transmission and prevent further deaths from Lassa fever.

NAN

The exercise held today brought together members of the chapel, as part of their commitment to environmental sanitation, community service, and the promotion of a cleaner and healthier society.

Speaking during the exercise, the Chairman of the Ogun NUJ Federated Chapel, Comrade Juwon Opayemi, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Jaji Olamilekan, said journalists had a responsibility to contribute to the development of the society beyond their professional duties.

“We are not just media practitioners, we are part of the society and the development of the society is our responsibility,” he said.

According to him, the blocked drainage was a major factor responsible for the flooding being experienced along the road, expressing optimism that the situation would improve following the clearing exercise.

“The blockage of the drainage is the key reason for the flooded road which I believe will be corrected after this exercise,” he said.

Opayemi also called on individuals and private organisations operating within the axis to support efforts to improve the condition of the road and make it more accessible to motorists.

“I called on individuals and private groups on this axis to also help to make the road accessible for motorists,” he said.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Ogun NUJ Federated Chapel, Babalola Gafar, described the initiative as the chapel’s modest contribution towards addressing the environmental challenges confronting the area.

“This initiative is therefore our modest contribution towards addressing this challenge. It is also a demonstration of the commitment of the Ogun NUJ Federated Chapel to environmental sanitation, community service, and the promotion of a cleaner and healthier society,” Gafar said.

He noted that, as media practitioners, members of the chapel understood the importance of advocacy and public awareness in promoting responsible environmental practices.

“As members of the media, we understand the power of advocacy and public awareness. We will continue to use our various platforms to sensitise members of the public on the importance of proper waste disposal and the need for everyone to take responsibility for keeping our environment clean,” he said.

Gafar appreciated the leadership and members of the Ogun NUJ Federated Chapel for supporting the initiative, commending those who participated in the exercise despite their busy schedules.

“I wish to appreciate the leadership and entire membership of the Ogun NUJ Federated Chapel for supporting this initiative. I also commend every member who has taken time out of their busy schedules to participate in this exercise. Your presence and commitment demonstrate that when we come together with a common purpose, we can make a meaningful difference in our society,” he said.

He further appealed to relevant stakeholders, government agencies, residents, and users of the environment to sustain the impact of the exercise by ensuring that the drainage channels remain free of refuse.

“I equally appeal to all stakeholders, government agencies, residents, and users of this environment to sustain the work we have done today. Cleaning the drainage is only one part of the solution, ensuring that refuse is not dumped into the drainage channels is equally important,” Gafar said.

The chapel urged residents and other stakeholders to adopt responsible waste disposal practices, stressing that collective action was necessary to prevent a recurrence of flooding and erosion in the area.

Troops of Sector 2 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in conjunction with the Yobe State Hunters Group, have arrested five suspected kidnappers during a well-coordinated intelligence-led operation conducted on 23 July 2026 at Jegalari Village in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, on Friday.

The operation, executed by troops of 233 Battalion deployed at Damaturu Military Cantonment, followed credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected criminal elements.

“During the raid, troops recovered three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, assorted ammunition, and four mobile phones believed to be linked to the suspects’ criminal activities.

“The suspects are currently in military custody alongside the recovered exhibits for further investigation to ascertain their involvement in kidnapping and other related criminal activities.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in its commitment to denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action across the North East through sustained intelligence-driven operations.

“The military urges members of the general public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest security agency. Timely and credible information from law-abiding citizens remains critical to ongoing efforts to safeguard communities and enhance security across the region,” Goni explained.

Nigerian content creator and blogger, MC Izzy, has called on Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi to apologise to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations made against the presidential aide, saying he believes the claims have not been substantiated.

In a video posted on his social media platforms, MC Izzy said his comments were informed by recent developments surrounding the matter, including the involvement of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to the blogger, Gbajabiamila honoured an invitation from the anti-graft agency, responded to questions from investigators and returned to his official duties.

MC Izzy also referred to media reports concerning legal proceedings involving Adeyemi but did not provide further details.

The blogger said individuals making allegations against public officials should be prepared to support their claims with credible evidence.

He urged Nigerians to assess issues objectively and avoid reaching conclusions before investigations are concluded.

“We should not allow hatred for an individual to stop us from standing by the truth,” he said.

MC Izzy said that, based on his assessment of publicly available information, Adeyemi should apologise to Gbajabiamila if he is unable to substantiate his claims.

“I don’t know Gbajabiamila personally, but after weighing both sides of the story, I believe the truth must be told,” he added.

He further urged members of the public to allow the relevant authorities to conclude their work and avoid speculation while the matter remains under review.

The allegations involving Gbajabiamila have attracted public attention and are being reviewed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Gbajabiamila has denied any wrongdoing and has described the allegations against him as false.

The ICPC has not announced the outcome of its review, and no court has made any finding establishing liability in relation to the allegations. Accordingly, the claims remain unproven

A section of the recently commissioned 672-mete4 LAMECO flyover in Osogbo has suffered damage.

The State Governor had on July 1st this year, commissioned the flyover and opened it for public use.

However, a section of the flyover sunk earlier hours of Friday, following the downpour which happened for almost 8 hours between Thursday and Friday in the state capital.

The noticeable depression on the bridge raised concern among motorists and residents as they took alternative routes.

When our correspondent visited the flyover, the damaged area, located on one lanes of the bridge, showed visible cracks and a sunken asphalt surface, forcing motorists to slow down while navigating the affected stretch.

Commuters expressed fears over the safety of the road and urged the authorities to carry out immediate repairs to prevent further deterioration.

Subsequently, the bridge was cordoned off as armed men of the Amotekun corps manned the bridge to prevent entry and exit or people gaining access to the bridge.

Reacting through a statement, the Accord party in the state alleged sabotage by the opposition, blaming the All Progressives Congress for the damage on the flyover.

The Osun Accord has received credible reports of a disturbing pattern of vandalisation targeting public infrastructure delivered by the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke. These acts are not ordinary criminal activities but appear to be part of a calculated attempt by desperate elements in the opposition APC to undermine and discredit the remarkable achievements of the current administration ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

Having failed to match the Governor’s impressive record of performance, these elements seem determined to destroy the very projects that are transforming communities across the state in order to create a false impression of government failure.

These acts of sabotage is strongly condemned in the strongest terms and those behind them should know that public infrastructure belongs to the people of Osun State, not to any political party.

American R&B singer Chris Brown on Friday pleaded guilty to a public order offence following an alleged brawl at a London nightclub in 2023.

“Guilty,” replied Brown, 37, dressed in a beige suit and dark brown tie, after the charge of affray was put to him as he stood in the dock at Southwark Crown Court in London.

He will now not face trial on several other charges, including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon, namely a bottle, in connection with the incident.

Those charges, which he had denied at earlier hearings, will be dropped at a later date, the prosecutor said.

Brown, who had a troubled relationship with singer Rihanna, will now be sentenced on October 26.

The 37-year-old, who has been on £5.0 million ($6.7 million) bail, spent nearly a week in jail in May 2025 before being released.

Police had arrested him at a five-star hotel in the northwestern UK city of Manchester hours after he reportedly flew in by private jet.

But Judge Tony Baumgartner last year gave him the green light to continue a scheduled tour which had begun in June in Amsterdam.

The charges all relate to the same alleged incident at Tape, an exclusive private members’ club in London’s Hanover Square, on February 19, 2023, while Brown was touring in the UK.

The victim was allegedly struck several times with a bottle before being pursued, punched and kicked.

Brown appeared in the dock on Friday with co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu, 40, also a US national.

He had also faced the same assault charges as Brown and also pleaded guilty to affray. Both men will be sentenced on the same date.

Brown was released again on bail ahead of the sentencing hearing.

AFP

The Organised Private Sector of Nigeria has expressed deep concern over the recent announcement by the Director-General of the National Pension Commission regarding a proposed increase in mandatory pension contributions and the introduction of an additional three per cent mandatory annual contribution equivalent to three per cent of the total wage bill.

The OPSN members include the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, the Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists, and 25 sectoral employer associations.

In a statement on Thursday jointly signed by MAN, NACCIMA, NECA, NASME and NASSI, obtained by The PUNCH, the OPSN described the proposed hike as both premature and counterproductive.

While the proposal may be presented as an effort to improve retirement benefits, the OPSN warned that, under the prevailing economic conditions, it could become a “Greek gift” to Nigerian workers, “an apparently beneficial policy that ultimately threatens employment, wage growth, business sustainability and escalates compliance risks.”

The OPSN maintained that the strength of any contributory pension system depends fundamentally on the survival of businesses, the availability of decent jobs and the capacity of employers and employees to make consistent contributions.

“Under the Pension Reform Act 2014, Nigeria’s minimum pension contribution already stands at 18 per cent of an employee’s monthly emoluments, comprising 10 per cent from the employer and 8 per cent from the employee. This is broadly comparable with the OECD average effective mandatory pension contribution rate of 18.8 per cent at the average-wage level in 2024.

“Nigeria’s existing contribution rate therefore cannot reasonably be regarded as inadequate, based on contribution percentages alone. Any proposal for an increase must be supported by Nigeria-specific actuarial evidence demonstrating that the current rate is insufficient and that a higher rate would not undermine employment, wages, compliance and enterprise sustainability,” the statement read in part.

Speaking in Lagos, the Director-General of NECA, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, emphasised that the proposed hike is both premature and counterproductive.

“The OPSN supports efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s pension system and improving retirement outcomes for workers. However, announcing that contribution rates will increase while consultations are still ongoing risks prejudging the outcome of the process and reducing subsequent stakeholder engagements to a mere formality,” Oyerinde said.

He stressed that previous adjustments to pension contribution rates were preceded by extensive engagement among government, employers, organised labour and other relevant stakeholders.

“Any proposed adjustment must be supported by credible actuarial, economic and employment-impact assessments. It must also emerge from genuine and transparent social dialogue. Retirement security should not be pursued in a manner that threatens the businesses and jobs upon which the pension system itself depends,” he stated.

Elaborating on the macroeconomic consequences, the Director-General of MAN, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, highlighted the direct threat to enterprise viability and worker earnings.

“Businesses are already contending with high energy costs, elevated interest rates, exchange rate volatility, multiple regulatory obligations, weak consumer demand and rising production expenses. Imposing an additional statutory payroll cost without a comprehensive impact assessment will place further pressure on already struggling enterprises,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

He explained that higher employment costs could compel businesses to slow recruitment, postpone wage reviews, reduce staff strength, increase outsourcing, suspend expansion plans or pass additional costs to consumers through higher prices.

The proposed increase may directly raise the existing employee contribution, but its wider consequences could still be borne by workers through weaker wage growth, reduced employment opportunities, job losses and higher prices of goods and services,” he added.

Highlighting the contradiction with broader fiscal policies, the Director-General of NACCIMA, Mr Sola Obadimu, warned against imposing additional financial levies on a struggling business environment.

According to him, at a time when businesses are struggling to recover from prolonged economic pressures and the Federal Government is implementing reforms intended to improve competitiveness, “imposing another statutory financial obligation on employers could undermine the benefits of those reforms.”

He maintained that government policies must be properly coordinated and evaluated based on their cumulative impact on businesses.

“A reform cannot be considered successful merely because it promises improved retirement benefits. Its impact on employment, investment, wage growth, prices, compliance and business survival must also be carefully considered,” he stated.

The Director-General of NASSI, Ifeanyi Oputa, stressed that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises would be disproportionately affected by any increase in mandatory employer pension contributions.

“MSMEs operate with narrow margins and limited access to affordable finance. Many are still struggling with rising energy costs, declining purchasing power, multiple levies and increasing operating expenses. An additional statutory burden could threaten their survival and discourage them from employing workers formally,” he stated.

Oputa maintained that the proposal could also deepen non-compliance and push more businesses and workers into informal employment arrangements outside the pension system.

“A policy intended to strengthen the pension system must not produce the opposite result by shrinking the number of formal employers and contributors,” he added.

Meanwhile, the OPSN urged the Federal Government and PenCom to pivot away from policies that erode purchasing power and instead prioritise macroeconomic stability, enterprise sustainability and job preservation.

The OPSN advised the government to direct its attention towards reining in inflation, preserving workers’ immediate cash flow and promoting business sustainability to create decent jobs and improve welfare.

“A detailed assessment should be conducted to determine the likely effects of the proposal on employment costs, wage growth, recruitment, job security, investment, production costs, inflation, business formalisation and MSME sustainability. While the private sector is not entirely opposed to future adjustments, any increase must be the product of constructive, transparent social dialogue among all critical stakeholders and delayed until broader economic stability is achieved.

“No adjustment should be introduced without adequate consideration of its impact on existing jobs, future recruitment, inflation and the capacity of businesses to remain competitive and sustainable,” the OPSN added.

The OPSN reiterated that it is not opposed to reforms that improve retirement security for Nigerian workers, stressing that sustainable pension reform must balance future retirement benefits with the present realities of workers, employers and the wider economy.

A strong pension system cannot be built on weakened enterprises, declining formal employment and rising business closures. The government must therefore avoid any policy that increases the cost of employment without first addressing the economic conditions threatening the survival of businesses.

“Any reform that promises improved retirement outcomes while placing additional pressure on the businesses and jobs that fund those outcomes would ultimately amount to a ‘Greek gift’ to Nigerian workers,” it concluded.

In 2026, the Federal Government, through PenCom, announced plans to review the Pension Reform Act 2014 and increase the mandatory pension contribution rate beyond the current 18 per cent.

According to PenCom, the proposal forms part of broader pension sector reforms designed to strengthen the financial security of Nigerian workers in retirement. The commission stated that consultations are ongoing with key stakeholders, including organised labour, employers, pension operators and the National Assembly, before any amendment is presented for legislative approval.

The Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State has banned the settlement of unauthorised herders migrating into the area.

It also warned against grazing cattle on cultivated farmlands as part of measures to strengthen security and promote peaceful coexistence among residents.

The directive was announced by the Chairman of the council, Dr Christopher Manship, during a stakeholders’ meeting with traditional rulers and leaders of Miyetti Allah, held at the Felix Dakyap Guest House, Doemak.

A statement issued on Thursday after the meeting and signed by the Director of Press and Publicity to the Chairman, Mr Danaan Sylvanus, said the chairman declared that the council would no longer tolerate the influx and settlement of herders migrating into Qua’an-Pan from other states or local government areas without the knowledge and consent of host communities, particularly the indigenous people and the leadership of Miyetti Allah.

According to Manship, the measure was aimed at preventing criminal elements from infiltrating the local government under the guise of pastoral migration and preserving the peace currently being enjoyed in the area.

He urged members of the herding community not to harbour or accommodate individuals fleeing from other locations after allegedly engaging in criminal activities or acts of violence.

The chairman also warned that any herder found grazing cattle on cultivated farmlands would be held accountable in accordance with the law, urging pastoralists to restrict grazing to designated grazing reserves and fallow lands.

The statement read, “In a bid to safeguard peace, security, and community cohesion, the Qua’an-Pan Local Government Council has banned the settlement of unauthorised Fulani individuals and groups migrating into the locality from other states or local government areas without the knowledge and consent of host communities, particularly the indigenous people and the leadership of Miyetti Allah.”

The chairman emphasised the need for unity and peaceful coexistence between the indigenous and Fulani communities in Qua’an-Pan.

He further charged the Fulani community not to harbour or accommodate any individuals seeking refuge within the council after involvement in acts of criminality or destruction elsewhere.

In his remarks, the Long Pan and Chairman of the Qua’an-Pan Local Government Traditional Council of Chiefs, Nda Miskagam Jerom Leklat, commended the Chairman for the proactive step.

He urged all community leaders to intensify sensitisation at the grassroots and to report any suspicious movement or Fulani settlement to relevant authorities to sustain peace in the area.

The Long Pan further assured of the traditional council’s full collaboration with the LG chairman in strengthening vigilance at the grassroots to ensure that criminal elements did not find refuge within any community in Qua’an-Pan.

The Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Qua’an-Pan, Alhaji Sai’du, commended the chairman for the inclusive approach and pledged the association’s full cooperation.

He said the Miyetti Allah would enhance internal coordination to ensure full compliance by all Fulani settlers with the directive of the government and security agencies, while also preventing the influx and settlement of persons with questionable backgrounds or unidentified Fulani migrants, which he warned would undermine the peace and stability of the local government.

He assured that Miyetti Allah remained committed to supporting a government that treated every citizen with dignity, equity, and respect for diversity.

The US Mission in Nigeria disclosed this in a post on X  on Friday, saying the innovation had raised $7m and attracted more than 7,000 salons to its waitlist.

Nigerian-American engineer & Harvard grad Yinka Ogunbiyi built HaloBraid, the world’s first braid-assist robot, easing strain on stylists & saving salons time. $7M raised, 7,000+ salons waitlisted. American innovation, global impact. #AmericanExcellence in action,” the mission wrote.

More to follow

A member of the House of Representatives, Chinedu Obika, has revealed that contractors handling constituency projects under the scheme are being owed on jobs dating back to 2024.

He said this had made contractors increasingly reluctant to take on new projects tied to the National Assembly.

The lawmaker, who represents the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory, made the disclosure during an interview on KAA Truths posted on Thursday.

Obika said constituency allocations approved for lawmakers had been budgeted twice but never released.

The president has released — through the budget — one billion twice for us. Budgeted and approved by the Assembly but not implemented — zero implementation. People are still being owed on 2024 contracts, 2025 contracts.”

