The University of Reading in the United Kingdom (UK) is welcoming applications for its fully funded studentship opportunities for international students.

The fully funded International PhD studentships cover international tuition fees, a £21,805 stipend per annum as a living allowance, and a £1,000 fund for training and development.

In this post, we will discuss the details, the requirements, benefits, and how interested and qualified candidates can successfully apply for the opportunity.

University of Reading International PhD Studentship Summary

• Host Country: United Kingdom
• Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships 
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: Full Scholarship | £21,805 Stipend per year | £1,000 Training and Development Allowance
• No IELTS Required 
• Deadline: January 15, 2027

University of Reading International PhD Studentship Details:

The University of Reading is pleased to announce a range of International PhD studentships available to start in October 2027.

The university awards these to highly qualified applicants for research in the areas of science, life sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, and within the Henley Business School.

Funding for PhD applicants is available from a range of sources on a competitive basis.

Eligibility Requirements for University of Reading Studentship 2027

• Applications are invited from students who have applied for a place on a PhD programme at the University of Reading to study based at Reading or off campus/by distance.
  
• Applicants wishing to study off-campus/by distance are only eligible for awards covering tuition fees and the training and development allowance; awards to off campus/by-distance applicants do not include a stipend.
  
• Applicants are required to have at least a Bachelor’s degree with at least a UK equivalent of a 2:1 minimum.
  
• All applicants must also meet the English Language requirements of the University of Reading.
  

Benefits of University of Reading International Studentships

The studentships offer:

• tuition fees at the International rate
• a £1,000 per annum training and development allowance
• for applicants intending to study based at Reading only, a subsistence grant (stipend) broadly in line with the UKRI minimum stipend. The 2026/27 stipend rate is £21,805.

All awards are for up to four years in duration for full-time study and up to six years in duration for part-time study.

Eligible Programmes for University of Reading Studentships

The studentships are awarded to highly qualified applicants for research within the areas of;

• science,
• life sciences, social sciences,
• arts and humanities, and
• within the Henley Business School.

How to Apply for University of Reading International PhD Studentship (Step by Step)

READ HOW TO APPLY ON OUR NEW VERSION

Deadline: January 15, 2027

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 37-year-old driver, Ayoade Idowu, after a Vehicle Inspection Office official, Sesan Adediji, was allegedly crushed to death while attempting to stop his vehicle for a routine check in Akure, the state capital.

The incident occurred at about 9.30am on Friday along Hospital Road, opposite Mega Primary School, when the driver allegedly drove off after being asked to produce the vehicle’s particulars, hitting the 35-year-old officer in the process.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, adding that the driver had been arrested and detained as investigations commenced.

According to Jimoh, preliminary information indicated that Adediji was on routine patrol with his colleagues when they flagged down a white Mitsubishi van, with registration number AGL 992 XX, for inspection.

“The driver initially stopped but allegedly drove off when asked to produce the relevant documents, hitting the VIO official in the process,” the police spokesman said.

Adediji reportedly sustained serious head injuries and was rushed to the Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital, where a doctor confirmed him dead.

His remains were deposited in the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy, Jimoh added.

A video of the incident circulating on social media showed the officer trapped beneath the vehicle as residents and his colleagues struggled to pull him out.

An eyewitness said the officer was attempting to stop the vehicle when the incident occurred.

“He was on the road trying to stop the truck, but we don’t know what happened. Suddenly, we heard the sound that somebody was knocked down. The vehicle rammed over him. By the time people rushed down there, he was in his pool of blood,” the eyewitness said.

Jimoh said police operatives had visited the scene, while the case file was expected to be transferred to the Motor Traffic Division for further investigation.

He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and that appropriate legal action would follow in accordance with the law.

The police command urged motorists to obey lawful traffic instructions and cooperate with authorised enforcement officers.

“No road user should endanger the life of another in an attempt to evade routine checks or traffic regulations,” the statement added.

The family of a 40-year-old man, Taofeek Azeez, has demanded justice following his death in police custody at Agbeye, in the Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that Azeez died in custody shortly after local vigilantes arrested him over an accusation of stealing cocoa seeds.

He was reportedly arrested on Wednesday and taken to the palace of the Alagbeye of Agbeye before being handed over to the police.

A video sighted by Saturday PUNCH showed the deceased being subjected to corporal punishment and paraded half-naked while being taken to the palace.

Speaking with our correspondent on Friday, the deceased’s brother, Fatai Alimi, accused the police of complicity and urged the Osun State Commissioner of Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding Azeez’s death.

On Tuesday morning, he left the house for the farm, and it was later that day we learnt that he had been taken to the police station for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds.

“Before that, he was taken to the palace, where he was subjected to corporal punishment and stripped naked.

“It was surprising to hear that he had killed himself inside the cell; his death looks suspicious.

Someone whose clothes had been torn was said to have been wearing clothes when his neck was found dangling, so we urge the police and the state government to intervene.

“He was a father of six children with three wives, and he also left behind an aged mother,” he said.

Confirming the incident, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that the deceased committed suicide while in police custody.

“The deceased was apprehended by the community for allegedly stealing cocoa seeds,” Ojelabi told journalists in Osogbo.

“After arresting him, they took him to the monarch of the town, and the king instructed that they should hand him over to the police. He was taken to the police outpost, where he was questioned and subsequently detained,” the police spokesperson added.

“A few hours later, when the officer went to check on him in the cell, he had committed suicide,” Ojelabi stated.

The police spokesperson noted that the officer in charge of the cell would be interrogated, adding that the deceased’s family had been contacted.

“We are taking necessary steps to interrogate the officer in question, but our investigation so far shows that it is a case of suicide,” Ojelabi added.

A parent, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH in confidence on Friday, said the survivors were allowed to choose the states where they would continue their national service.

“They have been given the opportunity to choose states in the South-West to continue their service with the current batch,” she said.

The parent also disclosed that the families paid N6m in ransom for each of the graduates.

“As for the ransom, we eventually paid N6m each, but we wanted them freed before disclosing that,” she said.

A relative of another survivor, Joy Zainab, confirmed that family members and well-wishers contributed towards the N6m ransom.

She said, “Alhamdulillah, he has been released and is safe with us at home. Thank you to everyone who prayed, reached out, showed concern, shared his story and supported us financially towards his ransom.”

The accounts corroborated an earlier disclosure by Alirat Wahab, the mother of another victim, who said her family paid N6m after the kidnappers initially demanded N50m per captive.

In an interview with News Central Television, Wahab said the kidnappers reduced their demand to N15m before eventually accepting N6m following appeals from the family.

“Initially, they asked us to pay N50m per head. We asked whether the amount was for all of them, but they insisted it was per person, so we started begging them to take N500,000, but they refused,” she said.

Wahab said the kidnappers eventually agreed to accept N6m.

She added that relatives and well-meaning Nigerians contributed money to meet the demand.

According to her, the kidnappers directed the families to send representatives to Ibadan, Oyo State, where her husband and son met an intermediary.

The money was subsequently transferred into a designated account, while the representatives were instructed to convert the funds into US dollars upon arrival in Imo State.

The 20 prospective corps members were abducted on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road, near Umunoha in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, while travelling in two commercial buses belonging to Uko Akwa Ibom Motors.

They were reportedly heading for Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The kidnappers subsequently demanded N50m per graduate.

The police on Wednesday announced the rescue of the abducted graduates at Amakohia Ubi Village in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

However, the families disputed the police rescue claim, insisting that ransom was paid to secure their release.

The mother of another survivor said she and her daughter had been hospitalised following the incident.

“Both of us are in the hospital. We are receiving drips and treatment. My blood pressure shot up over this incident,” she stated.

A survivor, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on the phone, expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal.

“I don’t want to remember it. I just want to give the glory to God. I thank God that I am alive,” the survivor said while declining further comment.

Calls and messages to the NYSC spokesperson, Caroline Embu, seeking confirmation that the graduates had been allowed to serve in the South-West, were not returned as of press time.

Police cite security operations

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Bosso, had on Thursday said he was unaware of any ransom payment, maintaining that sustained pressure forced the abductors to release the captives.

Similarly, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said the graduates were rescued through joint search-and-rescue operations involving security agencies.

The police said the prospective corps members were taken to the Department of State Services hospital in Owerri for medical evaluation.

The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, visited them alongside the Imo State Commissioner of Police and the Commander of the 34 Artillery Brigade.

The abduction, alongside a series of similar attacks on graduates travelling for national service, has renewed concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling long distances to orientation camps.

On August 26, 15 prospective corps members travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja were abducted along the Aloma-Egane Expressway in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

They were later rescued from Egume Forest by security operatives.

In May, an Abuja-based lawyer and serving corps member, Eunice Ameh, was abducted in Maitama, Abuja, but regained her freedom after a ransom was paid.

Findings by Saturday PUNCH also revealed that more than 20 corps members were killed in various attacks between 2015 and 2026.

Insecurity fuels calls to scrap NYSC

The recurring attacks have intensified debate over the relevance of the 53-year-old NYSC scheme, with critics questioning the policy of deploying young graduates far from their home states amid rising insecurity.

The National Youth Service Corps was established under Decree No. 24 of May 22, 1973, during the administration of General Yakubu Gowon.

Its founding objectives included promoting national reconciliation, reconstruction and integration after the Nigerian Civil War by deploying graduates of tertiary institutions to states other than their states of origin.

In June 2026, the Federal Executive Council approved a comprehensive reform package for the NYSC, including risk-sensitive deployment aimed at improving corps members’ safety, a technology-driven call-up process and an extension of the orientation programme from three to six weeks.

The reforms also include specialised career streams intended to align corps members’ training and assignments with their qualifications and career interests.

However, the abductions have raised questions about how the safety measures will be implemented, particularly for graduates travelling long distances to orientation camps and those posted to areas facing security threats.

A former corps member, Veronica Oloko, advocated scrapping the scheme, arguing that young Nigerians should not be exposed to severe security risks.

If it won’t be scrapped, then the government should have bus stations for corps members all over the states, with soldiers stationed at the parks. At least, a few soldiers should be in each bus, with the necessary equipment to protect the corps members.

“But then, this is also a risk because even our soldiers are being attacked in their camps. When the government is able to fight insurgency, then they can return it. I won’t even allow my child to go,” she said.

A parent, Akeem Kareem, also supported calls to scrap the scheme, citing widespread security concerns.

“There is fear among every parent now due to insecurity. No parent will allow their children to go to other regions for service

The Kano State Police Command has handed over a recovered orange Vibe car and an ash-coloured Haojue motorcycle to their owners after verifying ownership documents.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, by its Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.

“The vehicles were recovered through intelligence-led operations and handed over to their owners at the command headquarters in Bompai, Kano, after the necessary verification and documentation,” the statement said.

The beneficiaries thanked the police for recovering their properties and commended the officers for their efforts, describing the handover as evidence of a responsive, people-friendly police service.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, congratulated the owners and said the recovery was in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

The policing vision emphasises the protection of lives and property, restoration of stolen property to victims of crime, and building public trust through transparent and accountable service delivery,” the statement said.

Bakori assured residents that the command remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of Kano State.

The Command remains resolutely committed to making Kano State safe and secure,” the commissioner said.

He added that the police would continue to ensure that recovered stolen properties were returned to their legitimate owners after due verification.

“The Command will ensure that all recovered stolen properties are returned to their legitimate owners after due verification,” the statement added.

The command urged members of the public seeking information about recovered properties to contact the investigating police officer on 08140081608 or visit the office of the police public relations officer at the Bompai Police Headquarters.

Ogaga Ifowodo has won the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature with his poetry collection, ‘Why Does God Need a Gun?’, earning the $100,000 prize, while Peter Oghenetega Oke and Feranmi Abiola emerged joint winners of the inaugural Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts.

The winners were announced at NLNG’s Grand Award Night in Lagos State on Friday, in a statement signed by the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall on Saturday.

“Ifowodo’s winning collection emerged from 223 entries, while Oke’s Beyond Tarkwa Bay and Abiola’s Mara Mania jointly won the creative arts prize, which carries a $20,000 award.”

The Nigeria Prize for Literature is one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honours, recognising outstanding literary works by Nigerian writers. The inaugural creative arts award, meanwhile, seeks to celebrate originality and excellence in artistic expression.

Speaking on the winning poetry collection, the Chairman of the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, described Why Does God Need a Gun? as a sensitive portrayal of religious and political violence in Nigeria through the voice of an imagined victim.

She also praised the three shortlisted collections for their technical skill, confidence and mature use of language, noting that they explored issues extending beyond Nigeria’s borders.

“Equally compelling is the conversation that unfolds across the three books. Though distinct in voice and style, they engage with related concerns: questions of identity and belonging; the promises and disappointments of nationhood; the consequences of extremism and displacement; and the enduring impact of conflict on individuals and communities,” she said.

These are works deeply rooted in the Nigerian experience, yet they reach far beyond our borders.”

For the creative arts category, the two winning documentaries emerged from 98 submissions, with the organisers recognising their ability to document communities, preserve cultural memory and present overlooked experiences.

The Technical Adviser to the Advisory Board for The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, Joel Kachi Benson, said the shortlisted documentaries demonstrated the power of film to challenge perceptions and deepen understanding of society.

“These documentaries transported us into communities often unseen. They amplified voices too often unheard. They celebrate resilience, document culture, preserve memory, and reveal perspectives that enrich our understanding of who we are,” Benson said.

The literature and creative arts awards followed the September announcement of Mary-Brenda Akoda as the winner of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation.

Akoda won with GenScan AI (GenMRI/C-MORE), an artificial intelligence-powered innovation designed to accelerate magnetic resonance imaging. Her achievement made her the prize’s first Generation Z recipient and the first woman to win as an individual awardee.

In his opening remarks at the award ceremony, NLNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, said the Nigeria Prizes were established to recognise exceptional achievements and encourage scientific innovation and literary excellence that contribute to societal development.

He said the science and innovation prize had recognised groundbreaking work across sectors, including health, agriculture, engineering, energy, technology, climate resilience and sustainable development.

It has celebrated the ingenuity, dedication and brilliance of scientists whose work extends far beyond laboratories and research papers to deliver practical solutions that improve lives,” Falade said.

He added that the winning science entry, which focused on artificial intelligence and information technology, had the potential to transform lives in Nigeria and beyond.

On literature, Falade said the prize had grown into a major platform for Nigerian writers to engage international audiences through stories that explore identity, resilience and shared humanity.

“Through this prize, Nigerian writers have demonstrated that our stories are far more than accounts of where we come from. They contribute meaningfully to global conversations about identity, resilience and our shared humanity,” he stated.

He described the creative arts prize as another avenue for celebrating artists who preserve Nigeria’s heritage while reinterpreting it for younger generations.

