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Barau FC GM, Iorfa, clears air on technical bench presence

The General Manager of Barau FC, Dominic Iorfa, has attributed his recent presence on the technical bench to logistical hurdles rather than an encroachment on coaching duties.

In a candid interview session, the former Nigerian international addressed the talking points surrounding his matchday positioning, and his relationship with the technical crew.

According to Iorfa, the decision to sit on the bench was born out of sheer necessity after being locked out of dressing rooms during crucial away fixtures.

‘When I initially took charge of Barau FC, I usually watched matches from the stands before proceeding to the dressing room at half-time to interact with the players,’ Iorfa explained.

‘However, I was denied access to the dressing room on several occasions, particularly during away matches in Jos, Maiduguri, Aba and Owerri.’

He emphasised the tactical importance of half-time communication, noting that observations made from the stands often require immediate relay to the squad.

‘Sometimes, while watching a game, you observe certain things that you believe should be communicated to the coach at half-time. You may want to encourage the players, share observations or motivate them to ensure they approach the second half in high spirits. Unfortunately, I was prevented from doing so on several occasions,’ he said.

To bypass these restrictions, Iorfa said he took a pragmatic administrative step: ‘Since then, I have decided to be among the seven registered officials on matchdays. That way, nobody can deny me access to the dressing room when I need to speak with the players.’

Addressing whispers of friction between him and the technical crew, he said he only took charge of the team’s training while the head coach was attending a coaching course in Abuja.

‘There is no reason to suggest that there is a rift between us. The speculation may have arisen following reports that I took charge of the team’s training session after our encounter against Rangers International,’ Iorfa clarified.

‘The truth is that Coach Eugene Agagbe was away attending his CAF A Licence course, and I had to oversee the team’s fitness training in his absence. As General Manager, I believe in doing whatever is necessary to ensure that the team remains in good shape and continues to make progress,’ Iorfa noted.

The former Chairman of Lobi Stars of Makurdi said that the extra effort paid off with an encouraging performance against Rivers United where the ‘Maliya Boys’ forced their hosts to a goalless draw.

NAFDAC destroys fake products worth N8bn

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has destroyed unwholesome, banned, fake and adulterated products worth about Eight Billion Naira confiscated in the course of its operations in the North Central Zone.

The destruction exercise was carried out on Thursday during the North Central Zonal Destruction of NAFDAC regulated products in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, represented by the Deputy Director in charge of North Central Zone, Mr. Joseph Edor, said the bulk of the destroyed products were predominantly banned alcoholic beverages in low volumes of less than 200ml (20cl).

Prof. Adeyeye explained that studies by researchers have shown that due to the availability, affordability and portability of such pack sizes, they have become major products of abuse and addiction among Nigerians, especially youths and underage school children.

She noted that research has also shown that early exposure to alcohol affects the brain and other vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, stymies the brain resulting in mental retardation and brain damage, which in turn leads to poor performance of pupils and students in school, low productivity and several illnesses.

She said, ‘It was based on these abuses, addiction and adverse effects that the Agency banned the production, distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets, PET and glass bottles below 200ml, hence the raid and confiscation from manufacturing outfits, sales outlets, markets and motor parks.’

Other products destroyed include expired, fake and unwholesome food, drugs and cosmetics confiscated during daily operations.

The NAFDAC DG said the Agency has the mandate of protecting and promoting public health by ensuring that only the right quality, safe and efficacious drugs, food, cosmetics, medical devices, water and other regulated products are manufactured, imported, distributed, advertised or used in Nigeria.

She said in order to achieve the mandate, the Agency through its officers carries out inspections, investigations, enforcement, product registration and laboratory analysis.

The DG appreciated other law enforcement organizations, sister agencies, associations and stakeholders for their continuous collaboration, especially in intelligence sharing and security cover during operations.

Troops repel ambush, rescue two herders

Troops of Operation Fansan Yamma have repelled a terrorist ambush along the Anka-Guruzu Road in Zamfara State.

The military said the operations, conducted on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, were part of ongoing efforts to curb terrorist activities and protect lives and property across the North-West.

