Author: user user

President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has vowed that Christians will continue preaching inside commercial buses despite the restriction under Nigeria’s road traffic laws.

Oke challenged the National Assembly and law enforcement agencies to prepare enough prisons to accommodate millions of Christians if the provision is enforced.

The PFN president spoke while addressing worshippers in a video that circulated on social media on Monday.

He described the restriction as an evil decree and urged Pentecostal Christians not to obey any directive preventing them from preaching in buses and taxis.

‘We will break that law because our master told us to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature,’ Oke said.

‘You sit somewhere there and say we should not preach in buses? We will preach in buses, and we will preach everywhere.’

Oke claimed that the PFN represents more than 65 million people and directed Christians to continue spreading the gospel in public transportation.

‘I lead over 65 million people. Everybody, go into every taxi, go into every bus and preach,’ he declared.

‘Let them arrest us and turn the National Stadium into a prison. Let them build more prisons.’

The cleric accused lawmakers of targeting peaceful evangelists while failing to effectively confront kidnappers, bandits, armed groups and other violent criminals.

‘You don’t go after killers, those beheading people, rapists, kidnappers and bandits unlawfully carrying arms, but you are going after us preaching the gospel of peace,’ he said.

‘We won’t listen to you. You are not God. You are there for a tenure.’

Oke further warned that Christians would openly resist the restriction and could march on the streets if arrests were carried out.

‘Bring it on and see how you will imprison 65 million people,’ he said.

The Senate had earlier clarified that the provision against preaching, hawking and trading inside commercial vehicles was not newly introduced by the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission Act.

It said the offences had existed under the FRSC Act since 2007 and were aimed at preventing distractions and protecting commuters.

The Senate also maintained that the provision does not prohibit preaching on streets or in other public places.

Ahead the 2027 election circle, the Kogi Diapora, has pushed for power shift to Kogi West senatorial district, declaring total support to Hon. James Abiodun Faleke of the All Progressive Congress (APC), as governor.

A statement signed by the Chairman of Kogi Diaspora, Hon. Seyi Olorunsola, and made available to our Correspondent, on Monday, indicated that the group demanded for power shift to Kogi West, after due consultations with members across the globe and at home.

The statement noted that: ‘Following extensive consultations with our members across the diaspora, we are pleased to declare our full support for Hon. James Abiodun Faleke as our preferred candidate.

‘We are convinced that he possesses the experience, competence, integrity, and vision required to lead Kogi State to greater heights.’

The Kogi Diaspora also pledged to provide the financial backing for a seamless campaign to ensure victory for James Faleke during the APC primaries, and the main governorship election in the state.

According to Olorunsola, the Kogi Diaspora Community, ‘reaffirms its unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, equity, and the continued progress of Kogi State.

‘As discussions on the forthcoming Kogi State governorship election continue, we strongly believe that, in the interest of equity, justice, and political balance, the governorship should rotate to Kogi West (Okun Land).

‘We believe this is consistent with the principles of fairness and inclusiveness that promote unity and strengthen our democracy.’

Olorunsola further stated that: ‘Over the years, we, the Kogi Diaspora, have made significant contributions to the economic development of our dear state through investments, entrepreneurship, remittances, and community development initiatives.

‘In recognition of our commitment to Kogi’s growth, we are prepared to further demonstrate our support by providing economic backing for the aspiration of Hon. James Abiodun Faleke.

‘We also wish to commend Senator Sunday Karimi for his unwavering love, dedication, and service to the people of Kogi State. We congratulate him on his victory at the APC primary election and pray that God Almighty grants him greater wisdom and strength as he continues to serve the people with commitment and distinction.’

The Kogi Diaspora further assured Faleke of their unwavering, ‘moral, intellectual, and economic support throughout this journey.

‘We remain committed to mobilizing Kogites across the diaspora to contribute meaningfully toward the emergence of a leadership that will unite the state and deliver sustainable development for all.

‘We call on all sons and daughters of Kogi State, regardless of political, ethnic, or religious affiliation, to support the quest for a governor from Kogi West in the spirit of justice, equity, and progress.

‘Together, let us build a stronger, united, and more prosperous Kogi state.’

The Federal Government has launched a seven-week roadmap for the development of the proposed National Policing Bill, inviting Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive legal and operational framework for state policing.

The initiative is being driven by the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, who made the announcement on Monday after the group’s meeting at the State House, Abuja.

According to Gbajabiamila, the Working Group is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations and other relevant laws to develop a modern, effective and accountable policing system capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

He explained that the proposed legislation will establish national minimum standards for policing, define the requirements for state readiness and certification, clarify the jurisdictional responsibilities of federal and state police formations, strengthen independent oversight, safeguard human rights, guarantee sustainable funding and provide an orderly transition to a dual-policing structure.