The lawmaker said the situation had discouraged contractors from bidding for constituency projects, since payment was no longer guaranteed to everyone whose contract had been approved.

“If you bring a constituency project now, people are running away from the contracts because payment is selective, only a few are paid,” he said.

Obika described the non-implementation of budgeted allocations as one of the most troubling aspects of the current administration’s handling of governance, and said unpaid obligations had piled up across successive budget years.

“One thing I’m very unhappy about with this government is non-implementation of the budget. We have 2025 — I’ve talked about 2024 that was moved. Some of them are still not being paid.

“We have 2024, that is supplementary. But you know, we came in 2023, we have 2024, we have supplementary in 2024, we have 2025, then we have ’26 that is there now,” he said.

He linked the funding gap to a wider trend of unpaid constituency obligations frustrating lawmakers’ ability to deliver projects to their constituents, even as public criticism of the National Assembly’s spending persisted.

“This is the first time constituency projects are being owed, government owes the people who carry out constituency projects; it isn’t done,” Obika said.

He added that the unpaid contracts had, in some cases, become a quiet instrument used to keep lawmakers from speaking out against the executive.

“That can turn to an instrument of shutting some of us up, because if you know there are jobs in your constituency that haven’t been paid for and contractors are unwilling to do such jobs, in one way or the other, somebody is essentially shutting you up so that you don’t talk too much,” he said.

The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of the body of a 28-year-old student of the Federal University Kashere, Enoch Sunday Maisamari, from stagnant water in Sabon Garin Yero Village, Akko Local Government Area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a text message sent to our correspondent on Friday.

According to him, the incident was reported to the police on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m.

“The Gombe State Police Command received a report on 22nd July, 2026, at about 0930 hours of a recovered motionless body of one Enoch Sunday Maisamari, 28 years, a student of the Federal University Kashere, from stagnant water at Sabon Garin Yero Village, Akko LGA,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that the deceased was evacuated to the General Hospital, Kashere, where medical personnel confirmed him dead.

“The victim was evacuated to the General Hospital, Kashere, where he was certified dead. No visible marks of violence were observed on the body. Investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the police spokesperson added.

The command said efforts were underway to establish the cause of the student’s death, urging members of the public to remain calm as investigations continued.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has celebrated his first year in office, highlighting the party’s achievements over the past 12 months while reaffirming his commitment to strengthening the APC and advancing its progressive ideals.

In a statement marking his first anniversary on X on Friday, Yilwatda described the period as one of “immense responsibility, purposeful service and collective accomplishment,” attributing the party’s progress to unity and the dedication of its members nationwide.

“It has been a year of immense responsibility, purposeful service and collective accomplishment, driven by an unwavering commitment to strengthen our party and advance the ideals that unite us,” he said.

The APC chairman expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and confidence, while also appreciating members of the party’s National Working Committee, governors, elected representatives, party leaders, stakeholders and members across the country for their loyalty and commitment.

I express my sincere appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his confidence, steadfast support and exemplary leadership. My gratitude equally goes to members of the National Working Committee, our governors, elected representatives, party leaders, stakeholders and the millions of loyal APC members across Nigeria whose commitment, sacrifice and belief have made our progress possible,” he stated.

Reflecting on his first year in office, Yilwatda said the party had focused on consolidating unity, strengthening its institutional structures and promoting inclusion and collective responsibility.

“Over the past twelve months, we have worked deliberately to consolidate unity, strengthen the institutional foundations of our party, expand consultations and foster a culture of inclusion, accountability and shared responsibility. Together, we have demonstrated that when the APC stands united, it remains the strongest and most formidable political platform in Nigeria,” he said.

The APC national chairman also cited the party’s electoral victories as evidence of Nigerians’ continued confidence in its leadership and vision.

Our impressive electoral victories during this period are a testament to the confidence Nigerians continue to place in our party. These achievements belong to every committed member and reaffirm that the APC remains the preferred platform for progressive governance and national development,” he added.

Looking ahead, Yilwatda pledged to strengthen internal democracy, modernise party administration and deepen engagement with party members in support of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“This anniversary is more than a moment of reflection; it is a renewed call to greater service. We will continue to strengthen internal democracy, modernise party administration, deepen engagement with our members and position the APC for even greater success as we advance and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Reaffirming his leadership philosophy, the APC chairman pledged to continue serving the party with humility, fairness, transparency and dedication.

“As we begin another year of service, I reaffirm my commitment to lead with humility, fairness, transparency and unwavering dedication. Together, we will continue to build a stronger, more united APC and contribute meaningfully to the peace, stability and prosperity of our beloved nation,” Yilwatda stated.

He thanked party members and supporters for their trust and prayers, expressing confidence in the future of the APC.

The journey continues, and I remain confident that our best days are still ahead. One year completed. Greater victories ahead,” he said.

The University of North Texas is offering fully funded graduate research assistantships to students from all over the world to study in the USA.

The University of North Texas Masters Scholarship includes a full tuition coverage plus a living stipend worth $28,320 per year for selected candidates.

In this post, we will discuss the details, the requirements, benefits, and how to successfully apply for the scholarship and study in USA.

University of North Texas Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: United States 
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: Full Scholarship | $28,320 stipend  per year | | Health insurance
• No IELTS Required
• Deadline: September 30, 2026
  

University of North Texas Masters Scholarship Details:

A funded PhD/MS position is available in the Lichtenberg Lab starting summer or fall 2027.

This position is part of a USDA-funded project investigating how ranch management impacts pollinator, plant, and soil microbe biodiversity both directly and through habitat modification. The selected student will focus on the pollinator component.

Research activities will include fieldwork at local North Texas ranches, insect identification, and analyzing a multi-year dataset from the ranches. Funding includes semester and summer salary, a tuition scholarship, and health insurance for PhD students or a Health Assistance Scholarship for MS students.

The Lichtenberg Lab combines community and behavioral ecology to study plant-animal interactions, pollinator foraging and insect biodiversity. 

Eligibility Requirements for University of North Texas Scholarship 2026

To be considered for the University of North Texas Scholarship, you must:

• have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree
• meet the entry requirements of the Department of Biological Sciences.
• satisfy the English Language requirements of the University of North Texas.
• have good writing and communication skills.

Benefits of University of North Texas Masters Scholarship

Funding includes;

• semester and summer salary,
• a tuition scholarship, and
• health insurance for PhD students or a Health Assistance Scholarship for MS students.

Required Documents for UNT Masters Scholarship

To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;

• CV
• Unofficial Transcripts
• the degree and kinds of questions you are interested in

How to Apply for University of North Texas Scholarship 2026 (Step by Step)

To apply for the University of North Texas Scholarship, interested and qualified candidates should;

• Click the green button below to go the scholarship webpage.
• Contact Dr. Elinor Lichtenberg (elichten@unt.edu) with your application materials and the required documents.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Deadline: September 30, 2026

The campaign organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi, on Thursday, announced the takeover of the party’s state secretariat at Molete, Ibadan, the state capital.

The PDP faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, under the leadership of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee, made the announcement during a visit to the old PDP secretariat at Molete.

Governor Seyi Makinde has since built a new PDP secretariat along the Oke-Ado stretch of the road leading to the old secretariat building.

Speaking at the secretariat, Prof Rahman Akinoso said the action followed the Supreme Court judgment which, according to him, affirmed that there is now “one PDP” in the country.

He disclosed that security agencies had been duly notified of the development, adding that all activities relating to the PDP in Oyo State would henceforth be coordinated from the Molete secretariat.

“The action follows the Supreme Court judgment that says there is now one PDP. We have duly notified the security agencies. Our activities in relation to the PDP in Oyo State will now start from here,” Akinoso said.

The Gbolarumi campaign council described the development as the beginning of “a new chapter” for the party in the state, claiming it signalled the return of what it called the “authentic PDP” to its political base.

The group alleged that the party secretariat had been under the control of loyalists of Makinde, accusing them of abandoning the PDP following the governor’s alleged political alignment with the Allied People’s Movement.

“The authentic PDP is back home. This is not just about recovering a building; it is about reclaiming the soul, structure and vision of our great party. Today marks the beginning of a new era in Oyo politics,” the group stated.

According to the Gbolarumi camp, “the takeover of the Molete secretariat represents a major turning point in the party’s internal struggle and signals the commencement of a renewed political movement under the leadership of Gbolarumi.”

It also announced plans to commence an extensive grassroots mobilisation campaign across the 33 local government areas of the state, saying its political structures had been fully activated ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

It added that the Molete secretariat would immediately resume operations as its central coordination hub, where party leaders, members and supporters would meet to strategise ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has promised to deliver more developmental initiatives across the state if re-elected in the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke spoke in Erin-Osun and Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area during the Imole Campaign Council’s consultation and mobilisation tour ahead of the election.

In a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Thursday, Adeleke said his administration had fulfilled the promises it made to the people during the 2022 election campaign.

He stressed that greater achievements lay ahead for the state if he secured a second term.

I appreciate your support. When we came here in 2022, I promised you good governance, and I have fulfilled what I promised.

“But the people have not seen anything yet. We will do much more for Osun State,” Adeleke said.

Speaking at the conclusion of the campaign rally in Ilobu, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf, who spoke on behalf of other stakeholders in Irepodun Local Government Area, expressed confidence in Adeleke’s administration.

Yusuf also assured Adeleke of “overwhelming support and victory in the August 15 governorship election.”

In separate remarks, the Elerin of Erin-Osun, Oba Yusuf Adekunle, prayed for Adeleke’s successful re-election.

Oba Adekunle also expressed confidence that the people of Erin-Osun would once again entrust Adeleke with the mandate to continue the transformation of Osun State.

Similarly, the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye, assured the governor and members of the Imole Campaign Council of the support of the people of Ilobu, expressing confidence that the people of Irepodun Local Government Area would overwhelmingly support the governor’s bid for a second term.

“You have our prayers and our support. Ilobu stands with you, and the people of Irepodun Local Government will once again support your re-election.

“May God grant you victory and strengthen you to continue delivering good governance and development across Osun State,” the monarch said.

The  reports that the electorate will go to the polls on August 15 to elect a governor, with 14 political parties fielding candidates in the election.

The leave is scheduled to commence on August 10 and end on September 11, 2026, while Makinde is expected to resume official duties on September 14, 2026.

The approval followed the consideration of a formal letter from the governor during Thursday’s plenary, in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which requires a governor to notify the state legislature whenever he intends to be away from office.

The letter was read by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Muhammed Fadeyi, who presided over the plenary in the absence of the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin.

‎After deliberations, lawmakers unanimously approved the request, expressing confidence in the deputy governor’s ability to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted running of government during the governor’s absence.

The governor went on leave around the same time in 2025 and returned ahead of the coronation of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on September 26, 2025

The approvals followed the adoption of the Joint Committee on Economic Planning and Budget and Finance’s report during plenary.

Presenting the report, Chairman of the Joint Committee, Sa’ad Olumoh, said the panel examined the executive’s requests and found them suitable for legislative approval.

Olumoh said the Commissioner for Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, informed the committee that the Federal Government introduced the FAAC Receivables Discounting Programme following a proposal by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to enable states to access funding for infrastructure development.

He explained that under the arrangement, participating states would execute an irrevocable standing payment order authorising the Accountant-General of the Federation to deduct agreed sums from their monthly FAAC allocations over 11 months.

According to him, the deductions would be paid into a sinking fund managed by the Debt Management Office and domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Olumoh said the initiative would provide Lagos with immediate liquidity to finance priority capital projects, including legislative quarters and other strategic infrastructure.

The committee also recommended approval of the state’s request to raise N200bn through a Series V conventional bond under its existing N1tn Debt and Hybrid Instruments Issuance Programme.

Contributing to the debate, the Chairman of the House Committee on Waterfront Infrastructure, Gbolahan Yishawu, described the FAAC facility as an advance-payment arrangement under the ISPO framework rather than conventional borrowing.

He said the programme would strengthen the state’s revenue profile because it attracted no interest, but stressed the need for the government to clearly identify the projects to be financed with the proceeds.

Yishawu also called for transparency to ensure the financing arrangement amounted to a restructuring of funding sources rather than an increase in the state’s overall budget.

Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, backed the borrowing plan, saying responsible borrowing remained necessary to fund capital projects and accelerate infrastructure development.

He explained that the increase in the proposed bond to N200bn reflected additional funding requirements and not a computational error.

Obasa added that the utilisation of the funds would remain subject to legislative oversight and approval to ensure accountability and prudent financial management.

Following deliberations, lawmakers unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations with amendments, authorising the state government to participate in the FAAC Receivables Discounting Programme and proceed with the N200bn bond issuance.

The approvals pave the way for the state to finance major projects, including the New Massey Children’s Hospital, the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Line, Lagos Island General Hospital, Omu Creek Bridge and other strategic infrastructure projects.

The death toll from a daylight attack by suspected bandits on farmlands in Sauna District, Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, has risen to 23, community sources confirmed on Thursday.

Earlier reports put the number of those killed at 16. According to fresh accounts from Sauna District, the figure increased after more bodies were recovered from the farms.

Residents said the victims were attacked while working on their farmlands on Thursday morning.

An indigene of the area who wanted to remain anonymous for security reasons said the bandits, who arrived on multiple motorcycles, opened fire indiscriminately on anyone found in the fields.

Immediately after they arrived at the farmlands, they opened fire indiscriminately, killing all the farmers working there.

“The assailants came in groups and shot at farmers without warning.”

He added that the remains of all 23 victims were buried in a mass burial at the palace of the district head in Sauna.

According to him, the burial was conducted earlier on Thursday.

At the time of filing this report, the security authorities had not released an official statement on the incident.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the state Police Command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, proved abortive, as his phone number could not be reached.

Meanwhile, the people of Sauna District and other parts of the state have been experiencing repeated attacks on farming communities in recent years, with residents often targeted while working on their farms.

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police across Nigeria, despite a protest and walkout by members of the minority caucus, who argued that the legal framework required further refinement and that the constitutional amendment process was not properly followed.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the establishment of state police services and for related matters,” secured the constitutionally required two-thirds majority after consideration by the House.

The legislation was transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu as part of the administration’s efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen the country’s security architecture amid persistent insecurity across several parts of Nigeria.

If it is harmonised with the Senate version, approved by at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly and assented to by the President in line with constitutional requirements for constitutional amendments, the legislation will create the constitutional basis for the establishment of State Police Services.

Presenting the report of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Deputy Speaker and Committee Chairman, Benjamin Kalu, described the proposal as one of the most significant constitutional reforms in Nigeria’s security sector.

He commended President Tinubu for transmitting the executive bill, saying it reflected constructive cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.

According to him, the amendment is designed to bring policing closer to the people, improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and enable state governments respond more effectively to evolving security threats.

This bill is not merely about creating another policing institution. It is about bringing policing closer to the people, strengthening intelligence gathering, enhancing community policing, improving coordination among security agencies and empowering governments to respond more effectively to the complex and evolving security challenges confronting our nation,” Kalu said.

He acknowledged that the proposal might not satisfy every stakeholder but argued that constitutional reform is an incremental process.

According to him, the amendment only establishes the constitutional foundation for State Police, while critical implementation issues—including recruitment, training, operational standards, funding, accountability and intergovernmental coordination—would be addressed through subsequent legislation.

“We must not allow the pursuit of perfection to become the enemy of meaningful progress,” he added, urging lawmakers to support what he described as a historic reform.

Controversy over voting

Proceedings, however, took a dramatic turn during the Committee of the Whole.

Rather than conducting a clause-by-clause consideration and vote, as is customary for constitutional amendment bills, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas read the long title of the bill before putting it to a voice vote.

Before the vote, Abbas announced that 311 lawmakers had indicated support for the legislation. According to him, the figure comprised 211 members of the All Progressives Congress, 65 lawmakers from other political parties physically present in the chamber and 35 members participating virtually through the House’s electronic platform.

He explained that the Constitution requires the support of at least two-thirds of the 360-member House—240 votes—for a constitutional amendment to succeed.

Rowdy session

Many Opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in protest over what they described as a breach of parliamentary procedure.

The protest followed the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas’ decision to put the bill to a voice vote without reading and considering each of its 26 clauses individually, despite attempts by members of the minority caucus to raise objections.

The Minority Leader, Frederick Agbedi, repeatedly sought to raise a point of order during the proceedings but was not recognised by the Speaker.

Rather than subject each clause of the bill to separate consideration and voting, Abbas called for a voice vote, asking members in support of the state police bill to say “aye” and those against it to say “nay.”

After declaring that the “ayes” had prevailed, the Speaker’s ruling prompted members of the minority caucus to stage a walkout from the Green Chamber in protest.

This turned the session into a chaotic situation with the Speaker repeatedly hitting the gavel to in a bid to bring  semblance of order.

Minority faults process

Addressing journalists after the walkout, the minority caucus spokesman, Afam Ogene, questioned both the method used to determine the number of members present and the voting procedure adopted by the House.

He argued that the attendance register signed by lawmakers at the commencement of plenary remains the only legitimate means of determining quorum.

“We were shocked to hear names being read out that we do not know where they came from. The way of determining members present in a sitting is through the register. That is why members sign it every legislative day,” Ogene said

He further alleged that the Speaker, while presiding over the Committee of the Whole, disregarded the provisions of Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution by denying lawmakers the opportunity to consider and amend the bill clause by clause.

