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Tinubu heads to Makkah to pray for Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Thursday for Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to perform the Islamic pilgrimage of Umrah and pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and development.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit will provide the President an opportunity for spiritual reflection and devotion.

Tinubu is expected to perform the religious rites associated with Umrah, seeking Allah’s guidance and blessings for Nigeria and its citizens.

Before departing the country, the President will commission equipment recently acquired by the Nigerian Air Force for its operations.

The commissioning ceremony will take place at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, ahead of his journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the spiritual exercise.

Umrah, often described as the lesser pilgrimage, involves a series of religious rites performed in Makkah. Unlike Hajj, which takes place during a specified period of the Islamic calendar, Umrah can be performed at different times of the year.

The President’s planned visit comes as his administration continues to face national challenges requiring attention to security, economic stability and social development.

The Presidency said the prayers would focus on the country’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.

Dizon hands Lopez ‘next’ DPWH corruption cases

Outgoing Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday handed his successor, Giovanni ‘Banoy’ Lopez, a thick pile of documents naming more Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel implicated in alleged anomalies, telling him it was now his turn to remove the agency’s ‘rotten apples.’

Dizon said the purge must continue under the new leadership, with more than 80 officials and employees already removed over corruption-related issues during his tenure and the number potentially nearly doubling as Lopez reviews the new list.

‘I’ll leave those in your hands – please remove them over the next few weeks. Just review these. These are the next. I’m sorry, but that’s just how it has to be; we need to get rid of the rotten apples and protect the good ones,’ Dizon said during the DPWH turnover ceremony, a day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered him to return to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and appointed Lopez to head the public works department.

Dizon expressed confidence that the leadership change would not slow the cleanup, saying Lopez was stricter and more attentive to discrepancies because of his background as a certified public accountant.

‘If they think that [Lopez] is going to be easier or more lenient than me, well, I think everyone is in for a big surprise – because I think the opposite is true; he is actually stricter than I am,’ Dizon said.

‘I think you will be in for a big, big surprise if you think that Sec. Banoy is not going to even double down on the reforms that we have done here,’ he added.

Lopez vowed to continue and strengthen the reforms, saying he had no professional ties or obligations to anyone in the department that could prevent him from making difficult decisions.

‘I have no political capital, so when I say that something is wrong, unlawful, or not in accordance with the processes, it is easier for me to say ‘no’ – regardless of who might be pressuring me to say that it must be done,’ Lopez said.

He said the challenge was to make the reforms permanent by changing the workplace culture and ensuring that budget preparation, procurement and project implementation followed the rules.

‘The cultural change I am referring to is not just for the secretary; it is even more important for the people-the staff and employees-who have long been working at the DPWH. Let us work together to restore the public’s trust in the DPWH; that is what we are going to do,’ Lopez said.

Look closely at Bulacan

‘The reforms are already in place; what needs to be done now is to ensure that the process is carried out correctly, day in and day out,’ he added.

Dizon specifically urged Lopez to closely monitor flood control and other infrastructure projects in Bulacan, where investigations have uncovered alleged irregularities and residents continue to suffer from flooding despite government spending.

‘Sec. Banoy, please pay very, very close attention to Bulacan, because the situation there is truly pitiful. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited Bulacan,’ Dizon said.

He singled out Hagonoy, which he described as an epicenter of flood control corruption, saying residents continued to experience prolonged flooding even after relatively light rainfall.

Dizon said he had found numerous unfinished flood control projects in the province, including projects reported as completed despite being fully funded.

The controversy implicated officials of the DPWH’s First District Engineering Office, including former district engineer Henry Alcantara, who admitted to certifying the completion of ghost projects and receiving about P300 million in kickbacks from flood control projects in Bulacan. Alcantara was dismissed and has since become a state witness in the corruption investigation at the Sandiganbayan.

Dizon expressed confidence in Kenneth Fernando, who replaced Alcantara, saying stalled and unfinished projects in the district had begun moving forward.

He also cited the recent dismissal of 10 DPWH officials and personnel amid investigations into alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Davao City and alleged extortion of contractors in Cebu City.

Dizon acknowledged that the cleanup remained unfinished despite the reforms already introduced.

‘I’m not going to tell you right now that this is going to be easy, it’s not going to be easy. It’s a huge department. While the reforms are in place, they are still unfinished,’ he said.

