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Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Saturday, received former Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Damji, into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Damji, who is a former Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue and former Managing Director of the Gombe State Investment and Property Development Company, defected from the Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.

He visited the governor at his office in Government House, Gombe, accompanied by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Usman Bayero Nafada.

Welcoming Damji into the APC, Governor Yahaya, who is the party’s leader in the state, assured him of an inclusive platform to deploy his experience, networks and political goodwill towards strengthening the party and advancing the development of Gombe State.

The governor expressed confidence that Damji’s entry would further strengthen the APC, while reiterating his commitment to unity, progressive leadership and the collective pursuit of the state’s development agenda.

In his remarks, Damji assured Governor Yahaya that he would mobilise his political networks and grassroots support for the APC and its candidates in the 2027 general elections.

He specifically pledged support for the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, and other candidates across all levels.

Damji also commended Yahaya’s leadership and developmental efforts, describing his administration’s performance as a reflection of purposeful leadership and commitment to the progress of Gombe State.

He expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects in the forthcoming elections and pledged his full support towards ensuring the party’s success.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has declared that his administration has ended the era of political profiteering, intimidation and irresponsibility in the state, insisting that Abia would never return to what he described as years of bad governance.

Governor Otti made the declaration on Sunday at the formal flag-off of his re-election campaign at the Umuahia Township Stadium, where thousands of Labour Party supporters from the 17 local government areas of the state converged for the ceremony.

The event, which transformed the Abia capital into a carnival-like atmosphere, attracted various support groups, organisations and dance troupes, as party faithful expressed solidarity with the governor’s bid to secure another four-year term.

The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘The world now knows that Abia is on the right track: Never shall we return to the era of irresponsibility’, made available to the Nigerian Tribune.

Addressing supporters, Governor Otti recalled his unsuccessful attempts to rescue the state from what he described as years of man-made hardship in 2015 and 2019, declaring that the political siege on Abia was eventually broken in 2023.

‘We ended the era of political profiteers. We defied intimidation to liberate Abia and break Abia from the era of siege. Never shall we go back to the era of irresponsibility. Nothing will make us go back to Egypt,’ he declared.

Recalling the experiences of residents whose properties were allegedly demolished because of their political affiliations, the governor assured Abians that such incidents would not happen again, declaring: ‘Never again will anyone’s fence be pulled down on account of political choices. I declare Abia free.’

He said his administration required another four years to consolidate its achievements and establish enduring institutional safeguards that would protect ongoing reforms, promote transparency and eliminate what he described as the remaining vestiges of mediocrity in the state.

‘The only battle worth fighting is the one geared towards leaving Abia better than I met it, and I enjoin you to join me as we continue to fight that fight. I appeal to you to join me in fighting that battle in the next four years in order to consolidate on our records of performance,’ Governor Otti said.

Unveiling his campaign manifesto, ‘The New Abia: From rescue to consolidation’, the governor said it contained detailed plans for sustaining the achievements of the past three and a half years, adding that institutionalising transparency remained a major priority of his administration.

Highlighting his administration’s performance, Governor Otti disclosed that about 400 road projects covering more than 1,000 kilometres had been completed across the state.

He also listed improvements in primary healthcare, the employment of over 9,000 teachers, the construction of smart schools and investments in Abia State University, Uturu, and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba.

Other areas, according to him, included the revival of industries in Aba, support for small and medium-scale enterprises and investments in agriculture to promote food sufficiency.

Governor Otti further declared that his administration had restored the dignity of Abians, urging supporters to vote for the Labour Party in all elective positions in the forthcoming general elections.

However, in a demonstration of political tolerance, he extended goodwill to candidates of other political parties and directed state functionaries to make public facilities available to any political party seeking to use them for campaign activities, provided the required fees were paid and applicable regulations observed.

Governor Otti also urged his supporters to focus their campaigns on issues, policies and records of performance, warning against political brigandage and other electoral misconduct.

The National Youth Affairs of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), led by its National Youth Pastor, Pastor Oluwafemi Oyetunde, has visited the Oyo State Secretariat, the state Police Command headquarters and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to discuss areas of collaboration on youth development, security and agriculture. Pastor Oyetunde’s three-day visit to Oyo State comprised an executive meeting with the leadership of the Mission’s Youth Affairs in Oyo on the first day, official visits to key institutions on the second day and a 24-hour Prayer and Word Retreat, themed ‘BUILDUP’, on the third day.

At the Oyo State Secretariat, the delegation met the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Victor Olojede, who pledged the state government’s support for the proposed programmes.

Olojede said the state government wanted to be involved in the initiative, noting that it could create opportunities for young people and students.

‘The Oyo State Government wants to be involved in this project,’ he said.

He disclosed that he would submit a memo to the state government to facilitate students’ participation and assured the delegation that his office would work with RCCG.

During the meeting, the national youth pastor outlined plans for a free three-month technology skills programme targeting about 10,000 young people in Oyo State. The programme would combine virtual and physical classes.

The delegation also visited the Oyo State Police Command headquarters, where it met the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga.

Oyetunde said the church was interested in working with the police on crime prevention and improving relations between young people and law enforcement officers.

‘We are here to also talk about crime prevention. How can we prevent crime, and how can we also build trust between young people and the police?’ he said.

He also sought information on police career opportunities, including short-service entry pathways, to enable young people to understand the available options.

Responding, Olugbenga stressed the importance of respect for the rule of law and community policing in relations between the police and young people.

He said community policing would enable the police and members of the public to identify common problems and discuss possible solutions.

‘Community policing makes it possible for us to identify a common problem and discuss the way forward. It will not be the police alone solving that problem,’ he said.

The commissioner advised young people to familiarise themselves with the country’s laws and engage public institutions peacefully when expressing grievances.

At IITA, the delegation discussed a proposed partnership to expand agricultural opportunities for young people and support the church’s farming activities.

Oyetunde said RCCG’s General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, had directed provinces and regions of the church to embrace farming as part of efforts to contribute to food production.

He disclosed that the church had about 165 hectares of land at Redemption Camp, as well as other arable land around Ijebu earmarked for agricultural activities.

According to him, RCCG has more than 50,000 parishes in Nigeria and runs feeding programmes that serve more than two million people every August and fewer than one million in December.

Oyetunde said the church wanted to establish an agricultural empowerment programme to help young people become food producers, entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

‘We want to establish a sustainable agricultural empowerment programme that will transform young adults and youths in RCCG from job seekers to food producers, entrepreneurs and employers of labour,’ he said.

He added that the church required technical expertise, agricultural technology, business incubation and institutional support to implement its agricultural plans.

Adetola Adenmosun, IITA’s Country Coordinator of Youths in Agribusiness, identified access to land and markets as major challenges facing young people interested in agriculture.

She said access to land was particularly difficult for women in some parts of the country, adding that women accounted for about 80 per cent of participation in some IITA programmes.

Adenmosun also stressed the need to connect agricultural training with market opportunities to enable young people to establish sustainable businesses.

She said IITA considered market demand when organising training programmes to ensure that participants produced goods for which there were established markets.

Another IITA representative from the business development unit advised RCCG to adopt a phased approach to the proposed programme, noting that the church’s 165 hectares of land would require careful planning.

The representative also recommended that the programme should include mentorship, practical support and marketing arrangements.

The delegation included Pastor Fabulous Oluwabusiwa, Pastor-in-Charge of Province (PICP), Youth Province 4; Pastor Wole Akindele, Assistant Pastor-in-Charge of Province (APICP); Pastor Oyesanmi James, Regional Youth Evangelist, Region 21; Pastor Oluwafemi Oladele, Central Operations Officer; and Pastor Daniel Nwoji, Director of Programs, and Victory Adudu, Director of Prayer.

Others were Pastor Moses Oladimeji, Regional Youth Pastor, Region 42; Pastor David Olagunju, Regional Youth Pastor, Region 21; Pastor Enoch Olatunji, Area Coordinator, Youth Province, C12; and Ayotunde Folahan, Assistant Director of Media, NYAYA.

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) is targeting the growth of Africa’s estimated $30 billion fashion industry into a $500 billion economy through a comprehensive development roadmap to be unveiled at the CANEX Weekend 2026 in Lagos State.

The initiative, which seeks to reposition Africa’s fashion industry as a major driver of economic growth, trade and employment, will be presented at a joint exhibition stand established by CAFA and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy on 5 November 2026.

The unveiling, scheduled to coincide with CAFA’s first anniversary, will take place at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, Lagos, with the organisation inviting fashion stakeholders, investors, policymakers and international partners to explore opportunities within the proposed framework.

CAFA President, Aare Lai Labode, said the organisation was working with African governments to harmonise policies on sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property to ensure that the continent derives greater economic benefits from its creative industries.

He explained that the initiative was designed to move African fashion beyond creativity and cultural expression towards a structured industrial economy capable of generating wealth, creating employment and strengthening the continent’s participation in international trade.

Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on 5 November 2025, when the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr Hannatu Musa Musawa, signed the document on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Musawa said the initiative, known as Afroliganza, was aimed at establishing a sustainable fashion economy anchored on African heritage and driven by indigenous institutions.

‘Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact,’ she said.

The Minister further stressed that strategic investments in the fashion industry could generate millions of employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people, while strengthening local manufacturing and expanding the economic contributions of the creative sector.

Registered in Rwanda, with its headquarters in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also collaborating with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure the African Union’s adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is equally progressing towards becoming the second participating country and the first in East Africa.

Within its first year, the organisation brought together 50 nations at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and signed a memorandum of understanding with Trkiye’s ASRIAD.

As part of its industrial development strategy, CAFA is promoting the local processing of African raw materials into finished fashion products, while its ‘Own What We Create’ initiative seeks to strengthen intellectual property protection.

The organisation is also introducing the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark to promote quality standards and authenticity, alongside the establishment of African Global Fashion Houses in international markets.

Another major component of the roadmap is the African Global Fashion Games, scheduled to debut in Nigeria in 2028.

The competition, which will hold every three years and alternate between African and international host countries, will bring designers together under their respective national colours, combining creative competitions with investor engagements, business deals and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event will challenge competing countries to produce designs using identical materials within a fixed period, placing emphasis on craftsmanship and technical skills.

Labode urged African governments to support the adoption of the Charter and encourage participation in the Games Register by establishing national teams, stressing that the continent must begin to translate its creative resources into measurable economic value.

‘Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,’ he said.

CAFA consequently called on fashion designers, artisans, creatives, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to visit its exhibition stand throughout the four-day CANEX Weekend, scheduled to hold from 5 to 8 November, to explore the roadmap and identify opportunities in design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships.

Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has been dragged before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja over its alleged refusal and failure to release the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the asset declaration form submitted by the Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi Gregory.

In a notification letter dated 30th October 2026 and made available to newsmen in Abuja over the weekend, counsel to the plaintiff, Fort Legal and Co., informed the Chairman of the CCB of a pending suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2504/2026, between Dr. Arabambi Abayomi v. The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and 3 Others before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

According to the letter signed by O. Peter Asimegbe, Esq., the suit concerns the CCB’s refusal to issue the CTC of Peter Obi’s asset declaration form, submitted to the Bureau in 2006 or at any other time, covering the period of 17th March 2006 to 17th March 2014, when he served as Governor of Anambra State under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The letter reads in part: ‘Pursuant to our client instruction, we hereby bring to your notice our client pending legal suit against you for your failure and refusal to release to our client the Certified True Copy of the asset declaration form of Mr. Peter Obi Gregory, he submitted to your office containing his assets declaration particulars and all attached documents to the asset declaration form he submitted to your office in 2006 prior and when he was sworn in as the Governor of Anambra State for the period of 17th March, 2006 to 17th March, 2014 when he served as the Governor of Anambra State under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).’

According to the document, the claimant, Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, is described as a Nigerian citizen and a registered voter in Ogun State. His counsel said the suit is predicated on his legal right under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, and the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

The letter addressed to the Chairman of the CCB further stated that: ‘In the said suit, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Chairman CCB are the 1st and 2nd Respondents. The suit is predicated on our client’s legal right under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the Freedom of Information Act 2011, and we urge your office to take the processes herein annexed as notification of the pending suit filed by our client at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

‘Find attached the Originating Motion duly filed on 15th day of October, 2026 and all its accompanied documents and processes as annexure A for ease of reference.’

The CCB and its Chairman are listed as the 1st and 2nd Respondents in the suit. The letter urged the Bureau to treat the annexed processes as notification of the pending suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

It added that the Originating Motion was duly filed on 15th October 2026, with all accompanying documents and processes attached as Annexure A for ease of reference.

National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, has called on residents of Imo, to join the Rainbow Coalition, describing the platform as a political movement aimed at changing the state’s political direction ahead of future elections.

He made the call at the weekend while addressing residents of Ikeduru Local Government Area during a reception organised for the Imo East Senatorial candidate, Prince Eze Madumere.

Anyanwu said the Rainbow coalition, which he coordinates in Imo, brought together the PDP and other political stakeholders across party lines, including members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to pool their political structures towards what he described as rescuing the state from an unproductive administration.

According to him, the coalition was established to provide a common platform for stakeholders seeking political change and improved governance in Imo State.

‘Rainbow Coalition has come to stay in Imo State. There is nothing anyone can do. Those causing disaffection and fanning the ember of discord do that at their detriment. For us in PDP, the aim is not to cause political disharmony, or heighten tension in Imo State,’ he said.

Anyanwu said the coalition was committed to addressing what he described as selfishness, greed and insensitivity in the administration of the state, which he alleged had caused hardship for residents.

He commended former Governor Rochas Okorocha for embracing the coalition, stressing that the task of addressing the state’s challenges required the collective efforts of political stakeholders and residents.

The PDP national secretary also claimed that the coalition was attracting increasing interest from people across different political parties, adding that its leadership was making efforts to manage the growing number of prospective members.

‘Imo people are desperate to join the Rainbow Coalition, and the number of people interested to join the coalition are from different political parties. The number is increasing on daily basis and we are tactically managing the surge,’ he said.

He described the development as an indication of growing public interest in the coalition, claiming that many residents were seeking an alternative to the current administration.

Anyanwu further pledged that the coalition would oppose actions capable of undermining the progress of the state, while calling on political stakeholders to work towards addressing insecurity, hardship and governance challenges.

‘We are prepared to stop any individual or group of persons working against the progress of Imo people or deliberately causing chaos, or hardship in the state under the guise of governance,’ he said.

He urged residents to participate actively in the political process and demand accountability, justice, and improved governance in the state.

The member representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has unveiled a 150-page development blueprint outlining a long-term vision for the economic and social transformation of the constituency.

The document, titled The Living Borders, was presented to stakeholders at Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, Ogun State, as part of an engagement convened by the lawmaker to articulate a development pathway for the two local government areas over the weekend.

The development agenda, which followed extensive work on the constituency’s opportunities, challenges and development priorities, is intended to serve as a reference document for identifying its economic advantages, addressing existing gaps and providing direction for sustainable growth.

Speaking at the presentation, Isiaka described the initiative as an expression of what he called ‘development-focused representation’, arguing that meaningful development required a clear plan capable of connecting present interventions with the aspirations of future generations.

