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Afrobeats sensation CKay has announced the upcoming release of his new single, ‘BODY’, featuring rising star Mavo, set to drop on October 23.

A teaser video by CKay gives fans a glimpse of the high-energy track, showcasing the duo performing with electric guitars, backed by a live band.

The 31-second teaser hints at a unique fusion of Afrobeats and rock influences, with dramatic lighting, quick cuts, and dynamic set designs adding a cinematic flair.

Mavo, known for his viral hit ‘Escaladizzy’ and signature Burbur Music style, brings a fresh energy to the collaboration.

The release comes after CKay’s recent successful album, EMOTIONS, and adds to his series of hits that have gained recognition worldwide.

The Imo State Police Command, in synergy with other security agencies, has deployed watertight security to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

The Command said it has uncovered following intelligence report, plans by certain groups to stage protests demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for treasonable felony.

The public relations officer, Henry Okoye, said a joint security show-of-force operation is ongoing across the state, involving the police, military, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC, and other sister agencies to reassure citizens of their safety.

He said: ‘The exercise is aimed at boosting public confidence, reassuring residents of their safety, and warning individuals or groups against any action that may disrupt the existing peace in the State.’

He noted that while the Command respects citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, any act capable of disrupting public order or endangering safety will be met with firm and lawful resistance.

He warned all criminal elements and mischief-makers to desist from actions that could threaten the peace of the state.

Many residents chose to stay indoors to observe the ongoing protest, opting to avoid the streets for fear of unrest.

As a result, offices, schools, and business establishments were shut down, contributing to an unusually quiet atmosphere throughout the city.

The usual hustle and bustle of daily life was noticeably absent, with only a few individuals venturing outside.

Those who appeared on the roads were mainly passengers patiently waiting to board few buses, hoping to reach their destinations despite the disruptions.

The streets, normally crowded and vibrant, appeared almost deserted, reflecting the widespread impact of the protest on everyday activities.

The Forum of Retired Oil Workers has commended the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) for its bold reforms, transparency initiatives, and renewed investor confidence under the leadership of its Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe.

In a statement on Monday signed by its president, Richard Jackson, the forum described Komolafe’s leadership as ‘visionary, reform-driven, and deeply aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to reposition the oil and gas sector for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.’

The group noted that the series of policy initiatives and operational reforms introduced by the NUPRC since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) have revitalised investor trust, boosted production output, and strengthened Nigeria’s position as an attractive energy investment hub in Africa.

‘The Commission’s approach under Engr. Gbenga Komolafe represents a decisive shift from bureaucracy to performance. By focusing on regulatory clarity, transparency, and accountability, the NUPRC has restored credibility to the upstream sector and demonstrated that Nigeria remains open for responsible and profitable investment,’ the statement reads.

The forum noted that the 28 Field Development Plans (FDPs) approved by the Commission in 2025 alone, projected to deliver 600,000 barrels of oil per day and more than 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas daily, underscore a strategic turnaround for the industry.

‘These are not mere figures; they represent renewed life in an industry once bogged down by uncertainty and underinvestment. An additional 1.4 billion barrels of oil and 5.4 trillion cubic feet of gas unlocked in one year shows that the reforms are not cosmetic; they are delivering measurable results,’ Jackson added.

According to the forum, Komolafe’s regulatory model has not only driven production but also attracted significant capital inflows, with over $18 billion in new investment commitments recorded this year.

The retired oil workers said this scale of investor response was proof that the Commission’s transparent licensing rounds and fiscal stability measures were being recognised globally.

‘From the 2022 Petroleum Prospecting Licences to the 2024 deep offshore bid round, every process has been transparent and benchmarked to international standards. That is the type of leadership and accountability we had always hoped to see in Nigeria’s oil industry,’ the group observed.

The forum particularly praised the Commission’s collaboration with host communities and its emphasis on decarbonisation and energy transition through measurable frameworks that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.

‘Komolafe has brought a pragmatic approach to energy transition; one that recognises the need for cleaner energy while protecting Nigeria’s economic stability,’ Jackson said.

‘The Decade of Gas initiative, complemented by the Commission’s Decarbonisation Framework, shows that the regulator understands both the global conversation and local realities.’

