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Navy arrests four oil thieves suspects in Ondo

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda, have arrested four suspects in connection with alleged illegal dealings in refined petroleum products in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The suspects: Kehinde Akinjinrin, Abiwo Ola, James Etajuwa and Shadrach Omoshola, were arrested at the Igbokoda seaside during an anti-crude oil theft operation by the Navy between September 3 and 4.

They were allegedly found with suspected illegally refined petroleum products and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being transported without the requisite authorisation.

The Navy handed over the suspects and the exhibits to the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at its Forward Operating Base, Igbokoda.

The NSCDC spokesman in Ondo, Daniel Aidamenbor, lauded the Navy for the operation and continued collaboration between the two security agencies.

‘The suspects were reportedly found in possession of suspected illegally refined petroleum products, as well as petroleum products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) being conveyed without the requisite authorisation,’ he said.

Aidamenbor said the partnership was critical to protecting the nation’s economic assets and curbing the activities of vandals and other economic saboteurs.

He said the NSCDC, being statutorily empowered to investigate and prosecute such cases, would ensure that the matter was thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

‘As the agency empowered to investigate and prosecute matters of this nature, the command will ensure that the case is thoroughly investigated and that justice is served in accordance with the law,’ Aidamenbor added.

He added that the action would also serve as a deterrent to others involved in similar activities.

Aidamenbor, however, reaffirmed the command commitment to strengthening collaboration with sister security agencies to combat crude oil theft, illegal refining, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage in the state.

6,000 procurement professionals face deregistration over unpaid fees

More than 6,000 procurement and supply chain professionals risk deregistration after failing to clear outstanding registration fees, the Procurement and Supplies Professionals and Technicians Board (PSPTB) has warned.

The move is intended to strengthen compliance.

The Board has given the affected professionals 30 days to settle their debts, after which it will start deregistration and nationwide workplace inspections to enforce compliance. PSPTB managing director, Mr Godfred Mbanyi, issued the warning on Monday, September 14, 2026, while speaking to journalists in Dodoma.

‘We are giving them 30 days to clear their debts. After that period, we will begin the deregistration process,’ said Mr Mbanyi.

He said the board had already allocated funds for inspection teams to visit institutions across the country after the deadline.

‘After the 30 days, our teams will go to the regions and inspect institutions in both the public and private sectors,’ he said.

The enforcement could affect procurement operations in public institutions because professionals whose registration is cancelled will lose access to public electronic procurement systems.

Mr Mbanyi urged professionals with outstanding fees to use the grace period to regularise their status rather than wait for enforcement.

‘Our appeal is that professionals should obey the law without compulsion. They should clear their debts and maintain their registration,’ he said.

Operating under the Ministry of Finance, PSPTB is mandated by law to register procurement and supply chain professionals working in both the public and private sectors.

The board has four registration categories: Authorised, Approved, Graduate and Technician.

According to PSPTB, more than 12,000 professionals are registered, but over 6,000 have accumulated fee arrears or other outstanding debts.

Only about 400 professionals in the Authorised category are currently fully compliant, the board said.

Annual subscription fees vary by registration category. Professionals who fail to pay on time also face penalties, including a 50 percent surcharge during the first six months after the end of the financial year.

A 100 percent penalty applies to accumulated arrears when payment is made before formal deregistration, with all outstanding fees required to be cleared alongside current annual fees.

The board is also preparing a register of compliant Authorised professionals, and the names of those who have cleared their debts will be published in the Government Gazette and on the PSPTB website.

Mr Mbanyi said professionals whose names do not appear on the register should treat the omission as a warning.

‘If your name is not on the list, it means you have not complied with the financial requirements, and you are at risk of deregistration,’ he said.

PSPTB has already deregistered 47 professionals over non-compliance and registration-related disputes.

The board warned that practising procurement without valid registration, including after deregistration, is an offence under the PSPTB Act and may lead to prosecution.

Mr Mbanyi also said temporary transfer to another department does not remove a professional’s registration obligations.

‘Being transferred to another department does not remove your legal obligation. If you return to procurement while you are deregistered, you cannot legally practise,’ he said.