“Together, the Nigeria Prizes have become enduring national institutions and powerful reminders of what is possible when excellence is recognised, rewarded and encouraged,” he said.

Falade congratulated the winners and finalists, describing their achievements as evidence of the discipline and perseverance required to excel.

He added that the awards were also intended to inspire emerging scientists, writers and creatives to develop ideas that would address future challenges and shape the country’s development.

Also speaking at the event, Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka highlighted imagination as a common thread linking literature, the creative arts and science.

Soyinka argued that imagination was not restricted to the humanities, noting that disciplines such as mathematics and physics also relied on the ability to envision possibilities beyond existing knowledge.

He called for closer collaboration between the humanities and sciences, urging practitioners in both fields to combine their strengths in the service of humanity.

The awards form part of NLNG’s efforts to promote excellence in science, literature and the creative arts, while encouraging innovations and cultural expressions capable of contributing to Nigeria’s development and global influence.

The actor made the revelation in a snippet of an interview with African A List released on Friday, saying his wife was aware of his relationships but did not engage in confrontations with the women involved.

Quadri explained that some actresses would approach his wife to discuss his relationships with other women, despite some of them also being romantically involved with him.

“At some point, some female colleagues in the industry will approach my wife to gossip that I’m dating other actresses, even though I’m also dating some of the very actresses who gossip about me. My wife knows about it and doesn’t fight with them,” he said.

The film star also disclosed that his wife extended hospitality to some of the actresses who visited their home after late-night movie productions, despite knowing about their relationships with him.

Sometimes, when we finish production late and some of them come to sleep at my house, my wife feeds and takes care of them despite knowing that I’m dating them,” Quadri said.

Quadri met Sadiat in 1985, and they married in 1989. Their marriage is blessed with children and grandchildren.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, has said Nigeria’s crude oil production constraints remain a major challenge to meeting domestic refining needs, despite President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove the petrol subsidy in 2023.

Oyedele said the country did not have enough freely available crude oil to supply the Dangote Refinery and other local refiners, explaining that production costs, royalties and contractual obligations significantly reduced the volume available to the Federal Government.

The minister spoke on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, amid renewed calls for government intervention in the petroleum sector and proposals for a production subsidy to support domestic refineries.

“So the people that are saying, ‘We’ll discount it, we’ll do the cost of production,’ don’t know what they’re talking about. We don’t have enough to service Dangote. Dangote imports crude. And I just want us to establish that fact,” Oyedele said.

He explained that although Nigeria currently produces about 1.8 million barrels of crude oil daily, the entire volume does not belong to the government because of production-sharing contracts and joint ventures with oil companies.

“Under the production sharing contract and joint venture, they share these things. And the ratios vary. Let’s say roughly 45, 55, right? You do that,” he said.

According to the minister, the government’s share is further reduced by production costs and royalties before the remaining crude can be allocated.

Then there’s the cost. To produce it, to get it out of the ground, you take it in the cost of oil. That’s also barrels that are going away. Then you take the one for royalty. Before you now start talking about profit oil that you share,” he said.

Oyedele added, “The long and short of what I’m telling you is that whatever is left for Nigeria, we have sustained it almost entirely because of fuel subsidy.”

He said the country currently had less than 700,000 barrels of crude oil freely available for allocation to any buyer, including the Dangote Refinery.

“I don’t want to go into the technicalities, but the reality is that today we do not have up to 700,000 free crude to give anyone, including Dangote,” he said.

Oyedele said the naira-for-crude policy introduced by the Tinubu administration had helped provide stability but acknowledged that available volumes remained insufficient to meet domestic demand.

“That’s why when Mr President introduced the Naira for Crude, it was meant to help us gain some stability. And it has worked, but we don’t have enough quantity to give as of yet,” he said.

The minister expressed optimism that increased crude oil production would enable Nigeria to meet the feedstock requirements of the Dangote Refinery and other domestic processors.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna has dismissed an appeal by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the refusal of a fresh bail application by the Kaduna State High Court.

According to the Certified True Copy of the judgment obtained by our correspondent on Friday, a three-member appellate panel, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, held that El-Rufai failed to establish fresh facts or special circumstances to warrant interfering with the lower court’s decision to deny him bail.

The lead judgment, delivered by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, affirmed the ruling of the Kaduna State High Court, which refused the former governor’s second bail application on June 10, 2026.

El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over alleged financial offences arising from his administration.

The former governor has denied wrongdoing and challenged the circumstances surrounding his continued detention.

The Kaduna State High Court had earlier dismissed the bail application filed by the former governor and ordered an accelerated hearing in the matter.

Dissatisfied with the decision, El-Rufai approached the appellate court.

The appellate court held that the lower court acted within its judicial discretion in refusing bail, noting that the decision was properly based on the affidavit evidence presented by both parties.

“There is no merit in this appeal; it fails and is hereby dismissed. The ruling of the lower court delivered on 10/6/2026 is hereby affirmed,” Otisi held.

The appellate court considered the prosecution’s argument that some of El-Rufai’s public remarks during a televised interview raised concerns about possible interference with the course of justice.

The prosecution had told the court that El-Rufai made public remarks about defending his political legacy against those seeking to criminalise him.

It also alleged that he admitted during an Arise Television interview on April 26, 2026, to wiretapping the telephone line of the National Security Adviser.

According to the judgment, El-Rufai acknowledged participating in the interview and noted that he was being tried in a separate case relating to the subject matter.

However, the appellate court stressed that its decision did not amount to a finding of guilt, noting that the former governor remained presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Now, without doubt, by unequivocal constitutional provisions, the appellant is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Otisi stated.

He added that the trial court’s evaluation of the affidavit evidence concerning the potential interference with justice did not constitute a pronouncement of guilt.

The court also considered El-Rufai’s argument that his voluntary return to custody after attending his late mother’s burial demonstrated that he was not a flight risk.

The former governor had submitted that his release to attend the burial and subsequent return to custody constituted compelling grounds for granting bail.

However, the prosecution maintained that he was accompanied and closely monitored by security agents throughout the burial period.

The appellate court noted that photographs allegedly showing El-Rufai attending the funeral prayers at the National Mosque in Abuja were referenced in his affidavit but were not attached to the application before the trial court.

Otisi said the trial judge could not speculate on what the unattached photographs would have shown.

Courts are not allowed to act on speculations or conjecture to reach a decision, more so in our criminal jurisprudence,” he said.

 The court consequently upheld the lower court’s conclusion that El-Rufai had not established that his return to custody was entirely voluntary or that the circumstances justified a different bail decision.

It also upheld the order for an accelerated hearing of the criminal trial, with proceedings to be conducted on a day-to-day basis as far as practicable while El-Rufai remained in the custody of the ICPC.

The appellate court noted that no evidence had been presented to show that the prosecution had failed to pursue the case diligently.

Otisi added that El-Rufai could return to the trial court to seek further consideration of his bail application if the prosecution failed to prosecute the case diligently.

In a concurring judgment, Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo agreed that the former governor had not presented fresh and compelling facts to justify a different outcome.

“Nothing had changed; therefore, I am unable to agree that a miscarriage of justice had occurred,” she held.

Justice Lateef Ganiyu also concurred with the lead judgment, holding that the failure to attach documents relied upon in the bail application worked against the appellant’s case.

In March 2026, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) took former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai into custody following an investigation into alleged financial infractions and procurement irregularities during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced the temporary closure of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, for 25 days to allow for runway rehabilitation and extension.

The closure is scheduled to commence on October 20, 2026, ahead of the peak Christmas travel season.

Keyamo disclosed this in a post on his Xhandle on Friday, explaining that the decision followed an agreement among the Federal Government, the Imo State Government, and aviation stakeholders in the South-East.

He stated that he had spoken with Governor Hope Uzodimma earlier in the day, adding that the planned works were necessary to ensure aviation safety and prepare the airport for increased passenger traffic during the festive period.

According to the minister, the rehabilitation will involve repairing deteriorated sections of the runway pavement, treating surface cracks, filling potholes, resurfacing affected areas, and extending the runway.

He noted that the project, executed through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in partnership with the Imo State Government, would restore the runway to a safer and more reliable condition.

“The rehabilitation will involve repairs to deteriorated sections of the runway pavement, treatment of extensive surface cracks, filling of potholes, and resurfacing of affected areas, alongside the planned runway extension.

When completed, these works are expected to restore the runway to a safer and more reliable operational condition and improve its capacity to accommodate larger aircraft, subject to applicable operational and regulatory requirements.

“The timing of this intervention is particularly important as we approach the Christmas travel season, when passenger traffic and flight movements to Owerri traditionally increase.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in the right condition to support safe and efficient operations during this busy period and beyond.

The minister acknowledged that the temporary closure would inconvenience passengers and airport users but appealed for understanding, stressing that aviation safety remains non-negotiable.

He assured that the Federal Government would continue to engage the Imo State Government, airlines, and other stakeholders to coordinate the project and minimize disruptions.

Keyamo advised passengers scheduled to travel through the airport during the closure period to contact their respective airlines regarding flight rescheduling, cancellations, and alternative travel arrangements.

He added that confirmed closure and reopening dates would be officially communicated through formal aviation channels.

The minister commended Uzodimma and the Imo State Government for their cooperation, describing the partnership as an effective collaboration to upgrade aviation infrastructure and stimulate regional economic growth.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has set up a ministerial committee involving security agencies and electricity sector stakeholders to tackle vandalism of power infrastructure, following repeated attacks that have disrupted electricity supply and forced the government to spend billions of naira repairing damaged installations.

The committee is expected to develop a coordinated response to attacks on generation, transmission and distribution assets, with a focus on enforcing existing laws, deploying technology to protect critical infrastructure and preventing further incidents through public sensitisation.

The move comes amid the persistent threat posed by vandals to Nigeria’s fragile electricity network.

In a statement announcing the committee’s formation on Friday, the Ministry of Power said the initiative was part of continuing efforts to guarantee stable and reliable electricity supply to households, businesses and industries.

The committee was constituted in response to attacks on electricity assets across the value chain, which disrupt supply, increase repair costs and undermine investments required to improve the sector.

The statement read, “As part of continuing efforts to guarantee stable and reliable electricity supply for households, businesses and industry, the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has convened a ministerial committee on the prevention of vandalism of power infrastructure. The committee brings together security and power sector stakeholders and is tasked with ending attacks on assets across the electricity value chain.

“The committee was constituted in response to attacks on generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure, which disrupt supply to consumers, increase repair costs and erode the investment on which the sector depends. Its mandate also includes defining the contribution each institution will make toward a lasting solution.”

The ministry said the committee would also define the specific responsibilities of each participating institution to ensure that efforts to protect power infrastructure were coordinated and sustained.

The inaugural meeting was attended by the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka A. Famadewa; directors from the Office of the National Security Adviser; the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power; and directors from the ministry and relevant agencies.

The committee’s work will be aligned with the critical infrastructure unit of the Office of the National Security Adviser, reinforcing the government’s position that protecting electricity assets is a national security priority.

At the meeting, participants proposed measures to prevent vandalism and outlined the responsibilities of their respective offices and agencies.

They resolved to enforce existing laws against vandalism, ensure that offenders were prosecuted, deploy technology to protect national assets and intensify sensitisation and advocacy campaigns to discourage attacks before they occur.

The participants also pledged to work together to bring the menace to an end.

The committee is scheduled to reconvene next week to review progress and assess the implementation of the proposed measures.

The scale of the problem has raised concerns about the cost of repeatedly repairing infrastructure that should be supporting improved electricity delivery. In June 2025, TCN disclosed that 42 vandalism incidents recorded in the first half of the year had affected 178 transmission towers across the country.

The company said the attacks were among the most difficult challenges it faced, with damage recorded across several transmission regions, including Abuja, Bauchi, Enugu, Shiroro, Kano and Port Harcourt.

In January 2025, the then Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said more than N9bn had been spent restoring vandalised power infrastructure in northern Nigeria in 2024, underscoring the financial burden imposed by the attacks.

Vandalism of transmission infrastructure can affect electricity supply even when power stations are generating electricity because damaged lines and towers restrict the ability of the transmission network to deliver power to distribution companies.

The theft of tower components, conductors, cables and other equipment can also expose installations to further damage and require repairs before affected lines can return to service.

Beyond the immediate cost of replacing stolen or damaged equipment, repeated attacks divert funds and technical resources from network expansion and other improvements intended to increase transmission capacity and reliability.

The latest initiative therefore places emphasis on cooperation between security agencies and power sector institutions, rather than relying solely on repairs after attacks have occurred.

The Ministry of Power said effective implementation should lead to fewer outages caused by attacks on infrastructure, more dependable electricity supply and stronger protection for public and private investment in the sector.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has ordered an assessment of dilapidated public primary and secondary schools across the state for urgent rehabilitation.

The governor gave the directive on Friday during the inauguration of the newly completed Model Technical College, Oghareki, in Ethiope West Local Government Area, saying the state must improve learning conditions for pupils and students.

“I have directed that all schools in Delta State that are in deplorable condition, whether primary or secondary, should be assessed for immediate rehabilitation,” Oborevwori said.

He urged the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education to begin the assessment without delay, noting that the state had more than 1,400 primary schools and 480 secondary schools requiring sustained investment and maintenance.

The governor said the State Executive Council had also directed the ministries to identify schools needing urgent intervention as part of efforts to strengthen public education.

Oborevwori said the new technical college was designed to equip young people with practical skills to improve their employment opportunities and economic independence.

He disclosed that three more model technical colleges, located in Irri, Isoko South; Kiagbodo, Burutu; and Akugbene, Bomadi, would be completed and inaugurated before December 2026.

He also announced a N50m education support fund for Miss Ogheneovo Davina, a Junior Technical II student who addressed him on behalf of her fellow students during the ceremony.

Speaking on behalf of the students, Davina thanked the governor for investing in technical education and pledged that they would use the facilities to acquire practical skills and become self-reliant after graduation. She added that she would vote for Oborevwori in 2027 if she were old enough to vote.

The member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, praised the quality of the project and the governor’s decision to complete it. She also commended him for promoting unity within the party in the state.

The Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Council, Christian Onogba, described the inauguration as a landmark achievement, saying the governor’s development projects and political realignment had helped foster unity across Delta State.

The Oghara monarch, HRM Noble Eshemitan, Orefe III, Uku Oghara Na Me, congratulated the governor on the completion of the college.

Oborevwori commended former Governor James Ibori for his contributions to the state’s development and acknowledged former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration for initiating the Oghareki Technical College project, which his government completed.

The condition of school infrastructure is a key factor in creating a conducive learning environment, as dilapidated classrooms and inadequate facilities can affect teaching and learning.

Regular assessment and rehabilitation of public schools are therefore important to ensuring that pupils and students have access to safe and suitable educational facilities.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has called for the preservation of the Yoruba language and culture, urging Nigerians to pass their heritage on to future generations.