The Minority Leader, Frederick Agbedi, insisted that the caucus supports the creation of State Police but opposed what it described as a failure to comply with due legislative process.

“We are not against state police. Whatever will help address insecurity in this country, we will support. But every action of Parliament must follow due process,” Agbedi said.

He argued that the House Standing Orders require every clause of a constitutional amendment bill to be considered and approved separately by a two-thirds majority.

According to him, lawmakers were denied the opportunity to scrutinise individual provisions of the bill or move amendments before the legislation was passed.

Agbedi also alleged that he was prevented from raising a constitutional point of order before being ruled out of order by the Chair.

“If we walked out of the chamber, where then did our votes come from? Can anyone count our votes? Can a constitutional amendment be decided by a voice vote?

“The Constitution and our Standing Orders require a two-thirds majority for each clause,” he argued.

He maintained that the protest was aimed at defending parliamentary integrity and the rule of law rather than opposing State Police.

Further review

In a letter dated July 22, 2026 and addressed to the Speaker, the minority caucus reiterated its support for state police but argued that the current constitutional framework contains significant legal and institutional gaps.

Signed by Ogene, the letter urged the House leadership to recommit the bill for further legislative work to address what it described as constitutional ambiguities, drafting inconsistencies, jurisdictional uncertainties, governance gaps and unresolved institutional issues.

“The minority caucus unequivocally supports the principle of state police. Our concern is not against state police; it is against adopting an incomplete constitutional framework,” the letter read in part

The lawmakers warned that constitutional amendments establish permanent institutions and therefore require the highest level of legislative scrutiny to avoid future legal disputes and operational challenges.

Funding concerns

The caucus said in the letter, “One of the most serious concerns arising from the proposed reform is the financial burden that the establishment and efficient operation of state police will place on state governments. The establishment of state police will transfer a significant part of the policing responsibility presently undertaken and financed by the Federal Government to state governments.”

In its recommendations,  the Agbedi-led caucus called for a restructuring of Nigeria’s fiscal framework to ensure states have the financial capacity to fund state solice.

It recommended that “15 per cent of the Federation Account allocation currently accruing to the Federal Government be transferred to the states to finance policing responsibilities.”

According to the caucus, “devolving policing powers without corresponding financial resources would amount to creating an unfunded constitutional mandate.”

Security experts, lawyers

The lawmakers urged the Speaker to suspend the immediate adoption of the bill and recommit it for a limited technical review involving constitutional lawyers, security experts, state governments, fiscal authorities and other relevant stakeholders.

They maintained that their intervention was intended to strengthen—not frustrate—the establishment of state police.

Nigeria deserves the right state police framework that is constitutionally sound, adequately funded and capable of withstanding future legal and operational challenges,” the caucus added.

The debate over state police has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious constitutional issues for more than two decades. Successive administrations, security experts and state governors have argued that the country’s highly centralised policing structure has become increasingly inadequate in responding to rising insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and communal violence.

Supporters of state police contend that decentralising law enforcement would improve intelligence gathering, strengthen community policing and enable faster responses to local security threats.

Opponents, however, have consistently warned that state-controlled police could be abused by governors for political purposes, particularly during elections, while concerns also persist over the ability of many states to finance and sustain independent police services.

The House’s approval marks a major legislative milestone for the proposal. However, the constitutional amendment must still secure passage in the Senate and receive approval from at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can become part of the Constitution.

culled from punch 

Ukrainian drones hit a warehouse for a Russian e-commerce giant near Saint Petersburg early Friday, triggering a fire that sent smoke pouring over the historic city, according to local officials and an AFP reporter.

Kyiv has targeted Saint Petersburg as it steps up long-range drone strikes on Russian energy, military and logistics sites in recent weeks.

An AFP reporter saw grey smoke rising into the morning sky over high-rise buildings in the city, which is more than 800 kilometres (500 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

The local governor reported that a warehouse for Wildberries — Russia’s largest online retailer often referred to as “Russia’s Amazon” — was on fire after the strike.

“Three people were wounded,” Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the surrounding Leningrad region said on social media.

It was the third overnight attack by Ukraine on Wildberries’ sites in the past week.

One of the company’s logistics hubs outside Moscow was hit last weekend, killing eight night-shift workers and burning the facility to the ground.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alleged after the first attack that the facilities were used to “supply sanctioned components for drone production and navigation equipment.”

Kyiv calls its campaign “long-range sanctions”, saying the attacks are justified retribution for Russia’s nightly drone and missile barrages of its cities.

The campaign has triggered nationwide fuel shortages and, Kyiv says, dented Russia’s financial war chest.

Saint Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport suspended flights during the attack, resuming operations around 06:00 (0300 GMT), with around 50 departures disrupted.

Wildberries said two of its warehouses in the city had temporarily halted operations, without giving more details.

Leningrad Governor Drozdenko said 59 Ukrainian drones had been shot down.

Russian officials rarely concede that Ukrainian drones hit their targets, typically detailing only the number intercepted or attributing fires to falling debris.

Both Russia and Ukraine have escalated their long-range strikes in recent months.

Moscow’s forces have fired increasing numbers of ballistic missiles at Kyiv — killing dozens and ripping open apartment blocks.

US President Donald Trump has appeared to give his backing to Ukraine’s counter-attacks on Russia — calling the strikes “an escalation that can lead to an end”.

Washington’s attempts to mediate a peace deal between warring sides have largely stalled with its own war on Iran raging.

Moscow has also refused to compromise its hardline demands that Ukraine agree to permanently give up territory it still controls and renounce Western military support.

The Kremlin has said the Ukrainian strikes make it more determined to prosecute the war and threatened to seize more land in the country’s east and south.

The United Nations has reported a surge in civilian deaths in 2026, saying June was the deadliest month since mid-2022.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and tens of thousands of civilians have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale offensive in February 2022 — though there is no precise toll with neither side routinely revealing the number of their losses.

Zelensky has in the past week replaced both his defence minister and commander-in-chief amid splits in the military hierarchy over a reform drive inside the army.

AFP

The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”

The measure was announced in a statement posted on the website of the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday.

Nigeria is among the countries subject to the 12.5 per cent tariff, while India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom will face a lower 10 per cent rate after adopting or committing to implement bans on imports linked to forced labour.

The move follows investigations launched by the USTR in May 2026 into 60 of the United States’ largest trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act.

According to the agency, it received more than 1,600 written submissions, held public hearings involving over 100 witnesses, and consulted more than 45 governments before announcing the tariffs.

The USTR said countries that have already implemented, or committed to implementing, forced labour import prohibitions would attract a 10 per cent tariff.

10 percent is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duties for investigated economies that (i) impose a forced labor import prohibition; (ii) have committed to impose and enforce such a prohibition through an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade; or (iii) have imposed a partial regime with the effect of preventing the importation of certain forced labor goods.

“These economies are: Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.

“10 percent or 12.5 percent, net of Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate, is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duties for certain products of the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland that are not otherwise exempted, as explained in greater detail in the Federal Register Notice.”

It added that “12.5 percent is the appropriate rate of Section 301 duty for all other investigated economies.”

Specifically on Nigeria, a Federal Register notice obtained from the USTR on Friday stated that the country would be subjected to a 12.5 per cent tariff on its products, except for items listed under specified exemptions.

It read, “Based on the findings in the investigation of Nigeria, considering the public comments, testimony, and the advice of the Section 301 Committee, as well as the advice of advisory committees, and in accordance with the specific direction of the President, the Trade Representative has determined to impose 12.5 percent tariffs on products of Nigeria, except as provided in Annex I and Annex II, Part A, of this Notice.

“The Trade Representative has determined, in accordance with the specific direction of the President, that the tariff rate to be applied, and the scope of tariffs and exemptions, are appropriate to obtain the elimination of the acts, policies, and practices determined to be actionable in the investigation.”

The latest measure comes after President Donald Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a temporary universal tariff on imports after the US Supreme Court blocked his administration’s broader tariff plan under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the action was aimed at encouraging trading partners to strengthen measures against forced labour.

“President Trump recognises that decades of moral suasion have not eradicated forced labour from global supply chains,” Greer said.

“The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century. It’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same.”

The USTR said the tariffs would not apply to certain products, including raw materials that could create domestic supply shortages, goods that could cause economy-wide disruptions, products unavailable in sufficient quantities in the United States or from alternative sources, and selected goods from countries that have adopted or pledged to implement forced labour import bans.

It added that further exemptions were granted where the tariffs were deemed unlikely to eliminate the trade practices under investigation.

United Nigeria Airlines has temporarily suspended all flight operations to and from Benin Airport following the closure of the airport’s runway by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

The airline announced the suspension in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its management, saying the disruption would remain in place until the runway is reopened.

Online reports that the development came hours after an aircraft operating into Benin Airport veered off the runway er landing, prompting aviation authorities to shut the runway to facilitate recovery operations and safety assessments.

In the statement, the airline said, “We wish to inform our valued passengers and the general public that, due to the closure of the runway by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as a result of an excursion, all our flights to and from Benin Airport have been cancelled pending its reopening.”

The carrier apologised to passengers affected by the disruption and urged them to contact its customer service for assistance with rebooking and other travel arrangements.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may have caused. All passengers who have been affected by this development are advised to contact our customer service for further information and any assistance needed with rebooking.

“We are open to offering any needed assistance because the welfare of our passengers is our priority,” the statement read.

The airline also appealed for understanding from passengers while the situation is being resolved.

“We plead for your understanding at this time and sincerely apologise again for any inconvenience this may have caused. We appreciate your patience and are immensely grateful for your trust in United Nigeria Airlines,” it added.

An aircraft excursion occurs when an aircraft departs the runway surface during take-off or landing.

Such incidents typically trigger temporary runway closures to enable aircraft recovery, inspection of airport infrastructure and safety evaluations before flight operations can resume.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is expected to reopen the runway after recovery operations and necessary safety checks have been completed, allowing normal flight operations to resume at the airport.

As the first female AGF, Dr. Oluwatoyin MADEIN, Leads Old Students in Grand Celebration

The 1981 graduating set of Christ Apostolic Grammar School Old Students Association (CAGSOSA '81) is set to roll out a four-day homecoming and reunion programme to mark its 45th anniversary, with a rich blend of social, religious, educational, sporting and community-focused activities scheduled for 30th July to 2nd August 2026, in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State.

The anniversary celebration, under the leadership of the Set's President, Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN, the first female and immediate past Accountant-General of the Federation, is expected to attract members of the 1981 set from across Nigeria and the diaspora, as well as former teachers, old students, traditional rulers, students of the school, friends and other distinguished guests.

The four-day reunion, according to the programme released by the planning committee, led by Mr. Dayo James AKERELE, is designed to celebrate 45 years of friendship, shared memories, personal and professional accomplishments, service and enduring commitment to the development of their alma mater and the wider community.

The celebration will commence on Thursday, 30th July, with the arrival of members and a Meet and Greet Session, setting the stage for a memorable reunion of old classmates and friends after decades of shared experiences and remarkable journeys.

Activities will enter full swing on Friday, 31st July with a Rally and Visits to Traditional Rulers scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

This will be followed by a Career Talk with students of Christ Apostolic Grammar School from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., providing an opportunity for members of the set to inspire and mentor the younger generation by sharing their wealth of professional experiences and life lessons.

In the spirit of inclusivity and interfaith fellowship, the programme will continue with a Jumat Service at Iperu Central Mosque from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., before giving way to a Novelty Football Match at the Christ Apostolic Grammar School Playing Field between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The day's activities will climax with a colourful Gala Night, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Iperu-Remo, where members and invited guests will gather for an evening of celebration, entertainment and fellowship.

The Grand Finale will take place on Saturday, 1st August at the Christ Apostolic Grammar School Multi-Purpose Hall, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Among the major highlights of the Grand Finale will be the commissioning of anniversary projects undertaken by the 1981 set as part of its contribution to the development and advancement of the alma mater.

The occasion will also witness the recognition and celebration of old teachers and members of the set in appreciation of their invaluable contributions, sacrifices and enduring impact on the lives of the students and the institution.

Another major highlight will be the launching of the 45th Anniversary Compendium, a commemorative publication expected to chronicle the history, memories, milestones, experiences and achievements of members of the 1981 graduating set over the past four and a half decades.

The anniversary celebration will also feature the cutting of the 45th Anniversary Cake, with a special fundraising session, followed by a Wine and Dine and an Anniversary Dance.

The four-day celebration will come to a close on Sunday, 2nd August, with a Thanksgiving Service at Christ Apostolic Church, Iperu-Remo, commencing at 10:00 a.m.

Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN, President of the CAGSOSA '81 Set, is a distinguished old student of Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu-Remo, and made history as the first female Accountant-General of the Federation before completing her tenure as the immediate past occupant of the prestigious office.

The 45th anniversary celebration is expected to be more than a reunion, as it will provide an opportunity for members of the set to reconnect, celebrate their individual and collective accomplishments, honour those who contributed to their journey, give back to their alma mater and renew their commitment to the values instilled in them during their formative years at Christ Apostolic Grammar School.

Presidents of various Sets  and other key stakeholders have been invited to join in celebrating the landmark occasion and the enduring legacy of the institution.

Temitope OYEKAN
Media Consultant to Dr. Oluwatoyin MADEIN
23rd July, 2026

The Nigerian Army has cleared a Niger Republic resident previously reported as a suspected terrorist, saying investigations found no link between him and any known terrorist organisation.

The Acting Military Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI Maiduguri, Captain Mohammed Goni disclosed this in a statement posted on X on Thursday, clarifying reports published by some sections of the media concerning an individual intercepted by troops of 68 Battalion during an exploitation operation following the attack at Cross Kauwa.

Goni identified the individual as Aboubakar Muhammad Zein-Nur, also known as Houdairi.

Goni explained that troops took the individual into custody for profiling and further investigation due to the security situation in the region and the use of border corridors by terrorist groups for movement and logistics.

Comprehensive intelligence assessments and other investigative processes did not establish that the individual has any affiliation to any known terrorist group,” the statement read.

The military further stated that investigations confirmed that Zein-Nur is a resident of Shattu Anguba Village in Bosso, Republic of Niger, where he engages in camel rearing beyond the River Komadougou.

The individual has consequently been cleared of any terrorist links,” Goni state

Operation Hadin Kai said the development underscores its commitment to ensuring that civilians are not wrongly associated with terrorist activities during security operations.

“The Theatre Command reiterates that all persons intercepted under suspicious circumstances during military operations are subjected to due process and appropriate security screening to ensure that innocent civilians are distinguished from terrorist elements,” the statement added.

The military reaffirmed its resolve to continue counter-terrorism operations while maintaining professionalism, respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in denying terrorists freedom of action while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, respect for human rights, and the rule of law,” the statement concluded

The US House of Representatives passed a largely symbolic resolution Thursday calling for President Donald Trump to halt military action against Iran, delivering another congressional rebuke as the Middle East war sharply escalates.

The measure — which passed 214-208 after four Republicans joined opposition Democrats in support — directs Trump to remove US forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes the war.

But as a concurrent resolution, it does not go to the president for signature and carries disputed legal force, meaning Trump is almost certain to ignore it.

The vote came after the United States launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iranian military targets, its 12th consecutive night of attacks, while Iran has fired on US bases and American-allied Gulf states.

Four US service personnel killed in recent Iran-related attacks were honored this week as their remains returned to the United States in flag-draped cases.

The conflict has also spread further across regional shipping lanes. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said Wednesday they had struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea after declaring a maritime blockade, while Iran has kept pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.

The House vote underscored growing unease in Congress over a war that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February and has become a political burden for Republicans ahead of November’s midterm elections.

Democratic congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said the war had “no clear mission, no strategy, no end goal.”

Democrats have used repeated war powers votes to force Republicans onto the record over the unpopular conflict, arguing that Trump violated the Constitution by launching and sustaining military operations without approval from Congress.

Most Republicans, however, stood by the president.

House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Brian Mast accused critics of failing to recognize the sacrifice of US troops killed in the conflict and said the operation was bringing a “reckoning” for Iranian attacks.

The Senate was voting Thursday on a separate war powers measure from Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen. It was expected to fail.

Congress passed a similar resolution in June, but Trump dismissed that vote as “poorly timed and meaningless.”

The White House has argued that efforts to limit Trump’s authority would weaken Washington as it seeks to pressure Tehran.

Democrats and a small number of Republicans say the opposite: that Congress must reclaim its constitutional role over decisions of war and peace.

AFP

The directive was issued on Thursday following a meeting of the Osun State Security Council chaired by the Governor.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the decision followed extensive deliberations on the security situation in the state and the need to restore sanity to motor parks.

Adeleke directed the Police and other security agencies to immediately stop all NURTW activities in motor parks across the state, stressing that the order does not include the closure of the parks.

He also ordered the suspension of the collection of all levies in the parks and directed security agencies to arrest anyone parading as an official or executive of the union in any motor park.

I hereby direct the Police and other security agencies to stop all activities of the union in all our parks across the state. I am not saying you should close the parks, but you should not allow anyone to operate in the parks in the name of the union.

“Anyone found contravening this order should be arrested for possible prosecution for disturbance of public peace,” the governor said.

The statement added that the heads of the various security agencies present at the meeting assured the Governor of their commitment to strictly enforce the directive.

To ensure compliance, Governor Adeleke also approved the immediate establishment of a Rapid Response Squad comprising personnel from all security agencies operating in the state.

