Author: user user

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged Nigerians to make their homes the starting point for building a more peaceful nation, saying enduring peace must take root within families before extending to the wider society.

Mrs Tinubu made the call on Monday in her message commemorating the 2026 International Day of Peace, marked annually on September 21.

She said the responsibility for creating a peaceful society rests on everyone, stressing that the values required to sustain harmony should be cultivated in homes and carried into schools, workplaces and communities.

‘Peace begins in our homes and extends to our schools, workplaces, and communities. It is strengthened through tolerance, patience, justice, mutual respect, and dialogue’, the First Lady said.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, ‘Invest in Peace-For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day’, Mrs Tinubu said lasting peace could not be achieved without the commitment and participation of all members of society.

‘The ‘International Day of Peace 2026’, with the theme ‘Invest in Peace-For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,’ reminds us that lasting peace requires the commitment and participation of all of us’, she said.

The First Lady also urged Nigerians to resist tendencies capable of deepening divisions in the country and instead strengthen the values and bonds that unite them.

‘I encourage all Nigerians to reject division and embrace the values that unite us as one people. Let us invest in peace through our words, choices, and actions every day’, she said.

Mrs Tinubu emphasised that peace should be reflected not merely in public declarations but also in the everyday choices and conduct of citizens towards one another.

She said tolerance, patience, justice, mutual respect and dialogue remained essential ingredients for peaceful coexistence, beginning at the family level and extending across society.

The First Lady wished Nigerians and the international community a happy International Day of Peace 2026.

Erling Haaland scored the eighth goal of the game as Manchester City beat Sunderland but it gave him a unique personal record.

City won 5-3 on Sunday despite Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey netting a hat trick.

Enzo Fernández, Rayan Cherki and two goals from Antoine Semenyo put City ahead before Haaland struck in the 81st minute.

His goal – initially chalked off due to an offside which VAR overruled – means he has scored against each of the 25 clubs that he has faced in the Premier League for City.

Previously, Sunderland were the only club he had played but failed to score against. Haaland was goalless in two matches last season against Sunderland.

Haaland’s goal against Sunderland was his 117th in the Premier League. His five goals this season puts him top of the Golden Boot chase. Alexander Isak, who scored Liverpool’s winner against Bournemouth on Sunday, trails with four goals.

Brobbey, meanwhile, became the first player to score a hat trick and end up losing in the Premier League since Roque Santa Cruz for Blackburn against Wigan in December 2007. Brobbey was also the fourth player in Premier League history to score a hat trick against the side starting the day top of the table, after Robbie Fowler (vs. Aston Villa in November 1998), Dirk Kuyt (vs. Manchester United in March 2011), and Romelu Lukaku (vs. Manchester United in May 2013).

Brobbey is also the first player since Jamie Vardy six years ago to score a hat trick in the Premier League against City. It was the first hat trick in the top flight by a Sunderland player since Jermain Defoe a decade ago.

Meanwhile, City’s Enzo Maresca is the sixth manager to win his first five Premier League games in charge of a club, after Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea (six), Pep Guardiola at Man City (six), Craig Shakespeare at Leicester (five), Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea (five) and Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Man Utd (six).

What is it with Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar with financial ecology? The NDC and ADC presidential candidates don’t seem to like their environments. So, they are not able to account for the money under their care. In the case of the former Adamawa chieftain, he introduced the acronym SPV to the Nigerian corruption dictionary over what was known as PTDF. In his case, he could not account for about N100 million, which in today’s money was even less than Obi’s N2.13 billion. A $500,000 payday on Mambilla Plateau scandal now dogs Atiku. He can deny his wife, but he cannot deny the money. The Sunrise money lit up the Abubakars’ account. The ADC presidential candidate should see the light now and confess. The money was given, according to the Sunrise briber, to the Abubakars.

Atiku has a power problem this time after his ecology suffered from financial bad weather. Both scandals happened when he was vice president and chairman of the National Council on Privatisation. It was as NCP chair he sold off our precious assets almost for free. Obi, like is former oga, has inherited the same scandal. Obi threw a challenge and Governor Charles Soludo answered. Obi is now crying that he is being witch-hunted.

You cannot witch-hunt without facts. As author Samuel Butler said, ‘things are what they are and the consequences are what they will be. So, why wish to be deceived!’