Hamzat made the call after appearing on Masoyinbo, a Yoruba-focused cultural programme, where he discussed the importance of preserving the language and celebrating Yoruba heritage.

PUNCH Online reports that Masoyinbo is a Yoruba-language cultural game show dedicated to promoting and preserving the language and heritage through entertaining quizzes and challenges that test participants’ fluency and knowledge of Yoruba.

In a post on his X account on Friday, accompanied by photographs from the programme, Hamzat, who also “competed  for the ultimate prize of N1m, a car and a parcel of land, described Yoruba as more than a language, saying it was an important part of the people’s identity, history and values.

“I had a great time on Masoyinbo, exploring the importance of Yoruba in our society and why we must preserve the language, celebrate our culture and pass our rich heritage on to future generations.

“Yoruba is more than a language. It is part of our identity, history, values and what connects us as a community,” he wrote.

He said Nigeria’s diversity was one of its greatest strengths, adding that preserving indigenous languages was a shared responsibility.

Building a greater Lagos means investing not only in infrastructure and public services but also in our people, culture and values. We must work together to keep our heritage alive for generations to come,” he added.

Hamzat also commended Masoyinbo for its role in preserving Yoruba heritage while informing and entertaining audiences in Lagos and elsewhere in the world.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State appeared on the 364th episode of Masoyinbo, an engaging game show dedicated to promoting and preserving the Yoruba language and culture, the host Lekan Fabilola also shared in a separate post/snippet on his X account also on Friday.

A further check by our correspondent revealed that the 40 minute long show was also posted on Friday afternoon on the show’s official YouTube channel.

Our correspondent reports that Hamzat answered all 10 questions – but penalties arising from code switching/mixing reduced his prize to N20,000.

Masoyinbo has previously featured prominent Nigerians, including Fuji musician Saheed Osupa, political activist, Yele Sowore, actresses Funke Akindele and Femi Adebayo, rapper Falz, comedian Ali Baba, skit maker Cute Abiola and actor Lateef Adedimeji, as part of its efforts to promote Yoruba language and culture.

Culled from Punch

President Bola Tinubu will flag off his 2027 re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has said.

Yari disclosed this to State House correspondents on Friday evening after briefing Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on the council’s campaign preparations.

He said the President asked to see him to be updated on where the council stood and to discuss the timetable of state visits during the campaign.

Yari announced, “By God’s grace, his team, I, and Mr President himself, we have agreed on how it’s going to be done.

“We have put forward a proposal. The inaugural meeting [of the campaign council] is going to be done on the 14th of this month. That’s next Wednesday at the State House banquet hall, and by God’s grace, on the 24th of October, we’re going to do our flag-off campaign in Kaduna, inshallah.

“Then we outlined our state visits to each and every place where we will go, and the President has approved them. So we are going to hit the ground running by the 24th of October, inshallah.”

Asked which states the campaign would visit after Kaduna, Yari said the next stop would be Port Harcourt, Rivers State, followed by Maiduguri, Borno State.

President Bola Tinubu will flag off his 2027 re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has said.

Yari disclosed this to State House correspondents on Friday evening after briefing Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on the council’s campaign preparations.

He said the President asked to see him to be updated on where the council stood and to discuss the timetable of state visits during the campaign.

Yari announced, “By God’s grace, his team, I, and Mr President himself, we have agreed on how it’s going to be done.

“We have put forward a proposal. The inaugural meeting [of the campaign council] is going to be done on the 14th of this month. That’s next Wednesday at the State House banquet hall, and by God’s grace, on the 24th of October, we’re going to do our flag-off campaign in Kaduna, inshallah.

“Then we outlined our state visits to each and every place where we will go, and the President has approved them. So we are going to hit the ground running by the 24th of October, inshallah.”

Asked which states the campaign would visit after Kaduna, Yari said the next stop would be Port Harcourt, Rivers State, followed by Maiduguri, Borno State.

He said the full timetable would be released after the council’s inauguration.

We have the timetable, and we are going to make it available after the inauguration. But this has all been understood and approved by the team of Mr President and I,” he said.

Asked about the challenge posed by the presidential candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Yari argued that Tinubu could not be unseated because God had used the President to support both men in the past.

“We are talking of the President of the country, and this President, who, by God’s grace, Almighty God used him to support Atiku some time back, and at the same time to support Peter Obi.

“So if Allah uses me to support you, there is no way Allah will use you to bring me down,” he said.

The former Zamfara State governor also argued that no candidate could win the presidency without a base in both the North and the South.

He stated, “Can the ADC candidate today in the southern part of the country beat his chest and say he has control of one state in the South? And I don’t think Peter Obi, who used to be my colleague, can beat his chest. Can he say he has control of one state in northern Nigeria?

So this calculation shows us that even if you have control of 80 per cent of the South, if you don’t have anything in the North, you cannot make it.

“If you have 80 per cent of control of the North, if you don’t have any state in the South, you can’t make it, and that’s what it is.”

He cited the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying he “had control of over 70 per cent at that time, over 11 states in the North and had no control of one in the South,” and “couldn’t make it all the way.”

By contrast, Yari argued that Tinubu controls “more than 10 states in the South, in the conservative estimate” and more than 10 states in the North.

“This is calculation, it is not rocket science,” he affirmed.

He added that Tinubu “has turned around the situation that he met on ground, and the economy is moving.

“So I think we have done enough that we can tell our opponents about what we did. We are not promising. We are doing it, and we are going to continue.”

Tinubu named Yari Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on August 22, 2026, with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as secretary.

The President chairs the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda are vice chairmen.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections. Its timetable allows campaigns from August 19, 2026, ending on January 15, 2027.

INEC said 18 candidates are in the race for the presidency. Among them is Atiku, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress, with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.

Obi, former Anambra State Governor, is contesting on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The councillor representing Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Rosemary Aduku, has reportedly died after spending days in captivity.

Her death was announced in a statement by the Chairman of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Dr Ameh Williams, on behalf of the Olamaboro Executive Council, on Friday.

Williams was however silent on the type of captivity she was being held until her death

In the death and burial announcement, Williams described the late councillor, popularly known as Hon. Rosella among her colleagues, as a wonderful, humble and reliable person who was committed to making people around her happy.

The statement read, “It is with deep sorrow we announce the sudden demise of our dear sister and colleague Hon. Mrs Rosemary Aduku, the Honorable Councilor representing the good people of Ogugu Ward 3 in the 8 Olamaboro Legislative Council.

“Hon. Rosella as she is profoundly called among her colleagues in the council and members of the Olamaboro Executive Council has been a wonderful soul and down to earth.

She has been a reliable fellow whose idea is to make everyone around her happy. Though your life was short lived but we will definitely take solace in your legacies and testimonies we have received since your demise

At this point we pray that God Almighty continue to rest your soul, grant your entire family, members of the Olamaboro 8 Legislative Council, members of Olamaboro Executive Council and the entire Ogugu district the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“Adieu Hon. Mrs Rosemary Aduku. Burial is scheduled for 1pm prompt this afternoon at her family compound, Ogugu centre.

“We use this medium to invite All APC family to be part of the burial as we bid our sister a final farewell

United States President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court, vowing to cut off its resources and cripple its operations.

As reported by Reuters, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Friday, accusing the court of targeting Americans and describing it as a “rogue court.”

“President Trump will never allow the International Criminal Court to prosecute Americans,” Rubio said in a statement.

“That is why, today, the United States is sanctioning the International Criminal Court. We will ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling its ability to operate,” he added.

The sanctions came amid Washington’s longstanding opposition to the ICC, particularly over its arrest warrants against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and its past investigation into alleged crimes by US soldiers in Afghanistan.

The ICC’s Deputy Prosecutor, Nazhat Shameem Khan, condemned the move, saying it would not deter the court from carrying out its responsibilities.

“The sanctions are intended to undermine the rule of law internationally and the work that an independent judicial institution is doing,” Khan told Reuters.

Our work will continue across all our situations, our investigations and our prosecutions,” she added.

The ICC, established in 2002 to prosecute individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, has 125 member states, including all European Union countries.

The United States is not a member of the court, which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.

The latest sanctions could have wider implications than previous US measures targeting individual ICC officials, as they could affect companies providing services to the institution.

US sanctions typically restrict American-based companies from conducting business with designated entities, potentially affecting banking, insurance and software services.

However, shortly after announcing the measures, the US Treasury issued four general licences allowing certain transactions involving the court’s telecommunications, software, pension payments and detainees.

The ICC had reportedly been preparing for possible sanctions against the institution by moving some office computers away from Microsoft software to open-source alternatives and making alternative arrangements for banking and health insurance.

Rubio said Washington had delayed the sanctions in the hope that the court and countries that are parties to its founding Rome Statute would address American concerns.

“Either the ICC will end its threats, or we will end the ICC,” he said.

“We expect our allies, many of whom are part of the ICC and that rely on American servicemembers for their defence, to rein in the court,” Rubio added.

The US secretary of state said the measures were structured to give ICC member states an opportunity to negotiate a resolution to Washington’s concerns.

Meanwhile, the sanctions announcement coincided with the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to South African jurist Navi Pillay, a former judge of the ICC Appeals Chamber who served from 2003 to 2008.

The Nobel committee said the award was intended to highlight the importance of international law at a time when judges and legal institutions were facing political pressure.

The development is expected to heighten diplomatic tensions between Washington and its European allies, many of which are members of the ICC.

An Ado-Ekiti-born mini-truck driver, Adeleye Adeniyi, has said he borrowed N3.5m to support the re-election bids of President Bola Tinubu, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Ekiti State House of Assembly member Steve Fatoba.

Adeniyi, popularly known as “Online Loan Man for BAO”, disclosed this in an interview with journalists now circulating on Friday, in which he displayed a Wema Bank cardboard cheque indicating N2m for Tinubu, N1m for Bamidele and N500,000 for Fatoba.

He said he was prepared to campaign for the three politicians ahead of the forthcoming elections, citing what he described as their performance in office.

I am supporting Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his second-term ambition. I have borrowed money. I want to use this money to support him because he’s doing a very great job,” he said.

Adeniyi also pledged to campaign for Tinubu, adding, “Like I said again, I am fully ready to go out to campaign for him. And I’m going to use this song to back him up. On your mandate, we shall stand.”

He appealed to Nigerians to vote for Tinubu, Bamidele and Fatoba, saying he believed the President would deliver more benefits if re-elected.

“I will appeal to my fellow Nigerians that we should demonstrate love by giving him, by voting him for his second term in office, because we are still going to see much more, more than what we have received,” he said.

The driver also praised Bamidele and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for what he described as their contributions to healthcare, education, electricity and rural infrastructure in the state.

Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, this man, I pray that we are still going to higher places. Most times, I look at the kind of projects that you always put on, you always supported. It always encouraged me that, no, indeed, this is a good leader,” he said.

Adeniyi previously attracted attention in February 2026 after reportedly borrowing money through the digital lending platform OPay to brand a vehicle in support of Oyebanji’s second-term bid.

The mini-truck driver, who operates around the BAO Timber Market along Ilawe Road in Ado-Ekiti, said at the time that his decision was motivated by his admiration for the governor’s administration.

He also praised Oyebanji and Tinubu over their policies on education, healthcare and citizens’ welfare, urging residents to support the governor’s re-election bid.

In the latest video, Adeniyi said he had again taken a loan to demonstrate his support for the politicians.

The Nigerian Army has graduated a new Special Forces battalion to strengthen counter-terrorism operations and tackle emerging security threats across the country.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Doma, Nasarawa State, on Friday, October 9, 2026.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the new battalion would enhance the Army’s capacity to conduct specialised operations, navigate difficult terrain and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.

According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the development was necessary to strengthen operational readiness following the expansion of the Army’s divisions from eight to 12

Shaibu noted that the expansion required additional specialised capabilities to sustain operational effectiveness and extend security coverage across the country.

He said the new battalion would strengthen field formations’ capacity to respond to evolving threats, including the use of drones, improvised explosive devices and other emerging tactics employed by adversaries.

The Special Forces personnel underwent six months of intensive training designed to improve their combat proficiency, resilience and adaptability to challenging operational environments.

The training facilities at the school include the Army’s most difficult and complex obstacle course, featuring 20 obstacles, as well as its first maze designed to help soldiers overcome the fear of darkness and confined spaces while improving their resilience and spatial orientation.

Charging the graduands to remain professional in the discharge of their duties, the Army chief emphasised the need for discipline, precision, sound judgment and respect for human rights.

He stressed that tactical success must not come at the expense of public confidence, adding that intelligence-led operations, technological awareness and cooperation with other military services and security agencies were essential to achieving sustainable security.

Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, said the training programme was tailored to meet contemporary operational demands and incorporate lessons from ongoing military operations.

Similarly, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Brigadier General Umar Abubakar, highlighted the rigorous physical and tactical training undertaken by the graduands to prepare them for specialised military assignments.

Shaibu commended the instructors and training partners for their contributions to developing a highly trained, adaptable and mission-ready force.

The graduation comes amid efforts by the Nigerian Army to strengthen its operational capabilities and respond to evolving security challenges across the country.

Former South African president Jacob Zuma is undergoing medical treatment in hospital, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Friday, confirming reports that the 84-year-old had been in a clinic since Wednesday.

Scandal-tainted Zuma was president between 2009 and 2018, when Ramaphosa took over.

“President Jacob Zuma has not been well, and he has now been put under treatment by doctors,” Ramaphosa told reporters in remarks carried by the national broadcaster, SABC.

The military surgeon general had been briefed about his condition, he said

We wish him a very quick recovery, and we want him to be well, and up, and continuing to serve the people of South Africa in whichever way.”

Several local media have reported that Zuma was taken by ambulance to a medical clinic in the eastern city of Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.

His party, MKP, said in a statement he was undergoing a routine checkup but did not give details.

We hereby confirm that he is healthy and in good spirits,” it said.

A key figure in the fight against apartheid, Zuma was elected president in 2009.

After a series of corruption scandals, he was forced to resign by his African National Congress party in 2018 before the end of his second term.

He made a stunning political comeback in 2024 when the MKP, created just months earlier, came third in national elections, scalping votes from the ANC.

AFP

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in Kaduna State, destroyed three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Zamfara State and recovered 73 livestock abandoned by fleeing terrorists.

The operations were conducted on Thursday, according to a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.

Danja said troops of Sector 1, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a suspect, Yusuf Adamu, at Kuyello in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect allegedly participated in terrorist activities, including recording a video of a female kidnap victim who was allegedly sexually assaulted by terrorists to facilitate a ransom demand.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted to involvement in terrorist activities, including recording a video of a female kidnap victim who was allegedly sexually assaulted by terrorists to facilitate a ransom demand,” the statement said.