The retired oil professionals also lauded the Commission’s enforcement of 24 new regulations aligned with the PIA, describing them as ‘a solid foundation for a predictable, investor-friendly operating environment’.

‘Rig activity rising from just 8 in 2021 to 70 today, alongside rising oil output to 1.8 million barrels per day, are strong indicators that the NUPRC’s strategies are working,’ the statement said.

The forum urged the Commission to sustain its reform momentum, deepen stakeholder engagement, and continue to hold operators accountable to global safety, governance, and transparency standards.

‘We believe the NUPRC is writing a new chapter in Nigeria’s oil and gas history. Under Komolafe’s stewardship, the sector is becoming more efficient, responsible, and profitable. That is the best tribute to decades of work by Nigerians who built this industry,’ the statement added.

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has taken a bold step in translating President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda into tangible reality with the commissioning of its multi-million naira state-of-the-art office complex in Warri, Delta State.

The edifice, built by the seventh board of the commission, was inaugurated by Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh; and members of the National Assembly committees on NDDC, led by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and Erhiateke Ibori-Suenu, as well as Mr. Chiedu Ebie, NDDC board chairman and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the agency.

Also present were Senator Ned Nwoko, traditional rulers – the Orodje of Okpe, HRM Orhue I, the Ovie of Uvwie, HRM Abe I, the Orosuennof Okere-Urhobo, HRM Owhotemu II, the Ovie of Agbarha-Warri, HRM Igbi II, the Pere of Akugbene Mein, HRM Kalanama XIII and other dignitaries.

Governor Oborevwori said the new NDDC Warri office signified a renewed partnership between the commission and the state in driving sustainable development.

‘This is not about opening a new building, it shows a new sense of presence, purpose and partnership, close, clear to see and continuous,’ the Governor stated.

Hailing the NDDC for its renewed vigour in projects execution, he called for collaboration to tackle the region’s deteriorating roads.

‘I appeal to NDDC, let us work together to fix federal roads in our region. These roads have been a nightmare, people are not too happy. That’s why I kicked off the reconstruction of the Spare Parts to Ohore Road, which is costing the state N35 billion,’ he said.

The Governor expressed readiness to partner with the NDDC on strategic projects, particularly the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road, noting: ‘On the issue of the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road, Delta State is ready to partner with the NDDC. As a government, we will support partnerships either at national or regional level.’

The Centre for Digital Justice and Consumer Rights (CDJCR) has lauded the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for their joint effort to develop a unified framework aimed at addressing the growing problem of failed airtime recharges and data subscriptions on electronic platforms.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Kenechukwu Opara, the group described the initiative as a long-overdue consumer protection reform that will restore public confidence in Nigeria’s digital payment ecosystem.

Opara said the framework, which seeks to ensure accountability among all parties involved in electronic transactions, marks a major step forward in protecting millions of telecom subscribers who often lose money to unresolved or delayed reversals after failed transactions.

‘For far too long, consumers have borne the brunt of system failures that are neither their fault nor within their control. This new collaboration between the NCC and the CBN represents a decisive move to end the culture of impunity and neglect that has defined digital transaction failures in the telecom sector,’ Opara said.

He commended the leadership of the NCC under its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, for showing strong commitment to consumer welfare, noting that the Commission has taken a proactive approach to resolving the most frequent pain points reported by telecom users.

According to him, the Commission’s efforts demonstrate that regulatory synergy between critical institutions like the NCC and CBN can yield practical solutions to the challenges of a fast-evolving digital economy.

‘Consumers are not just users; they are the backbone of the telecom and financial systems. By ensuring that customers get full value for every recharge and data purchase, the NCC is not only protecting rights but also deepening trust in Nigeria’s cashless and digital inclusion policies,’ Opara noted.

He further urged the Commission to ensure that the framework is implemented with clear timelines, transparent processes, and enforceable sanctions against operators who fail to meet agreed service standards.

‘We encourage both regulators to publish the service level expectations for all stakeholders – telecom operators, payment processors, and financial institutions – so that consumers know who to hold accountable when transactions fail,’ the CDJCR director added.

Opara also applauded the CBN for recognising the importance of consumer inclusion in its financial protection framework, noting that digital financial services have become essential to daily life, especially for low-income Nigerians who rely on mobile channels for microtransactions.

He said the partnership between the two regulators should serve as a model for other sectors where technology, finance, and service delivery intersect.

‘This kind of inter-agency collaboration shows that government institutions can truly work in the interest of citizens. What matters now is strict compliance and constant review of the framework to adapt to new technologies and emerging consumer issues,’ he said.

Opara called on telecom operators and banks to cooperate fully with the new regulatory guidelines, stressing that consumer satisfaction must remain central to their business models.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Centre for Digital Justice and Consumer Rights to monitoring compliance and ensuring that Nigerians continue to receive fair, reliable, and transparent digital services.

‘The era of consumers losing their hard-earned money to failed transactions without redress should be over. The NCC and CBN have given Nigerians renewed hope. Now it’s time for the industry to match that with action,’ Opara said.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, has cautioned activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, against using street protests to influence judicial proceedings, insisting that matters of justice are resolved in courtrooms, not through public agitation.

Reacting to Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja led by Sowore, Dare, in a post on his verified X handle, @SundayDareSD, described such demonstrations as ‘counterproductive’ and inimical to the rule of law.

‘Protests, threats, attempts at mob actions, and inflammatory rhetoric do not aid the judicial process. Instead, they hinder it, creating unnecessary tension and undermining the rule of law,’ he stated.

The presidential aide said Sowore’s ‘pastime of PR agitation and courting of public sympathy to interfere with judicial proceedings is outdated and counterproductive in a modern democracy,’ stressing that such actions would not be tolerated in any law-abiding society.

‘You cannot employ protest and civil unrest to demand the release of someone accused of terrorism and whose case is still in court. Not even in America,’ Dare said.

He clarified that the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), long predates President Bola Tinubu’s administration and remains strictly under judicial consideration.

According to him, ‘This administration respects the independence of the courts and will not interfere in ongoing legal proceedings.’

While reaffirming the President’s commitment to justice and constitutional order, Dare warned that freedom and democracy ‘have their limits,’ adding that ‘testing these limits will invite the full application of the laws as clearly stated.

‘The judiciary should be let alone to do its work without interference. President Tinubu remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is served fairly and transparently,’ he said.

Commuters were stranded in hours-long gridlock on Monday morning following the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.

Security checkpoints and road barricades mounted by the police, military, and other security agencies caused traffic paralysis along major routes, including Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba, Mpappe, Dei-Dei, Dutse, Bwari, and Kubwa, leaving thousands of residents stranded on their way to work.

From as early as 7a.m., commuters approaching the city centre through Nyanya-Karu axis encountered long queues of vehicles stretching for several kilometres, as officers restricted movement toward Berger, Wuse, Aso Rock, the Federal Secretariat, and the Central Business District, among other areas.

It was gathered that many motorists heading toward the city were forced to turn back, while others parked their vehicles by the roadside as security personnel diverted traffic and tightened patrols around strategic locations such as Eagle Square, Shehu Shagari Way, and the National Assembly complex.

The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, spearheaded by activist Omoyele Sowore, kicked off earlier in the morning to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Last week, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered officers to enforce existing court orders restricting protests around key government sites.

The Nigeria Police Force warned that protests must not take place near Aso Rock Villa and other restricted government zones in the nation’s capital.

Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said the directive followed a Federal High Court order restraining gatherings around sensitive areas such as the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

Hundeyin advised protesters and counter-protest groups to avoid restricted zones and to channel their grievances through lawful and peaceful means.

Meanwhile, as of mid-morning, movement into the Central Area and Three Arms Zone remained partially restricted, with heavy police patrols and armoured vehicles stationed at multiple junctions.

Many residents heading to work have returned home while others trekked long distances into the city centre.

Protest demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, sparked a sweeping security lockdown around the Presidential Villa and other parts of Abuja on Monday, causing massive gridlock across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The demonstration, led by the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, prompted heightened security alerts across the city centre.

By dawn, combined teams of soldiers, police officers, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had mounted barricades on major entry points leading into the Central Business District (CBD), paralysing vehicular movement and leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

Access to the Three Arms Zone-housing the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court-was severely restricted, with stringent stop-and-search operations in place.

