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First Lady Oluremi Tinubu yesterday re-emphasised that no Nigerian mother should lose her life while giving birth, as she commissioned two major health facilities in Gombe State.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 100-bed Senator Oluremi Tinubu Maternal and Child Specialist Hospital, the First Lady described healthcare – particularly maternal and child health – as central to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

According to a statement issued by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady said ‘the commissioning of this hospital is not just the unveiling of a building; it is the opening of doors to life, to hope, and to a healthier future for our mothers and our children.

‘Healthcare, especially maternal and child health, is at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, which seeks to ensure that every Nigerian child has a healthy start in life, and that no mother dies while birthing life’, Mrs. Tinubu declared.

She commended the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for building the hospital, noting that the facility would significantly help reduce maternal and infant mortality while bringing relief to families in Gombe and neighboring states.

‘It is my belief that this facility will provide quality healthcare services, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and bring relief to families in Gombe State and beyond,’ the First Lady said, while urging medical professionals, community leaders, and citizens to ensure the facility serves its purpose with excellence, compassion, and integrity.

In addition to the specialist hospital, Senator Tinubu also commissioned the ultra-modern New College of Nursing and Midwifery, Gombe, where she interacted with enthusiastic students who expressed gratitude for her visit.

The First Lady’s engagements in Gombe form part of her ongoing nationwide advocacy for improved healthcare and education under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She has since returned to Abuja after her two-day official visit to the state.

Bandits killed and abducted many residents of Zamfara on Friday evening.

They also blocked Mayanchi – Anka road in Zamfara where they carried out their enterprise.

One of the motorists that escaped the roadblock Malam Muhammad Ahmad said the bandits were heavily armed.

‘The bandits blocked us on the road and kidnapped many people, some of us scattered and ran into the bushes. Those that escaped among us were those that run into bushes where long crops were planted,’ Ahmad said.

‘My colleague Abubakar Lawali Sardauna was killed because he refused to be abducted saying that, he will not follow the bandits to the bush,’ he added.

Efforts to reach Zamfara Police spokesman, DSP Yazid Abubakar were not successful.

Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the procurement of a 60-megawatt gas turbine by his administration was a milestone worth celebrating by the state as it turned 29 on October 1, 2025.

Governor Diri also stated that when fully installed, it would not only guarantee 24-hour power supply in the state but would also create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Diri stated this in a statewide broadcast on the twin occasion of Nigeria’s 65th Independence and Bayelsa’s 29th statehood anniversary on October 1, 2025.

While congratulating Nigeria’s leader, President Bola Tinubu, as well as the people of the country and Bayelsa on the anniversary celebrations, Governor Diri expressed the hope of better days ahead.

According to him, his Assured Prosperity administration continues to progress with landmark projects, including the nine-storey state secretariat complex that would provide efficient administrative space for public servants.

Senator Diri equally stated that the ongoing construction of the 25,000-capacity stadium would foster youth development as the facility would inspire young people and showcase Bayelsa on a larger scale.

He said: ‘The recent arrival of the 60-megawatt gas turbines marks a major milestone and brings us much closer to reliable, round-the-clock power in our state. That development will reduce household expenses, attract investment, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

‘Work is also progressing well on other landmark projects. The nine-storey State Secretariat complex is advancing steadily and will provide modern, efficient administrative space for our public servants and the people they serve. To foster sports and youth development, we are building a 25,000-capacity, Olympic-standard stadium – a facility that will inspire our young people and showcase Bayelsa on the national and international stage.

On development in the education sector, he said the state had recorded significant progress in academic performance and infrastructure upgrade.

‘Our schools are improving. Recent NECO results have shown strong performances by our students, with Bayelsa among the top five states in Nigeria. To deepen pragmatic education, we have established science, technical and vocational colleges in every local government area.

‘The ones at Ayamasa, Ofoni, Swali, Sampou and Opume have been completed and functional while others are nearing completion in Brass, Igbeta-Ewoma and Oporoma.’

