Author: Nouman Ali

Politicians have been warned by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu against using youths to fight battles against their opponents.

Disu said during the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue in Abuja yesterday that the recruitment of youths to perpetrate violence destroys their future while politicians end up reconciling.

To the youths, he counselled them to deploy their influence positively by engaging in entrepreneurship, technology, education, creativity, public policy and community development rather than engaging in political thuggery.

The dialogue, themed ‘Different Contexts, Common Aspirations ‘ was organised by the Nigeria Police Force to commemorate International Youth Day 2026.

The campaign for the event was ‘My Future is Greater than Political and Digital Thuggery.’

Disu’s warning came against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 electoral cycle.

The police chief, who urged youths to resist being manipulated by politicians, said that Nigeria’s diversity in ethnicity, religion, geography, culture and political affiliation should not obscure the common aspirations of young people.

His words: ‘Politicians contest elections, but you(youths) live with the consequences of those elections.

Nigeria cannot build a secure and prosperous future by destroying the generation that is expected to inherit that future.’

He pointed out that the Police recognise the constitutional rights of citizens to participate in political activities, support political parties, express their views and campaign for candidates of their choice.

The IGP assured that the police would not only protect Nigerians but also facilitate peaceful campaigns, secure candidates, campaign venues and safeguard the electoral environment.

He said apart from not tolerating the recruitment or mobilisation of youths for violence, anyone found using weapons for electoral purposes, attacking political opponents, intimidating/destroying public and private property would not be dealt with.

‘The law will take its course against anyone who crosses that line. And this message is not directed at one political party or one political interest. It is directed at everyone,’ Disu said.

He also identified social media as a new frontier of political conflict, warning that violence could now begin from smartphones before spilling into the streets.

Disu warned that misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, cyberbullying, impersonation, deepfakes, online intimidation and coordinated digital attacks have the capacity to inflame communities and undermine confidence in democratic institutions.

Disu urged Nigerians to always verify information before sharing and to consider the consequences of inflammatory online activities.

‘Think before you click. Verify before you share. Pause before you post,’ he said.

Disu said history would judge the current generation of Nigerian youths by how they responded when the country needed them, urging them to choose peace, innovation, responsible citizenship and democratic values.

‘I want history to remember this generation as the generation that refused to be used,’ he said.

He added that a Nigeria with educated, skilled, innovative and productive youths would be stronger, while a country whose young people were manipulated into violence, criminality and hatred would be the ultimate loser.

The IGP also urged Nigerian youths to protect, build and own their future, declaring that their future was greater than the challenges of today and should be used to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

· Also yesterday, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, urged religious leaders to use their influence to promote peace, tolerance and national unity ahead of the general election .

· Delivering a goodwill message at the Interfaith Prayers for Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu, in Abuja. Mahmoud said Christian and Muslim leaders should reject hate speech, violence, extremism and intolerance in their sermons and public engagements.

· She also called on churches, mosques and other places of worship to remain sanctuaries of peace, moral instruction, compassion and unity, stressing that religious differences must not become instruments of division.

WAPTV has reached another ground breaking milestone, as it will be the first TV channel in Nigeria, to broadcast the smash hit Indian Romantic Drama, Rajjo.

The move, according to an official statement from the channel, is an effort to ensure the TV channel maintains its apex position in ensuring premium programming for its millions of viewers worldwide, in the ever rising competitive world of broadcasting.

The show revolves around the trials and tests of an aspiring athlete Rajjo from Uttarakhand. Her mother, Manorama, has a dark past, and hence is against Rajjo’s dreams of turning an athlete.

Rajjo is a family drama, fully dubbed and subtitled in English Language.

Wale Adenuga Jnr, Director WAPTV, excitedly announced; ‘after years of painstakingly pursuing the broadcast license of the hit show: Rajjo, we were delighted when we acquired the rights, as the series is tailor-fitted to our core values at WAPTV, to provide wholesome family friendly entertainment, that will keep our audiences glued to their screens, both TV and Mobile.’ Rajjo will start showing from September 7 between Mondays and Fridays on the WAPTV channels.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Maryam Ibrahim Dan’ Azumi of Gombe State on her emergence as winner of the women’s category at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The President described the feat, which saw the Nigerian beat contestants from 132 other countries to win a 300,000 Saudi Riyal prize, equivalent to about N120 million, as a remarkable achievement that has brought immense honour to the country.