The meeting was attended by top security chiefs, including representatives of the Nigeria Police Force from the Osun State Command and Zone 11, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun). Also present were the Deputy Governor, the Chief of Staff, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, and the Special Adviser on Security Matters..

Former Lagos State Governor and Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, says he prefers to advise President Bola Tinubu privately rather than criticise his administration on television.

Fashola disclosed this during an interview on TVC News on Wednesday, where he was asked why he avoided commenting publicly on the President’s performance.

Fashola said the President reached out to him directly, seeking his input on areas requiring improvement ahead of the 2027 elections.

He explained that he had chosen to preserve the private channel of communication rather than air his views on air.

He calls me today, and he says, ‘Today, identify one area where my administration must improve as we count down to 2027. What would you advise me?’ So, I will speak to the President on TV? I’ve told myself I would not do that,” Fashola said.

The former minister said he had direct access to the President and had already advised him on a few issues. He added that keeping the line of communication open was more important than public commentary.

“I have his ears, and when I need to see him, I’ve advised on a few things. I think that we must keep that channel open. It’s not my intention to advise him on television,” Fashola said.

Pressed on whether the administration had blind spots after three years in office, Fashola dismissed the suggestion. He said his access to the President made public criticism unnecessary.

There are no blind spots in this administration. You can’t be shouting at somebody whose ear you have,” he said.

The interviewer had noted that Fashola’s stance had remained unchanged despite expectations that his exit from active politics would make him more open to public commentary on the government.

Fashola also ruled out a presidential bid, insisting he was content with his role at home. Asked if he would contest for president, he simply said, “No.”

Pressed further, he responded with a smile, “President of what? I’m president at home.”

He also used the interview to reflect on his more than two decades in public service, describing his journey as an unimaginable privilege that he hoped would inspire another generation of Nigerians.

He declined to be drawn into long-standing speculation over whether he had favoured Obafemi Hamzat or Olasupo Sasore as his preferred successor ahead of the 2015 Lagos governorship election.

Fashola confirmed he remains a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council, but drew a distinction between offering advice and interfering in government, saying, “There is a thin line between intervention and interference.”

An Islamic prayer was held on Thursday for the late Lagos State Organising Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Toba Ajiboye, popularly known as Toba Ijaya, at his residence in Fadeyi, Lagos.

Dozens of men and women gathered for the prayer session as Islamic clerics led prayers in honour of the late union official.

Our correspondent captured Ajiboye’s gravesite, with his tombstone adorned with floral arrangements, including flowers arranged to spell the word “ICON.”

Unidentified gunmen shot Ajiboye along the Ikorodu Road/Fadeyi corridor on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

He was rushed to St. Nicholas Hospital on Lagos Island, where he later died from his injuries.

He was buried at his Fadeyi residence on Tuesday, July 21, drawing a large crowd of mourners, including colleagues and sympathisers, who gathered to pay their final respects.

The Lagos State Police Command said it had launched an active manhunt for those responsible for the attack, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing assailants.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced three suspects linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to life imprisonment.

Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that the life sentence should take effect from the date of the convicts’ arrest, Channels TV reports.

He handed down the sentence after convicting Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (Yunusa bin Musa) and Shamsu Adamu Sani (Abu Itisar) on charges connected to terrorism and the kidnapping incident.

The defendants had earlier pleaded guilty to some of the allegations brought against them by the Federal Government, while denying others.

They were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.

The Federal Government accused the trio of belonging to Darul Salam, an affiliate of Jamaatu Asarul Muslima Fi Bilandis Sudan (Ansaru), a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants, all from Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, conspired with other suspects, including Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab, between January and May 2026 to facilitate the abduction of school children and teachers in Oyo State.

They were also accused of concealing information about the identities and activities of the alleged masterminds of the attack despite being aware of the plot.

During proceedings, the defendants admitted to concealing information about those responsible for the school attack and acknowledged their membership of Darul Salam.

While all three pleaded guilty to counts four and six of the charge, only Umar admitted guilt on additional counts bordering on providing training and instructions to members of the group through a WhatsApp platform titled “The Oneness of Allah is the Foundation of Peace”.

However, they pleaded not guilty to the remaining counts.

Following their guilty pleas, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, who led the prosecution team, urged the court to sentence the defendants on the counts they admitted.

Before the sentencing, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court for leniency, describing them as first-time offenders who had shown remorse by pleading guilty.

The defence counsel argued that the charges they admitted were not directly related to the kidnapping itself and appealed to the court to consider their family responsibilities, noting that they were married men with children and had aged parents dependent on them.

He urged the court to give them an opportunity for a second chance.

However, prosecution counsel argued that the convicts were aware of the activities of those involved in the attack and, as responsible citizens, ought to have reported the information to security authorities.

The Federal Government had alleged that the defendants committed offences contrary to provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, including sections relating to conspiracy, aiding terrorism, concealment of terrorist activities and membership of a proscribed organisation.

The court, after considering the submissions of both parties, convicted the defendants and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

On May 15, gunmen invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA, abducting 46 people comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers.

The Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape during the raid, while a Mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by his abductors.

The remaining Victims regained their freedom on July 10 following an intelligence-led military operation targeting the kidnappers’ hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park.

The Nigerian Army announced that 44 pupils and teachers were rescued, while eight suspected gang members were arrested.

The Presidency also stated that no ransom was paid and no concessions were made to the kidnappers, who had reportedly demanded N1bn and the release of a detained commander.

Following the rescue operation, the federal government filed a 10-count charge against the three suspects over their alleged involvement in the abduction.

The charges bordered on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining.

A statement signed on Thursday by the VP’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima is leading a delegation that includes six state governors and senior government officials on a mission to draw lessons from Benin’s Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone for the revival of Nigeria’s textile industry.

The delegation will visit the GDIZ near Cotonou, where it will engage representatives of the Beninese government, investors and private-sector operators involved in the development and management of the 1,640-hectare industrial hub.

The hub operates an integrated production system covering cotton spinning, weaving, fabric processing and garment manufacturing, moving agricultural commodities from raw material supply through processing to the export of finished goods.

The governors on the VP’s entourage are Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Dikko Radda of Katsina and Umar Namadi of Jigawa.

Nkwocha said, “The visit is aimed at strengthening the implementation of Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme and examining how the GDIZ model can be adapted to Nigeria’s agro-industrial zones, including through the development of garment-training facilities and dedicated processing infrastructure near agricultural production communities.”

He noted that the African Development Bank is already supporting plans for a garment-training centre within the SAPZ programme in Ogun State.

The visit comes at a time when the Federal Government is seeking to rebuild a textile industry that remains economically significant despite years of factory closures, weak local processing and intense competition from imported fabrics and garments,” the statement read.

According to National Bureau of Statistics figures, Nigeria’s textile, apparel and footwear industry was valued at approximately N8.15tn at current prices in 2024 and generated a further N2.45tn in nominal output in the first quarter of 2025 alone.

Nkwocha said the delegation is expected to examine how Nigeria can build stronger linkages among cotton farmers, ginneries, spinning mills, textile manufacturers, fashion businesses and export markets, a value chain that, if developed, could reduce dependence on imports, conserve foreign exchange and create employment across farming, manufacturing, logistics, design and retail.

He said particular attention will be given to how GDIZ has mobilised investment, developed industrial infrastructure, built skills capacity and oriented production toward exports, all areas where Nigeria’s textile sector has struggled.

“The delegation will also explore opportunities for technology transfer, industrial training, modern machinery, reliable energy systems, common processing facilities and stronger public-private partnerships to improve the quality and competitiveness of Nigerian cotton, fabrics and finished garments,” Nkwocha wrote.

The presidential aide said Shettima’s engagement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its priorities of industrial revival, economic diversification, agricultural transformation, import substitution, job creation and expansion of non-oil exports.

Fubara, who made the recommendation on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the 48th Meeting of the National Council on Establishments held in Port Harcourt, said government must continually rethink and reposition public institutions to meet the demands of the twenty-first century.

The meeting was attended by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the thirty -six states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Addressing the participants at the meeting, Fubara stated that with the rapid technological advancement, changing workforce dynamics, increasing citizen expectations, and emerging global realities, there is a need for a public service that is agile, digitally enabled, accountable, and driven by excellence.

He said public institutions must not merely adapt to change; they must anticipate and lead it through policies that reward competence, innovation, integrity, and exceptional performance.

The governor described the public service as the engine room of government, through which policies are translated into tangible programmes, development priorities implemented, and essential public services delivered to citizens.

According to him, without a competent, motivated, and efficient public service, no government can fully realise its vision for sustainable development.

As custodians of public service administration, entrusted with responsibilities relating to establishment matters, human resource management, job evaluation, career progression, and conditions of service, your decisions have far-reaching implications for national development, institutional effectiveness, and the quality of governance across our federation.

“Indeed, the strength of any government is ultimately reflected in the quality of its public service.

“A professional, disciplined, innovative, and performance-driven civil service remains the foundation upon which sustainable economic growth, institutional stability, and public confidence are built,” he said.

Fubara charged the NCE to approach its deliberations with vision, courage, and a strong commitment to national progress, stressing that the discussions should produce practical, forward-looking, and implementable recommendations that will strengthen institutional capacity, promote transparency, deepen professionalism, and improve productivity throughout the Nigerian Public Service.

Under his administration, Fubara said, Rivers State has continued to prioritise investments that enhance the welfare, productivity, and professional development of public servants because of his belief that no development agenda can succeed without a motivated, competent, and adequately supported workforce.

“Beyond implementing a minimum wage that exceeds the nationally approved threshold, we have sustained the prompt payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, and Christmas bonuses.

“We have also restored regular promotions, ensuring that dedication, competence, and years of service receive the recognition they deserve.

Furthermore, work is at an advanced stage on the comprehensive renovation and modernisation of the State Secretariat Complex, which will provide our workforce with a modern, safe, technology-driven, and conducive working environment that reflects the dignity and importance of public service.

“These initiatives demonstrate our unwavering conviction that when public servants are properly motivated, equipped, and empowered, they become stronger partners in delivering efficient governance and improving the quality of life of our people,” Fubara stated.

He commended the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, for the bold leadership and transformative reforms she has introduced to reposition the Federal Civil Service.

According to the governor, her commitment to professionalism, innovation, performance management, and institutional excellence continues to inspire confidence and set new benchmarks for public administration in Nigeria.

Fubara expressed hope that the outcome of the 48th meeting of the Council will influence the future direction of public service administration, strengthen institutional capacity, improve career management systems, and ultimately contribute to more effective governance across the nation.

Newcastle United and Liverpool are set to honour club legend Kevin Keegan with a special tribute before their Premier League opening fixture at St James’ Park following his death at the age of 75.

According to BBC Sport on Thursday, the two clubs are in discussions over plans to mark Keegan’s remarkable contribution to both teams when they meet on Sunday, August 23, 2026, in the first game of the new Premier League season.

Newcastle confirmed that it is working with Liverpool, supporter groups and the Premier League to ensure the former England captain receives a fitting farewell.

“Newcastle United is in communication with Liverpool to ensure Kevin Keegan’s memory is marked fittingly before the game,” the club said in a statement.

The club added that it would work closely with its Fan Advisory Board, the Newcastle United Supporters Trust and Wor Flags to shape the tributes.

Keegan enjoyed legendary spells at both clubs. He spent six successful years at Liverpool as a player, winning three league titles, the European Cup, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup before moving on to Newcastle, where he later became manager.

At Newcastle, Keegan helped guide the club to Premier League promotion in the 1992-93 season and led them to a second-place finish in the 1995-96 campaign.

The Magpies have already announced a series of tributes, including black armbands for their men’s, women’s and under-21 teams during pre-season matches.

A minute’s silence will also be held before Newcastle’s friendly against Gateshead, while Keegan’s image will be displayed on screens at St James’ Park during matches against Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg. The tribute will take place in the seventh minute in recognition of the number seven shirt he wore during his playing career.

The club said it would consult Keegan’s family on plans for a permanent tribute to celebrate his legacy.

Keegan, who also managed England, Fulham and Manchester City, revealed earlier this year that he was battling stage-four cancer. His family confirmed that he died surrounded by his wife and daughters.

The former forward remains one of the most influential figures in English football history, having left a lasting impact both as a player and manager.

 Online had reported that the former England captain and manager died at the age of 75 following a battle with stage four cancer.

An Enugu Air aircraft veered off the runway after landing at the Benin Airport on Thursday, with the airline confirming that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated without injuries.

The incident, described in aviation terms as a runway excursion, involved one of the Enugu State-owned carrier’s Embraer regional jets.

In a statement posted on its official X handle, Enugu Air said the aircraft experienced the runway excursion after landing and that the relevant aviation authorities had been notified.

“Enugu Air wishes to inform the public that one of our aircraft operating into Benin experienced a runway excursion after landing today.

We confirm that all passengers and crew have safely disembarked and there were no injuries or casualties.

“The aircraft has been secured, and the relevant aviation authorities have been notified in line with established procedures. An assessment of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the occurrence is currently underway,” the airline said.

Enugu Air added that the incident could result in temporary adjustments to some of its flight schedules.

As a result, there may be temporary adjustments to some flight schedules. Passengers affected by any changes will be contacted directly and provided with the necessary assistance.

“The safety of our passengers, crew, and operations remains our highest priority. We appreciate your understanding and will continue to provide updates through our official communication channels,” the statement added.

Videos circulating on social media showed the aircraft off the runway following the incident, prompting initial reports that it had crash-landed.

However, the airline clarified that the occurrence was a runway excursion and confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries.

The aircraft involved is an Embraer regional jet recently introduced into Enugu Air’s fleet for commercial operations.

The cause of the runway excursion has yet to be determined, while aviation authorities are expected to investigate the incident.

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Dangote Petroleum Refinery has resumed gantry loading of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in naira after a week-long suspension, ending uncertainty in the downstream sector over its temporary shift to dollar-denominated sales.

Checks by Vanguard showed that the refinery has fixed its new ex-depot (gantry) price at N1,215 per litre, representing an increase of N140 per litre, or 13.02 per cent, from the previous price of N1,075 per litre.

The increase in the gantry price is directly linked to the sharp rally in global crude oil prices, which has raised the cost of producing refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, heightening concerns over fresh fuel price hikes in Nigeria and other oil-importing countries.

Market data on Wednesday showed that Brent crude, the international benchmark against which Nigeria’s crude is priced, climbed 3.18 per cent to $93.90 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 2.74 per cent to $86.65 per barrel.

The price adjustment also comes at a time when domestic petrol prices have already risen sharply following increases in ex-depot prices by major suppliers, raising fears of another round of increases at filling stations.

The resumption of naira-denominated truck loading is expected to improve product availability after supply disruptions caused by the suspension.

Industry sources confirmed that marketers had been notified of the resumption of gantry operations, with loading set to commence immediately under the revised naira pricing structure.

The development comes barely 24 hours after the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery resumed coastal loading of petrol at a higher price.

Checks showed that the refinery increased its coastal loading price to $1,161.23 per metric tonne, from $1,044.62 per metric tonne, representing an 11.2 per cent increase.

The refinery’s return to naira pricing for truck loading follows several days of uncertainty in the downstream petroleum market after the suspension forced many independent marketers to source products from private depots.

The disruption tightened supply and pushed ex-depot petrol prices in Lagos to as high as N1,275 per litre, compared with Dangote Refinery’s previous gantry price of N1,075 per litre before sales were suspended.

Before halting product loading, Dangote Refinery attributed the suspension to challenges in securing adequate crude oil supplies under the Federal Government’s naira-for-crude initiative, prompting its temporary switch to dollar-denominated sales.

The refinery’s decision to restore naira transactions is expected to ease supply constraints in the inland market and improve the nationwide distribution of petroleum products.

Already, petrol prices at depots across Nigeria recorded fresh increases on Wednesday, while diesel prices surged sharply in several locations, signaling renewed cost pressures for fuel marketers and transport operators.

Mid-day depot price data for July 22, 2026 showed that the depot price of petrol, rising across major supply hubs including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar, with some depots raising prices by as much as N87 per litre.

The sharpest increase was recorded at Bulk Strategic Reserve in Lagos, where the ex-depot petrol price jumped by N87 per litre to N1,350 from N1,263.

The increase places the depot among the highest-priced suppliers in the country and could influence retail pump prices if sustained.

Other Lagos depots posted more modest increases. Liquid Bulk, Masters Energy, Matrix and Sigmund all raised petrol prices by between N15 and N17 per litre to N1,280, while TSL did not quote a new price.

Meanwhile, fresh increases in the pump price of petrol, to an average of N1,350 per litre from N1,260 per litre across filling stations in Lagos and its environs have heightened concerns over the rising cost of living, with millions of Nigerians expected to face higher transportation, food and business costs.

Checks by Vanguard showed several retail outlets adjusted their pump prices to between N1,300 per litre and N1,400 per litre following increases in ex-depot prices by depot owners, pushing fuel costs to their highest levels in recent months.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the suspect was arrested by officers attached to the Uwanse Division in Calabar South following a complaint by Mrs Edemawan Samuel.

According to the PPRO, the complainant alleged that Ekpeme falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and collected the money from her after promising to facilitate employment for her children at the teaching hospital.