They have started again. They are busy backslapping themselves as if the points deduction translates to getting the Group C’s 2026 World Cup qualification ticket. Nigeria’s game against Lesotho will be taking place in the next four days, precisely next Friday in Durban, a South African city, with no counter plans to ensure that fans depart the country to support the Super Eagles. They have forgotten that the bad blood arising from the three points’ deduction would play a definitive role in the outcome of the penultimate game between Lesotho in Durban.

In their wild jubilations, it is important to remind our football chieftains that the South Africans are planning to appeal the deduction of three points and three goals from Bafana Bafana’s hitherto 17 points tally to its 14 points, which will see them to the second position in Group C’s World Cup qualification table. Trust our federation chiefs to wave off any fruitful results from SAFA’s protest without critically perusing its contents to the letter. Getting lawyers to advise them on the appeal’s merits won’t be a bad idea. Certainly not in our administrators’ character. What would shock you would be the laughable undercurrents employed by many of them to get FIFA to take a decision which the South Africans are saying was taken by one member rather than by the disciplinary committee. Isn’t this a likely case of walking into an ambush?

SAFA members, in an official letter, have said they were disappointed with the decision and will launch a formal appeal within the next 10 days stipulated by the FIFA disciplinary rules.

‘As SAFA, we are deeply disappointed with this unprecedented outcome noting, that it was delivered by a single-member panel without reasons, and without affording the association an opportunity to present legal arguments,’ read the official response in part.

‘The association confirms that we have requested written reasons for the judgment and intend to lodge a formal appeal with the FIFA Appeals Committee within the prescribed 10-day period under the disciplinary rules.

Could it be true that only one FIFA member decided the decision to deduct three points and three goals from Bafana Bafana’s hitherto 17 points instead of the disciplinary committee members as required? Are the South Africans saying that they ought to have been asked to defend themselves for an issue expressly stated in the rulebook by FIFA? Of course, these posers by South Africans and many others to be submitted in their must be completed in the next 10 days.

The pertinent question to ask FIFA chiefs would be if the appeal would be dealt with quickly, such that it doesn’t set the stage where the Group’s decider would be played on different dates and not simultaneously as stipulated on such matters for fairness?

Bafana Bafana will face Zimbabwe for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on October 10. The Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, will host the 2026 World Cup qualifying clash between Lesotho and Nigeria’s Super Eagles, also on October 10. The other poser would be which of the two matches in Durban and Polokwane would the South Africans want to watch? Isn’t this where the Super Eagles would be walking into an ambush in Polokwane with South Africans trooping out in their numbers to root for Lesotho?

With exactly six days to the October 10 clash against Lesotho, it is quite refreshing to note that Osimhen will be playing the two matches. Super Eagles have tottered in all the matches that Osimhen was missing. It easily explains why we are in this precarious level where every second in the last two qualifiers could bring celebrations or grief, depending on our players’ attitude in the course of the two games.

One would have thought that after missing the Qatar 2022 World Cup, our football chieftains, the players, coaches, and the sports commission members would have learned their lesson. Not so here.

Grapevine news around sports, especially in the football circle, is filled with tales that Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima Mustapha is the reason Golden Eaglets’ Coach Manu Garba wasn’t sacked after a shambolic outing with the team last year. I have chosen to bring it to Shettima’s notice because he is too busy to be identified with the dubious acts of idle people around the beautiful game.

The more ridiculous thing about this nauseating tale is that Garba didn’t do well again with the Golden Eaglets this year. One would have thought the NFF chieftains would have sponsored Garba to yearly coaching clinics to brush up his knowledge of the game since he guided Nigeria to lift the FIFA U-17 World Cup diadem in 2013, which is what other soccer climes’ administrators do when such feats are achieved.

In football-efficient countries, the FA members would have kept the winning coaching team of Garba, Emmanuel Amunike, and Nduka Ugbade intact and make sure that they upgrade their knowledge yearly, especially when Amunike and Ugbade guided another crop of brilliant Golden Eaglets players to retain the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2015.