Staff of the Villa struggled to gain entry, as even those bearing valid parking permits were redirected to alternative lots outside the complex.

The ripple effect of the clampdown was felt across the city. Security personnel sealed off the Keffi-Abuja expressway at Karu Bridge near the Sani Abacha Barracks as early as 4 am, forcing long queues of vehicles and subjecting motorists to extensive checks.

Civil servants and traders commuting from Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba and Masaka were among the worst affected by the gridlock with many arriving late to work.

Similar scenes were reported along the Dutse-Bwari and Airport Road corridors. Motorists approaching the Central Business District from the airport axis were diverted at the National Mosque, as security agents blocked the route to the Federal Secretariat.

An advisory circulated among civil servants reads: ‘Good morning dear colleagues, please if you are coming from Airport Road to Central Area, follow Area 1. Security blocked from National Mosque.’

Roads leading to Eagle Square, the Federal Secretariat, and the National Assembly were also cordoned off, with heavily armed security personnel maintaining a visible presence to prevent any breach of public order.

Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested and extradited to Nigeria in June 2021, remains in detention for alleged treason charges.

His supporters have repeatedly demanded his freedom, citing deteriorating health conditions.

Monday’s protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations calling for his release.

Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo is set to break the 12-year jinx of no-convocation in the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIP), Owo.

The Rector of the institution, Mr Olorunwa Adegun, disclosed this on Monday in a news conference heralding the 12th to 23rd combined convocation scheduled for Saturday at the RUGIP campus.

Adegun said that the last convocation was held in 2013, adding that when it was time for the the 12th edition, it was plagued by myriad of problems.

He noted that when he assumed office in 2023, the institution had dived into near ‘bottomless pit of hopelessnes’.

‘That is where the institution was lying almost lifeless when Mr Governor came on board, and when I assumed duty as acting rector,’ he said.

According to him, workers in the institution were being owed 14 months of salaries without even the slightest ray of hope regarding how payment would be effected.

He added that the payment of salary to workers in the institution became a once in a while activity and the payment was based on varying percentage as low as five per cent.

‘The institution was swimming in a pool of industrial crises. Expectedly, academic calendar became frequently disrupted.

‘The institution’s Staff Schools was shut; workers there were sacked and pupils and students were dismissed.

‘The institution’s business outfit, OSPO Ventures, was practically lifelesss and the institution was plagued with much litigation,’ he said.

Adegun said that he had mapped out strategic moves to address the humiliating practice of payment of salaries through increase in the internally generating revenue.

He added that the state governor also took a decisive step to increase the institution’s monthly subvention substantially.

He said that the governor also made funds available through Special Intervention Fund (SIF) to the institution, bringing positive changes to the polytechnic.

According to him, normalcy has been restored to the polytechnic in meeting the expectations of all stakeholders.

‘The institution is back as a leading polytechnic due to retrieval efforts of the state government coupled with his giant strides.

As more Nigerians explore opportunities abroad, several countries have introduced immigration pathways that make it easier for skilled workers and professionals to secure permanent residency.

1. Australia

Australia’s Employer-Sponsored Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa allows foreign workers to gain employment with approved employers. After two years on this visa, eligible holders can transition to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS 186).

This route is ideal for skilled professionals seeking long-term stability in Australia.

2. Netherlands

In the Netherlands, individuals who have legally resided in the country for five years – including time spent on the Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) or EU Blue Card – can qualify for Long-Term EU Residence.

This status grants more mobility within the European Union and greater employment flexibility.

3. Ireland

Ireland provides one of the most attractive residency options in Europe. After five years of lawful residence on work or study permits, migrants can apply for Long-Term Residency (Stamp 4).

Holders of the Critical Skills Employment Permit may qualify even sooner, opening the door to permanent residence and eventual citizenship.

4. Germany

Germany’s EU Blue Card holders can obtain Permanent Residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after 33 months. For those who achieve a B1 level in the German language, the timeframe shortens to just 21 months.

This makes Germany a top choice for skilled professionals seeking a stable life in Europe.

5. New Zealand

New Zealand offers the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), which provides a clear path to residence after two years in eligible roles.

Additionally, skilled workers can apply directly for permanent residence through the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa.