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The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to align its actions with judicial directives and provide clear, consistent communication to prevent further confusion and unrest among constituents in Warri Federal Constituency of Delta State.

The group noted that the situation emphasises the importance of accountability in electoral processes and the necessity of adhering to legal frameworks established by higher courts.

The national spokesman of IYC, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, noted in a statement on Tuesday, that there is a notable discord between statements issued by INEC officials, with reports of the delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency being both suspended and not suspended.

He said this inconsistency raises questions about the internal communication and hierarchy within the INEC.

The IYC spokesman expressed concern over the apparent lack of clarity in INEC’s policies and the potential for public misinformation.

He recalled that a landmark ruling on December 2, 2022, declared the current delineation in Warri Federal Constituency as fraudulent and ineffective, mandating a comprehensive re-delineation by INEC. The IYC posed a critical question regarding the legality and appropriateness of INEC’s continuous voter registration in an area where the Supreme Court had deemed the electoral wards and units non-existent.

Princewill said, given the tension arising from INEC’s inconsistent handling of the re-delineation and voter registration process, the IYC is advocating for clarity in communication from INEC and adherence to the Supreme Court’s ruling.

He argued that until INEC implements its field report regarding the re-delineation in Warri Federal Constituency, it lacks the authority to conduct any voter registration in that area.

Princewill asserted, ‘Let it be known that the delay tactics employed by INEC in implementing its draft report won’t work, as it must not take the commission an eternity to put things together in Warri Federal Constituency. The Ijaw Youth Council will surely resist it with every fibre of its being.

‘INEC’s intentional delay and extension of the continuous voter registration exercise to Warri Federal Constituency is nothing short of contempt of court and an affront to the Nigerian judiciary in particular. If the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot fix an issue with a legal backing in just one federal constituency in Nigeria, what then will be the hope of Nigerians putting their trust in a credible election in Nigeria by the same INEC?

‘While we have continued to preach peace and the unity of Nigeria, the relevant authorities must be seen doing the right thing by not throwing this lovely and peaceful nation into another form of unrest on account of this.’

Bandits have abducted several motorists, including former SUBEB chairman, Mohammed Bawa Niworu, Niger State Independent Electoral Commissioner Ahmed Mohammed, his driver, and other passengers along the Mokwa-New Bussa road in Mashegu LGA.

The attack, which occurred Monday evening near the Ibbi National Park, saw armed men block the road and seize victims from multiple vehicles, including three commercial Sharon buses carrying traders from New Bussa market.

A Sharon driver who plies the route daily told our reporter that three Sharon vehicles with their passengers, who were traders returning from New Bussa weekly market, were taken to an unknown destination during the incident.

When contacted, the Niger State Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, saying that a Police patrol vehicle was damaged with gunshots in the process, adding that they abducted some passengers along the road from about three vehicles.

According to him, the police command has mobilised more tactical teams with other security agencies, and vigilante members trailing the suspected kidnappers with a view to rescuing the abducted victims and possible arrest of the hoodlums.

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the welfare and recognition of teachers in the country.

The government gave the assurance ahead of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebrated globally every October 5 to honour teachers and recognise their vital contributions to education and society.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad stated this on Monday during a symposium ahead of the World Teachers Day celebration on Sunday.

The theme for the 2025 celebration is ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession.’

The day was first proclaimed in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Education International (EI), and UNICEF, following the 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of Teachers.

Minister described teachers as the custodians of knowledge, the builders of character, and the architects of national future.

He lauded teachers as the foundation of every profession, stressing that their sacrifices keep the country alive.

Alausa said, ‘Honestly, you have the most important and the best profession in the country. Who makes a doctor? Who makes an engineer? Who makes a professor? It is the teacher. That is why the government is working assiduously to come up with better packages for you. Light is at the end of the tunnel.

‘For too long, teaching has often been practiced in isolation. But when teachers collaborate, students are the ultimate beneficiaries. They receive richer, more engaging instruction and witness firsthand the power of teamwork and shared responsibility.’

He further assured teachers that the government was determined to provide the recognition, training, and support they needed to thrive.

‘When you want the highest quality of education, what do you need? A high-quality teacher. And when you want a high-quality teacher, what should you do? Give them the recognition, the support, the training, and the cooperation that they need,’ he added.

The Minister commended teachers for producing world-class graduates who continue to excel globally.

‘Anywhere in the world, when they say a Nigerian student becomes a professional, they do so well. That’s the output of your work. We know we can’t pay you enough, but be proud of yourselves. On behalf of the President, I commend you for your sacrifices, your diligence, and your commitment to building our nation,’ he added.