LTO still needs fixing

He dismissed concerns that the leadership change would delay the reforms, saying Lopez’s understanding of systems could accelerate the process.

‘It will be faster, [Lopez] is better than me. He understands systems,’ Dizon said.

Back at the DOTr, Dizon said overhauling the Land Transportation Office (LTO) would be a top priority, following complaints about long queues, fixers and delays in public transactions.

‘One of my priorities will be the LTO. We’re going to fix that,’ Dizon said. ‘That is one of the things our President emphasized to me most strongly. We must fix the LTO once and for all.’

Mr. Marcos directed Dizon to shorten queues, eliminate fixers and fast-track mass transportation projects to ease the daily commute.

The Anti-Red Tape Authority recorded 152 complaints against the LTO in the first quarter, making it the most complained about government agency during the period. Of these, 132 had been resolved. Dizon said the president had instructed him and Lopez to ‘disrupt the rotten system and make the reforms last’ in their respective departments.

He said he will also oversee major transport infrastructure projects, but Lopez warned that inadequate funding could delay implementation regardless of management efforts.

The proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program, for instance, has no allocation for the Edsa Busway, despite the DOTr’s original request for P1.756 billion.

‘Regardless of how you carry out implementation, if there is no funding-or if the funding is insufficient-our major projects will inevitably be delayed,’ Lopez said.

Among the major projects are the Metro Rail Transit Line 7, with 12 stations targeted to open by June 2027, and the planned privatization of railway operations, including the P103.6-billion MRT 3 operations and maintenance contract targeted for bidding by mid-2027.

Fed workers to get N70,000 monthly transport allowance

The Federal Government has approved a N70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers for six months starting next month.

It is part of measures to cushion the impact of economic challenges.

The intervention was one of the resolutions reached at a conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja yesterday.

The meeting agreed that payment of arrears of workers’ peculiar allowance would begin in November in three equal monthly instalments.

It follows the government’s approval of the allowance with effect from May 1.

According to the resolutions, 19 months’ arrears of allowances owed to health workers would be redeemed over three months beginning in December.

The meeting was convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment following the NLC’s concerns over workers’ welfare and demands for improved working conditions.

Other issues discussed include the commencement of negotiations on the national minimum wage, reduction in petrol prices, tax relief for workers, hazard allowance for agricultural workers and the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure.

On the minimum wage, the parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and begin work immediately.

However, they disagreed on the effective date of implementation.

The Federal Government said it respected the right of organised labour to advocate improved working conditions and was addressing the issues through structured interventions.

On tax relief, the meeting resolved that the matter would be referred to the National Economic Council, noting that taxation was a statutory issue.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had submitted the list of beneficiaries and cost implications for the hazard allowance for agricultural officers to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for verification.

The verification is expected to be completed within two weeks, after which the commission will issue an implementation template.

The commission is expected to complete an update of the cost implications of the proposed adjustment to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure within three weeks to enable the Presidential Committee on Salaries to take a decision.

The meeting urged state and local governments to key into the intervention process and called on unions to pursue implementation of the resolutions.

Both parties agreed to reconvene after one month to assess the level of implementation.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; and other government and labour representatives.

Kwankwasiyya faults Kano govt alleged zero capital spending on mass education

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has tackled Kano state government over alleged zero capital spending on mass education, two years after the declaration of state-of-emergency on compulsory and basic education for Kano children.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement expressed concern over what it described as gaps in the implementation of Kano State’s mass-education budget, challenging Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to explain how his administration’s declaration of a state-of-emergency in education and its ‘Kano First’ philosophy are translating into measurable benefits for the people of Kano State.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement, in a statement by its spokesperson, Dr. Habibu Sale Mohammed, recalled that on 8 June 2024, the Kano State Government declared a state of emergency in the education sector, promising urgent interventions to address the state’s longstanding educational challenges.

Mohammed said the declaration raised public expectations that education would receive the attention, funding and sustained implementation required to reverse years of educational disadvantage.

But he regretted that, ‘an investigative report published by The Whistler on 25 October 2026 has raised serious questions about the implementation of the budget of the Kano State Agency for Mass Education.

‘According to the report’s analysis of budget documents, the agency had a capital allocation of ?1.4 billion for 2026 but recorded zero capital expenditure between January and June 2026. The report further stated that only ?37 million was released from the agency’s ?716 million capital allocation in 2025.’