In a statement, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Captain Tamuno Sinivie, said troops of Sector 2 came under attack while conducting a fighting patrol to clear the Anka-Guruzu Road following reports of terrorist activities in the area.

He said the terrorists launched a coordinated ambush from both sides of the road but were forced to retreat after the troops responded with superior firepower, inflicting heavy casualties on them.

The statement added that the troops subsequently secured the road and restored freedom of movement for commuters, although one soldier sustained a gunshot injury and was evacuated for medical attention. The soldier was said to be in stable condition.

In a separate operation in Sokoto State, the troops foiled an attempt by terrorists to rustle livestock and abduct herders at Takasaba village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

According to the statement, the troops acted on credible intelligence about the terrorists’ activities and swiftly mobilised to the scene, forcing the attackers to flee and abandon the 520 livestock and two abducted herders.

The rescued victims were identified as Malam Sulaiman, 50, and Nasiru Sulaiman, 14. They were subsequently handed over to the Sabon Birni Local Government authorities.

The Theatre Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, Major General W.B. Idris commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain the offensive against terrorist groups.

He also reassured residents of the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security across the Joint Operations Area, urging members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information.

ADC postpones presidential campaign flag-off

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has postponed its presidential campaign flag-off in Sokoto State amid allegations that hotels were being pressured to deny accommodation to party delegates.

The event, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 31, will now take place on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

The Director-General of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council in Sokoto State, Bello Aliyu Goronyo, announced the postponement in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Goronyo attributed the decision to planning and coordination considerations, saying the adjustment was necessary to ensure the successful conduct of the event.

The development comes amid allegations by the ADC that the Sokoto State Government had directed hotel operators to deny accommodation to delegates expected to attend the campaign.

The party also claimed that some delegates who had already secured accommodation were asked to leave their hotels.

The allegations have not been independently verified, and the campaign council did not explicitly link the postponement to the accommodation dispute.

Goronyo apologised to party leaders, stakeholders, supporters and members of the public for any inconvenience caused by the change.

He urged those concerned to take note of the new date and thanked them for their continued support.

The campaign flag-off is expected to attract the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and other party leaders as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike faults Atiku’s record raises questions over Amaechi’s projects

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to account for his eight years in office citing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s past criticism of his former deputy as he questioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s presidential prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike also questioned the record of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi arguing that his entry into the ADC had complicated the party’s presidential ticket and demanding explanations over projects and financial transactions during his eight-year administration.

The minister spoke on Thursday at a Rainbow Coalition meeting in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State where he urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records of presidential aspirants rather than be swayed by political affiliations and campaign promises.

Wike who said he had contested a presidential primary against Atiku challenged the former vice-president to point to the impact of his tenure under Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.

‘Atiku was vice-president from 1999 to 2007. How many years? He was not just a vice-president but a very powerful vice-president.

He was in charge of privatisation and everything concerning companies and industries owned by the government’ he said.

The minister questioned the outcome of Atiku’s role in the Federal Government particularly the privatisation programme asking Nigerians to assess his record before considering his renewed presidential ambition.

‘Can anybody tell me do you see the impact of Atiku Abubakar? No!’ Wike asked.

He also referred to Obasanjo’s reported expression of regret over supporting Atiku’s emergence as vice-president arguing that the former president’s assessment of their relationship should be considered in evaluating Atiku’s record in public office.

Wike subsequently turned his attention to Amaechi questioning the justification for presenting the former Rivers governor as part of a credible alternative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

He demanded explanations over what he described as $10 million allegedly spent on a mosquito-control programme $39 million earmarked for a proposed specialist hospital and N68 billion reportedly committed to a monorail project during Amaechi’s administration from 2007 to 2015.

The minister also questioned the handling of proceeds from the reported sale of a gas turbine in December 2014 for $308 million.

‘Where is the $308 million? Where is the $39 million? Where is the N68 billion? And where is the $10 million for fumigation?’ he asked.

The allegations were raised by Wike at the political meeting and were not independently established by the information available for this report. Amaechi’s response to the claims was not included in the account of the event.

The minister urged Nigerians to hold political officeholders accountable for their records and demand explanations for public expenditure before entrusting them with higher responsibilities.

Earlier the Zonal Director of the Post Primary Schools Board Chimereze Nworgo said the people of Ogbia Local Government Area had not forgotten the security and infrastructure interventions associated with Wike’s tenure as Rivers governor.

Nworgo cited the construction of the Ogbia-Nembe Road improved connectivity the establishment of a model secondary school and recognition of traditional institutions as some of the interventions appreciated by the community.

He also commended Wike for supporting the political representation of Ogbia indigenes at the national level including Ambassador Desmond Eji Akawu.

While reaffirming the community’s political support for Wike Nworgo appealed for more interventions in road construction and rehabilitation a general hospital renovation of dilapidated schools youth employment and empowerment and additional political appointments for Ogbia indigenes at the state and federal levels.

He said the community’s endorsement did not mean that all its development needs had been met but reflected its willingness to sustain engagement with Wike in pursuit of its aspirations.

The Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area Okechukwu Nwaogu also presented a gift to Wike on behalf of the council in recognition of his position as FCT minister and leader of the Rainbow Coalition.

Reps panel to study KPMG report on NBTE pledges to address funding challenges

The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education assured it would study the KPMG report on the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and recommend ways to address the challenges facing the agency.

The Chairman of the House Committee Hon. Faud Kayode Laguda gave the assurance during an oversight session with the Board’s management.

The Federal Government engaged KPMG Advisory Services in August this year to undertake a comprehensive assessment and restructuring of the NBTE as part of efforts to strengthen oversight of polytechnics and technical institutions and accelerate skills development across the country.

Speaking to reporters after the oversight visit to the NBTE headquarters Laguda said the committee had requested a copy of the report so members could study its findings and recommendations before making informed decisions.

‘The report from KPMG we have not seen it; we just heard about it today. That is why we have requested the report to study it look at the findings and recommendations before making our conclusions’ he said.

On the agency’s inadequate funding the committee chairman assured that the House would work towards improving its financial allocations. He added that lawmakers were also considering ways to strengthen the NBTE’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

‘The funding of NBTE has to be improved upon; it must be better and it is a two-way thing not just what is being received from the government but also what they are generating. So we have to look into ways to improve what they receive from the government and what they generate internally’ he said.

Laguda noted that the committee had requested additional documents relating to issues raised by the Executive Secretary and his management during the interaction. He said the committee would take appropriate action after reviewing the documents.

On the proposed amendment to the NBTE Act the chairman said work was already underway on the bill and that the committee would ensure it was considered expeditiously.

‘We’ve done so much on it already; it is an ongoing concern and that is already being worked upon’ he said.

He also called on NBTE management to provide a stronger justification for its request for additional staff noting that the agency’s workforce appeared inadequate for its responsibilities.

During the oversight session the committee questioned the agency’s capital budget from 2024 to date and demanded details of its contracts and sources of internally generated revenue.

Earlier the Executive Secretary of the NBTE Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje commended the Speaker of the House Hon. Tajudeen Abbas for constituting a standing committee on polytechnics describing the move as a demonstration of the legislature’s commitment to technical and technological education.

Bugaje identified inadequate funding as the agency’s major challenge lamenting that it had not received any grant in the last two years.

‘The major challenge affecting the NBTE is funding and we are also working to clamp down on illegal centres. We are also waiting for the NBTE Act to be amended so it becomes a commission.

‘We have not received a single grant in the last two years. Capital projects had to be stopped but we are hopeful that after the elections we will have releases and work will resume’ he said.

The Executive Secretary said the funding shortfall caused significant hardship for contractors handling projects for the agency with some vowing not to return to the institution.

‘Our contractors suffered in 2024 and many of them swore that they will never come here again’ he said.

Bugaje further disclosed that the KPMG report had been released and contained significant findings on the NBTE’s operations and funding.

According to him the report recommended reorganising the agency appointing two coordinating directors and expanding its structure to 22 departments.

He said the report also found that the NBTE was poorly funded noting that the National Universities Commission (NUC) received four times more funding than the technical education regulator.