A civil society group, Frontier Waves, has faulted remarks by Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno South at the Senate over his call for President Bola Tinubu to issue an executive order in resolving the dispute between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Ndume had said the president could act decisively, even ‘like a dictator,’ to end the crisis that reportedly arose after the alleged disengagement of over 800 refinery workers.

‘The best thing is for the president to sign an executive order calling them off. He has the right to dissolve them. In this case, I don’t mind if he acts like a dictator because some situations require very drastic measures,’ Ndume had said.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Frontier Waves expressed concern over the senator’s position, saying it did not reflect the role of a lawmaker in a democracy.

The statement, jointly signed by the group’s President, Oluwa Vincent, and Secretary, Ramsey Nede, noted that rather than recommending strong-arm measures, the senator should have encouraged dialogue to resolve the dispute between the refinery management and the union.

The group stressed that trade unions such as PENGASSAN and NUPENG are recognized under Nigerian law and have historically played important roles in protecting workers’ rights in the oil and gas sector.

According to Frontier Waves, ‘When two parties have issues, the best way is to look for ways to resolve their differences amicably. Calling for dictatorial action against unions undermines the democratic values Nigerians uphold.’

The group further urged President Tinubu to promote dialogue and reconciliation in the matter, adding that respect for union rights is central to sustaining Nigeria’s democratic system.

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Tuesday said mass road networks across the FCT will give credibility to Nigeria’s quest to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030.

The projects, Wike said, were anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike said this at the official flagged off of the construction of Arterial Road S1 with a three-span bridge from Ring Road II to the FCT Fire Service station in Kaura District, Abuja.

The minister said the crucial road will not only open up the Kaura District for development but will also enhance the operational capacity of the Fire Service Station within the area.

The Minister said; ‘It will help the fire service station in case of emergencies. By the time this road is constructed with a three-span bridge, of course, anywhere there is any fire incident and they are called upon, they will respond immediately. Again, this is also to contribute to their efficiency in their job delivery’.

Wike expressed confidence that the contractor, Infiouest Construction Company, which is currently undertaking the Abuja/Kaduna/Zaria Road, will deliver a good quality job and appealed to the company to also give opportunity to the youths to participate in the road construction.

He said: ‘I understand that Nigeria is bidding to host the Commonwealth Games, and it will be difficult for us to achieve that if we don’t have a good network of roads. When the Committee comes and they see that the basic infrastructure is being provided, that gives us the leverage to be given the hosting rights of the Commonwealth Games.

‘So, all these linkages, all these networks of roads are also geared to showcase to the world that we have a city that can host the Commonwealth Games’.

Stressing that the construction and rehabilitation of key roads in each of the six Area Councils was designed to extend development beyond the city centre, Wike reiterated that Abuja city will compete with some of the developed cities of the world by the end of President Tinubu’s first tenure.

‘As I have said before, it is the hope of the Renewed Hope Agenda that before the first tenure of Mr. President ends, Abuja will be a different place. Abuja will be competing with some other cities of the world’, the Minister stated.

Minister of State, FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for his leadership and vision in the provision of infrastructure that directly improves the lives of the people and thanked the FCT Minister for his consistent drive to transform Abuja into a modern, functional, and inclusive city.

Providing an overview of the road project, the Acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Yunana Dauda, said access roads being developed under the project included part of Arterial Road S1 to connect to the Ring Road II in collector Road CS2, as well as a minor access road that formed part of the Kaura District Development.

He said the scope of work includes the construction of 2.4km of asphalt-paved roads with the three-span bridge, surface water drainage, as well as erosion control measures, among other engineering services, adding that the road project, during its construction, will provide direct and indirect job opportunities.

In a night dedicated to celebrating excellence in brand building and strategic communication, Tolu Olanipekun, Head of Marketing at Mouka Foam, emerged as a beacon of industry leadership, clinching the coveted Outstanding Marketing Personality of the Year award at the Marketing Edge Awards 2025.

Held on Friday, September 26, at the Balmoral Event Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, the ceremony brought together Nigeria’s most influential marketing professionals, brand custodians, and communications strategists.

The event, hosted annually by Marketing Edge, one of Nigeria’s foremost marketing and advertising publications, recognises individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional innovation, consistency, and impact in the field.

Olanipekun’s recognition is a celebration of a remarkable career that spans over a decade and a half, marked by strategic excellence and an unwavering commitment to consumer-centric marketing. From her early days at Reckitt Benckiser, where she helped redefine brand narratives in the health, hygiene, and home care segment, to leading transformative campaigns at FrieslandCampina and now Mouka, her journey has been one of vision, grit, and growth.