He said, “The suspect was arrested by police officers attached to Uwanse Division, Calabar South LGA, following a complaint lodged by Mrs. Edemawan Samuel, 45, who alleged that the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and fraudulently obtained the sum of N500,000 from her under the false promise of securing employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.”

The police spokesperson said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect used the false claim to deceive the woman into parting with the money.

He added, “Relevant exhibits believed to be connected to the case were recovered during the investigation, and the suspect is currently in police custody”, The PPRO said”.

Eitokpah noted that the Commissioner of Police, AIG Rashid Afegbua, has directed a comprehensive investigation to determine the full extent of the suspect’s activities and ascertain whether there are other victims.

The command is actively conducting a discreet investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any other possible victims or accomplices.

Upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect will be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established. Members of the public are assured that further updates will be provided as investigations progress”, he added.

The Otakeme community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has elected the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Renew Empire Nigeria, Mr. Gospel Obolo, as its new paramount ruler, bringing to an end a 55-year interregnum in the traditional institution of the ancient community.

The election, which was recently conducted by the community, marked the restoration of the royal stool after more than five decades without a substantive paramount ruler.

Otakeme is one of the neighbouring communities to Otabagi, the host community of the historic Oloibiri oil wells where crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria in 1956.

Speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting with community stakeholders, the monarch-elect said his reign would be anchored on consultation, inclusiveness and unity, stressing that rebuilding the community would require the collective efforts of all indigenes.

He expressed regret that despite producing notable professionals and accomplished sons and daughters across various fields, Otakeme had remained without a traditional ruler for 55 years due to internal divisions.

Obolo disclosed that he had commenced consultations with stakeholders and indigenes living in major cities across the country to foster reconciliation and mobilise support for the community’s development.

He said, “It is sad that our community, Otakeme, has been without a king for 55 years.

Otakeme is supposed to be one of the communities in Ogbia that others should emulate in terms of communal living, but regrettably we have lost a lot due to disunity, which resulted in the absence of a paramount ruler for this long.

“We have begun consultations with our people in the diaspora to solidify our unity and continue on the path of development. There is a lot to do for our people, and I want to assure every indigene that we will work together to develop Otakeme community.”

The monarch-elect appealed to community leaders, elders and stakeholders to consolidate on the prevailing peace and support efforts aimed at restoring harmony and accelerating development in the area.

He also urged youths to remain peaceful and law-abiding, describing his emergence as the beginning of a new chapter for the community.

According to him, the restoration of the traditional institution offers an opportunity for renewed unity, innovation and sustainable development in Otakeme after decades of leadership vacuum.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated his support for the second-term bid of President Bola Tinubu and the governorship ambition of the All Progressives Congress candidate in the state, Kingsley Chinda.

In what appeared to be a public declaration of peace and an end to political hostilities in the state, Fubara said that, as a loyal member of the APC, he had also joined the Rainbow Coalition, a political group initiated by his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to advance the interests of the ruling party in Rivers State.

The governor made his position known on Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Riven Medical Industries Project in Port Harcourt.

He disclosed that the political forces that had previously been at odds in the state had resolved their differences and agreed to work together in the interest of peace and development.

Fubara urged his supporters across the state to set aside past differences and support the aspirations of Tinubu, Chinda and other APC candidates in Rivers State in the forthcoming elections.

He said, “We have made peace in the state, and I’m supporting our Rainbow Coalition. President Bola Tinubu is our President, and is the one we are supporting.

“OK Chinda is the governorship candidate that I am supporting, and anybody who believes in me will support him and every other candidate that is under the Rainbow Coalition

I’ve gone back to our family. So, please, whoever you are, give your total support to the Rainbow Coalition. We need to move forward. The time of war is over. It is time for peace, and this peace is taking us to another level.”

He added, “I want this to be made clear to everybody. So, don’t go anywhere and say you’re supporting Fubara …. No.

“My position is this: I have said it here and clearly for everyone to hear. If you’re not hearing well, use cotton wool to clean your ears and let it enter well.

“I’m not party to anything that will bring any form of disunity in this state. I’ve done what I need to do, and we are moving forward.”

The political crisis between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, erupted in late 2023 over a power struggle with Wike, who had become Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

The dispute triggered a division in the Rivers State House of Assembly, an impeachment threat against Fubara and a prolonged political confrontation between the two camps.

In 2025, the crisis reached a new phase after Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu and the state House of Assembly. The suspension was later lifted, but the political rift remained a major issue in the state ahead of the 2027 elections.

Towards the primaries of the APC, Fubara, who obtained the form, did not participate in the exercise after he was not given the green light by the national secretariat of the party. In his place, Chinda won and got the ticket.

Wike had since declared support for Chinda and other members of what he termed “Rainbow Coalition,” bringing together candidates of the APC and Peoples Democratic Party for the 2027 election.

Speaking further at the event, Fubara described the Riven Medical Industries Project as a positive development for the state but warned against a recurrence of past experiences in which some investors were allowed to operate in the state but failed to fulfil aspects of their agreements, resulting in litigation.

Fubara said his administration endorsed the project because it was convinced that the new investors had the capacity and commitment to revive the facility, create jobs and promote economic development in the state.

He urged the investors to adhere to the agreed timelines and ensure that the first phase of the project was completed within the next three months.

The governor also appealed to the host communities and the leadership of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to support the project and avoid actions that could disrupt its operations.

Fubara pledged that his administration would continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the project.

The Riven Medical Industries Project is a public-private partnership between the Rivers State Government and Enbay Pharmaceutical Industries Limited.

It is being implemented through Riven Medical Industries Limited, a special purpose vehicle established by Enbay to revive and redevelop the former Integrated Medical Industries into a pharmaceutical manufacturing complex.

When completed, the facility is expected to manufacture pharmaceutical formulations, gelatine capsules, intravenous infusions and active pharmaceutical ingredients, thereby expanding Nigeria’s local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and reducing dependence on imported medicines.

The project is also expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities, facilitate technology transfer, attract investment and strengthen the pharmaceutical manufacturing and healthcare value chains.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, said the groundbreaking ceremony marked the beginning of a project aimed at promoting industrial growth, economic diversification, improved healthcare outcomes and strategic partnerships in Rivers State and Nigeria.

The All Progressives Congress has uploaded the nomination details of 13 governorship candidates on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s candidate nomination portal as part of efforts to meet the August 8 deadline.

A high-ranking APC source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, disclosed that the ruling party was yet to upload its state Houses of Assembly candidates’ list due to glitches on the INEC portal.

However, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, assured that the ongoing reconciliation efforts would address grievances arising from the emergence of the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Earlier, in accordance with the timetable released by INEC, political parties submitted the nomination lists of their presidential and National Assembly candidates from June 27 to July 14, 2026.

The submission also covered Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E, as stipulated by Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.

For governorship and state Houses of Assembly candidates, INEC scheduled the submission of nomination forms to commence at 9:00 am on July 18 and close at 6:00 pm on August 8, 2026.

According to the electoral commission’s timetable, the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates are expected to be published on August 8, while details of governorship and state House of Assembly candidates will be published on August 29.

The timetable also provides August 22 as the deadline for the withdrawal or substitution of presidential and National Assembly candidates, while candidates contesting governorship and state House of Assembly seats can withdraw or be substituted until September 19.

The source disclosed that the APC’s ICT department had, as of the latest update, uploaded the nomination details of at least 13 governorship candidates since the exercise began on July 18.

Those whose details have so far been processed, according to the source, were Dr Obafemi Hamzat of Lagos, Solomon Adeola of Ogun, Umar Bago of Niger, Ahmed Wadada of Nasarawa, Yakubu Danladi of Kwara, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Ahmed Galadima of Adamawa, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.

He stated, “So far, the party has uploaded the details of 13 governorship candidates, while the documents of five others are being processed by the ICT department.

“We are confident of completing the upload of all 28 candidates and their deputies before the August 8 INEC deadline.

“The uploading of state House of Assembly candidates’ details is yet to begin due to technical challenges with the INEC portal.

“However, our ICT team has already scanned and prepared the documents for immediate upload once the issues are resolved.”

The APC Director of Publicity urged the candidates to remain committed to and uphold the party’s policies as they embark on their campaigns.

Ibrahim stated, “In the coming days, the party will complete the exercise of uploading our candidate list. We expect the candidates to show loyalty to the policies of the party with which they are going to campaign.

“The party is campaigning on the mantra of Renewed Hope, and therefore, they should renew the hope of the people and make sure that they work towards delivering democratic dividends.

“They are going to work for the progress of the people and the progress of the country, and they are going to work in a way that will make Nigeria a better place.

“As for the disaffection that the emergence of some of these candidates may have caused, the reconciliation committee is working, and we are hoping that, at the end of the day, all grievances will be resolved. All the aggrieved parties will come together and forge ahead.”

The crisis in the Ondo State House of Assembly remains unresolved as the majority of lawmakers have issued a Sunday ultimatum to the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, to resign from office or face impeachment.

Twenty-one of the 26 members of the House have signed an impeachment notice against the Speaker over alleged financial misconduct.

The Speaker was accused of diverting N44m from funds allocated for the reordering of the budget of the Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission.

Speaking with our correspondent by telephone on Wednesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, said the lawmakers had given the Speaker a few more days to resign, failing which he would be removed at the next plenary sitting.

He stressed that the governor had intervened in the matter but had allowed the lawmakers to carry out their legislative duties.

Fabiyi said, “We have resolved that Mr Speaker should go. But in the wisdom of the leadership of the House, we felt we should meet with Mr Governor.

“And we have taken the resolution of the members to Mr Governor. Because the one we did before, they were castigating us, saying somebody was sponsoring us.”

“So, to avoid that, the leadership of the House went to Mr Governor to tell him that this one is not about him. This is what Mr Speaker has done, and we don’t want him anymore. He is the one leading us, and we don’t want him to lead us again.

“Twenty-one members have signed for his removal. But in the wisdom of the leadership of the House, not to make it appear as if we are striking too quickly, we went to Mr Governor.

Mr Governor requested some time. On this issue, we don’t have any problem with Mr Governor. It is about the OSOPADEC budget. A resolution was written in the name of members without our knowledge. It was stated that members had sat down and agreed to it, and that it was our resolution, which it was not.

“It is a criminal offence. You cannot shave our heads behind our backs. That is what we are fighting for.

“So, if somebody is protecting him, it means that person is aiding and abetting him. We are giving him till Sunday. If he fails to resign, we will remove him.”

The House spokesman said the lawmakers would reconvene at the next plenary sitting to decide the Speaker’s fate.

On Monday, a member of the House, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the Speaker and his deputy had diverted N44m meant for the reordering of the budget of OSOPADEC.

He also alleged that the Speaker reordered the OSOPADEC budget without carrying other members along.

The lawmaker confirmed, “Yes, we are removing him. We just want him to resign honourably and, if he fails to do so, we will impeach him on the floor of the House. We have initiated an impeachment notice, and 21 members have already signed.

“We started the process about three weeks ago, but the governor has been talking to us, which is why we delayed it. But now, the governor has advised him to resign when we met with him. So, we are removing him.”

In his reaction, when contacted by telephone, the embattled speaker denied the allegations, saying he was not aware of any impeachment notice.

She spoke on Tuesday during a visit to her Ijemo community in Abeokuta South Local Government Area.

The event drew a large crowd of party supporters, community leaders and residents, with the PDP deputy governorship candidate receiving a rousing welcome alongside the party’s Ogun Central Senatorial candidate, Iyabo Obasanjo, and other party stalwarts.

Addressing the gathering, Sowunmi-Kolapo said the people of Ogun, particularly those from Egba land, must resist intimidation and vote massively for the PDP, insisting that the “party’s governorship ticket reflects the aspirations of the indigenous people of the state.”

She said, “The people must rally behind the opposition party that truly represents their interests and identity.

“The PDP is the most credible and formidable political party to reshape the fortunes of Ogun State. The PDP’s record of governance and developmental achievements remains unmatched.”

Sowunmi-Kolapo expressed confidence that the party would reclaim power in the state, boasting of the support of the electorate

“Neither the party nor its members would be intimidated by political opponents ahead of the 2027 polls,” she added.

Sowunmi-Kolapo cautioned against what she described as allowing “a stranger” to emerge as governor, stressing that while the Egba people are hospitable and welcoming to all, leadership of the state should remain in the hands of those who truly belong to and understand the people.

“We will not allow anyone to intimidate us. We are not like those looking for their family lineage. We are warriors. We must show them that we own the votes.

Let us come out en masse to vote and do not be intimidated. Do not believe anyone telling you that your votes will not count because your votes will count.

“In Egba, we are very accommodating. If anyone wants to be part of us, such a person is welcome, and we can even give the person a certificate of indigene, but we will not allow that person to become our king. Go and get your Permanent Voter Cards and vote for the PDP,” she said.

In his remarks, the Ogun State chairman of the PDP, Abayomi Tella, said the party remained the only political platform with a proven record of delivering democratic dividends to the people of Ogun State.

Tella noted that despite being out of power in the state, the achievements recorded by previous PDP administrations are still visible across different sectors, urging voters to compare the party’s legacy with the performance of subsequent governments.

The party chairman called on members and supporters to remain united, intensify grassroots mobilisation and encourage eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, expressing confidence that the PDP is well-positioned to reclaim Ogun State in the 2027 governorship election.

Also speaking, Iyabo Obasanjo appealed to the people of Ogun Central, particularly the Egba, to unite behind the PDP, arguing that the zone deserved to produce the next governor through a party that has an Egba indigene on its governorship ticket.

She maintained that the PDP remained the only political party capable of taking Ogun State to greater heights and urged residents to vote massively for the party during the 2027 general election.

“Our fathers fought for Abeokuta to become the capital of Ogun State. We must consider Ogun Central and the Egba people in making sure that a party that has an Egba person on its ticket wins the governorship race in Ogun State.

“We must all come together as Egba people to vote for PDP. And you know that our deputy governor is from Egba; she is from Ogun Central, so we must understand this and then vote for PDP.

“I want to tell you today that PDP is the only party that can take Ogun State to the next level. PDP is the only party that can rescue Ogun State. So don’t forget, let us come together and vote for PDP.”

The Allied People’s Movement has said the Federal Government’s recent attacks on its presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, show that President Bola Tinubu is jittery over Makinde’s growing popularity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

APM, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, on Wednesday, said the Tinubu administration was resorting to name-calling and disparagement because it lacked a convincing record of achievements to present to Nigerians, insisting that Makinde would defeat Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, had, during an interview with journalists on Monday, dismissed Makinde and the APM as inconsequential to the 2027 electoral contest.

Reacting, the APM described it as pathetic and unfortunate that the Tinubu Presidency had descended to such a low level of political ignominy, arguing that the administration had resorted to disparaging remarks and personal attacks instead of addressing the issues that matter to Nigerians.

It stated, “It is rather pathetic that the Tinubu Presidency has fallen so low into ignominy that it now relies on internationally discredited and politically inconsistent characters like Daniel Bwala to speak for it on national TV; a situation that further confirms that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu no longer commands the support of credible Nigerians.

“Since Daniel Bwala’s March 6, 2026, scandalous interview with Al Jazeera, Nigerians can always see through the antics of President Tinubu’s handlers. Daniel Bwala would soon eat his own words against Governor Makinde.

“In any event, the 2027 presidential race would be between Governor Seyi Makinde, standing shoulder to shoulder with millions of Nigerians who are determined for a new beginning, and a failed President Tinubu, who only has the feeble support of a handful of sycophantic, corrupt, arrogant and morally depraved minions on his payrol

“The APM is, therefore, not surprised that the Tinubu Presidency is deflated and intimidated because it has no tangible scorecard of achievements to present to the public, given its abysmal failures, for which Nigerians across the board have reached a consensus to replace President Tinubu with Governor Makinde at the 2027 election, given Makinde’s outstanding performance as Governor of Oyo State.”

The APM said it would not be dragged into an exchange of insults, stressing that its attention remains firmly focused on issues of importance to Nigerians.

The statement read, “Of course, President Tinubu should be jittery because Governor Makinde is coming into the contest with an intimidating record of performance, including transforming Oyo State into a foremost economically viable state, surpassing the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, according to data from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), a feat Nigerians want him to replicate at the national level.

“The Tinubu Presidency is edgy because Nigerians are determined and eager to elect Governor Seyi Makinde as the next President of the country so that they can enjoy the benefits of his blueprint to revamp the economy, rejig our security architecture, rebuild collapsed infrastructure, revitalise the productive sectors, provide jobs, end corruption and bring a new lease of life to the people.

“Of course, why won’t the Tinubu Presidency be jittery when Governor Makinde is coming with the full support of over 50 million young Nigerians whose destinies are being caged by the Tinubu administration and who are now rallying with our presidential candidate as the face of the new Nigeria they eagerly seek and for which they are ready to vote in 2027 and defend their votes to the very end?

“To suggest that a presidential candidate with such an army of support is “inconsequential” says more about the anxiety within the corridors of power than it does about the candidate.

“In fact, before noon on election day, the Presidency will know who actually is inconsequential in this race.”

Suspected cultists shot and killed the zonal commander of a local security outfit codenamed the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area Security Planning and Advisory Committee in Omoku, the headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, identified as Ozomela Stephen Nwaocha, on Tuesday evening.

PUNCH Metro gathered on Wednesday that three women, including the commander’s sister, who were with him during the attack, were shot dead by the suspects.

The assailants reportedly attacked the vigilante commander while he was relaxing outside his compound with the women along Oba Road in Omoku.