According to Danja, the suspect further alleged that the victim was subsequently killed after the ransom was delivered and that he received ₦50,000 for his role in the operation.

The military spokesman said investigations were ongoing to apprehend the alleged principal suspect, identified as Yusuf Iliya Sani, and other collaborators.

In a related development, troops of Sector 2, working alongside personnel of the Nigeria Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, destroyed three IEDs planted by terrorists along the Magami–Dansadau road in Zamfara State.

Danja said the explosives were located and destroyed during a joint operation conducted on Thursday.

He added that the successful clearance operation had elicited positive reactions from residents and road users, who were expected to benefit from improved safety and freedom of movement along the route.

In another operation, troops recovered 73 livestock allegedly rustled by terrorists between Kombo and Gurusu villages in Zamfara State.

The operation followed intelligence reports about the movement of terrorists with rustled animals in the area.

According to the statement, troops swiftly deployed to the location and engaged the suspected terrorists, forcing them to flee and abandon the livestock.

“The recovered animals comprised 14 camels, 19 cows and 40 sheep,” Danja said.

He added that the troops, working alongside local vigilantes, moved the recovered animals to a secure location for further action.

The military said the operations demonstrated its commitment to dismantling terrorist support networks, eliminating explosive threats and protecting lives and property across the North-West.

It urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information about suspicious persons, movements and objects to the nearest security formation to support ongoing military operations.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the Nigerian Army of his administration’s continued support in the task of providing adequate security for oil and gas facilities as well as other critical national assets located in the state

Fubara gave the assurance while receiving the new Commander, 6 Division Garrison and Sector 3, Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General Ismaila Sule, at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Onwuka Nzeshi and sent to newsmen.

The governor congratulated Brigadier General Sule on his posting to Rivers State, noting that the State has, across different administrations, maintained a wonderful and mutually beneficial relationship with the Nigerian Army.

He described the partnership as a win-win relationship, stressing that government’s support to security agencies is not an extraordinary gesture, but a normal responsibility, given the importance of security to the social and economic development of the country.

Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the new military formation being created and sited in Ahoada, describing it as a strategic decision that will help reduce agitation, tension and security challenges prevalent in that part of the state.

He thanked Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu for the favour done to Rivers State.

The governor emphasized that his government will never ask the military to do anything that will undermine its professional and statutory responsibilities or oppress any citizen, adding that his only interest is peace, progress and the development of Rivers State

He said Sector 3, which is responsible for protecting critical national assets including oil pipelines, has always enjoyed massive support from the Rivers State government, and assured that the support will not only be sustained but improved in the current dispensation.

In his remarks, Brig. Gen. Sule thanked Governor Fubara for the warm reception and for the consistent support of the State Government to the Army, pledging to strengthen synergy during his tour of duty in Rivers State.

Brig. Gen. Sule disclosed that he had been briefed by his predecessors on the consistent support the Army had received from the Rivers State Government, and conveyed the appreciation of the military high command to the state.

The Commander said his visit was to officially introduce himself to the Governor as the Chief Security Officer of the State, and to inform him of his plans to tour all 23 Local Government Areas in the State as well as nearby military formations.

Brig. Gen. Sule further disclosed that following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve Divisions, Rivers State will benefit from the expansion with a new Brigade to be stationed in Ahoada along with its affiliate battalions.

He said the new formation will help tackle security challenges in that axis and assured that under his command, the Army will do its best to ensure lasting peace and security across Rivers State.

The Benue State Government has sealed Orenda and Opal Schools over alleged violations of its textbook policy and complaints that pupils were victimised for failing to buy prescribed books directly from the schools.

The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board said the action followed petitions from parents and the failure of the school proprietor and administrators to honour an invitation to address the complaints.

The board’s Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, led officials of its Directorate of Enforcement and Compliance to the schools, where a court order authorising the sealing of the premises was served on the proprietor before the facilities were locked.

According to a statement issued by the board’s Information Officer, Jeffrey Adzam, on Thursday, the government’s policy allows parents to reuse textbooks previously purchased for older children.

Parents are also permitted to obtain textbook lists from schools and purchase the required books from bookstores outside the schools,” the statement added.

However, the board alleged that the affected schools insisted that parents purchase textbooks directly from them, contrary to the policy.

Francis said the board received reports that some pupils whose parents had paid their school fees but could not afford the prescribed textbooks were subjected to punitive treatment, including having their homework left unmarked.

The statement added that some parents who had already bought the books from external vendors alleged that the schools refused to allow their children to use them during the current academic session.

According to the board, the parents were told to either purchase new textbooks directly from the schools or withdraw their children and enrol them elsewhere.

It further alleged that pupils were barred from bringing textbooks bought outside the schools into their classrooms, leaving some of them demoralised.

Dr Francis described the alleged practices as unacceptable and inconsistent with the protection of learners’ rights and welfare under applicable laws in Benue State and Nigeria.

“He explained that the government’s policy was intended to provide flexibility for parents, promote the reuse of textbooks where appropriate and prevent schools from imposing unnecessary restrictions that undermine the interests of learners and their families,” the statement said.

He said the board had invited the proprietor and school administrators to a meeting to resolve the complaints, but they failed to attend.

According to the statement, the board subsequently approached the court through the Benue State Attorney-General and obtained an order authorising the sealing of the school premises.

It also alleged that the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, led members of staff in an attack on Francis and his team after the court order had been served.

The statement said the incident involved verbal assaults on the officials and the destruction of an official vehicle belonging to the board.

The board condemned the reported incident, saying disputes with regulatory authorities should be resolved through lawful channels rather than violence or intimidation.

It said the schools would remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators met its conditions, complied with government regulations and demonstrated a commitment to protecting the rights of pupils and parents.

“He urged parents and guardians whose children experience similar forms of alleged victimisation or violations of government education policies to submit formal petitions to BEQAEB, accompanied by relevant evidence.

“He assured the public that such complaints would be investigated and appropriate action taken in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

…Says Port, LNG Projects to Transform Ogun Waterside into Energy, Maritime Hub

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the construction of the J4-Gao Road in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area as part of measures to open up the axis and provide critical infrastructure to support the emerging investments in the area.

Abiodun disclosed this on Wednesday at an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Ibiade, headquarters of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.

The Governor, who lamented the prolonged neglect of the area by successive administrations, said the decision to construct the J4-Gao Road was informed by the strategic importance of Ogun Waterside to the State’s emerging economic and industrial landscape.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the construction of a four-kilometre bridge that would connect the local government to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing the development as a major infrastructure intervention that would facilitate access to the area and support the take-off of major investments planned for the axis.

According to him, the proposed infrastructure would complement the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project, both of which are expected to significantly alter the economic profile of Ogun Waterside and strengthen the State’s position in the maritime, energy and logistics sectors.

Abiodun expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the development of the Deep Sea Port and other strategic projects in the area, saying the projects would position Ogun State as a major energy, maritime and international trade hub.

He announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Deep Sea Port had been scheduled for November, with construction expected to commence before the end of the year and be completed by 2030.

The Governor said the development of the port was the culmination of sustained efforts by his administration to create an enabling environment for large-scale investments, stressing that the administration had consistently pursued infrastructure and policy interventions designed to make Ogun more attractive to investors.

He noted that the Deep Sea Port and associated investments would create significant employment and business opportunities, particularly for young people and residents of Ogun Waterside.

The Governor therefore urged youths in the area to acquire the skills and competencies required to take advantage of the opportunities that would emerge from the projects.

“These projects will change the economic fortunes of Ogun Waterside. Our young people must begin to prepare themselves now to take advantage of the opportunities that will come with these investments,” he said.

Abiodun noted that the strategic investments in the area were expected to generate more than 50,000 direct employment opportunities, while also creating extensive opportunities across logistics, transportation, construction, hospitality, services, manufacturing and other sectors.

The Governor said the development of the Deep Sea Port would also complement Ogun’s growing industrial base and strategic location within the Lagos-Ogun economic corridor, further strengthening the State’s reputation as Nigeria’s industrial capital.

He described Ogun Waterside as strategically important to the State, noting that the local government has 126 polling units and about 62,000 registered voters.

Abiodun urged residents and APC members in the area to remain united and sustain their support for the party, saying continued political stability and support would help consolidate the gains recorded by the APC-led administrations at the State and Federal levels.

He called on party members to intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections and urged voters to support APC candidates across the ballot, from the presidential election to the State House of Assembly.

The Governor assured the people that continued support for the party would strengthen the prospects for sustained development and effective representation.

Speaking at the event, the APC Presidential and Governorship Campaign Director-General, Senator Lekan Mustapha, urged residents to protect the development gains recorded in the area under the APC-led government.

Mustapha cautioned against taking political decisions that could jeopardise the ongoing transformation, urging the people to remain committed to the party and its candidates in the 2027 elections.

Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Segun Awonusi, commended Abiodun for what he described as his role in driving the development taking place in Ogun Waterside.

Awonusi expressed confidence that the people of the area would reciprocate the administration’s interventions with massive support for the APC in the 2027 elections.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated its campaign committee for Ijebu Central Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, charging members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and rally support for the party’s candidates.

The inauguration, held on Thursday at Legan Hall, Ijebu-Ode, brought together party leaders, stakeholders and supporters from the three local government areas that make up the constituency.

The committee is chaired by the Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Hon. Dapo Okubadejo, while a two-term former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kehinde Odeneye, serves as Director-General. Hon. Adebowale Ojuri was named Deputy Director-General.

Also inaugurated were local government coordinators and committees responsible for strategy, finance, publicity, mobilisation, welfare, protocol, digital media, communication and diaspora engagement.

The APC candidate for the House of Representatives, Hon. Razak Oluwakemi Daddah, pledged to prioritise inclusive representation if elected, promising to attract federal projects to the constituency and sponsor legislation that addresses the economic and social needs of his constituents.

Speaking on the committee’s mandate, Hon. Kehinde Odeneye said members were expected to promote the party and its candidates while strengthening engagement with communities across the constituency.

"Our responsibility is to promote our party, promote our candidates and work effectively with everyone, both within and outside the party, as well as with communities across the constituency."

Odeneye expressed confidence in the APC candidates in Ijebu Central, citing their public service records and grassroots experience as key advantages in the forthcoming elections.

He also defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, acknowledging the hardship faced by Nigerians but arguing that the policies were necessary to rebuild the economy.

“A lot of people are angry and, at the same time, hungry. But Nigerians are quickly forgetting that when a house is destroyed, rebuilding that house will take some time,” - he said.

To underscore his argument, Odeneye cited the Ijebu-Ode-Ibadan road project, developments in Ogun Waterside and the Sagamu-Benin corridor as examples of federal interventions that could improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity in the region.

He also urged residents to support the APC’s governorship candidate, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, and Governor Dapo Abiodun, describing them as experienced politicians capable of sustaining development initiatives in Ogun State.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, commended party members for their support and contributions to the party’s growth in the council area.

He urged residents to demonstrate their political preferences at the polls by voting for APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, an APC Ward 9 executive member, Prince Olugbenga Adekoya, described Rasak Daddah as a grassroots politician and called on residents to support his candidacy.

“Honourable Daddah has been a very nice person and a true grassroots man who has worked so well in the constituency. That is why we have decided to throw our full weight behind him,” - Adekoya said.

He added that an APC victory would create opportunities for job creation, infrastructure development and solid economic growth.

Goodwill messages were delivered by the Ogun State GAC Chairman, Pa Okuboyejo; Hon. Bukola Adesanya, popularly known as Bukadex; and the APC Chairman in Ijebu North-East Local Government, Deaconess Badejo.

The inauguration signals the commencement of the APC’s formal campaign mobilisation in Ijebu Central Federal Constituency as political parties and stakeholders begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Daddah Media Team

ABUJA — Organised Labour has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to revert the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly known as petrol, to its level before the signing of the current national minimum wage in 2024.

It said the measure would cushion the impact of the energy crisis on workers and the masses, as is being done in other countries.

Labour also demanded that the Federal Government commence the process of renegotiating a new national minimum wage before the end of October.

The demands were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a joint meeting of the National Executive Council, NEC, and the Central Working Committee, CWC, of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. The communiqué was signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

According to the communiqué: “The joint meeting issues a two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government, beginning from Friday, October 9, 2026, within which it is expected to, among other things:

“Take measures to reduce the price of petrol across the nation to what it was at the signing of the current national minimum wage in 2024, to cushion the impact of the energy crisis on workers and the masses, as is being done in other countries;

“Commence the process of renegotiating a new national minimum wage;

“Implement the dictates of the Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals, JOHESU, on February 5, 2026, and address other demands that have arisen since then;
“Implement the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council, JPSNC.

“Failure to do so will compel the NLC to take remedial steps as may be directed by the relevant organs.

The communiqué explained that the joint meeting deliberated on the state of the nation, the existential threats facing Nigerian workers and the downtrodden masses, and the urgent tasks confronting the trade union movement in Nigeria.

After extensive discussions on the grave economic and political crises, as well as the survival challenges confronting workers and the nation at large, the NEC-in-session, in conjunction with the CWC, arrived at the following resolutions.

On the state of the nation and the existential crises confronting Nigerian workers and the masses, it said: “The joint meeting-in-session notes with profound alarm the deepening misery inflicted on the Nigerian working class and the broader masses by the neo-liberal policies of the Federal Government and its state institutions.

“Inflation continues to soar unabated, the naira remains traumatised, wages have been rendered worthless, and the cost of living has become unbearable.

The ruling elite, acting as enforcers of global monopoly capital, have demonstrated a worrying indifference to the suffering of the people, choosing instead to transfer the burden of their fiscal negligence onto the already impoverished working masses, thereby abandoning the people to the dictates of comprador fat cats.

“NEC-in-session declares that no society can sustainably develop under a regime of corporate plunder and neo-liberal enslavement.

“The Nigerian working people must, therefore, remain resolute, organised and uncompromising in the collective struggle for a fair and equitable Nigeria.”

On the urgent need to commence the renegotiation of the national minimum wage, the communiqué stated: “The joint meeting observes with grave concern that the current national minimum wage has been rendered worthless by the relentless depreciation of the naira and the astronomical rise in the cost of living.

“Nigerian workers can no longer afford the basic necessities of life — food, shelter, healthcare, transportation and education — on their current wages.

Consequently, NEC-in-session demands that the Federal Government commences the renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of this month.

“The Congress demands a living wage that reflects the true cost of living and the dignity of the Nigerian worker. Any further delay by the Federal Government remains unacceptable.”

The communiqué further stated that the meeting deliberated on the urgent need to reduce the price of petrol.

It said: “The joint meeting reiterates its call on the Federal Government to work with relevant agencies to immediately reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly known as petrol.