Mohammed insisted that these reported figures demand a clear, documented and timely explanation from the Kano State Government.

‘The central question is straightforward: What has the declaration of a state of emergency in education achieved for the millions of Kano residents who need access to literacy programmes, vocational training and alternative educational opportunities?

‘The Agency for Mass Education has an important responsibility in expanding educational opportunities for people who have been excluded from the formal school system. Consequently, the reported absence of capital expenditure during the first half of the year raises legitimate questions about budget releases, project implementation and the delivery of the agency’s mandate.

‘We acknowledge that an expenditure report, on its own, does not establish that funds were diverted or misappropriated. Nevertheless, the reported gap between budgetary provision and recorded expenditure warrants immediate scrutiny and a transparent response from the relevant authorities,’ he added.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement further challenged Kano state government to demonstrate how its ‘Kano First’ philosophy is reflected in the management of public resources and the delivery of essential services.

‘If Kano truly comes first, then the education of its children, the literacy of its adults, the skills of its young people and the future of its vulnerable communities must come first in budgetary priorities and implementation.

‘How does the government reconcile its ‘Kano First’ slogan and its declaration of a state of emergency in education with the reported absence of capital expenditure by the State Agency for Mass Education during the first half of 2026, despite an approved capital allocation of ?1.4 billion?

‘This is not merely a question of accounting. It is a question of priorities, public responsibility and the practical meaning of government policy,’ Mohammed stated.

According to him, ‘a budget allocation is not a public achievement until the funds are appropriately released, projects are implemented and intended beneficiaries receive the services for which the money was provided.

‘We therefore challenge Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to demonstrate, with verifiable evidence, how the ‘Kano First’ philosophy is improving educational opportunities and addressing the state’s literacy challenges.’

The Kwankwasiyya Movement demanded to know: ‘how much of the agency’s ?1.4 billion capital allocation had actually been released as of 30 June 2026, and why did the reported budget analysis record zero capital expenditure during that period?

‘What explains the reported release of only ?37 million from the agency’s ?716 million capital allocation in 2025? What corrective measures were introduced to prevent a recurrence in 2026?

‘What capital projects and mass-education programmes were approved for 2026? How many have commenced or been completed, and how many children, adults and young people have benefited from the agency’s interventions?

‘What targets were established following the June 2024 declaration? What progress has been achieved against those targets, particularly in literacy, vocational education and access to learning for disadvantaged communities?

‘What specific commitments, funding decisions and implementation measures demonstrate that mass education and the needs of vulnerable learners are being prioritised? What timetable has the government established to address any identified gaps?’

The Kwankwasiyya Movement further insisted that Kano’s educational challenges require sustained commitment, credible planning and effective implementation.

‘The declaration of an emergency should provide the foundation for measurable improvements, not become a substitute for demonstrating them.

‘Mass education is particularly important because it provides opportunities for adults who missed formal schooling, young people seeking vocational skills and disadvantaged residents who need alternative routes to learning and economic participation.

‘When funding intended for these purposes is not reflected in recorded expenditure, the government must explain whether the problem involves delayed releases, procurement difficulties, implementation failures or other administrative factors. The explanation should be accompanied by documentary evidence and a credible plan for addressing any shortcomings.

‘If the reported figures are inaccurate, the government should publish the relevant official records and correct them. If the figures are accurate, the government should explain the reasons for the gap, identify the measures taken to address it and provide a timetable for delivering the planned programmes.

‘That is the standard of accountability expected of any administration that places the interests of its people first.

‘Kano First must mean that Kano’s children come first, its young people come first, its vulnerable citizens come first and its public resources are managed in the interest of its people.

‘The people of Kano deserve more than declarations of emergency and slogans of priority. They deserve transparent budgets, effective implementation and measurable improvements in their lives.

‘The Kwankwasiyya Movement will continue to advocate transparency, responsible governance and the effective delivery of public services in the interest of the people of Kano State,’ Mohammed stated.

The Birkin Should Never Be The Goal

The Birkin should never be the goal. Being a good human being and living and leaving behind a life of impact should be the goal.

We need to have an honest conversation about what we are teaching young women in the name of empowerment.

When we stand on women empowerment stages and make luxury bags, lifestyle, and having more than other women sound like the ultimate prize, what are we really teaching?