It was suspected that the killing might have been a reprisal following a violent clash linked to a community dispute.

A source in the community who craved anonymity for fear of attack told our correspondent that a youth meeting had been disrupted earlier on Tuesday after armed security personnel and OSPAC members allegedly stormed the venue and opened fire, leaving two youths with gunshot injuries.

Videos of the aftermath of the attack circulating on social media and seen by our correspondent on Wednesday showed multiple casualties, including the three women.

Residents, some believed to be relatives of the victims, were seen crying at the scene, while others carried the injured into a vehicle.

The incident, the source told PUNCH Metro, had caused panic in the area, with some residents fleeing to safer locations and business activities disrupted.

“As I speak to you, many businesses and markets have remained shut since Tuesday.

“Many residents have also fled to neighbouring communities for safety because of fear. There is serious panic here,” the insider said.

Confirming the incident in a voice note on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of OSPAC in Rivers State, Nkem Godknows, said the gunmen attacked the vigilante commander while he was sitting with his sister and her friend near his residence.

Godknows said the incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, adding that the three women died instantly after they were hit by the attackers’ bullets.

He further said two other victims sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment.

He said, “It was about 5:05 p.m. Our commander was hanging out with his sister and friend around his neighbourhood. Before you know it, the gunmen got there and shot him dead.

There were three women who died on the spot, while two others are in the hospital with bullet wounds.

“We reported to the police immediately. My call to the people of Omoku and ONELGA in general is that they should remain calm. Nobody should panic.

“By God’s grace, OSPAC and the security agencies are on top of the matter. I also appeal to the government and the security personnel to come to the aid of OSPAC because we are not properly taken care of.

“We are not paid. We have no source of income.”

When contacted on Wednesday afternoon, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the attack and expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as a setback to the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.

Agabe said the command strongly condemned the attack and reiterated its commitment to ensuring that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

She said, “I can confirm the incident. The Rivers State Police Command is saddened by this incident, which has disrupted the relative peace the state is enjoying.

The command condemns this act in its entirety and assures that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

“The Rivers State Police Command seeks credible information from members of the public that will assist us in our ongoing investigation.”

A 45-year-old man and his teenage daughter have died after falling into an abandoned dry well in Yancibi Village, Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, ACFO Saminu Abdullahi.

According to the statement, the Tsanyawa Fire Service Office received a distress call on the evening of Monday, July 21, reporting that Abubakar Abdullahi and his 15-year-old daughter, Fiddausi Abubakar, had fallen into the well.

The statement said firefighters from the Tsanyawa branch immediately responded and attempted to rescue the victims but were unable to complete the operation due to darkness and difficult conditions at the scene.

It added that an emergency rescue team from the Fire Service headquarters was deployed early Tuesday to support the operation.

Our rescue team successfully recovered the victims from the well. They were brought out unconscious and were later confirmed dead,” the statement said.

The Fire Service said the bodies were handed over to the Village Head of Yancibi, Shamsu Sani.

Preliminary findings indicated that the teenage girl accidentally fell into the well, while her father reportedly entered the well in an attempt to rescue her but also became trapped.

“The girl accidentally fell into the well. Her father attempted to rescue her but was unable to escape, resulting in the tragic loss of both lives,” the statement added.

The Fire Service expressed condolences to the bereaved family and urged residents to avoid entering wells without proper rescue equipment and trained emergency personnel.

The Governing Council of the University of Ibadan has appointed Prof. Peter Olamakinde Olapegba as the institution’s 14th Vice-Chancellor following a competitive selection process involving eight candidates.

The appointment was announced on Wednesday by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Adebisi Akande, shortly after the council approved the recommendation of the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board.

Akande said the process of appointing a new Vice-Chancellor commenced in line with the provisions of the University Act ahead of the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor on November 1, 2026.

According to him, advertisements inviting applications for the position were published in April 2026 in three national newspapers, attracting six applications.

He explained that the Governing Council subsequently constituted a Search Team, as required by law, to identify other qualified candidates who might not have applied. The move yielded two additional applications, bringing the total number of candidates to eight.

Akande disclosed that the council interacted with all eight candidates on Tuesday, July 21, during which members independently assessed and scored them using approved guidelines.

He said the exercise produced five candidates who were shortlisted, in order of merit, for the final stage of the selection process.

The Pro-Chancellor added that the council also appointed two of its members to serve on the Selection Board, while the University Senate had earlier elected two of its representatives to participate in the exercise.

He said the Joint Council-Senate Selection Board interviewed the five shortlisted candidates on Wednesday before recommending Olapegba as the best candidate.

Akande described the selection exercise as “thorough, transparent and highly competitive,” noting that the Governing Council unanimously approved the recommendation of the Selection Board.

“It is, therefore, my pleasure to present to you the 14th Vice-Chancellor of this great university, the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba. We wish him success in his tenure,” he said.

Olapegba will succeed the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, whose tenure expires on November 1, 2026.

Olapegba is the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) and a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Ibadan.

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, will graduate 12,895 students, including 168 First Class graduates, during its 55th Convocation Ceremony.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing to herald the commencement of the convocation activities.

According to him, 10,641 students will receive first degrees and diplomas, while 2,944 will be awarded postgraduate qualifications comprising 1,390 Doctor of Philosophy degrees, 1,340 Master’s degrees and 214 Postgraduate Diplomas.

“This year’s convocation celebrates a harvest of 12,895 graduands. Of these, 10,641 will receive First Degrees and Diplomas, including 168 First Class honours graduates,” Ortuanya said.

He added that the university would confer honorary doctorate degrees on the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, High Chief Williams Agbo, Arc. Dr. Kaycee Kelechi Orji and Dr. William Franklyn Richardson.

The institution will also confer the title of Professor Emeritus on two retired academics, Prof. Peter-Jazzy Ezeh and Prof. Boniface Obinna Okere.

The Vice-Chancellor said the convocation lecture, scheduled for Thursday, July 23, would be delivered by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, while a former Vice-Chancellor of the university and current Vice-Chancellor of the University on the Niger, Prof. Ositadinma Nebo, would chair the event

Highlighting achievements recorded by his administration since assuming office in August 2025, Ortuanya said the university had secured approval to increase its admission quota for Medicine from 180 to 400 and Dentistry from 15 to 60 following accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

He said the National Universities Commission also approved the unbundling of the Department of Mass Communication into five specialised degree programmes, while programmes in Agribusiness, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Industrial Arts, and Criminology and Security Studies received full accreditation.

According to him, the university has also intensified efforts to improve digital learning and research through the digitalisation of its Central Library and the establishment of a Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Laboratory.

On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor said several projects were ongoing across the university’s campuses, including the reconstruction of internal roads, rehabilitation of hostels and construction of additional facilities at the College of Medicine, Ituku-Ozalla.

He listed some of the hostels undergoing renovation as Eni-Njoku, Eyo-Ita, Nkrumah and Odili hostels, adding that work had resumed on the long-abandoned Zik’s Flats and the Senate Building.

Ortuanya also disclosed that 1,984 members of staff had been promoted within the past 11 months, including 25 academics elevated to the rank of professor.

He said the university had expanded its international partnerships through collaborations with institutions in Sweden, Taiwan, China, Belarus, the United States and South Africa to promote research, staff exchange and academic development.

The Vice-Chancellor described the ongoing reforms as part of efforts to reposition the university as a globally competitive institution while calling on alumni, development partners and other stakeholders to support its development.

“Our vision is to reposition the University of Nigeria as a globally competitive institution distinguished by excellence in teaching, cutting-edge research, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and transformational community engagement,” he said.

The Senate on Wednesday resolved to summon the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and about 40 other Ministries, Departments and Agencies over their alleged failure to honour invitations to account for public funds.

The resolution followed a motion by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, who accused several government agencies of frustrating legislative oversight by refusing to appear before the committee investigating revenue remittances, operating surpluses and compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and other financial laws.

Musa said the committee was acting within its constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the National Assembly to investigate the finances and administration of public institutions.

“As part of our constitutional mandate under Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, the Senate Committee on Finance conducts periodic investigative hearings to examine the financial operations of Government-Owned Enterprises and Ministries, Departments and Agencies,” he said.

He explained that the exercise was aimed at scrutinising internally generated revenue, stamp duty collections where applicable, operating surpluses and statutory remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

The senator, however, lamented that despite repeated invitations, many agencies had either refused to appear or ignored the committee altogether.

“More concerning is that some have taken the position that they are under no obligation to appear before the committee or submit the requested information, notwithstanding the clear constitutional and statutory powers vested in the National Assembly to conduct oversight over the finances and administration of public institutions,” Musa said.

He warned that such actions undermined the constitutional authority of the National Assembly.

“These developments constitute a serious challenge to the effective discharge of the committee’s oversight responsibilities and undermine the constitutional authority of the Senate. If left unchecked, they could erode legislative oversight, weaken fiscal accountability and diminish transparency in the management of public resources.”

Musa also accused some revenue-generating agencies of violating the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Finance Act 2022 by retaining government revenue instead of remitting it into the Federation’s coffers.

“These are agencies that collect revenue for government, and the Fiscal Responsibility Act as well as the Finance Act 2022 direct that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must comply with the financial regulations on remittances.

“Most of them don’t comply. Instead of remitting what is required by law, they retain the larger percentage of the revenue and remit only a fraction. We need to call them to order.”

According to him, some agencies had been withholding funds due to the Federal Government since 2020.

“We will request that they come for scrutiny so that the Fiscal Responsibility Commission can carry out reconciliation, after which we will require them to refund the money as quickly as possible. Some have been holding these funds since 2020.”

Contributing, Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismissed claims by some agencies that Senate committees lacked the authority to summon them.

He said, “What we are talking about is that they are saying the Senate Committee does not have the power to invite them. But the Senate has the power.

“The National Assembly has the power. We have the powers enshrined in the Constitution to invite them.”

He directed the Finance Committee to return with a substantive motion empowering the Senate to compel the defaulting agencies to attend.

“Come with a substantive motion. One of the prayers should be to compel them to appear before the National Assembly through your committee.”

Akpabio also warned that agencies that continued to ignore the National Assembly would face constitutional consequences.

He added, “If eventually they do not appear, we know the appropriate action to take.”

The agencies listed for summons include the CBN, NNPCL, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and Transmission Company of Nigeria.

Others are the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation, Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NNPCL Retail Limited, Nigerian Commodity Exchange, Nigerian Ports Authority, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

Also included are the National Examinations Council, National Inland Waterways Authority, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, National Insurance Commission, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, among others.

The Senate subsequently adopted the motion by voice vote, paving the way for the formal summons of the affected agencies as part of efforts to strengthen fiscal accountability and legislative oversight of public funds

Nigeria’s passport may have dropped to 90th place in the latest Henley Passport Index, but holders can still travel to 44 destinations without obtaining a visa before departure.

The July 2026 global ranking, released by Henley & Partners on Tuesday, gave the Nigerian passport a visa-free score of 44.

This means that citizens can access 44 destinations through visa-free entry, visa on arrival or an electronic visa (e-visa), depending on the destination’s entry requirements.

The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a prior visa, using data from the International Air Transport Association

Nigeria rank 90th globally ,down one place from the 89th position it occupied in the April 2026 edition of the index, although its visa-free score remained unchanged.

Nigeria has also improved from the 94th and 103rd positions it was in 2025 and 2021, respectively.

Below are the 44 destinations Nigerian passport holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance:

• Barbados
• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi (visa on arrival)
• Cambodia (visa on arrival)
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde Islands
• Chad
• Comoro Islands (visa on arrival)
• Cook Islands
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Djibouti
• Dominica
• Fiji
• Ghana
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Haiti
• Iran (visa on arrival)
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Lebanon
• Liberia
• Madagascar (visa on arrival)
• Maldives (visa on arrival)
• Mali
• Mauritius
• Micronesia
• Montserrat
• Mozambique
• Niger
• Niue (visa on arrival)
• Palau Islands (visa on arrival)
• Rwanda
• Samoa (visa on arrival)
• Senegal
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• The Gambia
• Timor-Leste (visa on arrival)
• Togo
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

While these destinations do not require Nigerians to obtain a visa before travelling, entry conditions vary.

Some countries grant visa-free entry, while others issue visas on arrival or require travellers to obtain an e-visa before departure.

Travellers are advised to confirm the latest immigration requirements with the relevant authorities before making travel plans.

United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his decisive leadership in tackling terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks on Christian communities.

Trump conveyed the commendation in a letter dated July 6, 2026, to Tinubu, the details of which were made public on Wednesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In the letter titled ‘President Trump lauds President Tinubu’s decisive leadership against terrorists’, Trump praised Tinubu’s efforts to address security challenges and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

“Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people.

“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, and it is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” Trump wrote.

The statement said Trump described the relationship between both countries as crucial at a time when security challenges have spread across West Africa.

“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time when conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat,” he said.

Trump also highlighted ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries, noting that the United States had deployed Special Operations Forces to support Nigeria’s military.

“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack.

“I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency.” he stated.

According to the Presidency, Nigeria and the United States have strengthened security cooperation in recent months, following the establishment of a Joint Working Group co-chaired by the National Security Advisers of both countries.

The statement added that the partnership has focused on training, intelligence sharing and joint operations against terrorist groups.

It also said one of the outcomes of the collaboration was the May 16 coordinated operation against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, which reportedly resulted in the killing of the group’s top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his lieutenants.

The Presidency further noted that the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he met with senior Nigerian government officials and pledged to deepen cooperation between both countries in security and other areas.

The association warned that about 961 million Africans covered by mobile broadband networks remain offline and risk being excluded from the artificial intelligence revolution.

The call was made on Wednesday at the ATU-GSMA Workshop on Advancing Africa’s Digital Future: Data, Connectivity and Satellite Regulation, held during the 7th Ordinary Session of the Conference Preparatory Committee of the African Telecommunications Union in Abuja.

The GSMA is a global organisation representing mobile network operators and the broader mobile ecosystem, working with governments and industry stakeholders to advance digital connectivity and policy development worldwide.

The workshop brought together regulators, policymakers and industry leaders to discuss measures to strengthen Africa’s digital economy.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Director of Public Policy and Communications at GSMA Africa, Caroline Mbugua, said Africa’s AI ambitions would depend largely on making smartphones affordable and ensuring more people used existing broadband infrastructure.

“We are now entering what you call the era of intelligence.

The era of intelligence requires that we have an already existing, robust infrastructure, robust connectivity that can support the growth of artificial intelligence on the continent and globally,” she said.

She noted that although mobile broadband coverage had expanded significantly across Africa, adoption remained low.

She stated, “We highlighted that we have a whole 961 million Africans that are covered by mobile broadband services but are not using the service. This is what we refer to as a usage gap. If this remains unaddressed, it means that this number will be left behind when it comes to the adoption of AI.”

According to her, governments should prioritise fiscal reforms to make smartphones more affordable.

“The reduction of taxes, particularly on entry-level devices, is one that is key and needs to be done as a matter of urgency,” she said, citing South Africa’s removal of a nine per cent luxury goods tax on entry-level devices as an example that boosted smartphone adoption. “Affordability is a challenge.”

Mbugua said only about nine per cent of Africans remained outside mobile broadband coverage, but connecting remote communities was expensive because infrastructure deployment in rural areas could cost between two and five times more than in urban centres while generating up to ten times less revenue.

She advocated technology-neutral regulations to enable operators deploy the most appropriate technologies, including satellite services, to bridge connectivity gaps, while urging governments to adopt “regulatory parity.”

Same service, same rules,” she said, explaining that providers offering similar communications services should operate under comparable regulatory obligations to promote competition and protect consumers.

She also unveiled the Digital Africa Index, which measures countries’ digital development and policy environment, describing it as a data-driven tool to guide reforms.

“The Digital Africa Index is a tool that we are calling on regulators and policymakers to use as a reference point when looking at decisions to be made because policy and regulatory reforms need to be done in a data-driven manner,” she said, adding that Nigeria was among the countries performing relatively well in several indicators but still had room for improvement.

Mbugua further disclosed that GSMA would launch its AI Atlas initiative to integrate African languages into large language models, noting that Nigeria already had four local languages participating in the project.

Also speaking, GSMA’s Head of Policy and Regulation, Michaela Angonius, urged African governments to modernise telecommunications licensing frameworks, arguing that technology-specific licences had become outdated.

“The current way of looking at licences for the industry is very technology specific, and that doesn’t help anyone when technologies are moving as fast as they are today,” she said.

She recommended technology-neutral licensing that would apply equally to mobile operators, internet service providers and satellite companies, saying this would help regulators respond more effectively to emerging technologies.

Angonius also called for better utilisation of Universal Service Funds, saying idle funds effectively imposed additional costs on operators.

“A lot of USF funds are unused. That de facto means that you have an additional tax on the industry, which raises the end-user prices. When we’re seeing that the usage gap is a big problem for the region, having additional taxes that are not being used is detrimental,” she said.

She added that improving investment conditions rather than imposing detailed quality-of-service regulations would produce better connectivity outcomes, while also calling for governments to remove levies on entry-level smartphones to improve affordability.

Earlier, the Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union, John Omo, said the latest GSMA Mobile Economy Africa Report highlighted the growing importance of telecommunications to Africa’s economy.

According to him, mobile technologies and services now contribute $240bn to the continent’s economy, support about 13 million jobs, and generate $45bn in government revenue annually.