“The exorbitant pump price of petrol has had a cascading effect on the cost of transportation, food and other essential goods, further deepening the hardship faced by workers and the masses.

The government must abandon its insensitive policies that have allowed indiscriminate hikes in the prices of petroleum products, which have only served to enrich a handful of oil marketers while pauperising the masses.”

On tax relief and wage awards for workers, the joint meeting demanded that the Federal Government grant tax relief to workers as agreed and immediately provide wage awards to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living.

“These measures are the bare minimum required to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and restore a measure of dignity to their lives.

“The government cannot continue to demand sacrifice from workers without offering any relief to the suffering masses and workers,” it stated.

The NEC-in-session reaffirmed the historical responsibility of the NLC to resist all forms of exploitation and oppression. It called on all affiliates and progressive allies to remain on high alert and fully prepared to engage in decisive action against all anti-people policies.

The Congress reiterates that Nigerian working people must remain resolute, organised and uncompromising in the collective struggle for a fair and equitable Nigeria,” it concluded

President Donald Trump ruled out Thursday attacking Iran before the US midterms on November 3, saying Washington was holding “productive discussions” with Tehran.

Trump’s announcement on his Truth Social platform followed a surge in oil prices driven by media reports suggesting potential new US strikes prior to the elections.

“I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both economically and militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect…we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections,” he wrote.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.

The Atlantic magazine reported on Wednesday that the White House had asked the Pentagon to develop options to strike Iranian targets that could be used before the midterms.

The New York Times said Thursday the plans were being developed despite Trump’s “ambivalence.”

The surge in crude oil prices has also been fueled by persistent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic chokepoint for the global oil trade — as well as hostilities between Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

Polls suggest American voters are strongly dissatisfied with fuel prices, which have soared since US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28 triggered the conflict.

Brent North Sea crude, the international benchmark, rallied to as high as $105.88 a barrel on Thursday before retreating to $104.28.

– Putin vows to help –

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Thursday to “do everything” to help end the Middle East war when he met Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian for talks ahead of a regional summit, Russian media reported.

“We are ready to do everything that is in our power to contribute to the settlement of this situation,” Putin said after arriving in Turkmenistan for a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) that starts Friday in the Caspian Sea resort of Avaza.

He added that Iran had made “real efforts to end the war,” according to Russian news agencies.

Russia and Iran have reinforced diplomatic and military links since Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, becoming increasingly reliant on each other.

Trump has repeatedly insisted in recent weeks that the United States has effectively won the Iran war, despite ongoing unrest and a recent security threat that forced the withdrawal of American bombers from a base in England.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted Tehran was “engaged in dialogue, but every time we negotiate with the United States, they attack again”, Iranian state media quoted him as saying at the talks with Putin.

Pezeshkian said the Islamic republic wanted to see a “final framework” to end the war.

But he accused the United States of “trying to impose its policies and views on all countries”.

“If the United States insists on pursuing a unilateral approach, a resolution will not be possible,” he said, according to state media.

– Approaching election –

The midterm elections will shape the final two years of Trump’s presidential term as his Republican Party risks losing its current grip on Congress.

Although Trump is not on the ballot, he is holding numerous rallies in an attempt to limit the damage or even turn the political tide.

Trump has warned he faces a possible third impeachment if Democrats retake the House of Representatives, and the White House is preparing for a slew of investigations into corruption and abuse of power.

The US president also sought to calm a furor on Thursday over his comments at a rally earlier this week that Iran could “take out” the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.

The 80-year-old blamed the “fake and artificial news” for misinterpreting the remarks, which Democrats pounced on.

“In actuality, what I was talking about was that a temporary increase in the price of Gasoline is a small price to pay for Iran not having a Nuclear Weapon and, if you want to see a big price, can you imagine what it would be like if they bombed San Diego and/or Los Angeles?” Trump said on Truth Social.

AFP

The oba-elect of Bolorunduro, Ondo East Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Samuel Fawehinmi, has urged the state High Court sitting in Ondo town to stop the state from installing another person as a monarch of the community.

The State Executive Council recently approved the appointment of Prof Thompson Akinifesi as the new monarch of Bolorunduro.

But Fawehinmi, who dragged the government before Justice Bolatito Ajibade of the High Court, told the court that the recent reappointment of Akinifesi as the oba-elect by the government was not only an infraction of court process, but also a deliberate action to abuse the court, saying the matter had been in court before the pronouncement of the government.

He urged the court to rescind the decision of the government with immediate effect and install him as the eligible oba-elect of the community.

Speaking through his lead counsel, Mr Thompson Akinyemi, on Tuesday during the court proceeding, the oba-elect challenged the move by the current administration to reappoint another person after he had been fully given a letter of appointment during the late Rotimi Akeredolu administration in 2022.

The claimant explained that he had been given a letter of appointment in 2022 and it was signed by the then Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Princess Oladuni Odu, during the era of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

He equally urged the court to grant him all his pending applications earlier submitted before the court and set aside the decision of the government.

Addressing the court, however, counsel for Prof Akinnifesi, Mr Gbenga Akinbinu, exonerated the government from any wrongdoing in the case and urged the court to disregard the claims by the claimants.

After hearing the arguments from both parties, Justice Ajibade adjourned the case to November 24, 2026.

The Lagos State AIDS Control Agency has warned food-sector employers against excluding workers living with HIV on food-safety grounds, saying the virus cannot be transmitted through preparing, handling or serving food.

LSACA made the position known at a sensitisation meeting for food handlers and representatives of food-sector associations on HIV-related workplace practices and applicable legal provisions, held on Thursday in Ikeja.

According to a statement by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Adekunbi Bakare, the meeting was aimed at dispelling misconceptions about HIV transmission and promoting safe, inclusive and non-discriminatory practices in the food sector.

The Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Folakemi Animashaun, represented at the meeting by the Director of Projects, Michael Essien, said there was no scientific basis for excluding people living with HIV from food-related employment.

The statement quoted Animashaun as saying that HIV was not transmitted through “handling, preparing or serving food, sharing utensils, or through ordinary workplace and social contact.”

According to her, “a person’s HIV status does not make them a food-safety risk,” and workplace decisions should therefore be based on scientific evidence rather than fear or misinformation.

She also cautioned against using food-safety and medical fitness requirements to justify discriminatory HIV screening or the exclusion of workers living with the virus

The agency said protecting confidentiality was equally important, particularly where employers or workplace health personnel had access to information about a worker’s HIV status.

Animashaun said stigma and discrimination could have consequences beyond the workplace, including discouraging people from getting tested, accessing treatment or using health services for fear that their status could be disclosed or that they could lose their jobs.

She, therefore, urged food establishments and associations to review their workplace policies and ensure compliance with the principles of confidentiality, informed consent and non-discrimination.

“Stigma and discrimination can discourage people from testing, accessing treatment and using health services for fear of losing their jobs or having their status disclosed without consent,” she said.

Animashaun also called on the participants to become advocates for accurate information about HIV within the food sector, urging them to take the message back to employers, workers and members of their respective associations.

The agency said the sensitisation also addressed HIV transmission, prevention and treatment, with participants reminded that there was no risk of acquiring HIV from food prepared, handled or served by a person living with the virus.

Also speaking at the meeting, Tiamiyu Hussein of the Lagos State Safety Commission stressed the need to maintain safe and healthy workplaces without discriminating against workers based on their HIV status.

Hussein explained the distinction between legitimate medical fitness assessments for food handlers and HIV screening, urging employers to ensure that occupational health and safety procedures were properly implemented.

He also encouraged employers and workers to protect the confidentiality of health information and ensure that no person was subjected to unfair treatment because of their HIV status.

The agency urged food-sector stakeholders to challenge misconceptions, promote fair employment practices and support appropriate referral and grievance mechanisms across the sector.

Bakare said the agency remained committed to promoting accurate information on HIV and reducing stigma and discrimination against people living with the virus.

The Lagos State Government has called on youths between the ages of 18 and 26 to apply for the ongoing military recruitment exercise, urging eligible residents to help the state meet its recruitment quota.

The Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, made this call during a meeting with the 57 local government secretaries and representatives of the Police Community Relations Committee on Tuesday.

She said, “We want a lot of our children between the ages of 18 and 26 to apply so that Lagos State can meet its quota again for this season.”

The meeting also focused on security, governance and preparations for the forthcoming elections, with the SSG stressing the need for all stakeholders to work together to maintain peace across the state

According to her, the involvement of the local government secretaries was particularly important because of their role in coordinating activities at the grassroots.

She said the secretaries were expected to understand developments in their respective local governments, communicate them to their chairmen and escalate issues requiring state-level intervention.

This is how to have good governance, because we must ask for the best. Our people must know what we are doing, and we must look at policies,” he said.

The SSG added that the state government was committed to reviewing policies that were not working effectively and making necessary adjustments to improve the welfare of residents.

Salu-Hundeyin said the meeting also provided an opportunity for the government and its partners to discuss measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful environment ahead of the elections.

She added that the Police Community Relations Committee was invited because of its role in supporting security efforts in the state.

“The state government has given a marching order that, as usual, more than ever before, Lagos must remain peaceful,” he said.

The SSG said the discussions were ultimately aimed at improving governance and ensuring better living conditions for residents, noting that the essence of governance was “to deliver better livability to our people.”

The Lagos State Government is planning to increase the annual student intake of the Lagos State University College of Medicine from about 500 to 2,500 by 2028.

To accommodate the expansion, the government would be repurposing the former CACOVID Centre at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, as additional teaching space for LASUCOM.

The state added that the move was also in line with its plan to transform LASUCOM into a full-fledged University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency said the former CACOVID facility was identified as an existing public asset that could be repurposed to provide an interim solution to the space requirements.

The Head of the agency’s Project Management Unit, who represented its General Manager, Yemisi Aderibigbe, said the facility had become under-utilised after the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it available for conversion to a new public purpose.

She said the state approved the renovation and expansion in December 2024, with PCP Construction Nigeria Limited appointed as the contractor.

Aderibigbe said, “Work began in March 2025 and covered demolition and site works, structural construction, roofing, walling, fittings and finishes, as well as mechanical and electrical installations for the main and ancillary buildings.

Today, we are therefore formally handing over this facility to the end users, the Ministry of Health and the Lagos State University College of Medicine for optimal use.”

The Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, described the project as part of the state’s effort to expand capacity to train health professionals as Nigeria continues to contend with the loss of medical personnel to migration.

He said the government’s approach was to expand the domestic pipeline of healthcare professionals while also creating conditions that could encourage skilled Nigerians abroad to return.

The Provost of LASUCOM, Olufemi Idowu, and other officials attended the handover.

The repurposed facility is expected to provide additional capacity for teaching and practical training as the college expands its intake.

Suspected Lakurawa terrorists have killed two soldiers and a Chinese national in an attack on construction workers in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

However, troops subsequently repelled an assault on a military base in the area and recovered 17 motorcycles and weapons.

The attacks occurred on Wednesday and Thursday as the terrorists, reportedly operating in large numbers and on more than 100 motorcycles, intensified activities around Maiyama, according to security sources.

The Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the attack on the construction workers, saying the victims were among workers engaged in construction along the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project in the state

Usman said the two soldiers were providing security for the Chinese national and other workers when the terrorists launched a surprise attack.

He said, “Yes, the attack occurred, but the terrorists are not from Kebbi State. They infiltrated the state through a village bordering Kebbi State.

“The soldiers killed were guarding the Chinese national and other workers when the terrorists launched a surprise attack, killing two soldiers and one Chinese national and injuring others.”

The police spokesperson said the identities of the deceased soldiers could not be disclosed because they were members of the military and not police personnel.

We cannot give you the names of those killed in the attack because they are not police officers,” he said.

Usman described the attack as “barbaric and unwarranted,” adding that security agencies had launched a manhunt for the attackers.

He said, “Joint security agencies are on the trail of the suspected Lakurawa terrorists who attacked and killed two soldiers and one Chinese national.”

Meanwhile, troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force, North West Operation Fansan Yamma, repelled an attack by suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group on a Forward Operating Base in Maiyama in the early hours of Wednesday.

The terrorists, reportedly numbering in large numbers and operating on more than 100 motorcycles, stormed the military base with assorted weapons, including General Purpose Machine Guns and Rocket-Propelled Grenades.

However, the troops responded swiftly, forcing the attackers to withdraw from the area.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North West Operation Fansan Yamma, Lt Col Aliyu Danja, said the terrorists abandoned weapons, equipment and other logistics while fleeing.

Danja said, “The troops responded swiftly and effectively, repelling the attack and preventing the terrorists from achieving their objective.”

He added that troops subsequently conducted exploitation and pursuit operations around the area, leading to the recovery of 17 motorcycles, a PKT machine gun, an AK-47 rifle, assorted ammunition and a communication device.

According to him, the recoveries represented a significant setback to the operational capability of the terrorist group in the area.

“The recovery of the weapons, ammunition, communication equipment and motorcycles represents a significant setback to the terrorists’ operational capability in the area,” he said.

Danja said the general area remained firmly under the control of the troops, adding that aggressive patrols, clearance and dominance operations were ongoing to track and neutralise fleeing members of the group.

He said Operation Fansan Yamma remained committed to protecting communities and denying terrorists freedom of operation within the Joint Operations Area.

The latest incidents add to growing security concerns in communities bordering Kebbi and Sokoto states, where suspected Lakurawa elements have been accused of attacks and infiltration.

The bank disclosed this in its latest Nigeria Development Update, which examined how increased public revenues have influenced spending priorities across the federation.

The report was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria by the World Bank in Washington D.C.

According to the report, states’ aggregate revenues rose by approximately 93 per cent in real terms, while expenditure increased by 92 per cent during the period.

The report attributed the improvement partly to exchange-rate reforms, petrol subsidy removal, stronger revenue administration and increased allocations from the federation account.

It said states also benefited from refunds, settlement of longstanding federal obligations, intervention funds, and stronger Value Added Tax collections.

However, education’s share of total state expenditure declined from 14.9 per cent in 2021 to 12.1 per cent in 2025, according to the report.

Health expenditure remained broadly stable at approximately seven per cent, while social protection’s share increased from 1.4 per cent to 4.4 per cent.

The bank said capital expenditure increased significantly, accounting for 61 per cent of state spending, compared with 46 per cent previously.

Transport infrastructure recorded the largest increase, alongside substantial spending on housing, agriculture and other economic investments.

The report quoted Mathew Verghis, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, as saying that increased revenues provided the opportunity to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, and water services.

He said greater spending efficiency, accountability and improved service delivery were essential to ensuring that additional public resources benefited Nigerians.

The bank acknowledged improvements in states’ fiscal reporting, transparency and internally generated revenue.

It, however, stressed that stronger investment in human capital was necessary to translate economic reforms into sustainable employment and improved living standards.