We are telling a 19-year-old girl in a deprived community that her worth is measured by what she can display, not what she can build. We are telling young women that empowerment is about being envied, not about being of service.

And that is dangerous!

Because the Birkin is not empowerment. A Birkin is a bag. A beautiful bag, yes. A great investment, even, but still, a bag.

One thing I want every young woman to know is this: be proud of what you earned legitimately. Be proud of the small shop you built with your own hands, the promotion you got because you worked late, the degree you earned because you studied.

There is dignity in legitimate work. There is pride that no designer label can give you when you know you did not have to cut corners, throw away your morals, or trade your dignity to get ahead.

As women, the world already tries to make success harder for us. Don’t make it harder for yourself by believing that you must compromise who you are to have what you want. Success that costs you your self-respect is too expensive.

Real empowerment does not end with you owning more expensive things. Real empowerment is when what you have owned equips you to open doors for others who will never be able to afford a Birkin.

Let me be clear: There is nothing wrong with wanting beautiful things. Wanting to look good, to enjoy the fruits of your hard work – that is human. But when we make luxury the definition of success for women, we lose something.

We lose the understanding that impact is the real luxury. Integrity is the real luxury. The ability to sleep well knowing you did not have to sell your soul to get there, and knowing your life made someone else’s journey a little less hard – that is the real luxury.

What kind of women are we raising?

Women who compete over who has the most expensive bag, or women who collaborate to make sure more girls can go to school, get a job, start a business, live with dignity?

Women who think empowerment is about being the only one in the room with that bag, or women who are committed to making sure there are more rooms where all of us can sit?

We need to reset the narrative.

We have young women watching us. They are listening to every speech, every panel, every podcast. If all they hear is that success is about acquisition, we are failing them.

If all we celebrate is consumption, who will celebrate contribution?

You can have the Birkin if you want it, and if you can afford it. But let it be an accessory to a life well-lived, not the purpose of your life.

Let your goal be to be a good human being first. To be kind when no one is watching. To be honest when lying would be easier. To build something that will outlive your Instagram page.

Because at the end of your life, no one will remember what bag you carried.

They will remember whose life you carried, and whether you kept your dignity while carrying your own.

’Let this woman breathe’ – Mercy Aigbe defends Toluwanisings’ widow, begs family to settle feud privately

Actress Mercy Aigbe has appealed for compassion and privacy for the widow and family of the late gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, amid the public feud following his death.

In a lengthy post on her Instagram page, the actress said the young widow needs support to grieve, not attacks and public judgement.

‘A young woman has suddenly lost her husband, the father of her two young children. Imagine the trauma of watching your husband die right before your eyes, then having to face the reality of raising your children without him,’ she wrote.

‘At a time like this, she needs love, support, strength and the space to grieve. She does not need to be bullied, judged, dragged or made to defend herself before the court of public opinion.’

Mercy Aigbe pleaded with those attacking the widow to show empathy.

‘To everyone attacking this young widow, please, have a heart. You may never fully understand what she is going through. Let us be human. Let us show compassion,’ she said.

She also appealed directly to the deceased’s family to settle their differences privately for the sake of the late singer’s legacy and his two children.

‘And to the family of the deceased, I appeal to you with all sincerity: please, for the sake of your son, his memory and the two innocent children he left behind, find a way to settle your differences with his wife privately and peacefully.’

The actress urged the family to stop granting interviews that expose private matters to the public.

‘Grief is already painful enough. Please stop granting interviews that expose private family matters to the public. Not every disagreement needs a microphone, and not every family issue needs to become content. Protect your son’s legacy. Protect his children. Protect the dignity of the woman who was his wife.’

‘You are all grieving the same person. Whatever the disagreements may be, I pray you can find common ground and remember what truly matters,’ she added.

‘Those two children deserve to grow up knowing that, even after their father’s passing, his family chose love, peace and unity over public conflict.’

She concluded with a prayer for the family: ‘Please, let this woman breathe. Let her heal. Let her gather the strength she needs to be there for her children. May God comfort both families and give this young widow the strength to face the days ahead.’

Toluwanisings died on October 14, 2026, in Ibadan, leaving his wife and two young children.

His death has since been followed by controversies and public disagreements between his widow and his paternal family.