Omo, however, stressed that expanding network coverage alone was no longer enough.

“Coverage cannot be our only measure of progress,” he said, noting that what mattered was whether people could afford digital services, had the skills to use them and trusted the platforms available.

He urged regulators to use the Digital Africa Index not merely as a report but as a tool to interrogate national performance, identify data gaps and strengthen evidence-based policymaking.

Also presenting the findings of the Digital Africa Index, Principal Economist at GSMA Intelligence, Kalvin Bahia, said Africa had made remarkable progress in expanding mobile broadband coverage, with the coverage gap falling from about 40 per cent a decade ago to less than 10 per cent in 2024.

He warned, however, that the usage gap remained the continent’s biggest digital challenge.

“If we don’t change this, and if the trend doesn’t accelerate, then closing the usage gap could take another 30 years,” Bahia said.

He noted that only about 28 per cent of Africans currently used mobile internet, while less than half accessed it through 4G or 5G smartphones despite much wider network availability.

Bahia added that countries with stronger policy and regulatory frameworks generally recorded better digital development outcomes, reinforcing the need for evidence-based reforms across the continent.

The 64-year-old billionaire and head of African football has been repeatedly mentioned in the South African media as a potential successor to his brother-in-law, President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose second and final term ends in 2029.

“South Africa does not need me to go into politics,” Motsepe told reporters in Johannesburg.

“There are many very capable and good leaders in this country,” he said.

Motsepe also ruled out a bid to succeed Gianni Infantino as FIFA chief, saying he remained focused on his role at the helm of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

“I have no desire or ambition to be president of FIFA. That doesn’t excite me,” he said. Motsepe’s current CAF term runs until 2029.

South Africa’s succession debate has intensified within the governing African National Congress (ANC) as Ramaphosa navigates a turbulent second term after the party’s worst electoral performance forced it into an uneasy coalition government.

The president has also faced renewed pressure over a cash-heist scandal, in which $4 million was stolen from his private game farm.

The ANC blocked impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa over the scandal in 2022, but the Constitutional Court revived the process in May.

Motsepe brushed aside suggestions that he could be drawn into the contest to succeed Ramaphosa.

“The only problem I have is I’m not part of any group,” he said.

“That’s why even some of my friends say things which are not flattering, because somebody said to them that somebody might persuade me to change my view.”

In December, Motsepe attended the ANC’s national general council meeting, where some delegates wore T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “PM27” — a reference to a possible presidential bid in 2027. A lobbying website bearing the same name has also been launched.

He founded and owns mining company African Rainbow Minerals and is Africa’s eighth richest person, with a personal wealth estimated at $3.5 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

In 2012, Motsepe made the Forbes billionaire list, making him the first black South African to reach the mark.

He also owns CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns.

AFP

This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo and made available to journalists in Jos on Wednesday

According to the statement, the incident was reported on 21st July, 2026, at about 7:00am.

“On 21st July, 2026, at about 7:00am we received a report stating that a white Toyota Hilux, Model 2022 with Registration Number 18D-35-FG, had been stolen from the owner’s residence by unknown persons,” the statement stated.

Following the report, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Plateau State Command, AIG Bassey Ewah, directed a manhunt for the vehicle and suspects.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Plateau State Command, AIG Bassey Ewah, psc(++), FCAI, MSPSP, immediately directed all Area Commanders, DPOs and Tactical Team Commanders in the Command to commence an intelligence driven operation to recover the vehicle and apprehend those responsible,” the statement said.

Through intelligence and technology, operatives tracked the vehicle to Bauchi State where it was recovered. Two suspects were also arrested.

“Through the prompt deployment of intelligence and technology, the operatives successfully tracked the stolen vehicle to Bauchi State, where it was recovered. During the operation, two suspects, one Ibrahim Tijjani, 30 years old, of Labour House, Jos North Local Government Area, and Mohammed Umar, 33 years old, of Angwan Rogo, Jos North Local Government Area, were arrested in connection with the crime,” the statement added.

The Police said investigation revealed how the principal suspect, Ibrahim Tijjani, allegedly stole the vehicle key and perfected the theft.

In the course of the investigation, it was revealed that the principal suspect, Ibrahim Tijjani had secretly stolen the key to the victim’s vehicle without the owner’s knowledge. While the owner and other concerned persons were actively searching for the missing key, the suspect was perfecting his plan to steal the vehicle,” the statement said.

Police further stated that the suspect deceived both the owner and security personnel to gain access to the vehicle.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspect deceitfully persuaded the vehicle owner to park the vehicle at a bakery. He also misled the security personnel at the premises by falsely claiming that the vehicle would remain there temporarily pending the arrival of a replacement key from Port Harcourt. Acting on this false representation, the security personnel allowed the vehicle to remain at the location,” the release noted.

“The following day, the suspect returned with the stolen key, gained access to the vehicle, and drove it away before handing it over to his accomplice.”

The Command said both suspects were apprehended in Bauchi State based on credible intelligence and the stolen vehicle was recovered.

AIG Ewah commended the operatives of the Ambush Squad “A” for their professionalism and reiterated the Command’s commitment to fighting crime.

“The Assistant Inspector General of Police commends operatives of the Ambush Squad ‘A’ for their professionalism, swift response, and commitment to duty. He therefore reiterates the Command’s resolve to rid Plateau State of criminal elements and urges residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest Police station,” the statement said.

The Command also released emergency and complaint lines for residents:
CONTROL ROOM EMERGENCY NUMBERS: 07059473022, 08038907662
ACP X-SQUAD: 08034448617
PPRO: 08060545670
CRU: 08037681026
PCB: 09016146804
VCRU: 09051145757

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kwara State Command, says it handled over 100 gender-related cases in the first half of 2026, including securing a life imprisonment sentence against a convicted sexual offender between January and June 2026.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ayoola Shola.

Speaking on the success, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Abbas Mohammed, said the command’s Gender Unit recorded 36 cases of domestic violence within the first half of the year, with 12 currently undergoing mediation.

Mohammed added that the command also handled 19 child custody disputes during the period, noting that 15 had been resolved while four remained pending.

The command also handled 19 child custody disputes, of which 15 have been resolved, while four remain pending,” he said.

The commandant further revealed that the command received 38 cases of child abandonment, adding that six had been successfully resolved, while investigations into the remaining cases were ongoing to ensure the welfare of the affected children.

“”The Command received 38 cases of child abandonment, with six successfully resolved, while efforts are ongoing to conclude investigations and ensure the welfare of the affected children,” Mohammed stated.

On kidnapping-related incidents, Mohammed said nine abduction cases were reported to the command within the review period, adding that four victims had been rescued and reunited with their families through the intervention of NSCDC operatives.

“Nine abduction cases were reported during the period, and four victims have since been reunited with their families through the timely intervention of the Corps,” he said.

The command also disclosed that eight cases involving rape, sexual assault and child molestation are currently before competent courts.

“Eight cases involving rape, sexual assault and child molestation are currently before competent courts for prosecution. The Command remains resolute in ensuring offenders are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” Mohammed added.

Highlighting one of the command’s major achievements during the period, the commandant said the NSCDC secured a life imprisonment sentence against a convicted sexual offender, describing the judgment as a testament to the Corps’ commitment to ensuring justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

Mohammed commended personnel of the Gender Unit for their professionalism and dedication, urging residents to promptly report cases of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual offences and other forms of gender-based violence for immediate intervention.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of women, children and other vulnerable persons through thorough investigation, collaboration with relevant stakeholders and strict enforcement of the law.

Giovanni Malago revealed the talks had taken place in an interview with the website Cronache di Spogliatoio (Dressing Room Chronicles) published on Wednesday.

Asked whether the budget for the coach’s salary could be increased in the case of Guardiola, he said: “Yes, and that is the exception for obvious reasons”.

Asked whether the budget for the coach’s salary could be increased in the case of Guardiola, he said: “Yes, and that is the exception for obvious reasons”

“I won’t go into detail here but it’s not sure that this will come about.

“However, I still believe it was the right thing to do. It was important to open a dialogue and keep it alive,” he added.

Guardiola has first hand knowledge of Italian football having played for Brescia and AS Roma (2001-03).

Already at a low ebb, Italian football was sent into a tailspin in March after the men’s national team failed for a third consecutive time to qualify for the World Cup.

Italy has won four World Cups.

Guardiola, 55, stepped down at Manchester City at the end of last season after winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League in his glittering decade at the Etihad Stadium.

According to Italian media reports, former Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Roberto Mancini — who guided the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title — are also being considered as candidates to coach the national team, which faces Belgium on September 25 in the Nations League

The 13th round of interagency consultations took place in Kaliningrad on July 10, 2026, and was led by ROSATOM Director General Alexey Likhachev and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.

The Russian delegation included representatives from the country’s nuclear regulator, Rostechnadzor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Armed Forces’ Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops, the National Guard (Rosgvardia), and Russia’s permanent mission to international organisations in Vienna.

According to ROSATOM, discussions centred on nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which has remained at the centre of the Russia-Ukraine conflict since Russian forces took control of the site in 2022.

Likhachev claimed that attacks around the plant, the nearby city of Energodar and surrounding areas had intensified since the end of April, alleging that Ukrainian forces were increasingly targeting the area and intimidating plant workers.

He said the reported attacks had resulted in seven deaths, including one employee of the nuclear plant, while 40 others had been injured.

The ROSATOM chief called on the IAEA to publicly assess what he described as repeated attacks on the facility, arguing that the absence of international condemnation could encourage further actions that threaten nuclear safety.

The consultations also reviewed the status of electricity supply to the plant following repairs to the high-voltage Dneprovskaya transmission line.

According to the Russian side, significant repair work was carried out by the Ministry of Defence, Rosgvardia, Rosseti specialists and plant personnel to restore the line, although Moscow said it had yet to be re-energised from the Ukrainian-controlled side.

Another key issue discussed was the continued deployment of IAEA experts at the facility and arrangements for their regular rotation, as well as measures to improve reporting on conditions at the plant and in Energodar.

Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining regular dialogue on issues relating to the safety and security of the nuclear power station.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has remained one of the most sensitive facilities in the conflict, with both Russia and Ukraine repeatedly accusing each other of attacks that could endanger nuclear safety.
The IAEA has consistently called for restraint by all parties and has maintained a permanent monitoring mission at the site.

American YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, has married content creator and author Thea Booysen in an intimate ceremony held in the Caribbean.

The 28-year-old, who is the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber with over 500 million subscribers, announced the wedding on Instagram, where he shared a collection of photographs capturing different moments from the celebration

The images showed the newlyweds in several outfits throughout the event, including their traditional wedding attire. Donaldson wore a tailored suit, while Booysen appeared in a long lace wedding dress before later changing into a shorter gown. The couple also posed in coordinated white casual outfits believed to have been worn during the reception

Sharing his joy with fans, Donaldson described the occasion as the happiest day of his life.

“I found Mrs Beast and it was the best day of my life,” he wrote.

According to reports, the wedding was held on British billionaire Richard Branson’s private Necker Island in the Caribbean.

Around 70 family members and close friends attended the week-long celebration, which reportedly began on July 14. Before the couple exchanged vows, guests enjoyed activities including snorkelling and kitesurfing. The private ceremony was officiated by a family friend who is an ordained minister.

Donaldson and Booysen’s relationship began after they met during a trip to South Africa in 2022. Booysen had been invited by a mutual friend to join the YouTube star for dinner, and the pair later started dating.

The couple got engaged on Christmas Day in 2024.

The Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State, on Tuesday adjourned until July 28 the suit filed by Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi challenging his disqualification from contesting the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Zamfara North.

The presiding judge, Justice Dikko Hassan, fixed the new date after hearing arguments on affidavits, counter-affidavits and preliminary objections filed by both the plaintiff and the defendants

Shinkafi is challenging the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Senator Sahabi Ya’u over his exclusion from the party’s primary election, which produced Senator Ya’u as the APC candidate for the Zamfara North Senatorial District.

The proceedings were conducted virtually, as the presiding judge did not sit physically in court.

Shinkafi, who contested in the APC primary held on May 19, is asking the court to determine the legality of his disqualification. He alleged that the primary election was fraught with irregularities and failed to comply with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), INEC guidelines and the APC’s electoral guidelines.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, said his client remained dissatisfied with the conduct of the primary election, alleging that the process did not comply with the party’s guidelines and that the results were manipulated.

Galadi said one of the pending applications before the court sought an extension of time to respond to the counter-affidavits filed by INEC and Senator Sahabi Ya’u.

He disclosed that he filed four motions before the court, all of which were considered. However, the fourth application, seeking leave to appeal and a stay of execution, was contested and adjourned for hearing.

Counsel to the defendants, Salauddeen, urged the court to award N2 million against the plaintiff, alleging that the suit was being deliberately delayed

The court, however, declined the request and ruled that the plaintiff should be given time to file responses to the counter-affidavits submitted by the defendants.

A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, lack the governance records and political legacy needed to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.

Ganduje, who spoke with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, also dismissed the possibility of an Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, saying it would fail to gain support in Kano State.

“I don’t think Peter Obi and Kwankwaso’s ticket will succeed in Kano. It will not succeed. In fact, it is dead on arrival,” he said.

Questioning Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State, Ganduje said the former governor had not demonstrated the leadership credentials required to govern the country.

Peter Obi was a governor in Anambra State. What did he do as a governor? What legacy did he leave as a governor?.

“And from that, what other responsibility in governance did he hold where he made a mark to the extent that we believe he will be able to manage this country effectively and efficiently?” he asked.

He also criticised Kwankwaso’s political record, noting that unlike some former Kano governors, he did not serve two consecutive terms.

Kwankwaso too, he was a governor of Kano State. He was not able to be a governor back-to-back.

“So far, the two other governors in Kano were able to win elections back-to-back. Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau was able to spend eight years straight. Myself, I was able to spend eight years straight.

“But he was not able, after the first term, to return until after eight years,” Ganduje said.

Ganduje argued that Kwankwaso had not left a legacy capable of convincing voters that he could effectively serve at the national level.

“So I don’t think, even in Kano, what legacy specifically can you say that he has left in Kano that will convince the people of Kano and the people of Nigeria that he will be a successful vice-president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

“I think that, as I earlier said, it is dead on arrival,” he said.

The figure places Nigeria ahead of Ethiopia and Egypt, which rank second and third respectively among the continent’s most populous nations.

Africa remains the world’s fastest-growing continent, with its population projected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, driven by youthful populations, high fertility rates and improvements in healthcare.

Nigeria’s population estimate is based on projections, as the country’s last official census was conducted in 2006, when the population stood at 140.4 million.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria’s population growth rate was estimated at 2.1 per cent in 2025, contributing to its continued demographic expansion.

The top 10 most populous countries in Africa in 2026 are:
1. Nigeria — 242.4 million people

Nigeria remains Africa’s most populous nation, adding about 4.9 million people over the past year.

With a median age of 18 years and a fertility rate of 4.2 children per woman, the country’s youthful population continues to drive labour force growth and consumer demand.
2. Ethiopia — 138.9 million people

Ethiopia ranks second with an estimated population of 138.9 million.

The country recorded annual population growth of 2.53 per cent, adding more than 3.4 million people within a year.
3. Egypt — 120.1 million people

Egypt is North Africa’s most populous country, with a population of 120.1 million.

The country added about 1.74 million people over the past year, with a population growth rate of 1.47 per cent.
4. Democratic Republic of Congo — 116.5 million people

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ranks fourth with 116.45 million residents.

The country recorded one of the fastest population growth rates among Africa’s top 10 most populous nations, at 3.21 per cent.
5. Tanzania — 72.6 million people

Tanzania’s population has risen to 72.56 million, supported by a growth rate of 2.86 per cent.

The country’s youthful population, with a median age of 18 years, continues to expand rapidly.
6. South Africa — 65.5 million people

South Africa ranks sixth with an estimated population of 65.45 million.

The country has a slower growth rate of 1.09 per cent compared with many other African nations.
7. Kenya — 58.6 million people

Kenya’s population stands at 58.64 million, with an annual growth rate of 1.92 per cent.

The country’s young workforce continues to support growth in technology, financial services and manufacturing sectors.
8. Sudan — 53.3 million people

Sudan has an estimated population of 53.28 million, growing at 3.14 per cent annually.

The country added more than 1.6 million people over the past year.
9. Uganda — 52.8 million people

Uganda ranks ninth with 52.76 million people.

The East African country has one of the youngest populations in Africa, with a median age of 17 years.
10. Algeria — 48 million people

Algeria completes the list with an estimated population of 48.03 million.

The North African nation recorded moderate population growth of 1.25 per cent over the past year.

The continued rise in Africa’s population is expected to reshape markets, investment patterns and labour dynamics, with Nigeria projected to remain a key driver of the continent’s economic growth in the years ahead.

Soludo, who is the founder of the non-governmental organisation, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the 2026 World Brain Day.

She said practices such as eating nutritious meals, engaging in regular physical activities, getting adequate sleep, continuous learning and prioritising mental wellness could help protect brain health.

According to her, individuals should pay greater attention to their mental wellbeing and reduce the risk of neurological disorders through healthy habits, including exercise, proper sleep and managing cardiovascular risks.

She said, “As we commemorate ‘World Brain Day’ today, it’s crucial to remember that a healthy brain is the foundation of a sound and healthy life.