The report also projected average economic growth of 4.4 per cent between 2026 and 2028, subject to sustained reforms and improved service delivery.

It urged federal and state authorities to ensure that increased public revenues translated into tangible improvements in Nigerians’ welfare.

NAN

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the firing squad execution of convicted military base shooter Nidal Hasan will be “public,” according to a video shared Thursday by the Pentagon.

“He’s going to get a firing squad of soldiers, as it should be, and we’ll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it’s public,” Hegseth told right-wing influencer Jack Posobiec in a clip posted on X by various official Pentagon accounts.

“People need to understand that… there’s serious consequence for these types of things,” Hegseth said, speaking aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.

Asked to clarify what Hegseth meant by the execution being “public,” a Pentagon spokesperson referred AFP to the US Army, which in turn said to contact the Pentagon.

According to rights group Amnesty International, at least 17 public executions are known to have been carried out last year — six in Afghanistan and 11 in Iran.

The Pentagon announced earlier this week that US President Donald Trump had approved Hasan’s execution for the 2009 fatal shooting of 13 people at Fort Hood.

Twelve of the dead and 30 of the wounded were soldiers. Hasan was shot and partially paralysed by a civilian police officer who responded to the attack.

He was sentenced to death by a military jury in 2013 for carrying out the Al-Qaeda inspired attack.

The court that convicted Hasan was told that he was opposed to the US military’s occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, and that he had spoken online with an alleged Al-Qaeda figure, radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen subsequently killed in a US drone strike in Yemen.

Hasan’s execution will be the first carried out by the US military since 1961.

AFP

Liman gave the charge on Friday during a two-day induction training organised by the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission for the newly elevated judges.

The training was held at the Secretariat of the Medical and Health Workers Union, near the Federal Secretariat, Bauchi.

Represented by a Khadi of the State Shari’a Court of Appeal, Ishaq Magaji, the Grand Khadi said the training was aimed at strengthening the judges’ knowledge of judicial procedures, professional ethics and the effective administration of justice.

He urged the judges to strictly adhere to established judicial procedures and deliver justice without fear or favour.

Liman said, “You must uphold the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, discipline and professionalism in the performance of your judicial responsibilities.

“You must ensure strict adherence to established judicial procedures while delivering justice without fear or favour and maintain public confidence in the judiciary.”

He further reminded the judges of their religious responsibilities, urging them to fear God and remain conscious of their accountability for their actions beyond this life.

The Grand Khadi also urged them to embrace the additional responsibilities attached to their new positions with courage, while congratulating them on their elevation

He explained that the training was designed to familiarise the judges with their expanded responsibilities and ensure that they discharged their duties in accordance with the Constitution, applicable laws, judicial procedures and principles of fairness and justice.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Registrar of the Shari’a Court of Appeal, Bauchi, Tukur Saleh, commended the state Governor, Bala Mohammed, for his support and efforts towards improving the workforce of the judiciary in the state.

Saleh also commended the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission, Dr Ibrahim Danjuma, for his dedication and commitment to improving the judicial system through reforms and initiatives.

While welcoming the participants and other stakeholders to the training Danjuma thanked individuals and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the training.

He urged the newly elevated judges to protect their integrity, saying doing so would also protect the image of the judiciary.

Danjuma said, “I urge you to respect yourselves by protecting your integrity because by doing so, you are protecting the good image of the judiciary.

“You should also utilise the knowledge acquired during the training sessions in your proceedings and judgments.”

Arewa PUNCH reports that the presentations focused on the procedures of appeal and jurisdiction of the Upper Shari’a Court, code of conduct for Upper Shari’a Court judges, procedures for civil and criminal trials, as well as court management and administration.

The participants were also reminded of the importance of continuous learning and professional development to ensure efficient service delivery.

Suspected Lakurawa terrorists have killed two soldiers and a Chinese national in an attack on construction workers in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The attack reportedly occurred on Thursday when the terrorists, who allegedly infiltrated the state through Kebbe Local Government Area of neighbouring Sokoto State, launched a surprise attack on the workers.

Confirming the incident, the Kebbi State Police Command spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said the victims were among workers engaged in construction along the Badagry Super Highway project in the state.

Usman said the two soldiers were providing security for the Chinese national and other workers when the attackers struck.

He said, “Yes, the attack occurred, but the terrorists are not from Kebbi State. They infiltrated the state through a village bordering Kebbi State.

The soldiers killed were guarding the Chinese national and other workers when the terrorists launched a surprise attack, killing two soldiers and one Chinese national and injuring others.”

The police spokesperson said the identities of the deceased soldiers could not be disclosed because they were members of the military and not police personnel.

We cannot give you the names of those killed in the attack because they are not police officers,” he said.

Usman described the attack as “barbaric and unwarranted,” adding that security agencies had launched a manhunt for the attackers.

He said, “Joint security agencies are on the trail of the suspected Lakurawa terrorists who attacked and killed two soldiers and one Chinese national.”

The latest incident adds to growing security concerns in communities bordering Kebbi and Sokoto states, where suspected Lakurawa elements have been accused of carrying out attacks and infiltrating communities.

The United States on Thursday filed new torture charges against ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, bolstering a mounting criminal case against the pair held in US custody.

Maduro and Flores already face drug trafficking and firearms charges in the United States after they were snatched from their Caracas compound in an extraordinary US military raid in January.

A court filing made public Thursday shows both are now additionally charged with conspiracy to commit torture, stating that they “inflicted severe physical and mental pain and suffering.”

The alleged goal was to “repress and punish political opposition, silence dissent and perceived dissent, preserve and protect the power and authority of the members of the conspiracy, and intimidate, harass, and neutralise their opponents, including through kidnappings.”

Prosecutors detail apparent instances of unidentified victims, including US citizens, being shocked with electric wires, waterboarded and beaten while in Venezuelan detention.

Maduro and Flores are slated for a trial in New York next June and are currently being held in a Brooklyn jail.

AFP

Aiyedatiwa stated this at a colloquium held in Ibadan to mark Akeredolu’s 70th posthumous birthday, where he described his former principal as a courageous public servant whose advocacy for true federalism and a decentralised security architecture continues to shape national discussions on Thursday.

The governor, who fondly referred to Akeredolu as “My Oga,” said the late former Ondo governor remained committed to finding practical solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

According to him, Akeredolu’s advocacy went beyond speeches, pointing to the establishment of the Amotekun Corps by governors in the South-West as one of the practical outcomes of his push for community-based security.

Akeredolu’s advocacy for State Police and a decentralised security architecture continues to influence Nigeria’s national policy and constitutional discussions,” Aiyedatiwa said

He added that recent security operations involving the Amotekun Corps and other security agencies in Ondo State forests had demonstrated the importance of local intelligence and community participation in tackling insecurity.

Aiyedatiwa also said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to advancing the State Police debate as part of broader institutional reforms.

He, however, stressed that the establishment of State Police must be accompanied by mechanisms that would guarantee professionalism and public confidence.

Any State Police framework must include credible recruitment, proper vetting, professionalism, accountability and public trust,” he said.

The governor said the most appropriate way to honour Akeredolu’s legacy was to continue working towards building a safer and more responsive country.

He said, “The best way to honour Akeredolu would be to build a Nigeria that is safer, more federal, more just and responsive to its citizens,” rather than limiting his legacy to ceremonies and monuments.

Also speaking at the event, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Committee on State Police, said Nigeria required additional police personnel to bridge the gap between its current policing capacity and the United Nations-recommended police-to-citizen ratio.

Abiodun said the country needed 554,353 additional police personnel and called for comprehensive reforms to ensure that State Police, when established, would be effective and sustainable.

Other dignitaries, including former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, paid tribute to Akeredolu’s contributions to security reform, regional integration, federalism and good governance.

The colloquium brought together government officials, political leaders, legal practitioners and members of Akeredolu’s family to reflect on his contributions to Nigeria’s development and his advocacy for security and constitutional reforms.

The Edo State Government on Thursday launched a statewide debulking exercise aimed at transitioning communities from bulk electricity billing to individual customer accounts and, ultimately, individual metering.

The State Commissioner for Power, Paul Usenbo, who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ engagement in Benin, described the initiative as a major step towards improving transparency, accountability and sustainability in electricity billing and consumption across the state.

Usenbo said that many communities are currently supplied and billed on a bulk basis, leaving individual households without separate customer accounts and meters.

He said this makes it difficult to accurately determine individual consumption and establish a direct relationship between customers and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

According to him, the debulking exercise will facilitate the enumeration and validation of customers, creation of individual accounts and eventual deployment of meters to eligible consumers.

“Individual metering provides greater transparency in consumption and billing, while giving customers proper visibility and control over their electricity usage.

“The state government has launched a statewide debulking exercise. It is aimed at transitioning communities from bulk electricity billing to individual customer accounts and, ultimately, individual metering,” he added.

The commissioner stated that the success of the initiative requires the cooperation of BEDC, community leaders and residents, local government councils, regulatory agencies and the Edo State Metering Programme.

He said the government would provide coordination, facilitate stakeholder engagement and help resolve issues within its mandate while BEDC would play a critical role in customer enumeration, validation and account creation.

Usenbo also disclosed that the Edo State Metering Programme, in conjunction with its private-sector partners, would provide a pathway for eligible customers and communities to participate in the metering programme.

He urged community leaders and residents to provide accurate information, participate actively in enumeration and raise legitimate concerns to ensure the process is transparent and effective.

He said the communities were central to the success of this initiative, assuring residents that the government would protect their interests and demand transparency, professionalism and accountability from all stakeholders.

Usenbo said the exercise would cover the 18 local government areas, adding that the objective was to create a more transparent and accountable electricity supply system.

He described metering as central to achieving fair and efficient electricity usage, noting that it would enable consumers to monitor their consumption while ensuring that service providers receive appropriate remuneration.

The reason for this exercise is to create room for accountability, transparency and, most importantly, sustainability.

“Metering is the heart of ensuring that people can get efficient and accountable power usage, while at the same time ensuring that service providers and operators get their right remuneration,” Usenbo stated.

He called on residents to cooperate with relevant agencies and actively participate in the process, expressing confidence that the initiative would deliver meaningful progress towards ending bulk billing and achieving individual metering across Edo communities.

Speaking at the event, Mr Shittu Shaibu, Chairman of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, tasked electricity providers with making power available to their customers.

He also urged customers to allow their homes to be metered.

On his part, Henry Onovwaka, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of BEDC Subco, a state-level subsidiary established by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, said the company was willing to support any community that was ready to migrate from the bulk metering system to individual metering.

He also pledged to provide the communities with the necessary prepaid meters.

The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit, Prof. Philip Afaha, has said the newly established institution will help reshape the state’s education sector and produce graduates equipped for the changing global economy.

Afaha stated this on Thursday during the university’s first interactive session with members of its community, according to a statement made available to PUNCH Online.

“The decision to establish a specialised university of education would influence the future development of the state and strengthen its capacity to produce highly skilled manpower,” he was quoted as saying.

The institution was formerly the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, before it was upgraded to a university following legislation signed into law by Governor Umo Eno on July 28, 2026.

Afaha, who was appointed the university’s pioneer vice-chancellor by Eno during the state’s World Teachers’ Day celebration, described his appointment as a responsibility rather than a personal achievement.

“To me, this appointment is not a trophy to be carried; it is a responsibility,” he said.

The vice-chancellor said the university would focus on teaching, research and community service while offering programmes spanning pedagogical sciences, humanities, management, natural sciences, social sciences, computing and emerging knowledge systems.

He said the institution would also align its curriculum with the standards of the National Universities Commission and global best practices.

Afaha identified academic excellence, institutional culture and infrastructure as key priorities of his administration, adding that the university would promote research, commercialise research outputs and develop innovations capable of addressing societal and economic challenges.

“We are poised to prepare our students for the global workforce, especially in the education industry, producing innovative technologies, incubating entrepreneurial projects and producing scientific discoveries that are useful for the overall development of our fatherland,” he said.

The VC also called for an end to divisions and factionalism among staff, urging members of the university community to put the institution’s interests above personal differences.

“As your vice-chancellor, I declare a ceasefire and an immediate end to bickering and factions on this campus,” he said.

He said the university would promote mentorship, training, workshops and collaboration with other institutions, while ensuring fairness, discipline and justice in its administration.

On infrastructure, Afaha said his administration would upgrade existing facilities and develop new ones to support teaching, learning and research.

He appealed to entrepreneurs, development partners and corporate organisations to support the institution with classrooms, hostels, laboratories, vehicles, computers, internet connectivity and other equipment.

“A public university like ours belongs to the people, and people must take ownership for it to survive,” he said.

Afaha said the university would not depend solely on government funding but would seek partnerships and other interventions within and outside Nigeria.

Defending the establishment of the specialised university, the vice-chancellor said developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology and genetic editing had made it necessary to rethink existing educational systems.

“How do we connect our growing youth population to the global workspace without a requisite pedagogical infrastructure for the traditional and new knowledge systems?” he asked.

He said the university would seek to produce not only conventional job seekers but also educationists, innovators and entrepreneurs capable of competing globally.

Addressing the pioneer students, Afaha congratulated them on becoming the first students of the new university, noting that they had enrolled in a college and found themselves in a university.

He, however, warned against cultism, examination malpractice, sexual harassment and other acts capable of damaging the institution’s reputation.

“The world is waiting for us to deliver tangible results to earn their applause,” he told the students.

The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce a price-modulation mechanism for petrol, with a proposed ceiling of ₦1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of the commodity.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing on petrol prices and subsidy-related issues in Abuja.

Oyedele said the arrangement was designed to keep petrol prices stable, stressing that it was neither a subsidy nor a form of price control.

“We are introducing price modulation. The government is negotiating a ceiling of ₦1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol to keep the price stable.

When costs rise above the ceiling, refineries and importers will carry the shortfall and recover it later. This is neither a subsidy nor price control,” he said.

The minister disclosed that under the proposed arrangement, refineries and importers would absorb any costs above the agreed ceiling and recover the difference later.

The minister also announced plans for the forward sale of crude oil to domestic refineries as part of efforts to shield petrol prices from volatility in the international market.

He said the arrangement would allow refiners to plan their operations and provide greater certainty over prices.

“As production rises and previously committed crude is freed up, these will shield pump prices from volatility in the global markets.

“So the idea we have is an idea that is sustainable. You can sell your crude forward.

“We say to the refiners, for the next six months, we are selling you crude at $80 per barrel, for example. That preserves your budgets, provides certainty to the refiners and price stability to the consumer,” Oyedele said.

Former Actors Guild of Nigeria President, Emeka Rollas, has apologised to actress Regina Daniels, her mother, Rita Daniels, Senator Ned Nwoko and several Nollywood colleagues over comments he made during the actress’s marital crisis last year.