As part of the legislative process, the Working Group has opened a two-week window for the submission of memoranda, giving citizens, professional bodies, civil society organisations, security agencies, state and local governments, academics and other stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the proposed legislation.

The submissions will be reviewed and incorporated into the draft bill, which will undergo further nationwide consultations before its final presentation to the National Assembly.

The Working Group has adopted a seven-week implementation timetable spanning July 27 to September 14, 2026. Under the schedule, the draft Executive Bill is expected to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026, ahead of broader national consultations and final approval.

The proposed National Policing Bill will also provide detailed provisions on recruitment, training, oversight, funding mechanisms and transition arrangements aimed at ensuring credible, effective and accountable policing across the country.

Highlighting the standards expected of any prospective state police organisation, Gbajabiamila said:

‘A proposed State Police Service must demonstrate that it has credible arrangements for recruitment, vetting, training, pay, pensions, equipment, custody, complaints, discipline, data, firearms control, independent oversight and financial sustainability before it begins policing.’

Also speaking, the representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described the proposed establishment of state police as one of the landmark reforms of the Tinubu administration.

Addressing concerns over possible federal interference, Abiodun maintained that the proposed legislation was not intended to place state police under federal control but to provide a uniform operational framework that would guide its establishment and operation nationwide.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, said the proposed National Policing Bill is designed to strengthen the protection of lives and property while ensuring that state police structures are not abused for political persecution.

He added that states unable to immediately establish their own police services would continue to rely on the Nigeria Police Force until they satisfy the prescribed operational and institutional requirements.

Other participants at the meeting included the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe; Chairman, Policy Advisory Committee, Justice Abdullahi Liman (rtd); Professor Olu Ogunsakin, Head of the Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, Nnadubem Moghalu; and Brigadier General Olutayo Muyiwa Adesuyi, representing the National Security Adviser.

The Federal Government has started preparing the legal and operational framework needed to introduce state police in Nigeria.

It also announced a seven week plan to produce a National Policing Bill that will guide how both federal and state police will operate.

The Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, made this known while speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday.

He said that although the National Assembly has made progress on the constitutional amendment to allow state police, no state police service currently exists in Nigeria.

According to him, the Nigeria Police Force remains the country’s only legally recognised police organisation until the constitutional process is completed.

Gbajabiamila explained that the Senate approved the constitutional proposal on June 24, 2026, while the House of Representatives passed the Executive State Police Bill on July 23, 2026.

He added that the amendment will only take effect after it is approved by the required number of state Houses of Assembly and the necessary implementation law is passed.

He stressed that there is no operational state police anywhere in Nigeria at the moment and that the constitutional amendment only provides the legal foundation for federal and state policing.

He said the National Policing Bill will provide the detailed rules and framework needed for the new policing system to operate effectively.

The Agunechemba Security Squad has recorded a major success in its campaign against violent crime after dismantling suspected gunmen’s camps in Orumba North and Orumba South Local Government Areas of Anambra State.

The operation led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including two General Purpose Machine Guns and locally fabricated rocket launchers, with the rocket launchers subsequently handed over to the Nigerian Army.

The outfit’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Nweke Nweke, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

He said the operation was the result of sustained intelligence gathering and covert surveillance carried out at identified security flashpoints across Anambra South Senatorial District in recent days.

According to him, the feat has been recognised by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, who praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the performance of the Agunechemba Security Squad and reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to working with the outfit and other security agencies to tackle crime in the state.

Nweke said: ‘The Agunechemba Security Squad has recorded yet another feat in the fight against insecurity following the dislodgement of camps of gunmen in Orumba North and South Local Government Areas and the recovery of a cache of arms, including two General Purpose Machine Guns and locally made rocket launchers, which were handed over to the Nigerian Army.

‘Consequently, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the operations of the Agunechemba Security Squad, reiterating that the Army will continue to partner with other security organisations such as Agunechemba in fighting crime and criminality in the state.

‘This success story is on account of intelligence gathering and undercover operations of the outfit at major security flashpoints in Anambra South Senatorial District in the last few days.’

He described the handover of the recovered weapons as further evidence of the security outfit’s resolve to rid the state of criminal elements.

The transfer took place on Saturday at the office of Agunechemba’s Director of Operations in Awka. It was led by Chief Chinenye Ihenko, who represented the Governor’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Mr Kenneth Emeakayi.

Addressing those present, Ihenko said the exercise reflected the growing partnership between Agunechemba and the Nigerian Army in confronting insecurity.