Rather than smear the Vice President’s name with this mess, talebearers should persuade their trumpeters of falsehood to assemble Amunike and Ugbade to start the process of assembling a new set of Golden Eaglets for next year, while Garba is sent on a two-year course to update his rustic soccer tactics.

The Vice President is too civilised, focused, and busy with other national issues to be involved in such dubious tendencies of encouraging failures to remain in positions that require qualified coaches, in this instance. Those dropping the name of the Vice President should back off! A coach is as good as his last game. Indeed, there are two types of coaches. Those waiting to be sacked and those already sacked.

The period between now and 2013 is 12 years. Only remedial courses and upgrading of coaching licenses can make a football coach be in sync with the new trends of coaching that are always dynamic. In fact, in 2013, Ugbade and Amunike functioned as assistant coaches to Garba. Need I mention what Amunike received from reputable European managers during his soccer career, including being crowned the Africa Footballer of the Year? Recall that it was Amunike’s nifty chip in the Atlanta’96 Olympic Games’ soccer finals that gave Nigeria the 3-2 victory and gold medal. He also scored a goal at the 1994 World Cup, including other feats. It is also on record that Amunike has attended several coaching seminars, clinics, and has functioned in different Technical Committees for FIFA and CAF.

Ugbade was captain of the Nigeria U-16 male soccer team that won the 1985 FIFA U-16 World Cup in China, beating Germany 2-0, with the intercontinental ballistic missile (apologies to the late commentator Ernest Okonkwo) shot from the left foot of Victor Igbinoba being the second goal. Ugbade was also a member of The Miracle of Dammam team, the name given to the result of a quarter-final football match between the Nigerian U-20 football team and the USSR U-20 football team at the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia in which the Nigerian team came back from four goals down to level up and go on to win on penalties. No disrespect to Garba’s records as a player. Indeed, being a great player doesn’t translate to being a successful coach.

Bringing a baby into the world is beautiful, but let’s be honest, it can also be overwhelming. Sleepless nights, new routines, and the pressure to ‘get it right’ can take a toll on both parents. What many people don’t talk about enough is postpartum depression (PPD), and the truth is: your wife might not just be ‘tired.’ She might be struggling with something deeper.

As a husband, knowing what to look out for, and how to show up, can make all the difference.

What Is postpartum depression?

Postpartum depression is more than mood swings or the so-called ‘baby blues.’ It’s a serious condition that can affect how your wife feels, thinks, and bonds with the baby. It usually shows up within the first few weeks after delivery, but sometimes it comes months later.

Signs to watch out for:

Persistent sadness or hopelessness

Irritability or unexplained anger

Loss of interest in things she used to enjoy

Trouble bonding with the baby

Extreme fatigue or changes in sleep and appetite

Thoughts of guilt, worthlessness, or being a ‘bad mother’

Why husbands matter

Here’s the part many men miss: you play a central role in her healing. Your support, patience, and understanding can ease her load more than you realize.

How you can help

Listen Without Judging: Sometimes, she just wants to talk. You don’t need to fix everything, just be present.

Step In at Home: Diaper duty, late-night feeding, helping with chores, these small acts are big gestures. They show her she’s not alone.

Encourage Rest; Gently insist she takes breaks, naps, or even short walks. Rest is fuel.

Normalise seeking help: Therapy or professional care isn’t a weakness. Encourage her to talk to a doctor if symptoms persist

Take Care of Yourself Too

Supporting her is easier if you’re also physically and mentally okay. Don’t neglect your own health.

The Nigerian reality

In many Nigerian homes, conversations about mental health are still whispered. Cultural expectations often tell women to ‘endure’ or ‘pray it away.’ While faith and prayer are important, they don’t replace emotional care. As her husband, you can break that silence and lead with compassion.

Final Note

Postpartum depression doesn’t mean your wife is weak or failing. It means she’s human. And your role isn’t just to provide? it’s to partner. If you step in with empathy and patience, you create the space for her healing, for your baby’s growth, and for your family’s peace.