The former Anambra State governor should not only show us the records that the money allocated to heal the gully erosion-prone communities actually landed in the First Bank account, the date and the other details of the transaction. He should also point to what he did with that mammoth sum, when he did it and evidence that he did it. If you spent money to stop erosion or to help farmers, the farmers and residents will testify. And the pictures, even in these days of AI, can be verified. This is more serious than saying that he cleared the grass of a place as evidence that he did something for nurses in the state. It is not everything we transform to farce. The same way he said he left over N76 billion naira for successor Governor Willy Obiano. It was true before it was discovered that he had written cheques to decimate that sum to some people. If his adoring followers ingest every morsel he utters, others cannot be deceived. Where are the Catholic bishops when we want them to talk? How now, Onaiyekan?

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has asked the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, citing recent disclosures by the Anambra State Government on debts and other liabilities linked to his eight-year tenure as governor.

The council said Obi should honour his reported pledge to quit the presidential contest if evidence emerged that his administration left behind debt obligations in Anambra State.

In a statement on Monday by its spokesman, Dele Alake, the APC campaign organisation said the disclosures had called into question Obi’s long-standing presentation of his tenure between 2006 and 2014 as one characterised by fiscal prudence and the absence of outstanding liabilities.

The Anambra State Government had last week said Obi’s administration contracted $123.77 million in external loans, with eight loan facilities remaining on the state’s books when he left office on March 17, 2014.

The outstanding balance on those facilities stood at $92.35 million, or about N127.4 billion, as of June 30, 2026.

The state government said the loans were tied to projects covering malaria control, education, healthcare, erosion management, community development and agricultural value-chain development, adding that successive administrations had continued servicing them.

Obi has disputed the state government’s characterisation of his financial record, maintaining that his administration did not leave unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or properly executed and certified contractor obligations when he handed over in 2014.

The APC council, however, said the external loan records were enough to contradict what it described as the image of a debt-free administration promoted by Obi and his supporters.

‘Borrowing is not injudicious if used for development. But for a man who prides himself on being austere and has frequently claimed he left the state with a clean bill of health, the revelations confirmed what has long been held,’ it said.

The campaign council also seized on the Anambra government’s claim that Obi’s administration spent about $4.05 billion over eight years, which the state converted to about N5.4 trillion at the current exchange rate.

The state said the $4.05 billion figure came from converting audited expenditures during Obi’s tenure at the average official exchange rates in effect at the time.

Alake further accused the former governor of leaving unpaid obligations to some workers, citing the Anambra Water Corporation.

The statement reproduced a purported April 25, 2006 memo from Obi’s then Chief of Staff, Chuks Ileogbunam, appealing to the governor to approve the corporation workers’ N15 million monthly salary to avert protests over unpaid wages.

‘Since it is your excellency’s unchanging desire to achieve a better future for our children and children’s children, please, Sir, bear in mind that officials of the Water Corporation also have children who are looking to your compassionate leadership,’ the memo quoted by the campaign council read.

‘The President listens with compassion to your appeals on behalf of the children of Anambra. I am 200 per cent sure that you will hearken to the cries of the children whose parents work for the Water Corporation and end their ordeal,’ it added.

The APC council claimed Obi had promised during his governorship campaign to resign if workers were not paid as and when due, arguing that the alleged salary arrears contradicted that pledge.

It also criticised Obi over what it described as a recent solidarity visit to an individual facing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, although the statement did not identify the person.

The campaign organisation said the former governor should respond directly to the records released by the Anambra government rather than continue defending his fiscal record.

‘Indeed, if Peter Obi has any honour, he must resign from the 2027 presidential race forthwith, in keeping with his promise to end his run if it is proven that his administration left behind liabilities in Anambra,’ Alake said.

The Anambra government had said the controversy was not about whether borrowing was inherently wrong, noting that governments routinely borrow for development, but whether Obi’s administration left loan obligations that succeeding governments were required to service.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a N10billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai.

The AGF, in a counter affidavit, argued among others, that El-rufai’s suit is lacking in merit as there are no legal and evidential justifications to support all claims and reliefs he is seeking.

Fagbemi also argued that the suit constitutes an abuse of court processes because the ex-governor has two pending suits on same subject matter before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He denied being privy to the facts of the case, contending that the first and second respondents – the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) – acted within their statutory functions.

The AGF stated that the items seized from the El-rufai’s house by the ICPC and IGP were seized to enable them to conclude investigation on the ex-governor.

El-rufai, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026 wants the court to, among others, declare that the invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2pm by the and ICPC and the IGP amounts to a gross violation of his fundamental rights.

He equally wants an order directing the ICPC and IGP to forthwith retum all items seized from his premises during the search, together with a detailed inventory.

The ex-governor is also praying for an order awarding him N1billion as general, exemplary, and aggravated damages.

The ICPC and the IGP have equally filed separate counter affidavits ik which they praying the court to dismiss the suit for lacking in merit.

In its counter affidavit, the ICPC said it received a petition against El-Rufai and acting on the petition by commencing an investigation, leading to the search at his residence.

It argued that its operatives acted under a valid search warrant issued on February 18 and executed on February 19 between 1:37pm and 3:56pm at 12 Mambilla Street, Asokoro, Abuja.

The states that its officials were accompanied by men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), adding that the exercise was witnessed by El-Rufai’s wife, Hadiza and his son, Mohammed.

The IGP argued,

in a counter affidavit, that that the police has the statutory power to detect, arrest, investigate and prosecute offenders.

The police further argued that the search carried out at El-Rufai’s residence was executed pursuant to a search warrant issued by a competent court of law.

It disagreed with the ex-governor that that search warrant was invalid, insisting that it was a genuine court order.

It said that its officers who carried out the operation, complied with all applicable legal procedures in the execution of the search warrant.

According to the police, the applicant is trying to use the honourable court to shield himself from the security investigation and prosecution in the court of law.

When the case was called on Monday, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted a motion by the AGF, which was moved by Maimuna Lami-Shiru, the Director, Civil Litigation at the Federal Ministry of Justice.

In the motion, the AGF sought an extension of time to deem his counter affidavit properly filed and served.

Justice Abdulmalik has adjourned till October 27 for hearing.

Earlier, the judge granted the request by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji for the release of his international passport to enable him embark on a foreign medical trip.

Nnaji, who is facing a six-count criminal charge before the court, had his international passport confiscated as part of the conditions attached to the bail earlier granted him.

His lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN) had while moving an application he filed for the ex-minister, said his client requires the passport to enable him travel abroad for medical treatment.

Justice Abdulmalik after granting the application, adjourned till October 26 for trial.

Nnaji was arraigned before the court on July 13 on a charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/389/2026, filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

He is accused, among others, of engaging in corruption, fraud, confering corrupt advantage upon himself, giving false information by allegedly making and presenting false certificate of national service, university degree certificate.

It was an emotional Monday night in the Big Brother Naija Season 11 house as housemates received heartfelt messages from home.

Big Brother surprised the 10 remaining housemates with personal video messages from their family and loved ones, a gesture that left many in tears.

The messages arrived hours after Keivo emerged as Head of House for week nine and after Barry’s Ultimate Veto Power decision granted all housemates immunity and a spot in the finale, though the housemates are yet to learn of the latter.

For housemates who have been away from family and friends for over two months, the messages were a much-needed reminder of life outside the house and the support waiting for them.

Several housemates broke down in tears as they listened to words of encouragement, prayers and affirmations from home, while others were seen consoling one another.

The emotional moment comes as the show enters its final two weeks, with the housemates now guaranteed a place in the finale and the competition for the grand prize at its peak.

Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State and former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Abubakar Adamu, has concluded a free medical outreach for pregnant women in Lafia Local Government Area.

The intervention, held on Saturday, covered the 13 wards in the local government and was organised under the M.A. Adamu Medicare for Renewed Hope Agenda Free Medical Outreach Programme being implemented across the state.

Speaking with journalists at the event, Adamu said the initiative was aimed at supporting pregnant women who could not afford essential materials required for childbirth.

‘What we’ve seen today is part of our programmes we’ve been doing in all the wards in Nasarawa State. It is an empowerment for pregnant women,’ he said.

Adamu said about 100 pregnant women were targeted in each ward, adding that beneficiaries were selected irrespective of their political affiliation.

‘In every ward, we have about 100 women and the criteria for selection is random. We don’t care which party you belong to; we don’t care which association you belong to, in as much as you’re pregnant and you’re from that ward, you’ll benefit from it,’ he said.

He said the programme had been implemented across the state’s 147 wards, with Lafia being the final local government area covered.

‘We have 147 wards in Nasarawa State and we’ve been to all the wards to do similar thing and this is the last local government, and we have 13 wards here,’ he said.

At the event, Adamu also distributed motorcycles to ward coordinators and vehicles to members of his campaign organisation, including officials overseeing women affairs, medical services, mechanics and operations.

He said the logistics were provided to strengthen the campaign structure and facilitate operations across the state.

‘For our staff in each ward, today we give motorcycles to help them carry out their tasks,’ he said.

‘There is also a vehicle for the women’s wings; there is going to be another vehicle for medicals; there are also vehicles for mechanics; there are also vehicles for operations. All of these are brought to help with the campaigns.’

The outreach is part of a series of empowerment and humanitarian programmes associated with the SDP governorship campaign in Nasarawa, including agricultural support and medical services.