By embracing good nutrition, regular physical activity, quality sleep, lifelong learning, and mental wellness, we can protect one of God’s greatest gifts.

“Let’s nurture our minds, support one another, and build a healthier, more productive society.”

The First Lady encouraged Nigerians to make brain health a priority, noting that individual and collective efforts toward healthier living would contribute to building a more productive society.

World Brain Day is observed annually on July 22 and was established by the World Federation of Neurology to raise awareness about neurological disorders and promote access to brain health services.

This year’s campaign focuses on making brain healthcare accessible to all, regardless of social or economic background, while encouraging early detection, timely diagnosis and proper care to help preserve independence among people affected by neurological conditions.

The United States plans to announce a landmark deal with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that would help establish a civilian nuclear program in the kingdom, according to media reports.

The move comes as Washington fights a war with Iran that began in part over US concerns with Tehran’s own nuclear program — an issue that remains a key point of contention during now-stalled talks between the two foes.

The New York Times, citing two unidentified US officials, reported on Tuesday that the Trump administration planned to formally sign and announce the deal with the Saudis on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump’s administration said the agreement would provide billions of dollars for the US nuclear industry.

A provision in the 30-year deal would potentially see US companies build a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reported.

However, US lawmakers from both parties and Israeli officials have voiced opposition to a civilian nuclear project for Saudi Arabia over fears it could be converted to eventually develop nuclear weapons.

The deal is expected to be submitted to Congress in the coming days, but its approval is not required for it to go through.

Saudi Arabia has long been adamant about its right to pursue a civilian nuclear program.

Washington has sought in recent years to include any deal concerning a nuclear agreement as part of a wider strategic play that would include seeing Saudi Arabia normalise ties with Israel, along with the signing of a US defence pact.

The United States signed a nuclear agreement with the kingdom’s neighbour, the United Arab Emirates, in 2009, although the country does not enrich its own uranium.

A drone struck a generator in May near the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant, the Arab world’s only such facility, causing a fire.

Policymakers have long feared that if Iran produced a nuclear weapon, the move would set off an arms race across the Gulf.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to confirm the Saudi Arabia deal in Manila on Wednesday, deferring to the White House, but dismissed fears it could lead to nuclear proliferation.

“Suffice it to say, the US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a summit of Southeast Asian foreign ministers.

With renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, fears are growing that the war risks further destabilising the region.

Tehran’s Yemeni allies, the Houthi rebels, threatened to expand the war this week, announcing they would blockade Saudi ports.

The declaration has spurred fears that such a blockade could threaten the supply of millions of barrels of crude to the international market.

Saudi Arabia and the Houthis traded fire last week, threatening a 2022 truce, although the rebels have largely remained on the sidelines since the Middle East war erupted on February 28.

AFP

The University of Calgary Entrance Scholarship is a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding students seeking to pursue undergraduate degrees at the institution.

The University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship is worth $20,000 per year; renewable in the second, third, and fourth year at the university.

In this post, the details, requirements, benefits, and step-by-step application procedure will be provided for interested and qualified candidates.

University of Calgary Entrance Scholarship Summary:

• Host Country: Canada
• Study Abroad: Study in Canada 
• Category: Undergraduate Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: All Countries 
• Reward: $20,000 per year
• Deadline: December 1, 2026

University of Calgary Entrance Scholarship Details:

The University of Calgary Entrance Scholarship is offered annually to undergraduate international students entering first year in any undergraduate degree in the upcoming fall term who have satisfied the university’s English Language Proficiency requirement.

The scholarship is renewable in the second, third, and fourth year at the University of Calgary, provided recipients achieve a GPA of 2.60 or more over a minimum of 24.00 units in the previous fall and winter terms and continue to pay an international differential tuition fee as an international student.

Requirements for 2026 University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship

To be considered for the University of Calgary International Entrance Scholarship, you must:

• be international students who are registered full-time in an undergraduate degree program that commences in the Fall term.
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• have satisfied the university’s English Language Proficiency requirement.
• be international students who are required to pay a differential fee and who are not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada are eligible to apply.

Benefits for 2026 University of Calgary Entrance Scholarship:

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Best Wishes

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Deadline: December 1, 2026

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa has awarded automatic employment to seven members of the National Youths Service Corps who had served the nation in the state.‎

‎The governor rewarded outstanding students, teachers and national award recipients for their exceptional performances.

‎This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Tuesday.‎

‎According to the statement, “the governor announced the employment opportunity during the presentation of awards to outstanding education achievers at the Cocoa Conference Centre of the governor’s office, Akure.”

‎At the event the governor also presented N1m each to all the 66 award recipients as a mark of honour and appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

‎Aiyedatiwa said, “The gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to promoting excellence and retaining exceptional talents in Ondo State, stressing that sustained investment in human capital development remained the foundation of the state’s long-term growth.

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‎”This event is a celebration of excellence and a reminder that the quality of a society’s human capital remained its greatest asset. The awardees have brought honour to Ondo State through their academic achievements, innovation, discipline and commitment to excellence.

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‎”You have not only excelled in your various endeavours; you have become worthy ambassadors of the Sunshine State and shining examples for generations yet unborn.”

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‎Paying tribute to teachers, the governor described them as the architects of human capital and the silent heroes behind every success story we celebrate today.

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‎”Countries are not built by chance; they are built in classrooms by committed teachers who mould character, impart knowledge and inspire dreams.

History may remember the achievers, but posterity will always honour those who nurtured them for greatness,” Aiyedatiwa stated .

‎‎Earlier, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the “recognition was designed to encourage excellence and inspire students and teachers across the state.”

‎‎He noted that education remained a major priority of the Aiyedatiwa administration, disclosing that the governor had directed the compilation of names of students and citizens who had also distinguished themselves academically for recognition.

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, on Tuesday, lamented what it described as an unacceptable degree of rot in the critical sectors of the state’s economy, urging Governor Seyi Makinde to take urgent actions to fix the problems in the interest of the masses.

This came against the backdrop of a viral video being circulated on social media in which an unidentified man was caught on tape lamenting the non-availability of doctors and other medical personnel to attend to his patient at the Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan.

The APC, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the state capital, by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, decried the state government handling of matters relating to the welfare and well-being of the citizens beyond the usual claims of regular payments of salary and pension as well as some cosmetic projects being made possible by the Federal Government’s monthly release of huge allocations and others in form of grants, subvention and interventions.

Sadare said, “Despite the mellifluous access to funds, the Makinde administration has been found wanting in the delivery of good governance in all ramifications.

“Apart from local government council officials who exist only in titles, most commissioners and other appointees are not visible or productive because Governor Makinde runs a one-man show.

“In the health sector, payment of staff salaries and rehabilitation of some primary health centre facilities are the only achievements Governor Makinde can lay claim to, as LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso, Adeoyo State Hospitals in Yemetu and Ring Road, Ibadan, as well as the general hospitals in several towns are in ruins.

There are no functional test laboratories in Oyo public hospitals while equipment such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), X-ray machines are nowhere to be found

The viral video of the visibly angry man who was seen lamenting non-availability of doctors in Adeoyo State Hospital, Yemetu, was a testament to the rot in the system, but the most unfortunate thing is that the state commissioner for health is not visible anywhere.”

He also lamented the situation in most of the primary and secondary schools across the state.

“Moreover, the situation in most of the public primary and secondary schools leaves much to be desired as facilities such as classrooms are in deplorable condition, in addition to teachers being put under the pressure of excessive deductions from salary and allowances.

“As a matter of fact, we are concerned about the likelihood of things going worse before the expiration of Governor Makinde’s maximum tenure because he has not left anyone in doubt of his determination to prioritise personal ambition and politicking to the detriment of the good people of the state who desire quality leadership and value for the huge resources at his disposal,” Sadare added.

The troops also recovered 10 new motorcycles allegedly meant for terrorists, as well as weapons, ammunition and other logistics items, according to separate military statements issued on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Aliyu Danja and the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt Mohammed Goni.

In Zamfara State, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma responded to a distress call on July 20 after terrorists attempted to abduct civilians from a residence in Shiyan Abiyola, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

The swift intervention of the troops forced the assailants to flee without carrying out the abduction, while troops subsequently dominated the area to prevent further attacks.

In a separate operation on July 19, troops on patrol in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State rescued three kidnap victims who escaped from a terrorist hideout during a heavy downpour while their captors were asleep.

The victims were abducted on July 14 while working on their farms in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the appropriate authorities for reunification with their families.

Meanwhile, troops of Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, arrested six suspected logistics suppliers allegedly linked to a terrorist network in Kebbi State and recovered 10 new Honda motorcycles.

The operation began when troops intercepted a white commercial bus along the Biu-Kangiwa axis in Arewa Local Government Area of the state on July 20.

Two suspects, identified as Salisu Mohammad, 35, and Bashir Musa, 36, were arrested while transporting the motorcycles, which were concealed in cartons.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the motorcycles were being transported to a known terrorist leader identified as Mallam Gehowa, who operates around the Amogoro axis.

Acting on intelligence obtained from the initial arrests, troops conducted a follow-up operation that led to the arrest of four additional suspects allegedly sent by the terrorist group to receive the consignment.

The six suspects, the recovered motorcycles and the commercial bus were handed over to the Department of State Services, Kebbi State Command, for further investigation.

In Yobe State, troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised a suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorist and recovered weapons and other logistics items after foiling an attempt by the insurgents to collect illegal levies from communities.

The troops, acting on credible intelligence, engaged suspected terrorists travelling in two Volkswagen Golf vehicles and motorcycles along the Paya Kafiya axis on July 19.

During the ensuing firefight, one of the vehicles was immobilised, and its driver neutralised, while four other terrorists reportedly fled into the bush with gunshot wounds.

Follow-up operations along the Paya Kafiya–Garin Gada axis on July 20 led to the recovery of the abandoned vehicle, 25 rounds of belted PKT ammunition, one loaded AK-47 magazine, 15 empty PKT ammunition cases, assorted drugs and mechanical tools believed to support terrorist logistics activities.

The military authorities commended the troops for their vigilance, professionalism and swift response, while urging residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies.

They said the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven offensives in disrupting terrorist networks, their sources of funding and logistics across the North-West and North-East theatres.

The programme, implemented by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, was unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister, Dr Bosun Tijani, alongside CREDICORP’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Nwagba.

C.L.I.C.K.D. is designed to help Nigerians own digital devices through structured, spread-out payments rather than paying the full cost upfront, starting with locally assembled laptops as CREDICORP prioritises local manufacturing.

How to apply

Visit the website. Go to credicorp.ng/clickd, the official C.L.I.C.K.D. landing page.
Click “I’m Interested.” This takes you to the application form.
Fill in the required details:

• State of residence — select from all 36 states and the FCT.
• What best describes you — Employed (Salary Earner), Freelancer/Self-Employed, Business Owner, Student, Job Seeker or NYSC Member.
• Monthly income (optional) — ranges from below ₦100,000 to above ₦1,000,000.
• Digital talent programme — applicants indicate whether they are part of one, choosing from 3MTT, Andela Learning Community, Learn2Earn, ALX, HNG Internship, AltSchool Africa, Genesys Tech Hub or “Other.”
  Device needed — laptop, smartphone, tablet or other.
• Reason for the device — applicants can select multiple options, including learning and certifications, work/remote work, freelancing, business growth, school, software development, content creation or other.
• How you heard about C.L.I.C.K.D. — 3MTT, social media, friend or family, school, employer, Google search or other.
• Confirm and consent. Before submitting, applicants must tick three boxes: confirming the information provided is accurate, agreeing to be contacted regarding the application, and consenting to CREDICORP and its partners using their information to assess eligibility.
  Submit.

Who qualifies, for now

The current 1,000-laptop pilot is limited to fellows of the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, under which C.L.I.C.K.D. was launched as a national pilot.

Nwagba said the rollout began in Abuja, where 77 beneficiaries received devices, with the remaining laptops to be distributed to qualified fellows in other states in phases.

CREDICORP has a track record of this phased approach: its main consumer credit scheme launched in April 2024, targeting only federal civil servants before later widening its reach.

The application form’s coverage extends beyond 3MTT, listing Andela Learning Community, Learn2Earn, ALX Africa, HNG Internship, AltSchool Africa and Genesys Tech Hub as talent-programme options — suggesting these fellows may also be able to apply, even though CREDICORP’s public statements so far have referenced only 3MTT beneficiaries for the current 1,000-laptop batch.

CREDICORP has also yet to disclose the specific interest rates, repayment tenure or down-payment structure for C.L.I.C.K.D. loans.

The Senate on Tuesday extended by three weeks the lifespan of its ad hoc committee investigating the Safe Schools Initiative and broadened the scope of the probe to include the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

Others for probe are the Universal Basic Education Commission, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency.

The red chamber said the expansion was aimed at conducting a comprehensive investigation into the funding, implementation and accountability of education and social intervention programmes linked to the safety and welfare of students across the country.

The resolution followed a motion moved by the Chairman of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on the Safe Schools Initiative, Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), pursuant to Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026 (as amended), seeking an expansion of the committee’s terms of reference and additional time to conclude its assignment.

Presenting the motion, Kalu told lawmakers that preliminary investigations had revealed strong links between the implementation and funding of the Safe Schools Initiative and several government agencies responsible for educational funding, student welfare, humanitarian interventions and social investment programmes.

According to him, limiting the investigation to the Safe Schools Initiative alone would prevent the Senate from carrying out a comprehensive assessment of issues affecting school security and educational interventions.

“The issues surrounding student security, educational infrastructure funding and social intervention schemes for vulnerable learners across the country are deeply interwoven.

Investigating the Safe Schools Initiative without reviewing these complementary bodies will result in fragmented legislative oversight,” Kalu stated.

He added that broadening the committee’s mandate had become necessary to enable the Senate to produce a comprehensive report that could strengthen accountability, safeguard students, and improve transparency in the management of intervention funds.

Under the expanded mandate, the committee will evaluate financial flows, operational challenges and accountability mechanisms across the Safe Schools Initiative and the affected agencies.

It will also review social safety net allocations linked to school feeding programmes, emergency relief for displaced students and educational rehabilitation initiatives implemented through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and NSIPA.

The panel is further expected to audit infrastructure and security-related intervention projects funded by TETFund in tertiary institutions, assess NELFUND’s disbursement processes, operational readiness, administrative efficiency, and students’ access to education loans, and examine UBEC’s interventions in basic education.

Seeking the Senate’s approval, Kalu said the committee required additional time because some critical aspects of the investigation had yet to be completed due to its extensive workload and other legislative engagements.

We’re supposed to submit our report, and there are four key areas that were not done. I needed the permission of the Senate so that we can conclude it in the next two or three weeks and come back with a report,” he said

Following a voice vote called by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, lawmakers unanimously approved the request granting the committee an additional three weeks to conclude its assignment.

The Senate inaugurated the ad hoc committee in December 2025 amid growing concerns over persistent attacks on schools despite years of government funding and policy interventions aimed at protecting educational institutions.

The probe gained further urgency following the abduction of 25 female students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, during which bandits reportedly killed the school’s vice principal, reigniting concerns over the safety of students and teachers in vulnerable communities.

The Safe Schools Initiative was launched in May 2014 after the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State.

Established as a partnership involving the Federal Government, the United Nations and private sector stakeholders, the programme was designed to strengthen security infrastructure around schools, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

The Senate’s ongoing investigation has already raised questions over the utilisation of funds released for the programme.

During previous hearings, the committee scrutinised the disbursement of N15bn released in 2023, with the Nigerian Police Force receiving the highest allocation of N6.225bn.

Other allocations examined by the panel include N3.362bn to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, N2.250bn to Defence Headquarters and N519m to the Federal Ministry of Education, while the amount released to the Department of State Services was not publicly disclosed.

The committee also queried alleged financial irregularities and consultancy payments under the programme and directed the Safe Schools Financing Office to submit a reconciled breakdown of all funds released, expenditures, contractors and supporting documents relating to the Central Bank of Nigeria Trust Fund account.

During one of the investigative hearings, the National Coordinator of Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Hajia Halima Iliya, disclosed that the initiative received funding from both domestic and international partners, including $10m each from the Federal Government and Nigerian business leaders, $1m from the African Development Bank, €2m from the German Government, $4m from the Norwegian Government managed through UNICEF, as well as additional support from USAID, the Qatar Foundation and United Nations agencies.

With the expanded mandate, the Senate committee is expected to present a broader assessment of how education, security and humanitarian intervention funds are being utilised and whether the various programmes are effectively addressing the safety, welfare and educational needs of Nigerian students.

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, says she will wear an Akwete wrapper if her husband, President Bola Tinubu, secures a second term.

She spoke during her maiden visit to the Akwete Weaving Cooperative Village in Abia State on Tuesday, where she also announced a ₦2bn donation for the revitalisation of the local weaving industry.

“If God brings my husband in a second time, I’ll be wearing a buba and wrapper made from Akwete. I am going to be wearing that because it is very soft breathable cotton.

“I saw young people in their family doing exact thing. So it is a craft transferred from generation,” she said.

Tinubu commended the women of the cooperative for their passion and resilience in preserving the craft across generations, and urged Nigerians to embrace Igbo traditional attire made from the fabric as a way of supporting local weavers.

She said she had approached the visit informally, opting to spend time with the women rather than follow a scripted programme.

She explained that she came without a prepared speech because the trip was meant as a personal engagement rather than a formal event.