Rollas, in a statement shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, said he had reflected on the manner in which he handled the controversy and regretted the timing and platform he chose to air his views.

The former AGN president had, in November 2025, publicly weighed in on the marital crisis between Regina and Nwoko, saying the actress “needs help” and calling out several senior actors whom he said had witnessed incidents involving her.

He also criticised Rita Daniels over her involvement in the AGN leadership race and addressed issues surrounding Nwoko, who was then the guild’s Board of Patrons chairman.

However, in his latest statement, Rollas said he now regretted making the comments while the Daniels family was going through a difficult period.

Sometimes, with the passage of time, we look back at our actions and realise that being right about an issue does not necessarily mean we handled it the right way,” he said.

Rollas said a recent chance encounter with Rita Daniels, during which some people attempted to reconcile them, prompted him to reflect further on the controversy.

“A recent coincidental encounter with Mrs Rita Daniels, where some people tried to make peace between us, gave me another opportunity to reflect,” he said.

He subsequently apologised to Rita Daniels and her family, Nwoko and his family, Regina, the AGN Board of Trustees and colleagues including Okey Bakassi, Charles Inojie, Chinyere Wilfred, Jide Kosoko, Sanni Danji, Agility and Nazareth Jesse.

“I am sorry,” Rollas said.

He stressed that he was not making the apology on the condition that it would be accepted, adding that the decision to forgive him belonged to those he had offended.

“Whether or not anyone chooses to accept my apology is entirely their decision. I am making it because, after looking back, I am not proud of how I handled that moment,” he said.

Rollas added that his views on some of the issues he raised had not necessarily changed, but said he accepted responsibility for his conduct and timing.

“I may still hold my convictions about some of the issues I raised then, but I take responsibility for my actions and my timing,” he said.

He said he had chosen to move forward with “peace, reconciliation, dignity and respect.”

“Leadership is not only about having the courage to speak. It is also about having the humility to acknowledge when we could have spoken differently, waited longer, or chosen a better path,” he added.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has sealed two filling stations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for under-dispensing petroleum products to motorists and other members of the public.

The sealed facilities are MRS Filling Station on Azikiwe Road and Stageoil Filling Station along Aba Road, both in Port Harcourt.

The NMDPRA team also inspected other filling stations during the exercise, including the NNPC Mega Filling Station located at Lagos Bus Stop in the old Port Harcourt Township, Reinoil, TotalEnergies and NNPC Filling Station in Trans Amadi.

The action followed a routine surveillance and enforcement exercise conducted by the NMDPRA in the metropolis on Thursday to ascertain the quantity and quality of petroleum products dispensed by retail outlets, as well as compliance with safety standards.

Speaking to newsmen after the exercise, the NMDPRA Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, Dr Mustapha Lamorde, said the inspection was aimed at protecting consumers from being short-changed by filling station owners and operators.

Lamorde said the authority conducted checks on the quantity of products dispensed, their quality and the safety of the retail outlets.

“What we did in the field basically is three things: one, to look at the quantity that you’re buying fuel and its relative to what you are selling and the quantity.

“Also the quality of the product you’re buying, whether it is fit for purpose, whether it is on spec and in conformance with our national quality specification. And importantly, the safety of the operation of the retail outlets,” he stated.

Lamorde further said the surveillance covered petroleum products including Premium Motor Spirit, Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel, and DPK, otherwise known as kerosene.

He added that samples were randomly taken for on-the-spot screening as part of the authority’s evidence-based regulatory process.

“Some of the retail outlets are actually under-dispensing. And you can see that what we did immediately is to seal off some of these retail outlets, and then the necessary regulatory action will follow, basically sanctions and all that,” Lamorde said.

Lamorde, however, revealed that the inspection found that one of the filling stations visited was over-dispensing without knowing it, directing the operator to stop sales and recalibrate its pump before resuming operations to prevent further losses.

He stated that stations found to be compliant were encouraged to maintain the standard, emphasising that the ultimate objective was to ensure that Nigerians got exactly what they paid for.

“The end game for Nigerians, for consumers, is to make sure that they get what they are paying for. If you’re buying fuel, you get the quantity that you’re paying for. Secondly, you get the quality, which is very, very important for your health, for the environment and also for your vehicle,” Lamorde said.

While debunking claims in some quarters that staff of the authority were not up and doing, Lamorde explained that such surveillance exercises were continuous, with NMDPRA field officers deployed across the country to monitor petroleum retail outlets.

The NMDPRA official assured consumers in Rivers State and other parts of the country that the authority would continue to enforce compliance and sanction operators found violating regulations.

“We want to assure Nigerians, and even our brothers here in Rivers State and all over the country, that we continue to do our job to make sure that the quality of product that they get is on spec and also they pay what they pay for, they get what they pay for,” he said.

Lamorde urged members of the public to report suspected infractions through the authority’s official communication channels, promising that appropriate sanctions would be imposed on erring operators.

He also spoke shortly after the inspection at the NMDPRA office in Port Harcourt, where a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed for enhanced petroleum product testing, quality assurance and laboratory development in Nigeria.

The MoU was signed by Lamorde on behalf of the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu Umar; the Managing Director of Bureau Veritas, Daniel Wilbert; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of Ace Energy Group, Christopher Nwokolo.

The partnership is expected to strengthen product testing and quality assurance capabilities in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

Giving a summary of the MoU, Lamorde said, “The partnership basically is to strengthen our capacity in terms of our field analysis, our methods, standardize our Standard Operating Procedures to benchmark ourselves with international best practices. We are talking about ISO certification.”

Lamorde, however, said the NMDPRA still retains “that authority, accountability and responsibility of product quality”.

Agbakoba proposed a domestic crude price differential that could bring petrol down to about N400 per litre.

He made the call in Lagos at the annual conference organised by the National Association of Energy Correspondents on Thursday, where he urged presidential candidates to disclose their positions on petroleum subsidy and domestic crude pricing ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the high cost of petroleum products is directly connected to the current cost-of-living crisis, stressing that Nigerians need to know how political aspirants intend to address the problem.

There’s something called subsidy. Is it a burden? We have a number of presidential candidates. Can we please ask them what they intend to do about subsidy? It’s a big issue. I was telling my colleague yesterday, in 2023, there was a particular medication I bought for pain at N800. Now, I buy it for N20,000. The problem is that some of the presidential candidates have changed their views on subsidy. And I see that we are at a conference that concerns crude oil pricing.

“So, what should be the appropriate price for crude? I challenge your conference to educate Nigerians, because it is connected to their current cost of living challenges. Now, President Tinubu said subsidy is gone. Did he say that subsidy is gone for a particular context? The context was, and I agree with him, the subsidy in the past was full of corruption. And therefore, it’s gone. But he didn’t say that he would not consider a new price differential.

Therefore, what will the presidential candidates say to us? Who will receive our votes? Will they be prepared to tell us that if they become elected, the price differential for crude locally will be $40, even if it is $100 or whatever internationally? And therefore, we can buy our petrol for N400. Wouldn’t that be good news? Please push that agenda,” Agbakoba said.

The senior advocate of Nigeria maintained that the proposal would involve setting a different price for crude supplied to the domestic market, irrespective of fluctuations in the international market.

According to him, such a policy could reduce the cost of petrol and ease the burden on households, while urging energy journalists to educate Nigerians about the relationship between crude pricing and the cost of living.

“Let us get that. Because I always think my speciality is called development law, which is looking at how law impacts any aspect of the economy. So what is impacting Nigerians today is hunger.

“And the reason why Nigerians are hungry is that the price of petroleum is too high. So we should be looking at that presidential candidate who can make a statement that the crude oil price differential locally will be different. And you can fact-check it if you have your phones as to what Saudi Arabia does. Their price differential for the domestic market is different.

“If I’m a young farmer, I have 20 members in my family. And I produce 1,000 yams to sell to you. But I sell to my family. So I keep them aside. I sell to you at N400 and I sell to my family at N400, does it make sense? I’ll keep them free. It is in the national interest for a presidential candidate to tell us that the burden we face will be lifted. Because they’ll either give us petroleum free, or at least at an affordable cost. And my recommended affordable cost is N400.”

The former NBA president also questioned the structure of the Federal Government’s management of the energy sector, arguing that the president should no longer be the minister of petroleum.

Agbakoba, who was an awardee at the conference, said the country needs a unified ministry to oversee its major energy resources, including electricity, gas and crude oil.

“We are discussing energy, which is important. So, I’ll pose one or two issues that you can consider at your in-house process. Number one, the Nigerian president cannot be minister of petroleum. He can’t. Number two, it’s time to merge electricity, gas, crude into one overall ministry called the Ministry of Energy,” he advised.

He also raised concerns about the divestment of oil and gas assets by international oil companies, warning that the process could create problems similar to those encountered by Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies.

He cautioned that investors acquiring oil assets need to properly examine the legal and structural issues surrounding the assets before proceeding.

“This divestment that is taking place is going to be the same problem that the DisCos faced. You start to build a 20-storey building without a foundation. So, all these guys that have come here as sponsors, how many of them bothered to do legal inquiries for their assets? They just go to work. These are some of the issues you should think about,” he stated.

Agbakoba further linked the energy sector’s policy decisions to the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, arguing that the debate over crude pricing should not be treated as an issue affecting only oil companies and government revenues.

He urged the energy sector and the media to place the impact of petroleum pricing on households and businesses at the centre of the national debate.

The lawyer’s call comes amid continued debate over the removal of the petrol subsidy, domestic crude supply and the pricing of crude for Nigerian refineries, with the cost of petroleum products remaining a major concern for consumers and businesses.

The Association of Gospel African Languages Interpreters has raised concerns over the declining use of Yoruba and other African languages among young people.

The association expressed the concern on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the launch of ACT-YOUNG, an indigenous-language discipleship initiative designed to promote the use of African languages among the younger generation.

Speaking at the event, a trustee of the association, Rev Olu Otunuga, said the project was “part of efforts to counter the declining use of Yoruba and other African languages among younger generations.”

Otunuga, a theologian, writer and author of the ACT-YOUNG book, said concerns over the vulnerability of Yoruba and other African languages had influenced the initiative.

He said the concern was particularly relevant “as increasing numbers of parents discourage children from speaking their mother tongues.”

Otunuga urged parents to encourage their children to speak Yoruba, saying his interest in indigenous-language ministry “was nurtured from childhood and developed through my years as a student journalist and writer.”

The initiative was launched alongside an African Mother Tongue Praise Celebration and an award ceremony.

The Founder/Rector of Abraham Bible College and Chief Host of the event, Prophet Dr Oyekunle Oyetayo, said interpreters played “an important component of gospel ministry.”

He said, “effective interpretation should not be viewed solely through the lens of academic qualifications or intellectual ability, but also as a special grace for communicating the gospel across linguistic and cultural boundaries.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Deacon Lola Odumosu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Hosmedic Nigeria Ltd, said there was a need to institutionalise mother-tongue gospel interpretation.

According to him, “strengthening indigenous-language ministry can contribute to both nation-building and the preservation of cultural heritage.”

The Chief Launcher, Chief Lawrence Owoyemi, urged parents to stop discouraging their children from speaking their mother tongue.

He said, “the preservation of indigenous languages begins in the home, where children first encounter language, culture and identity.”

A reviewer of the ACT-YOUNG book, Dolapo Adenuga, said the publication could be useful beyond religious settings, describing it as “an educational manual with potential application beyond church settings.”

Adenuga said its discussion of intellectual development, including “early development, experience, interaction, observation, practice and discovery,” reflected contemporary approaches to learning.

He added that the book could have “practical value in bilingual literacy and discipleship, including the use of the King James Version (KJV) alongside the Bibeli Mimo.”

Meanwhile, Otunuga said the book developed from what “initially appeared to be a modest undertaking” after his exposure to literature and discussions on the decline of African languages.

He said the initial materials were expanded following consultations with writers and other contributors, “transforming the concept into a textbook intended to serve future generations.”

The event also featured the presentation of the Gospel Interpreters Meritorious Service Award to DST Anifat Abiodun Bello, a retired traffic officer who served at the NNPC Junction near the entrance of the National Open University of Nigeria, Abeokuta.

AGALI said Bello’s service reflected “practical Christian witness outside the church,” citing her punctuality, discipline, integrity, cheerfulness, human relations and commitment to duty.

The award citation described her former traffic post as “a place where Christian character was demonstrated without a microphone,” adding that gospel values should be reflected in workplaces and public spaces.

Other recipients included Pastor Dr Festus Olatoye Oyedeji, Rev Oye Ransome Oluwawemimo, Minister Akanbi Taiwo Oluwatosin, Pastor Obasa Julius, Evangelist Oyetayo Kehinde, Pastor/Mrs Amos Ibironke, Pastor/Mrs Bolaji Bosede and Pastor/Mrs Ogunsola Folashade.

The organisers said a youth Bible quiz was also held as part of the pilot initiative to demonstrate the use of indigenous languages in engaging young people with Scripture.

They said the programme would be extended to Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa, with two winners from each zone advancing to a state finale.

Parents, traditional and community leaders, as well as other stakeholders have been urged to strengthen positive parenting and invest in the education, health and future of the girl-child to address child marriage in Bauchi and Gombe states.

The call was made on Thursday during an engagement organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund in collaboration with traditional leaders, women’s groups, partners, the media and girls to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.

The engagement, held in Gombe, brought together stakeholders from Bauchi and Gombe states to celebrate progress, amplify girls’ voices and discuss practical measures to strengthen the rights, wellbeing, skills and opportunities of girls.

Speaking during the engagement, the UNICEF Chief of Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhrat Rafiq, said positive parenting remained one of the key interventions required to end harmful social norms, particularly child marriage.

Rafiq said, “Today is the International Day of the Girl Child, and the theme is ending child marriage and investing in the girl-child.

“This is a special opportunity for UNICEF to advocate for ending child marriage. There are traditional leaders, local community people, NGOs and institutions working towards ending child marriage and promoting the rights of the girl-child.

“So, we took this opportunity to advocate across all sectors, from education, health, nutrition and social policy. We are also requesting everyone, from state partners to the House of Assembly and commissioners of these sectors, to contribute towards investing in the girl-child, which would lead to ending child marriage.”

Rafiq said the prevalence of child marriage remained a serious concern in both Bauchi and Gombe, stressing that failure to address the practice would deny girls opportunities to develop their full potential.

“The recent data tells us that in Bauchi, there is a very high percentage of child marriage and early marriage. This is also prevalent in Gombe as well.

We cannot ignore this issue because if child marriage does not end, girls will not get the right opportunities to grow to their best potential. If girls are behind, then the nation will be behind,” she said.

The UNICEF official said girls needed access to healthcare, nutrition, education and opportunities to pursue careers so that they could contribute meaningfully to society as adults.

