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The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s Eid ul Mawlid, marking the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the holiday on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement issued on Friday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani.

Tunji-Ojo congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and across the diaspora on the celebration and urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of compassion, humility and service exemplified in the life of Prophet Muhammad.

‘Every Eid ul Mawlid gives us reason to pause and draw lessons from a life defined by compassion, humility and service to others.

‘These are qualities our nation needs now more than ever, and I encourage every Nigerian, not just our Muslim brothers and sisters, to reflect on them,’ he said.

The minister also called on Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for lasting peace, unity and national cohesion, stressing that preserving harmony remained a shared responsibility.

He urged citizens to celebrate the festival peacefully, with restraint and mutual respect, and to extend warm wishes to the Muslim faithful for a joyous and peaceful Eid ul Mawlid.

Tunji-Ojo further reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and to sustaining peace and security across the country.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has approved the promotion of 7,472 personnel, comprising 2,134 officers and 5,338 marshals.

According to a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, on Friday, the promotion aims to strengthen professionalism, leadership and operational effectiveness in road safety management.

He said the promotion was also part of the Corps’ human capital development programme and was intended to reward merit, competence, discipline and commitment to service, while injecting fresh capacity into its leadership and operational structure.

Osondu said the affected personnel would begin wearing their new ranks following decoration ceremonies to be conducted by heads of departments, corps officers, heads of special units and commanding officers from Wednesday, August 26, to Friday, August 28, 2026.

‘The decoration is to be carried out in line with the Administrative Instruction on the Decoration of Newly Promoted Officers and Marshals,’ he said.

Osondu said the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, had described the promotion as both a reward for service and a call to greater responsibility.

‘He charged the newly promoted personnel to justify their elevation through higher standards of professionalism, accountability, leadership and service delivery to the Nigerian motoring public,’ he said.

Mohammed said the strength of the FRSC was not determined solely by its patrol vehicles, technology or enforcement architecture, but fundamentally by the quality, character and commitment of its personnel.

He congratulated the promoted officers and marshals, urging them to regard their new ranks as a mandate to do more and lead better.

‘Every additional stripe, pip or insignia represents increased expectations from the Corps, the Federal Government and the Nigerian people,’ he said.

The Corps Marshal also stressed the need for the promotion system to remain an instrument for building a professional, responsive and performance-driven institution capable of responding to the changing demands of road safety management.

He urged the newly promoted personnel to demonstrate discipline both on and off the road, treat members of the public with dignity, uphold the integrity of the Corps and remain committed to reducing road traffic crashes.

Yoruba Tennis Club has unveiled a four-day Centenary Cultural Week as part of activities marking the 100th anniversary of the club, with events designed to celebrate Yoruba heritage, tradition, culture and the enduring bond of brotherhood among members.

The programme, announced by the Brand, Media and Communication Sub-Committee of the club, is expected to provide a platform for members to reconnect with the cultural values and traditions that have shaped the institution over the past century.

The event will begin on Sunday with Abalabi Dance, while the second day of the programme, scheduled for August 25, will feature a Cultural Colloquium, with Professor Peter Fatomilola of the Department of Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as the guest speaker.

Traditional Day Celebration will follow on August 28. The Royal Father of the Day is the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo 3

The cultural week will climax on August 30, with Ikase Ceremony and Inter-Faith Service.

The club management urged members to take note of the programme schedule and participate in the activities lined up for the historic celebration.

Chairman of the club, Chief Olawumi Gasper, called on members to embrace the celebration, noting that the centenary anniversary offered a unique opportunity to honour the club’s rich legacy while reinforcing its commitment to culture, tradition and brotherhood.

He said the week would further promote the preservation of Yoruba heritage and strengthen the values that had sustained the institution across generations.

According to the club, the centenary celebration is anchored on the theme: ‘100 Years of Brotherhood, Culture and Continuity’, which reflects its rich history, cultural identity and enduring relevance.

The celebration is expected to bring together members and distinguished guests in a fitting commemoration of the club’s remarkable 100-year journey and its continuing contribution to the preservation and promotion of Yoruba cultural values.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, yesterday arraigned two men before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over the alleged unlawful supply of bank access credentials.

The defendants, Gideon Bakpa Aghogho and Oscar Ebere Chukwuebuka, were arraigned alongside a third suspect, identified as Scott, who is at large, before Justice F.N. Ogazi.

They face an eight-count charge on the alleged unlawful supply of access credentials to a bank database.

The charges were brought under Sections 27 and 28(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

The EFCC alleged that between July 24 and 26 this year, the defendants conspired to supply Aghogho’s access code to the bank system through a local administrative credential known as ITSD.

According to the prosecution, the credentials,which could grant access to the bank’s Virtual Center Platform, were allegedly supplied to facilitate the commission of an offence.

In another count, the commission alleged that Aghogho, between April and May, last year, without authorisation disclosed access credentials, including the bank’s server IP and domain credentials, to gain access to a bank’s database.

The prosecution further alleged that the disclosure was made in exchange for $15,000.

Aghogho pleaded not guilty to the charges, while Chukwuebuka pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.

Following Aghogho’s plea, prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, asked the court to fix a date for trial and sought an order remanding him in a correctional facility.

In respect of Chukwuebuka, the prosecution asked the court to allow it to review the facts of the case following his guilty plea.

Justice Ogazi adjourned the matter until August 27, this year, for a review of the facts and other proceedings.

The judge also ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre pending the next hearing.

The Edo State Government has denied reports that Governor Monday Okpebholo banned Nigerian musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, from entering the state.

The denial followed a viral video in which an aide to the governor, Pastor Kassy Chukwu, claimed that Davido had been barred from visiting Edo State.

However, Okpebholo, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, dissociated his administration from the claim, describing the person behind the purported ban as an impostor.

The governor said Edo State remained open to everyone regardless of their beliefs, political affiliations or other interests.

‘Our enemies are at it again; we did not ban Davido from entering Edo State,’ the statement said.

The governor added that his administration would be willing to collaborate with the musician if he intended to perform in the state in the future.

He described Davido as ‘one of our illustrious sons’, noting that the singer’s mother is from Edo State.

‘Should he wish to visit Edo State, we would happily host and fete him,’ he said.

Okpebholo said the disagreement involving Davido after the recent Osun State governorship election was political and had no personal dimension.

He described Davido as a global ambassador for Nigeria and commended his achievements in the music industry.

‘As a government, we are pleased with his conduct, commitment and calculated conquest in the music industry. Indeed, we look forward to him being awarded a Grammy title,’ the governor said.

Those aggrieved by the outcomes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries got soothing words from the chairman of the ruling party, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, who took responsibilities for post-primary grievances.

He took the responsibility on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) for all the disputes generated by the primaries that produced the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election.

Yilwatda said he was tendering a public apology to all aggrieved members over what he described as perceived wrongs for the entrenchment of unity in the party.

The party chair spoke yesterday in Ibadan during the launch of the Oyo State APC Campaign Office, located around Dandaru Junction, Mokola – UCH Road, Ibadan.

Flanked by some NWC members, Yilwatda appealed to members who felt hurt, injured, prevented or excluded in any form to forgive the party and remain united ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said the responsibility extended beyond Oyo State, stressing that the committee that conducted the primaries was constituted by the national leadership and therefore, any mistake committed by it amounted to a mistake by the leadership of the party.

He urged all state party chairmen across the country to take the message of apology to all members of the party.

Yilwatda said: ‘This is not for Oyo State alone. Anywhere anybody made a mistake in a state, it is our mistake because the committee was set up by us and they are representing us.

‘If anybody is hurt, if anybody is injured, if anybody is prevented or excluded in any form or the other, we take responsibility. On television and before Nigerians, we take responsibility of all that has happened. I appeal to everybody that we are sorry.’

The APC national chairman urged members at polling units, wards and local government areas across the country to regard the matter as an internal family affair

Yilwatda assured that the party was taking Oyo State seriously because of its strategic importance and large voting population, second only to Lagos.

He noted that through its governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the party is seeking to restore Oyo to its glory days, urging all members to work together in unity.

Alli commended Yilwatda for fulfilling his promises to the state within two days.

He appreciated him for honouring the invitation to meet with governorship aspirants and stakeholders, saying the achievements recorded within the period surpassed what the stakeholders had been able to accomplish on their own.

He said the promises made when the national chairman invited the aspirants had now been fulfilled.

‘We cannot thank you enough for what you have come to do. What you have achieved successfully in two days, we have not been able to accomplish,’ Alli said.

He assured the national chairman that the party in Oyo would continue to do what is expected.

Nigeria has secured the rights to host the 2027 Conference of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) in Abuja, following endorsement by the association’s General Assembly at its just-concluded 42nd Conference in Arusha, Tanzania.

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has been awarded the hosting rights and approved to organise the event, scheduled for 16th to 20th August 2027.

The gathering is expected to draw policymakers, researchers, examination administrators and education experts from across the continent, providing a platform for Nigeria to showcase ongoing reforms in educational assessment.

In a related development, NECO Registrar and Chief Executive, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, was elected Vice-President of the AEAA. His elevation follows his earlier service on the association’s Executive Council as the West African sub-region representative.

These developments underscore Nigeria’s growing influence in educational assessment across the continent, particularly in digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence in testing and certification.

Since taking office as NECO Registrar in 2021, he has driven reforms to modernise examination administration, expand technological infrastructure, and extend the council’s international reach. NECO now conducts examinations in eight foreign countries.

The race for promotion in the NWFL Nationwide 2026 will enter the decisive semi-final stage today with four teams battling for places in the final at the Enyimba Stadium, Aba.

Kwara United Queens will take on C2E Sports Academy in the first semi-final at 9am, while Onimarg FC will face Obosa FA in the second match at 11am.

Kwara United Queens topped Group A with four points from two matches after recording one win and a draw. They secured top spot following a 1-0 victory over Solo Wonders Babes.

C2E Sports Academy emerged as the dominant side in Group B, winning both matches to finish with six points. They scored 15 goals and conceded just one, including a 5-0 victory over Lakeside Queens.

Onimarg FC also finished with a perfect six points from two matches in Group C. They scored seven goals and conceded three, with a 4-2 victory over Ubakala Babes sealing their position at the top.

In Group D, Obosa Queens finished ahead of Osklean FA after both sides ended on four points with the same goal difference. Obosa took the group on goals scored.

With the group stage now completed, attention shifts to the two semi-finals as the four surviving teams fight for places in the NWFL Nationwide 2026 final.

The Coalition for Tinubu-Okpebholo-Nigeria has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over the opposition’s emerging position on petrol subsidy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing it as a contradiction that requires a clear explanation.

The coalition said Nigerians deserved to know what had changed between Atiku’s position during the 2023 presidential campaign and the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s current proposal to restore some form of petrol subsidy if it takes power in 2027.

Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), repeatedly advocated the removal of petrol subsidy during the campaign.

In July 2022, the former Vice President described subsidy removal as ‘inevitable’, although he argued that it should be implemented through negotiations with organised labour and other stakeholders. Later that year, he said his administration would move on the subsidy question within its first 100 days.

At another economic forum in Lagos, Atiku said he would complete the phased removal of subsidy and redirect the resources to other sectors of the economy, describing the subsidy arrangement as a ‘fraud’.

But the ADC, the opposition platform with which Atiku is now associated ahead of 2027, has indicated that it would restore targeted petrol subsidy for low-income and commercial transport operators if it wins the next presidential election.

Reacting on Thursday, spokesman of the Coalition for Tinubu-Okpebholo-Nigeria, Mr. John Mayaki, said the apparent contradiction had created what he described as an ‘Atiku versus Atiku’ contest.

He said: ‘In 2022, candidate Atiku was emphatic. Petrol subsidy had to go. He described the arrangement as fraudulent and presented its removal as part of the economic surgery Nigeria required.

‘Today, the political platform with which he is associated is talking about bringing subsidy back. Nigerians are entitled to ask a very simple question: what changed?

‘Did subsidy suddenly become economically sensible, or did it become unacceptable only because President Bola Tinubu was the one who eventually summoned the courage to remove it?’

Mayaki said the coalition was not suggesting that politicians could never revise their positions, adding that changing economic circumstances could legitimately produce changes in policy.

He, however, maintained that such a major reversal must be accompanied by convincing explanations rather than campaign rhetoric.

‘If Atiku or his political platform now believes subsidy should return, Nigerians deserve the arithmetic,’ he said.

‘How much will it cost? Who qualifies? Where will the money come from? How will another subsidy regime avoid the leakages and abuses Atiku himself previously condemned?

‘And if the old subsidy arrangement was fraudulent when Atiku wanted to become President in 2022, Nigerians deserve to know what economic miracle has transformed its restoration into good policy four years later.’

The coalition said Atiku was within his rights to criticise the manner in which the Tinubu administration removed subsidy, including its timing, cushioning measures and the subsequent cost-of-living pressures.

It, however, argued that criticism of implementation was different from reversing the fundamental economic position Atiku had previously championed.

‘President Tinubu must be judged by the consequences and results of the reforms he implemented. Nobody disputes that,’ Mayaki said.

‘But Atiku cannot demand accountability from Tinubu while asking Nigerians to forget Atiku.

‘The newspapers remember. The television interviews remain. The internet remembers. Nigerians remember.

‘In 2022, the message was: remove subsidy. Ahead of 2027, the opposition conversation is increasingly about restoring subsidy.

‘The question is no longer merely Atiku versus Tinubu. On this issue, it is becoming Atiku versus Atiku.’

The coalition urged the former Vice President to state clearly whether he still stands by his 2022 position that petrol subsidy should be eliminated or has embraced the ADC’s proposed targeted restoration.

It added: ‘Nigeria is too important for economic policy to change according to the election calendar.

‘By 2027, Nigerians must know which proposition they are being asked to vote for – subsidy removal, subsidy restoration, or restoration today followed by removal tomorrow.

‘Until that explanation comes, what the opposition appears to be offering Nigerians is a subsidy on consistency.’

The member representing Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Marcus Onobun, has urged lawmakers in Edo State House of Assembly to reject a bill seeking to repeal the House of Assembly and Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law in Edo State.

He said it was during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki that Edo Assembly domesticated Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution, guaranteeing financial independence for state legislatures and judiciaries.

The former Edo Assembly Speaker, in a statement, said: ”No state action should now seek to reverse this democratic progress.’

He said the move to repeal the Financial Autonomy Laws contravened the fundamental principle of the separation of powers.

Onobun noted that a robust democracy relied on three co-equal branches.

He said: ‘Stripping the legislature of its financial autonomy destroys this vital system of checks and balances. A financially dependent parliament risks becoming a mere appendage of the executive, severely limiting its capacity for strict accountability, oversight and effective representation.

‘As a former Speaker, I urge the House to reject this proposal and protect its institutional integrity. Financial autonomy is a constitutional mandate, not a political privilege. Our democracy thrives best when the legislature remains truly independent.’

But Speaker of Edo Assembly, Yekini Idiaye, said the laws were not to be repealed but amended to strengthen project monitoring.

He said the House was not reversing the autonomy.

‘We are not reversing the autonomy. We are all beneficiary of the autonomy. The proposed amendment is focused on the capital project aspect of autonomy.

‘What we are trying to do, we are looking at the capital side of it, like the project. Some persons discovered that most projects are not executed.

‘So for us to have a good understanding of the purpose for which we got the autonomy, especially on the side of the project party… what we are thinking is that we want to create a form of an agency,’ he added.

Idiaye said the agency would be responsible for monitoring release of funds, execution and supervision of capital projects for both arms.

‘That all projects will be passing through that agency. They will be monitoring. As it is now, there is no proper monitoring.

‘So we want to have an agency that we want to amend. So that they will be the one monitoring the release of funds, the execution, the supervision. And when you finish, you bring your certificate, take it to the agency.

‘What we are saying is that the amendment is not going to affect the financial aspect of it. It is the operational side of it that it will affect. I don’t even want to say the capital,’ he concluded.