Poor? Marry again. Rich? Sit down

You’ll know about this, as you like to stay informed. American prophet and pastor Israel Ford and his first wife, Lydia Ford (prophetess to her followers), told their LifeWorks Church congregants that Israel Ford had “revealed” (Uganda/Kenya speak) their second wife, Shakayla Ford.

They took it a step further, saying monogamy is not Biblical, and referenced Exodus 21:10, which says, in a modern rendition, “When a man takes a new wife, he shall not reduce her food, clothing, or conjugal rights.”

Viral videos circulating on social media, particularly from Nigerian accounts, caption mega Israel Ford as such.

However, Prophet Ford isn’t the first; Pastor Rich Tidwell of Ormond Church, Canton, Missouri, made his two-wife revelation public in mid-2025. He goes on extensively about his “biblical polygyny.”

He says God has never said it was wrong, unlike polyandry or homosexuality. He also says the Old Testament regulated it.

No wonder Nigerians are getting so excited. We’ve got polygamy nailed. Mzungus hate it, saying it’s very backward. So what is going on?

I have issues with polygamy and indeed monogamy. I’m a techno-monogamist. Monogamy and marriage, in general, haven’t kept up with technology. We’ve been wasting time and resources using our natural biological methods to procreate, date and raise children.

However, I wouldn’t want to be banned or not invited to dinner parties, so I won’t write much about completely ectogenic (artificial womb) pregnancy, which would allow humans to treat reproduction as a critical public utility.

When reproduction is moved out of the body and into the lab, now a couple can formalise a smart-contract partnership at 20, focus on their careers, and safely order their genetically optimised offspring via an automated facility at 40, without a single day of morning sickness or missed work.

But I want to address some myths around polygamy. President Yoweri Museveni warned men against polygamy in his speech to the nation in August 2014. He said that having multiple wives can hinder family unity and create issues with the sustainability of resources such as land. However, that if you can afford to provide for your many wives, then you can marry them.

This is a common belief. If you’re poor, don’t get into polygamy. Let the rich have all the fun. Take Ugandan Musa Hasahya Kasera from Butaleja, who famously had 12 wives, 102 children and 578 grandchildren. He made international headlines in January 2023 when he announced he was finally going to stop, as he could no longer afford the rising cost of living.

His wives are now on contraception to prevent any more additions to the family. His third wife, Zabina, said the children get only one meal a day, or two if they’re lucky. The pressure has caused two of his wives to leave him.

Three others have left to move to a town roughly two kilometres away due to overcrowding. Kasera, who is unemployed, is quite the tourist attraction in his village.

Kasera overplayed his hand. However, polygamy is probably what poor men should do. This is because a polygamous household acts as a basic Sacco (savings and credit cooperative society). It can be a good way for all the different households to share resources. However, petty jealousy and rivalry stop this from happening.

Many polygamous men tend to be authoritarian, not creative, managers. They don’t ask for expert advice (it’s tricky to take a business consultant seriously if they’re single or have only one wife, while you have 12!) or even ask other men to help manage their large families.

With America going downhill and becoming poorer in the coming years, they’ll be as polygamous as many African countries currently are.

However, if you’re rich, then you don’t need a Sacco, so contrary to what Museveni said, you shouldn’t marry more wives. Although the benefit of having a polygamist is obvious, there is an issue. Usually, the rich marry upwards.

Low-income people have to marry upwards strategically. The rich man from Bukomansimbi will move to Kampala and become richer. With several large buildings and a new-generation Range Rover, he’ll likely marry the permanent secretary/minister’s daughter. He won’t marry a poor girl from Bukomansimbi.

This issue is complicated because people marry for love and status. If we didn’t, we’d say that if you’re rich, you have to marry someone poorer. If you’re poor, you can’t marry someone else poor. You have to do everything possible to marry upwards.

This would make marriage a way to elevate everyone and eradicate poverty. However, you can see the political implications. We’d no longer pretend to be a democracy, as only an extreme dictatorship could enforce this. But you don’t have to take a techno-monogamist seriously, do you?

US sanctions Rwandan Defence ministry, military bank over M23 rebel support in DRC

The United States government has imposed sweeping financial sanctions on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a major financial institution serving the country’s security forces, over Kigali’s continued military and logistical backing of M23 rebels operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The punitive measures, announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of State, mark a significant escalation in international pressure on Rwanda. Washington directly accused the Rwandan military of deploying thousands of troops alongside M23 insurgents, smuggling illicit conflict minerals, and jeopardizing regional security.

According to American officials, the action comes after Kigali breached commitments made under the U.S.-brokered Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, signed on December 4, 2025, by the heads of state of both the DRC and Rwanda.

“Today, the United States makes good on President Trump’s promise to hold Rwanda accountable for its commitments under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity,” said U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC.”

The Treasury Department stated that the Rwandan Ministry of Defence-which oversees the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), sanctioned separately by the U.S. in March 2026-has actively enabled rebellion in the North and South Kivu provinces. U.S. officials reported that Rwandan troops have not only fought alongside M23 but have also introduced sophisticated weaponry into eastern Congo, including surface-to-air missile systems and electronic jamming equipment that directly pose risks to civilian aviation.

The economic penalties also target Zigama Credit and Savings Society (Zigama), a military-focused cooperative bank. U.S. authorities alleged that Zigama facilitated tens of millions of dollars in financial transactions for M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance. The bank was further accused of processing payments to foreign suppliers in China and other nations for arms and ammunition, while actively aiding the illicit transport of gold and coltan from rebel-controlled Congolese mines into Kigali.

The conflict in eastern Congo has escalated significantly over the past year, with M23 capturing key strategic territory, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. The destabilization has generated a severe humanitarian catastrophe, marked by widespread displacement, extrajudicial killings, and forced labor in rich mining areas such as Rubaya.

In a press statement accompanying the decision, the U.S. Department of State emphasized that state sponsors and armed factions must be prevented from profiting off Congo’s mineral wealth, urging global private sector firms to scrutinize their supply chains for tainted conflict minerals.

“Rwanda’s Ministry of Defense’s support for M23 violates its obligations and undermines the Washington Accords’ goals of peace and prosperity. Rwanda must stop supporting M23 and any successor armed groups and withdraw its forces from eastern DRC,” the State Department declared. “The United States calls on all actors to respect the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and will use every available tool to hold accountable those who prolong this conflict.”

Under the sanctions, all property and financial interests belonging to the designated entities within the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are frozen and must be reported to OFAC. Foreign financial institutions engaging in transactions with the targeted Rwandan entities also risk secondary sanctions and penalties under American legal frameworks.

APM dissolves Bauchi executives, appoints caretaker c’ttee

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has dissolved its entire executive structure in Bauchi State, from the ward to the state level.

The National Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam, disclosed this on Tuesday in Bauchi during the swearing-in of the caretaker committee at the Government House.

Akuyam said the decision was taken at a recent NWC meeting following unfolding events over the past few weeks, and was ratified by the National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday.

He explained that the party has consequently appointed a seven-member caretaker committee to administer its affairs and usher in new executives who will harmonise the two structures that collapsed into one.

He added that the committee will administer the affairs of the party for the next month and is expected to prepare and conduct a transparent congress to elect new executives from ward to state level.

‘I am standing here on behalf of the National Chairman, the National Working Committee, and members of NEC to conduct this swearing-in ceremony,’ he said.

In his acceptance speech, the newly sworn-in Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Shehu Adaji, pledged to run an inclusive and transparent leadership that will strengthen the party’s grassroots structure.

Adaji said the committee accepts the responsibility with humility and gratitude to the NWC, under the leadership of the National Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, for the confidence reposed in its members.

Members of the caretaker committee include Alhaji Shehu Adaji as Chairman, Bello Mahmoud, Isiyaku Abdullahi, Lubabatu Ibrahim, Adamu Shuaibu, Mantuda Halan, and Buhari Gentle.

It will be recalled that a crisis reared its head in the ruling APM in Bauchi State when the Secretary and other officials of the party announced the removal of the Chairman, Auwal Isah Mai Takalminroba.

The Secretary of the party, Mohammed Nasir Yahaya, who led other party executive members to address a press conference, said that Auwal Isah’s removal followed a ‘loss of confidence in his leadership due to actions inconsistent with the constitution of the party.’ However, the embattled chairman, Auwal Isah, dismissed the suspension as ridiculous.

Kim, Avaricio forge battle for ICTSI Apo title

Kim Seoyun delivered the decisive late punch in a gripping, see-saw battle with Chanelle Avaricio Wednesday here, birdieing the closing hole to fire a 71, force a tie for the lead, and set up a potentially explosive final-round showdown for the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic crown and the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour season-ending spotlight.