Rafiq said, “Positive parenting is one of the key interventions because the decision is in the hands of parents, especially fathers.

“Only positive parenting can have an impact at the community level for people to make the right decisions about their daughters and sisters.

“I have already talked to traditional leaders who were here that they need to take the lead on it. Positive parenting is very, very important. Our education sector, social policy, women’s affairs and health sector can all contribute towards positive parenting.”

She identified education as one of the most effective investments Nigeria could make to address child marriage, urging stakeholders to ensure inclusive access to education for every girl, including those living with disabilities.

One of the best interventions is education. If you start with access to education for every girl-child and inclusive education for every girl-child, even disability inclusion is very important; every child everywhere should have equal access to education.

“Girls can study primary and go to secondary school and then grow. Meanwhile, their age also goes beyond the child marriage period. That has been one of the best interventions with multiple outcomes and multiple benefits,” she added.

Also speaking, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office Child Protection Specialist, Lafiya Alabi, identified harmful social norms and practices as major obstacles to the full realisation of the rights of the girl-child.

Alabi said many harmful practices had become accepted within communities because people considered them normal simply because they had been practised for generations.

“One of the things that we find to be a very big challenge in the holistic realisation of the rights of the girl-child is the issue of social norms, the practices that we are so used to within our environment.

“Everybody is doing it in a simple form. It looks like that is what everybody does. It looks like that is what I have to do and what everybody else has to do. These things become like social laws around us,” he said

He explained that such norms could negatively affect girls’ education, health, confidence and future opportunities, stressing the need to work with traditional and religious leaders, communities and other stakeholders to change harmful practices.

According to him, UNICEF had been working extensively with stakeholders to create awareness about positive and negative practices and encourage communities to adopt behaviours that would protect girls.

Alabi further warned about the health consequences associated with child marriage and early pregnancy, particularly when girls’ bodies were not physically mature for childbirth.

He said early marriage could also lead to school dropout, noting that girls who leave school at the junior secondary level to get married could lose significant opportunities to pursue careers and become productive members of society.

“Once a girl drops out of school for adoption of school in JSS1, JSS2 or JSS3 to get married, the whole horizon of the girl-child is destroyed because the girl’s chances are much less,” he said.

The UNICEF specialist added that the organisation was also providing life-skills training for adolescent girls to enable them to navigate adolescence, set goals, build confidence and make informed decisions about their futures.

He said the life-skills intervention was being implemented alongside positive parenting training and other programmes aimed at protecting girls and helping them realise their potential.

The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on October 11.

This year’s celebration is themed “Ending Child Marriage and Investing in the Girl Child.”

To improve security in schools, the Adamawa State Government has commenced the fencing of schools, particularly those in rural areas, to prevent the kidnapping of students and teachers.

The Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr Murtala Umar, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday in Yola.

He said the administration of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri was concerned about the security of citizens and students in the state.

“Fencing of all government secondary schools is ongoing now. Watertight security is going to be provided, and teachers are going to be trained on security tips to enable them to detect when a problem is coming and take proactive measures,” he said.

Umar disclosed that the state government would soon commence the recruitment of another 3,000 teachers to fill staff gaps in the education sector.

The next recruitment is strictly going to be community-based. This is because when teachers are recruited and posted, they transfer to towns, so the schools in rural areas are left with little staff.

We introduced the community-based recruitment strategy to ensure that only those based in the areas where the schools are located will be recruited.”

Umar, who commended the governor, pointed out that education had occupied a prime place in the present administration’s development agenda.

“We have accessed and utilised Universal Basic Education Commission funding, which has resulted in the construction of over 25,000 classrooms in various schools across the state under the leadership of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

“Between 2021 and 2023, we recruited more than 4,000 teachers in our primary and post-primary schools. The good news is that we have just finished the recruitment of another batch of 5,000 teachers. This is the wonderful job the present administration is doing in the education sector.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has raided a suspected fraud compound in Ghana and arrested more than 130 people.

The FBI Director, Kash Patel, disclosed this in a post shared on his official X account on Thursday.

Patel said the operation, codenamed “Operation Blackout”, was carried out in the week as part of the FBI’s efforts to dismantle global scam centres.

“OPERATION BLACKOUT: This is the FBI’s global scam-centre fraud demolition. Another takedown this week out of Ghana,” Patel wrote.

He said the operation had so far resulted in nearly $10m in identified losses, 89 victims identified, more than 130 individuals arrested or detained, including victims who would be repatriated to their home countries, and more than 300 devices seized.

Investigation is ongoing. These scam compounds target American citizens and destroy lives – and this @FBI is crushing them in every corner of the world. More to come,” he said.

Patel also gave an update on the overall Operation Blackout figures, saying roughly $17bn had been seized, hundreds of alleged scammers arrested and thousands of trafficked workers freed.

He added that more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing their money, while an estimated $670m in losses had been prevented.

The Federal Government has begun a regulatory review of the $1.3bn Zungeru Hydropower Project in Niger State as the 700-megawatt plant currently supplies about half of its installed capacity to the national grid.

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission said it had stepped up oversight of the project to identify and resolve legal and operational issues limiting the performance of the plant, which is being operated under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

The commission disclosed this after convening a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja involving the Federal Ministry of Power, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Penstock Limited, the concessionaire operating the project.

The meeting was part of efforts to ensure that the plant delivers more electricity to the national grid at a time the federal government is seeking to increase power supply and address persistent electricity shortages across the country.

The statement signed by the Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Ifeanyi Nwoko read, “The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has stepped up its regulatory oversight on the $1.3bn, 700-megawatt Zungeru Hydropower Project in a bid to optimise the performance of the plant, which is operated under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement and currently generating about 350 megawatts to the National Grid.”

Speaking at the meeting, the Director-General of the ICRC, Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, said the government could not afford to allow strategic PPP power assets to operate below their potential.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to Nigerians that he will solve the power problem is not words for the sake of it. It is a statement he meant, and he has charged all of us to support him by playing our roles to deliver on this promise,” he said.

Ewalefoh said the meeting was convened specifically to identify the factors preventing Zungeru from operating optimally and determine how they could be addressed.

With the administration earnestly working to resolve the country’s power challenges, PPP assets such as Zungeru could not be allowed to operate below capacity,” he said.

The Zungeru Hydropower Project, located on the Kaduna River in Niger State, is one of Nigeria’s major hydropower investments.

It has an installed capacity of 700MW and was developed at an estimated cost of $1.3bn to strengthen electricity generation and improve the stability of the national grid.

The project comprises four generating units and was designed to provide substantial additional electricity to the grid. Its performance is therefore significant to efforts to increase Nigeria’s available generation capacity, particularly as the country continues to grapple with inadequate power supply despite having substantial installed generation assets.

Under the PPP arrangement, the government retains its role as grantor while the private concessionaire is responsible for operating the asset in accordance with the terms of the concession agreement.

The ICRC said its intervention was not aimed at taking over the agreement but at ensuring that both parties complied with their obligations.

Ewalefoh explained that the ICRC was established under the ICRC Act 2005 to regulate PPP arrangements and monitor compliance with concession agreements.

“Signing a concession agreement is only the first step; implementation of the terms in the PPP agreement is what delivers results. In PPP, risks are shared, and no party is doing the other a favour. Our duty is to ensure sustainability, return on investment is achieved, services are delivered, and value for money is secured in the interest of the Nigerian people,” he said.

Section 20 of the ICRC Act empowers the commission to take custody of concession agreements, monitor compliance with their terms, ensure their efficient execution and enforce compliance with the law.

The DG said the commission’s intervention would extend beyond Zungeru, with similar compliance reviews planned for other power plants operated under PPP arrangements.

He listed Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro, Dadinkowa and Kashimbila among the projects that would be subjected to the review.

According to him, the findings from the various reviews would be compiled into a report for submission to President Tinubu.

The move comes against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s renewed focus on improving electricity supply by extracting greater output from existing infrastructure, rather than relying solely on new generation projects.

In his 2026 Democracy Day address, President Tinubu said, “Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian.”

The ICRC said the statement underscored the importance of ensuring that public assets and PPP investments deliver the services for which they were established.

Ewalefoh said the commission would work with the Ministry of Power and other stakeholders to ensure that PPP power projects operate efficiently.

He added that the ICRC would continue reviewing existing PPP arrangements because improved efficiency was one of the main reasons government assets were transferred to private operators.

“Efficiency is a key reason government assets are handed over to the private sector, and the Commission must ensure that efficiency is achieved through regulatory monitoring and compliance,” he said.

At the end of the Abuja meeting, the stakeholders itemised the legal and operational issues affecting the Zungeru project and agreed on a date to reconvene and continue discussions.

The commission said the process would culminate in measures aimed at improving the performance of the plant and ensuring that the investment delivers greater value to Nigerians.

The Ogun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has bestowed a triple honour on the first female Accountant-General of the Federation, and Founder and Chairperson of the Olowo Oloye Foundation for Empowerment and Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN, as part of activities marking the Council's 50th anniversary of journalism excellence.

The distinguished honours, according to the Union, are in recognition of Dr. MADEIN's exceptional record of service, historic achievements, leadership in public financial management and contributions to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria.
The first of the honours is her conferment today, Thursday, 8th October 2026, as a Golden Jubilee Ambassador of the Ogun State Council of the NUJ.
The Golden Jubilee Ambassador honour is reserved for an exclusive circle of 50 outstanding individuals whose lives and works embody excellence, service to humanity and the core values represented by journalism, including truth, accountability and justice.

According to the Union, Dr. MADEIN's distinguished career and public service record exemplify these values, while her contributions to public financial management and national development have earned her a place among the eminent personalities being recognised as part of the historic Golden Jubilee celebration.

The second honour is the Golden Jubilee Excellence Award, which will be presented to Dr. MADEIN at the Grand Finale and Award Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 31st October, 2026.
The award is in recognition of her historic achievements, groundbreaking leadership in public financial management and monumental contributions to the growth and development of Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

The third aspect of the honour is Dr. MADEIN's appointment as the Keynote Speaker at the Anniversary Lecture of the Ogun State Council of the NUJ, scheduled for Thursday, 29th October, 2026, at the Council Secretariat, Iwe Iroyin, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.

The Union said the anniversary celebration was designed to leave an indelible mark on the profession by empowering present and future generations of media practitioners and contributing meaningfully to the national discourse on rebuilding public confidence in journalism as an essential pillar of democratic growth.

Given Dr. MADEIN's distinguished position at the helm of the nation's treasury and her deep roots in Ogun State, (the historic birthplace of Nigeria's indigenous newspaper, Iweiroyin, founded in 1859 by Reverend Henry Townsend), her insights on public accountability, governance and national development are expected to provide valuable perspectives on the future of journalism and democracy in Nigeria.

The anniversary lecture with the theme, "Truth, Trust and the Press - Protecting Democratic Choice and Rebuilding Public Confidence in Journalism",
 will also feature distinguished panelists, including Dr. Reuben ABATI, veteran journalist and former spokesperson to former President Goodluck JONATHAN; Dapo OLORUNYOMI, publisher of Premium Times; Ashiwaju Kunle KALEJAIYE, SAN, Chairman, Governing Council of Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilese; and Alhaji Yusuf OLANIYONU, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ogun State, and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the then Senate President, Dr. Bukola SARAKI.

According to the Ogun State Council of  NUJ in a letter signed by the Chairman, Comrade Akinwale OLANREWAJU, the Union expressed confidence that Dr. MADEIN's participation would elevate the significance of the Golden Jubilee celebration and send a powerful message about the importance of integrity, press freedom and institutional excellence. 
The union noted that the triple honour represents a symbolic partnership between an eminent patriot and the historic institution of journalism in Ogun State.

The 50th anniversary celebration, the Union noted, provides an opportunity not only to celebrate five decades of journalism in Ogun State but also to reflect on the responsibilities of the media in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting accountability and rebuilding public trust.

The honour therefore underscores the convergence of public service, accountability and journalism in the collective pursuit of a more transparent, responsible and development-oriented society.

 Temitope OYEKAN

Consultant on Media to Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat MADEIN
8th October, 2026

The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Auwalu Mahmuda, has said the Old Oyo National Park had been taken over by the Army and converted into a training centre following the abduction and subsequent rescue of more than 40 schoolchildren and their teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Mahmuda disclosed this on Wednesday when he received members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council, at the division’s headquarters in Odogbo, Akinyele Local Government Area of the state.

He said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shuaibu, had directed the 2 Division to use the park as a training ground, adding that the Army had since taken over the facility.

The GOC said the move was aimed at preventing criminals from using the vast forest area as a hideout.

“The order came after the rescue of the victims of the Oriire kidnap. By taking it over, the park has become a no-go area for kidnappers and other men of the underworld using the large forest as a base for their nefarious activities.

“On the order of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shuaibu, the 2 Division has taken over the entire stretch of the Old Oyo National Park as a training site in order to prevent a repeat of the Oriire kidnap saga.

With the 2 Division fully utilising the park, it will be a herculean task for men of the underworld to use it as their hideout,” Mahmuda said.

The PUNCH reports that more than 40 pupils and their teachers were abducted during a coordinated attack on three schools at Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle in Oriire Local Government Area on Friday, May 15, 2026.

They were rescued by joint security operatives on Friday, July 10, 2026, after spending 56 days in captivity.

The GOC also called for stronger collaboration between the military and the media in the fight against misinformation and fake news.

He urged journalists to verify information with the military before publishing or broadcasting it, warning that unverified reports could cause serious damage.

I will appeal to you to avoid publishing information without first confirming its exact and true nature with the military. Sometimes, when unverified information is released, it can cause more harm than the information it intended to address,” he said.

Mahmuda said some journalists failed to verify information before publishing, noting that misinformation could spread rapidly and cause irreparable damage.

“I want to reassure you that the Nigerian Army sees journalists as partners, but they are also expected to play their part in demonstrating clearly that they are partners of the Nigerian Army,” he said.

The GOC commended members of the Correspondents’ Chapel for highlighting the activities and contributions of the 2 Division to national development.

“We are all Nigerians, irrespective of the fact that some of us wear uniforms. I believe that, whatever we are doing, we are all working towards the success and development of this country,” he said.

Mahmuda also appealed for stronger collaboration with the media to enlighten the public on the efforts of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to tackle insecurity.

“I have seen journalists go to places where other civilians dare to set their foot. They put themselves in difficult and dangerous situations simply to obtain accurate information that can be shared with the public,” he said.

The GOC also promised the Correspondents’ Chapel military support in areas including training and medical outreach, particularly ahead of its forthcoming Press Week.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Yinka Adeniran, commended the 2 Division for its efforts to maintain security in the state, particularly the successful rescue of the Oriire kidnap victims.

Adeniran also appealed for the division’s support for the chapel’s forthcoming Press Week, particularly in the areas of lectures and health outreach for members.