He stressed the need for continued collaboration with federal security agencies, noting that the operation marked an important milestone in the fight against criminality across the state.

He also assured residents that the security outfit would remain committed to its responsibilities under Anambra’s homeland security framework.

Commending the operatives, Ihenko revealed that they completed the mission without suffering any casualties despite coming under attack.

‘This operation is among our greatest achievements; our team performed valiantly without any losses. When confronted by the gunmen, they retreated, leaving their weapons behind and fleeing with injuries.

‘We express appreciation to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the support provided to Agunechemba, which has invigorated our efforts to reclaim areas previously dominated by criminals, particularly in Orumba North and South, Ihiala, and Ogbaru LGAs,’ he said.

He appealed to residents to continue providing support and useful information to security agencies, saying lasting security could only be achieved through collective effort.

Also speaking, the Commander of the 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha, Col. Buteus Yakubu, represented by Lt. P.O. Idowu, praised Agunechemba for the successful operation.

He expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation between the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force in Anambra State and the Agunechemba Security Squad.

The event concluded with the formal transfer of two General Purpose Machine Guns and a locally made rocket launcher to the Nigerian Army, witnessed by military personnel, Agunechemba officials and members of the Anambra State House of Assembly

The leadership of Igbo Community Association (ICA) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has tackled Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma; Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi; and the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, for declaring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will record landslide victory in the five South-East states during the forthcoming 2027 presidential election.

The Abuja ICA described Tinubu’s endorsement by the three Igbo politicians as a ‘farce’ insisting that they lack the temerity to determine the direction of the Igbos ahead the 2027 election circle.

A statement signed by the Abuja ICA President-General, Nze Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, indicated that the endorsement and pronouncement of the trio were not in the interest of the Igbo’s, but for their self-aggrandizement.

Nze Ellis-Ezenekwe described their endorsement as ‘unauthorized,’ insisting that the Igbo residents across Abuja, ‘strongly refutes and rejects the recent statements made by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Minister of Works David Umahi, and Senate Deputy Chief Whip Onyekachi Nwebonyi claiming that the South-East electorate is fully united behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.’

According to him: ‘The Igbo Community Association FCT wishes to set the record straight for the public and the political establishment, that neither Governor Hope Uzodimma, Minister of Works, David Umahi, nor Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi serves as the spokesperson for the Igbo ethnic group.

‘Elected political appointees and ruling-party actors do not hold a mandate to declare a political consensus on behalf of millions of Igbo citizens.

‘These endorsements represent the personal political preservation strategies of a few officeholders seeking to retain favor with the presidency. They do not reflect the true political stance, socio-economic realities, or grassroots sentiment of the South-East region.’

He maintained that the grassroots population across the South-East considers the current federal administration to have failed on key economic and administrative metrics.

‘The assertion that President Tinubu will sweep all five South-East states in 2027 is completely detached from the prevailing conditions on the ground.

‘The Igbo Community Association FCT urges public officials from the South-East to focus on their constitutional duties, governance, and the immediate economic needs of their constituents, rather than attempting to trade away the political sovereignty of the Igbo electorate for personal leverage.’

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has a strong chance of returning to power in the 2027 general election if former President Goodluck Jonathan agrees to contest on the party’s platform.

Agbedi made the statement on Monday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, where he discussed the PDP’s preparations for the next general election and the party’s ongoing internal challenges.

According to him, despite the leadership crisis and divisions within the PDP, the party remains one of Nigeria’s strongest political parties and still enjoys widespread support across the country. He expressed confidence that the PDP would be able to overcome its internal disagreements before the election.

Agbedi said Jonathan has not officially declared his intention to run for president, but he has also not ruled out the possibility of contesting in 2027. He believes Jonathan’s popularity, political experience and national appeal would give the PDP a major advantage if he eventually joins the race.

He also spoke about the leadership dispute within the party, noting that the court is yet to decide which faction has the legal right to present the PDP’s presidential candidate. Agbedi said he is confident the judgment will favour his faction, allowing the party to move forward with its plans.

He said, ‘If former President Goodluck Jonathan is on the ballot, the PDP will win in 2027. Although he has not said he will contest, he has also not said he will not. We are confident the court’s decision will go our way.’

Agbedi urged party members to remain united and focused, saying unity would be important if the PDP hopes to defeat its opponents in the next election. He stressed that resolving internal disputes quickly would strengthen the party ahead of the campaign season.

His comments come after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected Jonathan’s nomination for the 2027 election, which had been submitted by the Taminu Turaki-led faction of the PDP.