‘Another aspect of the KPMG report was that the NBTE was poorly funded. They discovered that the National Universities Commission (NUC) was receiving four times more than what the NBTE was receiving’ he said.

The Executive Secretary however said the agency’s internally generated revenue had increased steadily from 2024 to date.

He identified three major sources of IGR: service charges NBTE Consult and NBTE Hotels.

‘There are three sources of IGR: service charge then NBTE Consult a company I established when I came in. We use it to look for training. The third is NBTE Hotels. We are globally recognised and we hope to expand it because it is bringing us huge revenue’ he said.

On academic programmes in polytechnics Bugaje said the Board was working to phase out non-technology and non-applied sciences courses insisting that polytechnics must return to their core mandate of technical and vocational training.

On the disputed NBTE land in Abuja the Executive Secretary said the matter remained before the court adding that management was doing its best to resolve the issue despite the individual contesting ownership.

’They’ll expand opportunities for future generations’, Tinubu defends Fresh loans

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has responded to criticism from opposition leaders over the Federal Government efforts to access fresh loans from international institutions and banks.

In a piece entitled ‘From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy’, Tinubu said, ‘The real question is not how much we borrow, but what we build, what value we create and what future we leave behind.’

Tinubu identified the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Trans-Sahara Superhighway, electricity grid upgrades and the modernisation of key commercial ports in Lagos as major projects expected to strengthen Nigeria’s productive capacity.

He said the projects, alongside investments in healthcare, education and vocational training, would connect economic regions, reduce logistics costs, unlock agricultural and industrial potential and attract private investment.

According to the piece made available to journalists on Thursday, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to cut logistics costs along its corridor by 15 to 20 per cent. ‘

It could add up to two per cent to Nigeria’s GDP through expanded trade, tourism, and industrial activity.

‘The project is also projected to generate about 100,000 direct jobs in construction and engineering, alongside more than 150,000 indirect jobs in logistics, materials and related services.’

‘We are not simply building highways. We are opening economic corridors, connecting markets, unlocking industries and reshaping Nigeria’s economic geography,’ the President said.

He said the administration’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030 would require sustained infrastructure investment to support higher productivity, industrialisation and trade.

‘We cannot build a USD 1 trillion economy with infrastructure designed for an economy a fraction of that size,’ Tinubu said.

He said improving economic indicators and growing international investor confidence are creating opportunities for Nigeria to attract long-term investment and expand critical infrastructure.

The President said the economic reforms his administration introduced in May 2023 helped restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen public finances, and improve the country’s standing in international financial markets.

He said a $1 trillion economy would not emerge by declaration alone but must be built through sustained investment, higher productivity, industrialisation, and trade, stressing that infrastructure development would be critical to achieving the target by 2030.

Tinubu said real Gross Domestic Product growth reached 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, while headline inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September from 20.98 per cent a year earlier.

He also said gross external reserves rose to $55.1 billion as of October 9, 2026, including about $46 billion in net reserves, while the tax-to-GDP ratio increased to 12.5 per cent from seven per cent.

Tinubu said real Gross Domestic Product growth reached 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, while headline inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September from 20.98 per cent a year earlier.

The President attributed the improvements to measures including petrol subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, tax reforms and coordinated efforts to tackle inflation.

Police detain 12-year-old boy over defiling toddler in Pallisa

Police in Pallisa District are investigating a case of aggravated defilement after a 12-year-old primary school pupil allegedly sexually assaulted a two-year-old girl in Nansenyi Cell, Kaucho Ward, Pallisa Town Council.

The distressing incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon, October 28, 2026, when the toddler’s mother briefly left her daughter under the juvenile’s care to buy food items from the nearby Pallisa Market.

Upon returning to her house shortly after midday, the mother noticed the children’s sandals left outside the doorway, which prompted her to investigate further. According to police reports, when she pulled back the doorway curtain, she discovered the 12-year-old boy on top of her young daughter, with both children’s clothing removed.

Bukedi North Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Wilfred Kyempasa revealed that the case was formally reported to Pallisa Police Station under SD Reference 60/28/10/2026 and officially recorded as CRB 508/2026.

“A team of female police officers, alongside a midwife, conducted an initial examination of the child and observed clear signs of sexual assault on her private parts,” ASP Kyempasa said.

The suspect, whose name is withheld because he is a minor, is a pupil at Valley View Primary School and a resident of the same neighborhood. He was immediately taken into custody at Pallisa Police Station where he remains detained as law enforcement officers carry out further inquiries.

“We have already recorded statements from the victim’s mother as well as the juvenile suspect, and we have gathered preliminary statements from key witnesses,” ASP Kyempasa added. “Our investigators are now arranging for the victim to undergo formal medical evaluation using Police Form 3A, while the suspect will undergo a age and mental assessment using Police Form 24A.”

Wakiso woman arrested after reportedly burning her children over Shs5,000

Police in Wakiso District have arrested a 38-year-old woman for allegedly torturing her children by beating them and burning them with a hot knife over missing money.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Ms. Rachel Kawala, identified the suspect as Sophia Nasanga, a resident of Kireka Biira in Nakabugo Parish, Wakiso District.

According to Ms. Kawala, police received information on October 28, 2026, indicating that the suspect had severely battered her two children and inflicted burn injuries using a knife heated on a charcoal stove.

During police interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted to the act, claiming that the children were disrespectful and had stolen Shs 5,000 from her. Ms. Kawala confirmed that Nasanga remains in police custody as investigations continue, pending her appearance in court.

The arrest was initiated after a neighbor alerted local residents to the ongoing abuse. Mr. Paul Lule, a local resident, told this publication that upon receiving the tip-off regarding the children’s ordeal, he immediately notified the police, who responded swiftly and took the suspect into custody.

Local residents expressed outrage over the incident, revealing that it was not the first time the suspect had physically abused the minors. According to community members, Nasanga severely beat the children last month and fled the residence to evade arrest by local leaders.

Residents further disclosed that the father of the children works daily and regularly remits funds to the suspect for child upkeep, but she allegedly diverts the money for her personal use instead of caring for the children.

Incidents of child physical abuse remain a significant concern across the country. According to the Police Annual Crime Report for 2025, authorities recorded a total of 710 cases of child abuse and torture nationwide in 2025, reflecting a slight decline from the 787 cases reported in 2024.

Reps urge FG to restore Biology as compulsory subject in secondary schools

The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to restore Biology as a core and compulsory subject in the senior secondary school curriculum, warning that its removal could undermine students’ scientific knowledge.

The House also called on the Federal Ministry of Education to introduce Spanish, German, Chinese and Russian languages into the school curriculum to address Nigeria’s shortage of interpreters and strengthen the country’s capacity to engage in international affairs.

The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, seeking a review of the Federal Ministry of Education’s circular of September 8, 2025, on approved subjects for basic and senior secondary education.

Moving the motion, Isiaka expressed concern that Biology, which he described as essential to understanding the human body, plants and other living organisms, had been removed from the list of core and compulsory subjects under the revised senior secondary curriculum.

He argued that the subject had traditionally been a compulsory component of secondary education in Nigeria and remained important for equipping students with scientific knowledge applicable to human existence and the environment.

The lawmaker noted that biological and scientific research continued to play significant roles globally, including in space exploration and missions to the moon and Mars. He therefore argued that removing Biology as a compulsory subject would be counterproductive at a time when scientific and technological knowledge was increasingly important.

The House also observed that Nigeria’s growing international, economic, scientific, technological and geopolitical engagements made it necessary to expand language education beyond the existing options.

It said introducing Spanish, German, Chinese and Russian into the curriculum would help develop a pool of trained interpreters and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign language services.

Consequently, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Education to review the revised curriculum and reinstate Biology as a core and compulsory subject for senior secondary school students.

It also called on the ministry to develop strategies for recruiting and training qualified teachers in the proposed foreign languages, particularly for basic and senior secondary schools.

The House mandated its Committees on Basic Education and Services, Alternative Education, and Basic Examination Bodies to engage with the ministry to ensure compliance with the resolutions.

The committees were directed to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.