In a statement on Friday, President Tinubu said Maryam’s performance at the prestigious international competition demonstrated the excellence, discipline, dedication, and intellectual capacity of Nigerian youths.

Maryam competed in the highly competitive category covering memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation of all 60 Hizb with Tafsir.

The President said her victory was not merely a personal triumph but a source of national pride, noting that she had placed Nigeria prominently on the global stage through her mastery of the Holy Qur’an.

‘Maryam Ibrahim Dan Azumi’s victory in the highly competitive category covering memorisation of the entire Holy Qur’an, recitation, Tajweed and interpretation of all 60 Hizb with Tafsir is a remarkable achievement that has brought immense honour to Nigeria and further demonstrated the excellence, discipline, dedication and intellectual capacity of Nigerian youths.

‘She has made Nigeria proud. Her achievement in Makkah is a powerful testimony to what our young people can accomplish when talent is matched with discipline, faith, hard work and dedicated mentorship’, Tinubu said.

The President also recalled the achievement of Maryam’s elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan Azumi, who emerged first in a similar Qur’anic competition in Jordan in 2024, describing both sisters as an inspiration to young Nigerians.

He particularly commended their parents, teachers and mentors, as well as others who contributed to their development, saying their accomplishments reflected the sacrifice and commitment required to attain an exceptional level of Qur’anic scholarship.

Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the organisers of the King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition and the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for providing an international platform for promoting excellence in Qur’anic memorisation, recitation, understanding and scholarship.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to initiatives aimed at nurturing the intellectual, moral and spiritual development of young Nigerians and creating opportunities for them to distinguish themselves at home and abroad.

‘On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, I congratulate Maryam on this remarkable victory. May Almighty Allah continue to guide, protect and increase her in knowledge and wisdom, and may her achievement inspire many more young Nigerians to pursue excellence,’ he said.

Tinubu wished Maryam continued success in her Qur’anic scholarship and future endeavours.

The President and Founder of HerGame Foundation, Dr Pat Ajuma Ayegba, says she expects the 2026 FCT FA Women’s Inter-Area Council Football Tournament to unearth a new generation of talented female footballers capable of progressing to the professional and international stage.

Ayegba, also a Board Member of the Federal Capital Territory Football Association (FCT FA), spoke ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on Friday, August 21, with six Area Councils competing for honours.

The competition, organised by the FCT FA, is designed to strengthen women’s football at the grassroots while giving young female players competitive exposure and a pathway into the professional game. Ayegba said the tournament has already proved its worth as a talent-discovery platform, pointing to promising players who emerged from last year’s edition.

‘We are hoping to see new talents. We are hoping to have new emerging professionals, international stars,’ she said. ‘I am excited because last year, we found some good talents from this particular tournament. We saw some newbies, and I want to see their progress this year. A lot more is expected.’

She commended the FCT FA for its preparation and support for the participating teams. ‘To be honest with you, FCT FA has come up, and they are doing well with the whole preparation,’ she said.

Ayegba also disclosed that HerGame Foundation contributed directly to last year’s competition, revealing she personally supported each participating team with ?120,000. ‘Last year personally, I supported the teams with ?120,000 each, of which I saw the FA taking it up from there. And this is a lot. This is a lot. The FA has supported us a lot to make this happen, so we are grateful,’ she said.

The 2026 tournament will feature all six FCT Area Councils, split into two groups. Bwari, Gwagwalada and AMAC make up Group A, while Abaji, Kuje and Kwali form Group B. The group stage will be played on a home-and-away basis, with the semi-finals set for September 2 and the final on September 5.

Ayegba confirmed that Hon. Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, will attend the opening ceremony, describing her as a strong supporter of women’s football and girl-child development whose backing could help create further opportunities for young girls through the sport. Ayegba said her visit to the FCC chairman was aimed at building a stronger partnership around women’s football development, and she was pleased with Omidiran’s response.

‘She has done so much for us. To whom honour is due, honour should be given. I came here today to see her in person, and she is actually a jolly good fellow,’ Ayegba said. ‘She is more than what I have heard of-a true supporter, one who has heart for the game of football, like myself. Like I have heard, I saw it myself today.’

With the opening ceremony set for Friday, Ayegba believes the tournament can be more than a contest for Area Council bragging rights, serving instead as a scouting ground for players who go on to represent the FCT, professional clubs and the national teams.

Strategic think tanks and the intelligentsia must be more deeply integrated into Nigeria’s defence policymaking process to address the country’s increasingly complex security challenges, said strategic studies expert Esther Terwase Ikomi.

Ikomi said Nigeria’s inability to translate strategic research and knowledge into policy decisions has weakened the country’s capacity to respond to emerging security threats and to build sustainable national development.

She spoke at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, while presenting a paper titled ‘The Role of Strategic Think Tanks in Strengthening Defence Policy and National Development: Building Strategic Advantage for Nigeria in an Era of Complex Security Threats’ to participants of the Leadership and Strategic Studies Course 4/25.

The participants comprised one Brigadier General, 32 Colonels and 11 Lieutenant Colonels.

Ikomi identified the widening gap between research and policymaking, as well as weak coordination among relevant institutions, as major impediments to effective defence policy formulation.

According to her, Nigeria needs to move beyond producing strategic research to creating institutional mechanisms that ensure such knowledge directly informs national security and defence decisions.

Ikomi proposed institutionalising a Formalised National Security Research-Policy Liaison Framework as the most feasible mechanism for closing the gap.

She also recommended establishing regional Strategic Intelligence-Policy Hubs and a National Security Foresight Hub to improve intelligence analysis, anticipate emerging threats, and provide policymakers with timely evidence for decision-making.

To further strengthen the process, she introduced the Defence Knowledge-to-Policy Model, which she described as a practical framework for translating strategic knowledge into actionable defence policies.

The model, she said, would promote evidence-based decision-making, improve institutional coordination and enhance Nigeria’s strategic advantage in an increasingly unpredictable security environment.

She urged stronger collaboration between strategic research institutions and government agencies, arguing that a well-connected knowledge ecosystem would enable Nigeria to anticipate security threats rather than merely react to them.

Nigerian musician and professional keyboardist Temitope Adeoye, popularly known as Temi Comic, brought Afro-fusion to the Nigerian Cultural Day celebration in Plymouth, United Kingdom.

The event, organised by Toskel Community Heritage and Culture CIC on August 8, 2026, brought together members of the Nigerian community and other participants to celebrate Nigerian music, heritage and cultural identity in the diaspora.

Temi Comic was among the performers at the event, where he shared the stage with veteran Nigerian musician Jesse King ‘Buga’ in a performance that blended contemporary musical expression with traditional African influences.

His performance showcased the keyboard’s versatility beyond conventional harmonic accompaniment, incorporating melodic phrases, rhythmic accents, and harmonic textures.

Playing alongside Buga, whose style draws from contemporary highlife, Afro-jazz, and traditional African influences, Temi Comic adopted a collaborative approach, responding to the music and complementing the vocalist.

‘Playing alongside Buga was a very special experience for me. There is so much history and culture in his music, so as a keyboardist you have to listen carefully and understand where the music wants to go,’ he said.

He described the performance as an opportunity to learn from an established musician while exploring the connection between different generations of African musicians.

‘What I enjoyed most was the musical communication. Sometimes you don’t need many words between musicians. You listen, you respond, and you allow the music to lead you. Playing with Buga reminded me of that,’ he said.

Temi Comic said his approach was centred on supporting the vocalist and other band members rather than dominating the performance.

‘For me, playing with an experienced artist like Buga is about listening. You cannot just play because you know how to play. You have to understand the artist, understand the rhythm and know when your sound should come forward and when it should step back,’ he said.

He described the collaboration as evidence of music’s ability to bridge generational differences and create opportunities for younger musicians to connect with established practitioners.

‘It was rewarding because you realise that music has no generational gap. When the rhythm is right, and everybody understands the language, experience and youth can meet naturally,’ he said.

Reflecting on the performance, Temi Comic said working with Buga reinforced the importance of continuous learning among musicians.