INEC explained that the nomination could not be accepted because it was not submitted through the commission’s official online nomination portal, as required by the Electoral Act and its guidelines. The commission maintained that all political parties must follow the approved procedure when submitting the names of their candidates for any election.

The developments have continued to fuel debate over Jonathan’s political future and the PDP’s strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, although the former president has yet to publicly announce whether he intends to seek another term in office.

Professor Abraham Osinubi has spent much of his professional career working across medicine, university administration and postgraduate education, holding positions that have placed him at the centre of academic decision-making within Nigeria’s higher education system.

While his career began in clinical medicine after graduating from the University of Ibadan, it gradually evolved through teaching, research and academic administration at the University of Lagos, where he has served in several leadership capacities over the past two decades.

His current position as Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Lagos, places him in charge of policies relating to postgraduate admissions, research supervision, thesis examination and academic standards across the institution.

Speaking during his inaugural lecture titled The Anatomist: Jack-of-all-Trades, Master of All, Osinubi argued that anatomy has developed beyond its traditional boundaries and now intersects with several disciplines in medicine and biomedical sciences.

‘The anatomist is no longer confined to the dissection room. The discipline continues to contribute to medical education, biomedical research and clinical practice in different ways,’ he said.

His administrative responsibilities at the University of Lagos did not begin with his current appointment.

He previously served as Acting Head of the Department of Anatomy before becoming substantive Head of Department. Earlier, he headed the Department of Anatomy at Lagos State University, a position that exposed him to curriculum development, staff administration and academic planning.

Between 2012 and 2014, he served as Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, where he participated in faculty administration and coordinated several academic activities. He later became the Pioneer Executive Director of the University of Lagos Business School, an appointment that introduced him to executive education and institutional management outside the traditional medical sciences.

His administrative experience has also extended beyond the university.

He served as Chairman of the Board of Medilag Consult, the University’s healthcare consultancy arm, after previously serving as its director. In 2022, he was appointed Global Programme Director of Unicorn Group, where he coordinated programmes across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Egypt.

Within Nigeria’s university system, Osinubi has participated in several committees responsible for academic planning, curriculum review, postgraduate education, examinations and institutional governance.

In 2025, he chaired the National Universities Commission accreditation panel that evaluated the Medicine and Surgery programme at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. The exercise formed part of the commission’s routine quality assurance process for medical education in Nigerian universities.

He is also a member of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos, the institution’s highest decision-making bodies, and serves as Chairman of the Basic Medical Sciences Section of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

His career also reflects long-standing participation in professional associations.

Over the years, he has served as Secretary-General and later Vice-President of the Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria. He was Treasurer of the Nigerian Chapter of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and became the first Editor-in-Chief of the University of Lagos Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, a journal established to publish research from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Association of Clinical Endocrinologists of Nigeria.

Colleagues who have worked with him say his interest has consistently extended beyond classroom teaching.

A senior academic at the University of Lagos, who requested not to be named because he was not authorised to speak officially, described him as someone who devoted considerable attention to postgraduate education and academic development.

‘He has spent many years working with postgraduate students and university committees. His experience covers teaching, research and administration, and those responsibilities have continued to expand over time,’ the academic said.

Osinubi’s professional development has also included training outside medicine. In addition to qualifications in anatomy and medicine, he obtained a Master of Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University and completed executive programmes in leadership, governance, board responsibilities, digital marketing and strategic management in Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco. He is a graduate of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, where he bagged a certificate in Policy, Strategy and Leadership in 2024.

The additional training reflects a growing trend among university administrators seeking management skills alongside academic qualifications as higher education institutions increasingly confront issues relating to governance, funding, innovation and institutional competitiveness.

Professor Abraham Osinubi’s thought leadership in organizational strategy is reflected in his groundbreaking article, ‘Rethinking Blue Ocean Strategy in Disruptive Uncertain Times,’ published in the Lagos Business and Management Review (2022), in which he offers fresh insights into strategic management in an era of disruption and uncertainty.

Across his years in academia, Professor Osinubi has served on numerous university committees covering curriculum development, medical education, postgraduate programmes, academic planning, staff development and student affairs.

He has also participated in the selection of senior university officers and contributed to institutional policy through Senate committees and academic boards.

Although much of his public profile has been associated with anatomy and biomedical research, a significant part of his career has been devoted to university administration.

His appointments over the years illustrate the expanding role of academics in managing higher education institutions, where responsibilities increasingly extend beyond teaching and research to include governance, policy implementation, quality assurance and institutional development.

For Osinubi, that journey has taken him from the anatomy laboratory and lecture theatre to some of the highest administrative offices within the University of Lagos, reflecting a career shaped as much by academic leadership as by scholarship.