Kim erased a one-stroke overnight deficit with an early birdie, then displayed nerves of steel with a string of gutsy pars as the demanding Apo Golf and Country Club layout, compounded by the punishing heat and shifting winds, tested the leaders’ resolve and shot-making.

Avaricio, meanwhile, endured a mid-round struggle that threatened to derail her bid to pull away. But the co-leader rediscovered her rhythm at a crucial juncture, stringing together three birdies in a four-hole stretch from No. 14 to regain the lead and put herself in position to double her overnight advantage at three-under overall.

Just when Avaricio appeared poised to take control of the championship, however, Apo’s unforgiving finishing hole delivered another twist.

Kim rose to the occasion on the par-5 18th, producing clutch shots and a pressure-packed 12-foot putt to cap her round with a birdie and a 71. Avaricio, unable to match the finishing surge, holed out with a three-putt miscue for a 72, leaving the two contenders deadlocked at 142 after 36 holes.

Despite a strong finish that put her on the cusp of a maiden victory, Kim rued the missed birdie opportunities that could have given her a bigger advantage after a challenging day on the course.

Reflecting on her performance, Kim was pleased with her approach shots but admitted that her putting let her down, despite hitting 15 greens in regulation.

‘My approach shots worked pretty well today. I hit 15 greens and had a lot of birdie chances, but I struggled with my putting. The putts just weren’t dropping, so it was kind of sayang,’ said Kim..

With an experienced campaigner like Avaricio standing in her way, Kim is bracing for a fierce battle in the final round. Rather than dwell on the pressure of the occasion, she intends to savor the moment and stay focused on her game.

‘I would enjoy my game and try to embrace the moment,’ she said.

Avaricio shrugged off her late misstep, remaining confident of extending her winning streak as she guns for a potential fourth title of the season.

‘I three-putted the last hole, but okay lang. The rest of my putting really clicked because I missed a lot of greens. I think, overall, I only hit 10 greens today,’ said Avaricio, who carded four birdies and four bogeys in an up-and-down round.

Asked to assess her rival, Avaricio was quick to acknowledge Kim’s strong performance, noting that her putting simply did not go her way.

‘Kim is a really good player. Actually, she played really well today. Yung putting niya wasn’t dropping lang. I’ll just try to have fun, you know, focus on myself, and wish her the best,’ she said.

Avaricio expects patience and composure under pressure to be crucial in the final round as she looks to maintain her advantage and secure another victory.

‘I think it will boil down to patience and, you know, how well you handle the pressure. Honestly, I’ll just do my best tomorrow, and hopefully, I’ll make more birdies and fewer mistakes,’ she added.

The late reversal sets the stage for a compelling final-round duel between contrasting but equally determined contenders: Avaricio, a multi-titled campaigner with the experience and pedigree to thrive under pressure, and Kim, a hungry challenger chasing her maiden victory and a breakthrough moment after a string of near-misses on the tour.

With the championship hanging in the balance, neither player can afford a momentary lapse. Kim has shown she can summon her best when the pressure mounts, while Avaricio has already demonstrated the scoring power to turn a tight contest in her favor. Their latest exchange suggests the battle for the title could go down to the final holes.

But while the two leaders have emerged as the players to beat, Princess Superal has kept herself firmly in the hunt, ensuring that the championship race is far from a two-player affair.

Superal mounted a stirring mid-round recovery, turning what had threatened to be an over-par outing into a 71 to catch erstwhile co-leader Harmie Constantino, who slipped to a 74. The two stood at 144, just two strokes behind Kim and Avaricio, leaving them well within striking distance if the leaders falter.

Constantino, who had shared the lead entering the day, will also need a strong response after losing ground. Her challenge, however, remains alive, with the two-shot gap offering a realistic opportunity to rejoin the title fight should she find her early-round form.

Further back, Daniella Uy carded a 72 for 146, followed by Yvon Bisera at 147 after a 73 and Sarah Ababa at 148 following a 72. All three face a steep climb, but Apo has proved capable of punishing even the slightest lapse, making a late charge possible if the leaders struggle to maintain their composure.

Still, the burden of momentum rests squarely on Kim and Avaricio, whose closing-hole drama has turned the final round into a high-stakes test of nerve, precision and championship temperament