Currently leading the marketing efforts at Mouka Foam, a trusted name in sleep and wellness products, Olanipekun has steered the brand through bold repositioning strategies that not only amplified its relevance but also deepened emotional connections with consumers. Her campaigns have consistently broken the clutter in a crowded media landscape, delivering both creative storytelling and measurable results.

Speaking at the event after receiving the award, an elated Olanipekun remarked: ‘This recognition is truly humbling. For me, it is not just an award but a call to keep raising the bar and delivering excellence. Marketing is about connecting brands to people in ways that add value to their lives, and I am grateful to my team and mentors who have been part of this journey.’

Her statement captures the essence of a marketer who sees beyond campaigns and billboards, one who believes in purpose-driven branding that touches lives.

Industry stakeholders have praised the choice of Olanipekun, one of this year’s honourees, citing her ability to blend creativity with commercial insight.

According to Marketing Edge, the selection was based on ‘her strategic influence in redefining brand narratives across multiple sectors, as well as her role in mentoring upcoming marketers and driving industry-wide innovation.’

Indeed, Olanipekun’s success story is not just about individual achievement but about the impact she continues to make on teams, brands, and the broader marketing ecosystem. Her leadership style, collaborative, curious, and always forward-thinking, has positioned her as a respected voice on industry panels and in executive boardrooms alike.

With this recognition, Olanipekun is poised to further solidify her role as a thought leader and trailblazer in Nigeria’s marketing and brand communication space. Whether through groundbreaking campaigns at Mouka or mentorship initiatives across the industry, her influence is set to expand in the years to come.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday hosted the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance at the State House in Abuja, declaring Nigeria a fertile ground for global partnerships and a dependable ally of the BRICS bloc.

Welcoming the delegation led by Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the Alliance, Mrs. Tinubu described Nigeria as ‘a very interesting place that you will find rewarding for partnerships.’

She assured the visitors of her office’s continued advocacy for women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship while clarifying the statutory role of government ministries in driving concrete economic engagements.

‘My office will continue to provide advocacy and encouragement, but the ministries have the statutory responsibilities and budgets to support your mission.

‘I do a lot of programmes through my foundation, but when it comes to women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship, the ministries are the right partners. My role is to complement, advise, and facilitate’, she said.

The First Lady highlighted her humanitarian work through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), noting personal commitments to education, women, and children.

She recalled dedicating her 65th birthday to fundraising for a national library project and announced plans to distribute sanitary kits to schoolgirls in Gombe State as part of her outreach to rural communities.

In her remarks, Nesterova praised Mrs. Tinubu as ‘an incredible woman who not only changes lives for the better but also paves the way for a prosperous future for the Nigerian people.’

She disclosed plans by the Alliance to establish a regional office in Nigeria to serve as a gateway for women entrepreneurs into international markets.

She also announced a donation of 1,000 labour and delivery kits to support maternal health in Nigeria, while highlighting the Alliance’s global reach: ‘Our Common Digital Platform currently connects more than 3,000 businesswomen from 60 countries, and last year, the BRICS Women’s Startups Contest attracted 50 applications from Nigeria alone.’

The Russian delegation included senior executives and academics such as Ms. Liudmila Shcherbakova of VET PHARM Group, Ms. Natalia Vershinina of United Migration Center, Prof. Liudmila Popova of Orel State University, and Ms. Anna Meshcheryakova of Third Opinion AI.

They expressed readiness to collaborate in areas ranging from pharmaceuticals and labour mobility to financial literacy and AI-driven healthcare solutions.

Following the courtesy call, the visitors joined Nigerian officials at a technical session in the State House Banquet Hall focused on ‘Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Exploring Investment Opportunities between Nigeria and Russia.’

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the engagement as a new chapter in Nigeria-Russia relations.

‘This gathering must go beyond symbolism. It should deliver actionable frameworks for cooperation, joint ventures, and enduring networks between Nigerian and Russian women entrepreneurs’, she said.

She linked the talks to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope foreign policy agenda, stressing that empowering women is ‘not just a moral duty but a strategic investment in national growth and stability.’

Also speaking, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, recalled over six decades of Nigeria-Russia cooperation in education, technology, defence, and energy.

She noted that Nigerian women own over 40 percent of small and medium enterprises and constitute nearly 39 percent of registered exporters.

‘With Nigeria’s demographic strength and entrepreneurial dynamism, and Russia’s technological expertise, our two nations can pursue mutually beneficial partnerships in agriculture, food security, mining, energy, the digital economy, and healthcare,’ Oduwole said.

She underscored Nigeria’s gateway role under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), offering investors access to a $3 trillion market of 1.3 billion people.

Other speakers included the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulieman-Ibrahim, and the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who both stressed the importance of women and youth in driving innovation and inclusive growth.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the planned arraignment of a politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, for making false claims against President Bola Tinubu to October 27.

Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters and serial presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), was to be arraigned on Tuesday on a five-count charge brought against him and two others by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The two other defendants listed in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.

At the mention of the case on Tuesday, lawyer to the prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, noted that the matter was scheduled for arraignment and applied that the defendants’ plea be taken.

Lawyer to Sowore, Marshall Abubakar objected, noting that one of the defendants – X Incorp – was not represented by either a lawyer or an official.

Abubakar claimed that his client had not yet been served with the charge. He also noted that X was not represented.

The defence lawyer contended that, in a criminal case, it is mandatory that all the defendants are present in court for a proper arraignment to take place.

At that point, the judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, looked through the case file and confirmed that X and Meta were served with the charge electronically, through their email addresses.

On noting that Sowore was yet to be served personally (as required), the prosecuting lawyer sought the court’s permission to serve Sowore (who was in court) during the proceedings, a request the judge granted.

Sowore’s lawyer, however, prayed for an adjournment to allow his client, who was just served the charge, adequate time and opportunity to prepare for his defense as provided under Section 282(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

Justice Umar then adjourned till October 27 for arraignment.

The charge was filed on September 16, a few days after an earlier request by the DSS on Facebook and X, the platforms allegedly deployed by Sowore for his said false claim, to pull the misleading message down.

In the charge, Sowore, the presidential candidate of the AAC in 2019, is accused of contravening the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act.

Counts in the charge read:

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 25th day of August, 2025, did use your official X handle page, @Yele Sowore, to send out a message/ tweet as: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ which you know the said message to be false but posted it for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, especially among individuals, who hold divergent views on the personality of the President and CommanderinChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025, did use your official Facebook page, Omoyele Sowore, to send out a message/ post as: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ which you know the said message/post to be false, but posted it for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, especially among individuals who hold divergent views on the personality of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 25th day of August, 2025, using the instrumentality of X, via your official X account @Yele Sowore, did knowingly publish defamatory material on your online platform viz: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly, against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025, using the instrumentality of Facebook, via your official Facebook account Omoyele Sowore, did knowingly publish defamatory material on your online platform viz: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), and thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025 with intent to cause public fear and disturbance, published false information on your official X and Facebook accounts @Yele Sowore, respectively, against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under the same Act

Spotify has released its list of the most-streamed Afrobeats artists worldwide for 2025, with Burna Boy leading the chart.

Rema secured second place, followed by Wizkid in third, Asake in fourth, and Ayra Starr in fifth-the only female artist on the list.

Ayra Starr’s rise was boosted by the success of her hit track ‘Hot Body,’ which drove her streaming numbers into the top five.

Fans and music lovers have celebrated the ranking, hailing Burna Boy’s dominance while applauding Spotify for recognizing Afrobeats’ growing global influence, with Nigeria at the heart of the genre’s success.

It will be a nostalgic homecoming for members of Bishop Howells Memorial Grammar School Old Students Association, as the school is set to mark a historic milestone of its 45th anniversary in grand style.

Over the years, the school has a storied history of academic excellence and notable alumni.

According to the President, Mr Afinah Sadiq, there will be lots of thrilling moments, which will create avenues and opportunities for all to reunite, reconnect, network, relive the past, and create a platform to meet and channel a greater path for the school.

The progamme will begin on Thursday, October 2, 2025, with a novelty football match at 10:00 am at the school premises.

The climax of the anniversary festivities will occur on Friday, October 3, with a special thanksgiving service of song to be held at the school hall by 9:00 am prompt; A medical outreach for Howellians will also hold by 10:00 am; a Reunion and Networking event around 12:00 pm; Entertainment and Refreshment by 1:00 pm.

The celebration promises to honor the past while inspiring future generations of Nigerians to uphold the school’s distinguished tradition of excellence, just as the school continues to thrive as a beacon of learning, leadership, and service in Nigeria.

‘We call on all old students to come around, let’s celebrate the school’s 45 years of excellence. Please join us as we commemorate this significant milestone and look forward to a brighter future for Bishop Howells Memorial Grammar School.’ Afinah added.