He urged professionals with outstanding fees to take advantage of the 30-day window to settle their debts and remain legally registered.

Eyesan reaffirms commitment to gender inclusion in energy sector

Chief Executive of the NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, has reaffirmed her commitment to advancing gender inclusion and empowering women across Nigeria’s maritime and energy sectors.

She made the commitment at the 5th anniversary of the Women in Maritime and Energy (WIME) Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

‘In my capacity as Commission Chief Executive of the NUPRC, I reaffirm my personal commitment to this cause. I stand not only as a supporter but as an active ally to WIME, committed to amplifying its voice, strengthening its advocacy, and ensuring that its impact is felt across policy and practice within the maritime and energy sectors,’ she stated.

The NUPRC boss noted that despite gradual progress, women remain underrepresented in critical segments of the energy and maritime industries, particularly in upstream operations, where structural and cultural barriers continue to limit participation.

According to her, the NUPRC is aligning with the Federal Government’s broader agenda on gender inclusion by promoting diversity in licensing, workforce participation, and stakeholder engagement, while also strengthening policies that support capacity development for women in technical roles.

She called for innovative solutions, including dedicated financing windows, gender-focused investment funds, and long-term frameworks to support women-led enterprises.

Lush reunites with Hello Kitty and Friends to celebrate friendship, kindness and self-care moments

IN what can only be the sweetest reunion, Lush is bringing Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and Friends back, this time with some new friends to join in the fun. Step into a world of sweet scents, soft bubbles, and wibbly-wobbly feel-good fun.

‘We are thrilled about this new collaboration with Lush, whose values closely align with our own. Kindness sits at the heart of the Hello Kitty and Friends brand-it’s a message that Hello Kitty and her friends inspire every day, encouraging care and compassion not only toward others-friends, family, and colleagues-but also toward ourselves through moments of self-care. Sharing this message is deeply important to Sanrio, as these universal values are what make our brand resonate with fans of all ages and backgrounds,’ said Silvia Figini, chief operating officer for Sanrio EMEA, India and Oceania and Mr Men Worldwide

Following the success of last year’s collaboration, Lush and Sanrio have come together once more to bring Hello Kitty and Friends fans some more of their favorite characters, inspired by Sanrio’s world and its universal values: kindness, friendship, community and inclusivity. This new collection builds on the theme of ‘friendship as self-care,’ inviting customers to indulge in playful, feel-good products that can be shared, gifted or enjoyed solo.

From fizzy bath treats, to cheeky shower gummies, this collection is sure to bring joy to any Sanrio fan.

‘Hello Kitty and Friends reminds us that friendship is a powerful form of self-care. We’re excited to partner again with Sanrio to bring the Hello Kitty and Friends fandoms a collection full of surprise and delightful moments, made even sweeter with Lush’s finest ethical ingredients,’ said Kalem Brinkworth, concepts and collaborations manager at Lush.

The Lush x Hello Kitty and Friends collection is now available in stores and www.lush.com.ph.

In the Philippines, Lush is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists Inc., and is located at Alabang Town Center, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Ayala Center Cebu, Bonifacio High Street, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Magnolia, Shangri-La Plaza, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa and TriNoma. It is also available in Shopee, Lazada and Zalora.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announces uncapped tourist tax for UK

In order to recover the financial state left by the previous government, Britain’s current government has needed to commit to some significant changes. The last prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and his office were accused of moving too slowly and not doing enough to bring about growth.

So, in comes Andy Burnham, the new prime minister, who has been seen touring the country to get the details he needs to make some big fiscal calls. Response to his most recent announcement could be graded as mixed at best. He proposes an uncapped tourist tax on hospitality.

Source: Unsplash

As the former mayor of Manchester and culture secretary, Andy Burnham oversaw a few economic plans go down. One of the most prominent was the decision to back out of a super-casino in Manchester. In the years since, casino gaming has become very popular.

People now enjoy online Vegas slot games, though, rather than at a super-casino in Manchester. Of course, back then, the availability of such a site couldn’t have been foreseen. Featured slots like Langley St 23, jackpots like Game of Thrones, and even classics like Bonanza have evolved well beyond the confines of a casino hall.

The venue would have provided a very different experience to the popular online gaming format, though. It would have needed to adapt quickly to compete with the online offering, but could have been a huge draw for tourists. Burnham has, seemingly, been keen to get more out of the tourism industry in other ways.

Back in November 2025, months before being named the new prime minister, the mayor of Manchester welcomed plans for a new tourist tax. He said that such a tax would help to fund local projects, especially as mayors would be given the power to impose what was then labelled as a ‘modest’ charge. Now in charge, he’s gone a step further.

At the end of August, just a couple of weeks before the latest announcement, Burnham was being praised for his action on business rates. Sentiment in the hospitality sector became more positive, with charts showing a ‘Burnham bounce’ of optimism. Even so, there were still calls to get further tax relief to help the up-against-it sector.

On 10 September, Burnham announced his plans to implement a tourist tax without a limit. It’d allow mayors to set the levy as a percentage of the cost of accommodation on people who stay overnight. This way, they say, it will protect budget holidays as the percentage charge should keep costs comparatively low.

This didn’t go over well with hospitality sector leaders. Many have cited that jobs will be at risk as a result, citing the effects of the tourism tax in Edinburgh. To counter, many places in Europe levy a similar tax, with some in the most tourist-reliant areas being rather high but not a hindrance to their tourist flow.

Some in the hospitality sector have said that previous discussions led them to believe that the levy would be capped. Now, it’s being reported that mayors of the governing party are eyeing up a five per cent tax. The resilient sector has weathered much in recent years, so some are assuming that it’ll be able to adjust to this change, too.

Given the backlash, there may yet be some amendments made to the plan. For now, though, Burnham isn’t exactly winning over hospitality heads.

Terrorist fighter surrenders as troops arrest six suspected kidnappers in Adamawa

Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded further operational successes with the surrender of a Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorist and the arrest of six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate in separate operations in Borno and Adamawa states.

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Monday by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, troops of 29 Task Force Brigade, operating under Sector 2 OPHK, in conjunction with Forest Guards, received a repentant BH/ISWAP terrorist at Borgozo in Benisheikh Local Government Area of Borno State on September 13, 2026.

It explained that preliminary investigation revealed that the terrorist had escaped from a terrorist enclave with the intention of abandoning terrorism.

The statement said items recovered from him included one AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, four magazines, one improvised explosive device (IED), one magazine pouch and a bicycle.

It added that the surrendered terrorist was in military custody undergoing further investigation and profiling in accordance with extant procedures.

In a related development, troops of Sector 4 OPHK, acting on credible human intelligence about the activities of a suspected kidnapping syndicate operating around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State, mobilised and raided the identified hideout.

The operation led to the arrest of three suspected members of the syndicate and the recovery of one Dane gun.

The statement said further investigation and subsequent covert operations led to the arrest of three additional suspects, bringing the total number of arrested members of the syndicate to six.

According to the statement, preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate had been operating within the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero general areas of Song Local Government Area.

It added that the suspects reportedly admitted involvement in the abduction of several victims for ransom and other violent crimes within the area.

The suspects remained in military custody for further investigation and appropriate legal action, it stated.

The statement explained that the operations underscored the sustained pressure being mounted by troops of Operation HADIN KAI against terrorists and other criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.

It reaffirmed that the Theatre Command remained committed to sustaining offensive operations, denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action, creating a safer environment for law-abiding citizens and enabling socioeconomic activities to thrive.

Rising cost of living and its impact on students

The rising cost of living has turned the simple act of getting a decent meal into a source of anxiety. Many Nigerian students now ration their meals, survive on unhealthy alternatives, or attend lectures on empty stomachs. Hunger has become an invisible classmate, sitting quietly beside thousands of young people who are expected to learn, concentrate, and excel despite the odds. But how can a student concentrate when the stomach is empty?

The Federal Government has taken a commendable step through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial support, including an upkeep stipend for eligible students. However, one must ask: how far can a ?20,000 monthly stipend go in today’s economy, where the prices of food and other basic necessities continue to rise?

Financial assistance is helpful, but it loses much of its impact when inflation steadily erodes its purchasing power.

The long-term solution lies in addressing the root causes of the rising cost of living. Government must implement policies that curb inflation, stabilise food prices, strengthen the economy, and improve the purchasing power of citizens. Educational institutions and other stakeholders can complement these efforts through student support initiatives, but the primary responsibility for creating an economy where students can afford basic necessities rests with the government.

No student should have to choose between attending lectures and having a nutritious meal. If we truly believe that education is the foundation of national development, then we must ensure that those pursuing it are not doing so on empty stomachs.

BBNaija S11: Barry emerges new head of house, claims veto power

Big Brother Naija housemate, Muudumbari Pop-Yornwin, popularly known as Barry, has emerged as the new Head of House for the week, securing the ultimate veto power in the process.

Barry clinched the Head of House position during Monday’s HoH competition, giving him significant influence over the nomination process in the house.

With the ultimate veto power, Barry has the authority to influence nominations this week and next week, making his victory a major advantage as the competition progresses.

Following his emergence as Head of House, the housemates were given an opportunity to plead their cases before him. Each housemate has two minutes to pitch why they deserve to be saved from possible nomination this week.

This development has increased the tension among the housemates.

Sweden’s left wing leads election race as hard right faces setback

Sweden’s left-wing political bloc has taken the lead in the country’s general election, according to exit polls, potentially paving the way for former Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson to return to office.

The four-party left-wing bloc was projected to win 51.3% of the vote, compared with 46.8% for the right-wing alliance, according to exit polls published by Swedish public broadcaster SVT and TV4.

If confirmed by the final results, the outcome would see Social Democratic leader Andersson become prime minister again, after previously holding the post from 2021 to 2022.

The result would also represent a potential setback for the Sweden Democrats (SD), the hard-right party that has played a key role in supporting Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s conservative government.

Kristersson has pledged to offer cabinet positions to his right-wing allies if he remains in power. The Sweden Democrats, which have neo-Nazi roots, entered parliament in 2010 and became Sweden’s second-largest party in the 2022 election after campaigning heavily on immigration and violent crime.

Sunday’s exit polls suggested that the party could lose support for the first time since entering parliament.

Swedish politics is traditionally divided between two broad blocs, with four main parties on each side. Coalition and minority governments are therefore common, meaning the final balance of seats will be crucial in determining who can form the next government.

Andersson framed the election as a choice between continued cooperation under her leadership and a government in which the Sweden Democrats would have a much more powerful role.

‘Should we have a government entirely dominated by the Sweden Democrats, something that has never happened in Sweden before? Or should we have a government led by me, which will steer Sweden in a new spirit of co-operation?’ she said after casting her ballot.

Kristersson, meanwhile, defended his record and urged voters to allow his alliance to continue governing.

‘I think there is a genuine enthusiasm for us being able to continue our important work,’ he said after voting in his home municipality of Strängnäs.

National security, gang crime and welfare spending were among the dominant issues during the campaign.

A victory for Andersson would mark a significant political shift in Sweden, while a stronger-than-expected performance by the left would also challenge the growing influence of the Sweden Democrats in national politics.

However, the exit polls are not final results, and the composition of the next government will ultimately depend on the distribution of seats in parliament and the ability of the competing blocs to secure sufficient support to govern.

Zulum assents to Borno harmonised taxes, levies law

BORNO State governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has assented to the Borno State Model Harmonised Taxes and Levies Law, 2026, aimed at creating a more transparent and efficient system for the administration and collection of taxes and levies in the state.

The Joint Revenue Board (JRB), in a statement, on September 9, described the enactment as a significant step towards streamlining revenue administration and providing a clearer framework for taxpayers and businesses.

The board said the law would reduce multiple taxation and fragmented collection practices, while eliminating unauthorised and illegal roadblocks established for revenue collection.

It added that technology-driven processes, under the new framework, were expected to promote transparency, improve voluntary compliance and strengthen Borno’s internally generated revenue.

The JRB also said the law would enhance the ease of doing business and boost taxpayer confidence, with the broader objective of supporting sustainable socio-economic development in the state.

The board commended the Borno State government, the state House of Assembly and the State Internal Revenue Service for their collaboration in advancing the new framework.