With over two decades of championing Nigeria’s creative industries with several initiatives such as the Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF), The Nigerian Jazz Project (NAIJAZZ), The Creative Community, (LABULE), The Tale of Two African Cities (TOTAC – Lagos/Johannesburg) amongst others, CEO Inspiro Productions/Founder, The Planet Afrobeats Project, Ayoola Sadare is making a case for Lagos State to be officially recognised as the Afrobeats capital of the world.

He insisted that Afrobeats superstars like Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Tems, Rema, Ayra Starr and many others have transcended regional and continental lines to become a global cultural force.

‘From chart-topping hits dominating international airwaves to selling out arenas from London to New York, the world is listening and Lagos is always at the center. The city is in the lyrics, the visuals, and provides the soundtrack for the creative energy that fuels the culture. Lagos is the origin and Launchpad for this global phenomenon.

‘Lagos is already the Afrobeats capital of the world, the only problem? It hasn’t been officially recognised. Lagos, the heartbeat of a genre that has crossed oceans and conquered global charts, stages and audiences across the world, from the bustling streets of Surulere to the neon glow of Victoria Island, the city has nurtured the sound, raised its stars, and set the rhythm for a generation. The official recognition and declaration from the state, federal government and international organisations like the UN Tourism and others of what the world already knows and is a fact, Afrobeats begins and thrives in Lagos, Nigeria Is what is needed next.

‘But every day without the official recognition, Nigeria loses vast opportunities in year-round sustainable tourism, massive job creation, foreign and local investment, and the global branding power Afrobeats offers. This recognition is not merely symbolic but catalytic. It positions Lagos as a year-round sustainable creative tourism destination, beyond the now popular ‘Detty December,’ for signature festivals, conferences, creative residencies, heritage trails, and cultural expos that keep the megacity vibrant all year long.

Lagos was agog as the Foursquare Gospel Church celebrated Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a prophetic gathering at the historic Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos-the very ground where the Green-White-Green flag was first hoisted on October 1, 1960.

Worshippers also gathered simultaneously across all the church’s worship centres nationwide.

The event, tagged ‘Refreshing Dew,’ was distinct from the church’s quarterly Holy Spirit Refreshing Vigil and marked the last major gathering for the quarter. It featured powerful song ministrations by renowned gospel artistes, including Deacon Adun Bohan, Pastor Tope Folajinmi, and Emma ‘Oh My God,’ leading the congregation in vibrant praise and worship.

Ministering at the programme, the General Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Revd. Dr. Sam Aboyeji, who made prophetic declarations concerning the nation.

Speaking under divine instruction, he explained that the Lord had directed him to carry out symbolic acts at the source of Nigeria’s independence.

Reading from 2 Kings 2:19-21, Aboyeji declared a spiritual cleansing over the land, likening Nigeria’s challenges to the ‘bad water’ healed by Prophet Elisha. His sermon, titled ‘Restoring Complete and Perfect Blessings,’ emphasized that God intends to restore and perfect Nigeria’s blessings.

‘Today, October 1, 2025, as Nigeria turns 65, we have returned to the very place where independence was proclaimed. This is prophetic fulfillment. God wants to restore this nation’s blessings, and by spiritual authority, every obstacle-the ‘but’ we have been contending with-shall be erased,’ Aboyeji proclaimed.

Explaining the symbolism of white attire worn by worshippers, he said: ‘Salt is white, and you are the salt of the earth. God brought you here to neutralize corruption in Nigeria. Whatever happened on October 1, 1960, that hindered the nation’s destiny is corrected here today by the authority of the Lord.’

In a symbolic act, Aboyeji invited Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Lagos State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to join him on the altar as they held the Nigerian flag and made prophetic declarations, drawing from Leviticus 25:13.

In his remarks, Bishop Adegbite described the event as historic: ‘There was no national parade in Abuja today, but this gathering is bigger than any national parade. Rev. Aboyeji had no knowledge of our coming, yet God orchestrated it. As the chaplain at the Aso Rock Villa, I affirm that this is divine confirmation.’

Adegbite also prayed for the General Overseer, the church, and the nation.

The celebration also coincided with the 70th anniversary (Platinum Jubilee) of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. Aboyeji congratulated members and urged them to see the day as both a national and spiritual jubilee. He further announced the church’s Annual National Convention, themed ‘Completion and Perfection,’ scheduled to hold at the Ajebo Campground, Ogun State, from October 6-12, 2025.

The independence celebration was marked with joy, prophecy, and hope, as thousands lifted prayers for Nigeria’s peace, restoration, and progress.

Rivera State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reflected on past challenges during the period of emergency saying some permanent secretaries in the state failed to uphold due process and professionalism.

The governor spoke while inaugurating a new Permanent Secretary, Mr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, in his first appointment since resuming office after the emergency rule.

Fubara charged the permanent secretary to remain unwavering in professionalism, uphold the values of the civil service, and shun any act of illegality in the discharge of his responsibilities.

The governor during the swearing in ceremony held at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to due process and integrity, stressing that the civil service must remain the backbone of good governance.

Fubara in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, lamented that some Permanent Secretaries engaged in actions that undermined the principles of the service.

He warned that such conduct was unacceptable and that erring officials would ultimately be held accountable.

The governor praised Mr. Ezekiel-Hart for his professionalism and refusal to compromise his integrity despite pressures, noting that his steadfastness and principled stance earned him the new appointment.

He pointed out that the appointee’s colleagues could attest to his record of doing the right thing even in difficult circumstances.

Fubara further emphasised that civil servants must remain consistent in their service, prioritising truth, fairness, and due process above personal or political interests.

He stressed that no directive, regardless of its source, should override established rules and procedures, assuring that his administration would never pressure officers to act outside the law.

The governor reiterated that his government was more focused on tangible results than on rhetoric, adding that all appointments were based strictly on merit, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to service.

The governor explained that Mr. Ezekiel-Hart’s elevation reflected his choice to stand as a true professional, and that his administration expected every official to act rightly so that history would judge them well.

Fubara urged the new Permanent Secretary to justify his elevation with improved performance, reminding him of the greater responsibilities attached to the office, while assuring him of the government’s full support.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to improving Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said.

The presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election made the remark on Thursday during a meeting with a European Union (EU) delegation led by a member of the European parliament and head of the 2023 EU election observation mission to Nigeria, Barry Andrews.

His words: ‘It is worrisome that two years down the line, we are yet to see indications that INEC is committed to an improved electoral process,’ Atiku said in a statement via X on Friday.

‘Expectations are high that the Independent National Electoral Commission will urgently work with the National Assembly to give citizens election laws that guarantee transparent and credible elections, where every vote counts.’

Empahasising that Nigerians are eager for reforms that will ensure free, fair, and transparent polls, Atiku noted that only credible elections can safeguard democracy and produce leaders capable of uniting the country and driving economic growth.

Atiku assured that ‘we shall continue to support efforts by CSOs, local and foreign Election Observations Missions (EOMs), including the EU-EOM, that will lead to genuine electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 General elections.

‘We believe that only through credible elections shall we safeguard our democracy and recruit leaders that will ensure unity and economic prosperity of Nigeria,’ he added.

There is an atmosphere of joy and celebration as Plateau people look forward to receive President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in Jos, the Plateau state capital today.

Though the President is coming for the funeral programme of late Mana Lydia Nentawe, mother of the national chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda , the atmosphere appeared like Tinubu is coming on a State visit to Plateau going by the enthusiasm of the people.

A statement by Commissioner for Information and Communication Hon. Joyce Ramnap informed there is massive mobilisation by the State Government to receive the President in Jos.

Security has been beefed up at the premises of Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) headquarters Jos venue of the funeral mass.

The event is scheduled for 11am but as of 7 am, sympathisers have already started trooping in to the church.

Government officials were already at the Yakubu Gowon Airport waiting to receive the President,who is visiting Plateau for the first time since assuming office