‘I left the performance feeling inspired. Performing with Buga showed me that there is always more to learn, especially when you are working with someone who has carried African music for so many years,’ he said.

The Nigerian Cultural Day also highlighted the role of cultural events in preserving and promoting Nigerian identity among communities in the diaspora.

For Temi Comic, the performance demonstrated how contemporary musicians can engage with African musical traditions while introducing new sounds and approaches, highlighting the ability of Nigerian music to evolve across generations and borders without losing its cultural roots.

Child rights experts and social workers have called for stronger action to curb the exploitation and abuse of children engaged in domestic work.

They warned that emerging forms of abuse require better-equipped protection systems and frontline responders.

The call was made on Tuesday at a capacity-building workshop organised by the CeCe Yara Child Advocacy Centre for frontline child protection professionals in Lagos.

The workshop, held at the LCCI Conference Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, focused on practical child welfare strategies, professional development and measures to improve the response to cases of child abuse and exploitation.

A gender justice and child protection expert, Mrs Alexis Sanya-Kawa, said continuous learning, mentorship and regular evaluation were essential for professionals working to protect children. Mrs Sanya-Kawa urged child rights practitioners to invest in their personal and professional development, noting that improved capacity would translate into better outcomes for vulnerable children.

She described Lagos State as proactive in its response to child abuse and other forms of violence, urging other states to replicate systems that have strengthened child protection efforts in the state.

‘Lagos State is very proactive in responding to issues of child abuse and other forms of violence against persons. I would like other state governments to replicate the systems that are in place within Lagos State,’ she said.

According to her, the establishment of special courts, forensic laboratories and other mechanisms had strengthened the state’s response to abuse, but more attention was needed to ensure effective implementation.

‘We have the special courts, we have the forensic lab, we have things that ensure that abuse is curbed. But what we need to do is ensure that we strengthen implementation,’ she added.

The founder of CeCe Yara, Mrs Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, said child abuse through exploitative domestic work was assuming new dimensions, requiring stronger interventions from government, communities and child protection professionals.

Ajayi-Kayode also warned that frontline workers handling abuse cases were vulnerable to burnout and vicarious trauma if they were not adequately equipped and supported.

‘We have child helpline counsellors, lawyers and case workers. If they are not well equipped and not well taken care of, they will burn out,’ she said.

She called on community members and victims to speak out against the abuse and exploitation of children, stressing the importance of early reporting and intervention.

Also a counsellor and mental health psychologist, Ms Gloria Joaquim, emphasised the importance of mental wellbeing among child protection professionals.

Joaquim led participants through sessions on wellness therapy and body movement healing, urging activists and social workers to prioritise self-care as part of effective professional practice.

‘Your mental wellbeing is very important. Respond with intentionality,’ she said.

She noted that effective stress management could improve decision-making among professionals who routinely deal with traumatic cases involving children.

Participants, including the Chief State Counsel at the Ministry of Justice, Bureau of Public Defender, Mrs Azeezat Ajaga, pledged renewed commitment to strengthening the protection of vulnerable children.

The workshop was sponsored by The Freedom Fund with support from the United States Government and was designed to strengthen the capacity of child protection professionals to prevent abuse, respond to exploitation and support survivors.

Actress Uche Ogbodo has opened up about her decision to undergo a mummy makeover, saying the changes her body experienced after childbirth affected her psychologically and physically.

The actress made this known in an interview with Deacon Famous, where she disclosed that she had three Caesarean sections while having her three children.

She explained that her decision to undergo the procedure was part of her effort to regain confidence and feel comfortable with her body after her third pregnancy.

Ogbodo said she has always advocated for women and girls and believes in helping women in every way possible.

‘All my life, I’ll say I’m an advocate for women and girls. As a girl, I know what I saw growing up and, as a woman, what I’m still seeing, so I try to help or teach women any way possible,’ she said.

Explaining why she encourages women to consider a mummy makeover, the actress said her body changed significantly after her third child, leaving her feeling that she needed to take steps to recover psychologically and physically.

‘I had a mummy makeover done to my body, so I look good. My body changed after my third baby. I couldn’t hold it anymore, so I knew I had to do the mummy makeover to recover myself psychologically, physically and otherwise,’ she said.

Ogbodo explained that the procedures she underwent included a tummy tuck and liposuction, while breast augmentation is still part of the procedures she is yet to have.

‘Tummy tuck, liposuction and breast augmentation form the mummy makeover, but I’m yet to do the breast augmentation. But I had every other thing done, including my teeth, so I could come back to the goddess,’ she added.

A mummy makeover generally refers to a combination of cosmetic procedures aimed at addressing physical changes that may occur after pregnancy and childbirth.

Procedures can vary from person to person, depending on individual needs.

While discussing her experience, Ogbodo stressed that her decision was personal and linked to how she wanted to feel about herself after having three children.

Brand Finance has released its Football 2026 report, ranking the world’s most valuable football club brands.

Real Madrid retains the top spot for the third consecutive year, while Arsenal makes a major leap into the top three.

Ranking of the Most Valuable Football Club Brands (2026)

1 Real Madrid (Spain) – $2.766M

Brand value up 25%. Highest Brand Strength Index score (95.8/100). Benefited from the fully operational, renovated Santiago Bernabéu.

2 FC Barcelona (Spain) – ˜ $2.276M

Up 15%. Backed by consecutive La Liga titles and the phased return to Spotify Camp Nou.

3 Arsenal (England) – $1.772M

Biggest climber among top clubs (up 28% and five places). Boosted by a first Premier League title in 22 years and a Champions League final appearance.

4 Bayern Munich (Germany) – ˜ $1.748M

5 Paris Saint-Germain (France) – $1.734M

6 Manchester City (England) – $1.709M

7 Liverpool (England) – $1.695M

8 Manchester United (England) – $1.659M

9 Chelsea (England) – $1.109M

10 Borussia Dortmund (Germany) – $766M

Real Madrid becomes the first club to clearly surpass the brand value mark in the ranking’s history.

Spanish clubs continue to dominate the very top of the list, while Arsenal’s rise highlights the growing commercial power of the Premier League’s resurgent sides.

AK Media Concepts Ltd is set to unveil its latest family drama series entitled The Family Man.

The Family Man is a compelling production exploring love, betrayal, family, crime, redemption and second chances.

According to a statement by the production company, the new series expands the company’s portfolio, which includes Family Ties, Face2Face, ‘Nowhere to Be Found,’ ‘City Buster,’ ‘Liberty Villa’ and ‘Oyinmomo,’ a magazine talk show.

The 30-minute drama-crime series centres on Banjo Balogun, a brilliant civil engineer played by Olarotimi Fakunle, who returns home after serving 10 years of a 21-year prison sentence following the governor’s prerogative of mercy. Expecting to reconnect with his wife and three children, Banjo discovers that his family has changed considerably during his years away.

His return is further complicated by his struggle to secure employment because of his criminal record. Once a respected engineer and provider, Banjo now finds himself struggling to get the attention of his family, especially his wife, Chioma, who has built a successful career and become the principal provider. The situation becomes more explosive when Chioma is revealed to be romantically involved with Iredia, Banjo’s best friend and marriage counsellor.

The series features a strong ensemble cast comprising Joy Nmezi, Nifemi Lawal, Jasmine Olarotimi, Eze Ukwa, Femi Branch, Akin Lewis, Kunle Dada, Modola Osifuwa, Kenny Ayanfe, Babaseun Faseru, Halimah Ganiyu and Chy Nwakama, alongside Fakunle.

The inclusion of established actors such as Branch and Lewis adds further depth and experience to the production.

Directed by Tunde Olaoye and executive-produced by Olajumoke Akindeju-Asekun, ‘The Family Man’ is set in contemporary Lagos.

Speaking on the project, the MD/CEO of AK Media Concepts Ltd, Mrs Olajumoke Akindeju-Asekun, described The Family Man as a multi-million-naira production designed to meet contemporary cinematic standards.

‘I want to assure our media partners, and the general public that our new series, The Family Man,’is a content designed to keep viewers glued to their screens. It is our biggest project in recent times, and we have produced it in line with today’s cinematic standards.

‘What we have come up with this time, is a big difference and a blockbuster to reckon with.’