‘We know that we cannot do development without a plan. We need a strong development plan, development agenda or development guide, and we need a positive development guide,’ he said.

Explaining the thinking behind the document, the lawmaker said the objective was to identify and bring together the advantages and opportunities available to the constituency in a manner that could guide collective action and development planning.

He stressed that the pursuit of development must take account of both immediate needs and the long-term consequences of decisions taken today.

‘Developing is when you have the best of the day without compromising what the future will be like. That is exactly what we are trying to do and what we are aiming for,’ he said.

Among the major issues highlighted in the development agenda is the economic potential of the constituency’s international border with the Republic of Benin. Isiaka advocated the establishment of a free trade zone to enable Yewa North and Imeko-Afon to derive greater economic benefits from their geographical position.

He also identified the need for tertiary institutions in both local government areas, describing access to higher education as an important component of human capital development and the creation of opportunities for young people.

The proposals reflect the broader ambition to reposition the border communities as centres of economic activity, with improved infrastructure, education and investment opportunities.

The public presentation also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with the development proposals and contribute their perspectives on the constituency’s future. Representatives of the Community Development Committee, traditional institutions, the League of Imams and Alfas, and the Christian Association of Nigeria participated in the interactive session.

The gathering included traditional rulers, Baales, former and serving lawmakers, All Progressives Congress chieftains, religious leaders, artisans, traders and youths.

The unveiling was also accompanied by an account of Isiaka’s four-year representation in the House of Representatives. He said his constituency interventions had covered all 21 wards, with projects and programmes spanning healthcare, education, infrastructure, empowerment, skills acquisition and employment.

He listed among the interventions the construction of a mini stadium and police station in Oja-Odan, provision of boreholes in six communities, installation of 1,200 solar streetlights, renovation of primary healthcare centres and the ongoing construction of a Computer-Based Test centre, which he said was 95 per cent complete.

The lawmaker said the development agenda was intended to provide a broader framework for the constituency’s progress, beyond individual projects and interventions.

He urged residents and stakeholders to take ownership of the development vision and work collectively towards its realisation.

Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), have rescued 11 kidnapped victims during separate operations in Ribah town and the Wasagu-Falfala general area of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi.

The rescue operations were disclosed in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Tamuno Sinivie.

According to the statement, troops of Sector 2 responded to a distress call on October 30, 2026, following reports that suspected terrorists had blocked the Ribah-Dirindaji road while attempting to invade Ribah town.

It explained that the troops, upon arriving at the scene, discovered that the assailants had fled with seven persons, prompting an aggressive pursuit towards Rambo village.

The statement said the pressure mounted by the troops forced the terrorists to abandon the victims, who were subsequently rescued.

The rescued victims were identified as Sa’adu Bala, 53; Nura Musa, 25; Dantami Yahyi, 57; Nasiru Muhammad, 21; Abdulakeem Abubakar, 23; Abdulahi Maikudi, 32; and Zaki Gambo, 56.

It said all seven victims were indigenes of Ribah town and had since been reunited with their families.

Similarly, on October 31, troops of Sector 2, while conducting a routine patrol in the Wasagu-Falfala general area to protect residents and deny terrorists freedom of movement, came under attack from terrorists who had laid an ambush along their route.

The statement said the troops responded swiftly, engaging the attackers with superior firepower and forcing them to flee.

It added that during a subsequent search of the area, the troops discovered four kidnapped victims who had been abandoned by the fleeing terrorists amid the exchange of fire.

The victims were identified as Lawali Ali, 20; Samaila Shaibu, 14; Kasimu Shaibu, 20; and Aliyu Bala, 18.

According to the statement, the four victims, who are residents of Wasagu village, were subsequently handed over to the village head.

The task force said troops had continued to dominate the general area and sustain confidence-building measures to prevent further attacks and protect residents going about their legitimate activities.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and critical infrastructure within its area of responsibility, while urging members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations.