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The Afenifere National Youth Council (ANYC) has called for political restructuring, fiscal federalism and the establishment of state and local government police ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair and credible elections, with results determined by votes cast by Nigerians.

ANYC National President Prince Eniola Ojajuni made the demands on Monday at a press conference held at Oduduwa House, Ikeja, Lagos.

Ojajuni said Nigeria’s security challenges required urgent intelligence-driven reforms focused on protecting lives and property.

While acknowledging the Federal Government’s efforts to address insecurity, he called for further measures to tackle killings, kidnapping, banditry and farmer-herder clashes.

On the 2027 elections, the group urged eligible Nigerians, particularly youths, to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), study the candidates and participate actively in the electoral process.

ANYC said INEC should maintain its impartiality and deploy transparent technology to protect election results from polling units through the collation process.

The group also called for greater equity among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, saying appointments, policies and development should reflect the country’s diversity and federal character.

It renewed its call for restructuring through fiscal federalism, resource control and devolution of powers to states and regions.

According to the organisation, greater decentralisation would enable states and regions to develop according to their peculiar circumstances while remaining part of a united Nigeria.

ANYC also backed the establishment of state and local government police, arguing that decentralised policing would enable security agencies to respond more effectively to local threats.

On the economy, the group expressed concern over the rising cost of food, fuel and other essential commodities, urging the Federal Government to strengthen social interventions, support local production and improve Nigerians’ purchasing power.

It called for increased investment in education, healthcare, environmental protection and job creation, particularly through small and medium-scale enterprises, technology and agriculture.

The organisation also urged youths to reject thuggery, vote-selling and tribalism and embrace productivity, integrity, entrepreneurship and civic participation.

On justice, ANYC called for equal application of the law regardless of status, ethnicity or religion, as well as an independent judiciary and greater equity in access to opportunities.

The group further urged traditional rulers in Yorubaland to facilitate reconciliation between Aare Ona Kakanfo Gani Adams and Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

It said Yoruba youths should not be divided or mobilised against one another because of political differences.

Ojajuni said ANYC would mobilise youths peacefully for the 2027 elections and hold political leaders accountable.

He was accompanied at the briefing by the organisation’s National Secretary, Abiodun Aderohunmu.

The group said the 2027 elections should give Nigerians an opportunity to demand accountable leadership, credible elections, and policies aimed at improving living conditions.

Fortune Football Academy solidified their position at the top of the Nathaniel Idowu U-16 Football League table following a 7-0 victory over Seraphic FA in Matchday 3 fixtures played over the weekend.

The victory extends Fortune FA’s perfect start to the season with nine points from three matches, while leaving Seraphic FA at the bottom of the table with 17 goals conceded across three outings.

Following a goalless opening 29 minutes, Adebayo Lateef opened the scoring for Fortune FA in the 30th minute. Forward Odesola Odunayo scored a hat-trick with goals in the 35th , 80th , and 85th minutes, while Akanbi Quadri added a goal in the 40th minute. Substitute Adetola Faizor completed the scoreline with a late stoppage-time brace.

In other Matchday 3 action, St. Petersburg FA secured a 3-1 victory over Moore Wins Foundation FA. Early strikes from Tajudeen Abdulrasaq and Olajide Dolapo put St. Petersburg ahead inside the first 20 minutes. Emmanuel Ebube extended the lead in the 48th minute, rendering Israel Igoh’s 50th -minute effort a mere consolation for Moore Wins.

Young Eleven FA ended Bright Stars FA’s unbeaten run with a 3-1 win to move into second place in the league standings. Osbert Samuel put Young Eleven ahead early before Sheriff Musa equalized for Bright Stars prior to halftime. Second-half goals from Lati in the 50th minute and Raphael in the 80th minute secured the three points for Young Eleven, who now hold the league’s best defensive record with only two goals conceded this season.

SC Heritage recorded their first win of the campaign, recovering from a two-goal deficit to defeat Atico FA 3-2. Early goals from Korede and Adewale had initially put Atico in command, but SC Heritage mounted a second-half comeback with goals from Joshua Garba, Jonathan Norbert, and Chukwuemeka Bryan. The victory lifts SC Heritage out of the relegation zone.

Ajegunle United SC maintained their recent momentum with a 3-1 victory over Divinely Blessed FA. After a goalless opening hour, Ajegunle broke the match open through goals from Peter Adoga in the 57th minute, Akindipe Timilehin in the 68th , and Onyebuchi Okolo in the 81st . Kosi scored a late consolation goal for Divinely Blessed in stoppage time as Ajegunle secured their second consecutive win to remain level on seven points with Young Eleven FA.

The awareness campaign ahead of an upcoming 3-in-1 event by DevReporting, a media platform dedicated to data-driven reporting across Africa, has formally kicked off at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

The event, scheduled for Thursday, October 29, is expected to spotlight local governance accountability and drive development journalism.

During a courtesy visit to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) management on Monday, DevReporting’s management explained that the landmark event will feature the premiere of the investigative documentary ‘LG Billions in the Dark’; the formal launch of the Development Reporting Africa Foundation (DRAF); and a strategic fundraising drive.

Led by Managing Editor Christiana Alabi-Akande and Associate Editor Samson Ademola, the DevReporting delegation met with UNILAG officials to introduce the initiative and express gratitude for hosting the event, emphasising the importance of bridging academic communities and civic discourse.

‘We are deeply grateful for the university’s support and partnership, aimed at enhancing gown and town collaborations,’ Mrs Alabi-Akande stated during the visit.

About the documentary

According to the media organisation, the investigative documentary ‘LG Billions in the Dark’ focuses on local government administration in Osun State, South-West Nigeria, using it as a case study to highlight nationwide challenges in public finance management, service delivery, and civic accountability.

‘Our intention is not only to tell the story of Osun State, but also to stimulate a broader national conversation about the state of local governance and the need for citizens and institutions to demand accountability,’ Alabi-Akande explained.

The project is executed in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through its Local Media Sustainability Fund (LMSF), with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

Engaging students and academic communities

Highlighting why UNILAG was chosen as the flagship venue, Mr Ademola noted that local government receives significantly less public scrutiny than state or federal tiers, making student involvement critical.

‘Empirical evidence suggests that local governments do not receive as much attention as federal and state governments,’ Ademola stated. ‘Despite being closest to citizens, many remain unaware of local governance activities. Bringing students together will allow them to understand these issues, contribute to the conversation, and advocate for transparency.’

UNILAG management commends development journalism

Welcoming the team, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Professor Folasade Ogunsola commended DevReporting’s focus on constructive, development-driven reporting that addresses challenges while recognising progress.

‘As a country, we need to change the narrative and talk about a nation striving to survive and develop, keeping the perspective positive while confronting our challenges,’ Prof. Ogunsola remarked. ‘This is the type of journalism we need as an institution to work with, and we look forward to DRAF and the documentary screening.’

High-level university presence

The vice-chancellor was joined by top members of UNILAG management, including Deputy Vice-Chancellors Prof. Muyiwa Falaiye (Management Services), Prof. Afolabi Lesi (Development Services), and Prof. Mathew Ilori (Academics and Research).

Also present were Registrar Victoria Wickliffe, Bursar Oluwafunmilola Adekunle, University Librarian Prof. Olatokunbo Okiki, Director of Quality Assurance Prof. Olufemi Saibu, Director of Works Olaniyi Ayeye, and Director of Academic Planning Prof. Olufunlayo Bammeke.

Six members of the same family were killed in a building collapse in the Nenwenta community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, following torrential rainfall that triggered landslides in the area.

Villagers told our correspondent that the victims were a man, his wife, their three children and their grandmother, who were crushed when a head tank collapsed on the building.

Only one child, said to be four years old, survived and was later rescued and rushed to hospital.

The tragedy occurred on September 18, 2026, amid a landslide that cut off Nenwenta and neighbouring Ugwueme communities from the rest of Enugu State, leaving residents stranded and making access for emergency responders difficult.

The development also forced residents travelling out of the affected communities to pass through Abia and Imo states before reaching other parts of Enugu State.

The member representing Awgu South State Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Anthony Nwankwo, confirmed this when he raised the matter on the floor of the Assembly on Monday under a motion of urgent public importance.

Nwankwo painted a grim picture of the disaster, saying the collapse of the head tank claimed the lives of six members of the same family, while a four-year-old child survived.

He lamented that the victims might have been rescued alive but for the lack of access to the communities, which made emergency intervention difficult.

‘I move that the House do write the relevant authorities to intervene to open the road leading to Ugwueme and Nenwenta,’ Nwankwo said.

The lawmaker appealed to the Enugu State Ministry of Works, Enugu State Emergency Management Authority and the Ecological Fund to urgently intervene, reopen the road and prevent further loss of life and property.

Contributing to the motion, lawmakers sympathised with Nwankwo and residents of his constituency, while supporting immediate intervention to restore access to the affected communities.

The lawmakers representing Ezeagu, Nkanu East and Oji River constituencies, Chima Obieze, Okey Mba and Osita Eze, respectively, described the incident as a natural disaster and warned residents against building close to hills or engaging in reckless excavation of soil and stones.

They urged the government to urgently open the cut-off road and provide relief to residents of Ugwueme and Nenwenta, stressing the need to prevent further casualties in the affected communities.

Former Minister of Transport, Rear Admiral Festus Porbeni (retd.), has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising the settlement of workers’ entitlements, particularly the payment of salaries and benefits owed to workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways.

Porbeni, who served as Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy in 1994, described the intervention as a demonstration of concern for the welfare of Nigerians, who devoted their productive years to public service.

In a statement made available to reporters at the weekend, Porbeni said the payment would provide the much-needed relief to ex-Nigeria Airways employees, many of whom had endured prolonged financial difficulties while waiting for the benefits they were entitled to receive.

Federal Government recently began the payment of N18 billion in outstanding benefits to 2,700 former Nigeria Airways workers, more than two decades after the national carrier was liquidated.

According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, 2,100 beneficiaries in batches one to seven had received their payments, while another 600 beneficiaries in batches eight and nine were being processed for payment.

Porbeni recalled his involvement in the preparation and publication of a White Paper report on the airline in 1995, disclosing that investigation into the activities of Nigeria Airways was led by the late Major-General David Jemibewon (retd.).

He said the report, which was subsequently submitted to the Provisional Ruling Council, revealed widespread abuse of Nigeria Airways’ facilities by federal ministries and parastatals.

‘Government ministries and agencies utilised the national carrier’s services without proper accounting or reimbursement, a practice that significantly contributed to the eventual collapse of the airline,’ he said.

Nigeria Airways was liquidated in 2003, leaving thousands of former workers pursuing outstanding entitlements for years.

The latest intervention follows repeated appeals and assurances by successive administrations.

Describing President Tinubu’s action as a demonstration of genuine concern for the welfare of retired and serving public servants, the former naval officer urged the Federal Government to sustain the momentum across all sectors.

He noted that the long-awaited payment would bring much-needed relief to thousands of former Nigeria Airways workers and their families, who had endured years of hardship.

The former minister advised the Federal Government to strengthen mechanisms for the prompt settlement of retirement and other statutory benefits, noting that employees who dedicated their productive years to national service should not be subjected to prolonged uncertainty after retirement.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has terminated the appointment of a staff member found to have extorted unsuspecting candidates.

JAMB disclosed this in its release bulletin on Monday, saying the action was part of its renewed efforts to sanitise the admission and examination processes.

The Board said the sanction demonstrated that its fight against fraud was not limited to external offenders but also extended to misconduct within the organisation.

‘The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has terminated the appointment of one of its staff members for extorting unsuspecting candidates, in further demonstration of its renewed commitment to flushing out bad eggs from the system,’ the Board stated.

JAMB warned its staff against engaging in conduct capable of undermining the integrity of the Board or exploiting candidates and members of the public.

‘Accordingly, the Board once again warned all members of staff to desist from all forms of unwholesome conduct, particularly acts capable of undermining the integrity of the Board or exploiting candidates and members of the public, as such actions would attract severe consequences in accordance with established rules,’ it added.

The Board said the same measures it had applied to fraudulent activities outside the organisation would also be used against internal misconduct.

It noted that the termination sent a ‘clear and unequivocal message’ that its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and misconduct applied to all staff, irrespective of their status or position.

JAMB further said it would not shield staff members who abused their positions or the trust placed in them by candidates and members of the public.

‘The Board stressed that having dealt decisively with external fraudsters who seek to exploit candidates and members of the public, it would not shield or spare any of its own staff members who cross the line or abuse the trust reposed in them.’

The Board warned that staff found engaging in acts capable of compromising its operations would face sanctions in line with established rules.

JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a clean, accountable and professional workforce, stressing that the fight against fraud and misconduct must begin from within to preserve the integrity of its operations.

The Presidency has dismissed suggestions that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stayed away from the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York because of any legal or immigration restriction in the United States, describing the claim as baseless political gimmickry.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, said there was ‘absolutely no impediment’ to Tinubu travelling to the United States, insisting that the President’s decision to delegate Vice President Kashim Shettima should not be interpreted as a sign of diminished Nigerian diplomacy.

Oshodi, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday evening, said questions over the President’s decision not to personally attend the UNGA were legitimate, but dismissed attempts to link his absence to fears of arrest or restrictions by US authorities.

‘There is absolutely no impediment. You know, for absolutely no reason, it is pure politics. This election season is a silly season of people saying things for electoral advantage. It is that simple’, Oshodi said.

‘So this is pure nonsense, and it’s politics’, he added.

The presidential aide said Tinubu had travelled to the United States since becoming President, recalling that he attended the 78th UNGA in New York in 2023 and undertook engagements outside the UN Headquarters district, including a visit to NASDAQ.

He also said the President was in Los Angeles in August 2025 before travelling onward to Brazil, adding that he personally accompanied Tinubu on the trips.

Oshodi argued that presidential attendance at the UNGA should not be the sole measure of a country’s seriousness about foreign policy, saying diplomacy also depends on strong institutions, continuity, the authority of representatives, and concrete outcomes from international engagements.

His comments followed public debate over Tinubu’s decision to mandate Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA for the third consecutive year.

Shettima also delivered Nigeria’s national statements at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025, respectively, while Tinubu last attended the gathering personally in 2023.

Oshodi said Shettima, as Nigeria’s second-highest elected official, carries the President’s full mandate and possesses sufficient authority to articulate and advance Nigeria’s interests at the global gathering.

He said the Vice President would be supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim; and other senior government officials.

Shettima arrived in New York on Monday to represent Tinubu and lead the Nigerian delegation. He is expected to deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in bilateral and multilateral engagements during the high-level week.

According to Oshodi, Nigeria is going into the UNGA with substantial priorities, including insecurity across the Sahel, the direction of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, reform of the global financial architecture, climate action and stronger African representation in international institutions.

He stressed that the issues being pursued in New York have direct implications for Nigerians, particularly in security cooperation, investment, climate financing, employment opportunities, government revenue and the country’s capacity to protect its citizens.

The presidential aide also maintained that Nigeria’s foreign policy engagements extended beyond the annual UN gathering, citing the country’s activities through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU), BRICS and bilateral relationships.

‘UNGA High-Level Week brings world leaders together and creates valuable opportunities for direct engagement. That value should be recognised, but it cannot become the sole measure of a country’s diplomatic commitment,’ he said.

Oshodi said the appropriate measure of Nigeria’s performance at the UNGA should be whether the country’s positions were effectively advanced and whether its engagements yielded useful outcomes for Nigerians.

‘Public scrutiny of presidential attendance is healthy, but Nigeria is fully represented with sufficient authority. A fuller judgement must also consider whether Nigeria clearly advances its positions and whether its engagements produce useful results for Nigerians.

‘That is the standard by which Nigeria’s participation at UNGA 81 should be assessed’, he said.

The General Debate of the 81st UNGA is scheduled for September 22 to 28 under the theme, ‘Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all’.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned against the use of rolling skate shoes on the highways.

LASTMA said in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, that the rising number children, teenagers and young adults engaged in the practice does not only pose great danger to motorists and passers-by but the scatters.

The agency said it had noted that users of rolling skate shoes or roller scatters often cross carriageways indiscriminately and glide alongside moving vehicles with no safety kits or supervision by adults.

LASTMA called on parents, guardians and schools to advise their young adults and children against the act for their safety, motorists and passers-by.

The agency said the state has many designated recreational facilities where roller scatters could use, instead of endangering peoples’ lives and theirs.