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2027: Tunji-Ojo-backed group launches ward, polling unit mobilisation for Tinubu

A political support group backed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, BTO4PBAT27, has launched a grassroots mobilisation campaign across wards and polling units in Ondo State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group’s Director-General, Mr Gideon Adojutelegan, said this on Saturday in an interview in Akure, adding that the group has commenced a ‘Unit-to-Unit Tour’ across the state’s 18 local government areas.

Adojutelegan revealed that the tour also aims to strengthen grassroots structures and mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

He said the initiative would involve direct engagement with residents, party members, community leaders, youths, women and other stakeholders.

The DG noted that the tour would focus on voter education, Permanent Voter Card (PVC) awareness, political reconciliation, community dialogue and strengthening its presence at ward and polling-unit levels.

Adojutelegan added that the initiative was designed to move beyond conventional political mobilisation by creating opportunities for the group to listen to the concerns and priorities of communities.

‘Effective political organisation must have its foundation among the people. Our objective is not simply to visit communities, but to listen, engage, build relationships and strengthen grassroots participation,’ he stated.

He said sustained engagement at the ward and polling-unit levels remained critical to building an effective political organisation and maintaining regular interaction with the electorate.

Adojutelegan added that the group’s activities would promote party unity and support for candidates duly nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections.

He lauded the Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, for his leadership, guidance and continued support for its political and grassroots activities.

According to him, the minister’s encouragement had helped strengthen its organisational structure and motivated members to expand their activities across the state.

‘We formally place on record our profound appreciation for his leadership, guidance, trust, encouragement and continued support.

‘We remain committed to conducting our activities with discipline, responsibility and respect for the people and institutions we engage,’ Adojutelegan stated.

He, however, said the Unit-to-Unit Tour would also strengthen coordination among its members and create sustained channels of engagement between its leadership and communities across Ondo State.

Kogi govt extends mobile medical services to Koton Karfe Correctional Centre

The Kogi State Government, under the leadership and directive of Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended mobile medical services to inmates and personnel of the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre as part of efforts to safeguard the health and wellbeing of persons in correctional facilities across the State.

The medical outreach was conducted on Friday, by the Kogi State Ministry of Health, and provided basic medical screening and other health services to not less than 188 inmates and personnel of the Correctional Service at the facility.

Led by Komolafe, Portable Digital X -ray technology with Artificial Intelligence capability, was deployed particularly for the screening of tuberculosis and other chest-related conditions. The team also collected various body samples from beneficiaries for more advanced laboratory investigations.

The intervention was initiated by Governor Ododo as part of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that persons in correctional facilities have access to essential healthcare services and that their health needs are not overlooked.

The inmates and personnel of the Correctional Centre expressed appreciation to the governor for extending the medical intervention to them, describing the gesture as a demonstration of compassion and concern for their wellbeing.

One of the inmates, visibly moved by the intervention, said, ‘I thought the world had forgotten me, but today Ododo has reminded me that I am not forgotten’.

Adams Abdulazeez, commissioner for Health, said Governor Ododo had also expressed appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the transformative reforms being undertaken in the nation’s correctional services and for supporting Kogi State through various interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said: ‘Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the welfare, safety and dignity of persons in correctional facilities, while ensuring that the benefits of healthcare and other government interventions reach every segment of the population’.

Abdulazeez said the governor further reaffirmed his support for the President and pledged continued commitment to the safety, health and overall wellbeing of the people of Kogi State, just as he expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise, commending the governor for the thoughtfulness behind the initiative and his concern for the health of inmates and correctional personnel.

He also commended the management and personnel of the Correctional Centre, as well as the inmates, for their warm reception and cooperation with the medical team throughout the exercise.

Abdulazeez equally disclosed that the Ministry of Health would sustain the intervention and extend similar medical services to other correctional facilities across the state, adding that the intuitive was consistent with the administration’s broader commitment to strengthening access to healthcare and ensuring that no category of people is excluded from essential health services in Kogi State.

Thai sprint king Puripol: The fastest man in Asia

Puripol Boonson tore up the record books and Asia’s sprinting order on Friday night, blazing to 100-metre gold in 9.90 seconds to crown himself the continent’s fastest man in front of a roaring Nagoya crowd.

The 20-year-old broke his own Asian Games record to win gold in the blue riband event in 9.90 seconds at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium to become Thailand’s first men’s 100m champion since Suchart Jairsuraparp’s victory on home soil at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games.

Puripol’s semi-final run of 9.91sec earlier on Friday had eclipsed the 9.92sec by China’s Su Bingtian at the 2018 edition in Jakarta, Indonesia.

But Puripol, who won silver in the discipline in Hangzhou three years ago, shaved another 100th off that in the final to finish well clear of the Omani pair of Ali Al-Balushi (10.04) and Malham Al-Balushi (10.11).

Puripol became Southeast Asia’s first runner to break the 10-second barrier when he ran 9.94 at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in December last year and entered the Japan meet in fine form after posting 9.99 seconds at a race in the Czech Republic last month.

In the women’s 100 race, Jirapat Khanonta (11.46) and Sukanda Petraksa (11.48) finished fifth and sixth respectively on Friday.

China’s Chen Yujie won in a Games-record 11.06sec to relegate the Hangzhou gold medallist, Singapore’s Shanti Pereira (11.21), to the silver. Bahrain’s Edidiong Odiong took bronze in 11.33.

Lifters keep delivering

Weightlifter Weeraphon Wichuma claimed another silver medal for the Thai contingent after finishing second in the men’s 75kg category on Saturday.

Weeraphon, who won the 73kg silver at the Paris Olympics, hauled 160kg in the opening snatch event and lifted 205kg in clean and jerk to finish with a combined 365kg.

The gold medal went to Indonesia’s Irwin Ramat Abdullah, who edged the Thai in the clean and jerk by just one kilo. North Korea’s Ri Chong Song took bronze with 357kg.

Weeraphon’s silver was the fourth medal of the lifting team following the success of Suratwadee Yodsan (women’s 57kg – silver), Theerapong Silachai (men’s 60kg – bronze) and Surodchana Khambao (women’s 53kg – bronze).

The esports team also made the podium on Saturday as Tanarak Wongkitikun bagged the bronze medal in the Puyo Puyo Champions event.

Tanarak lost 10-1 in the semi-finals to Japan’s Yuki Kurihara, who went on to win the gold medal.

It was the second medal for the esports team following the Naraka: Bladepoint silver on Thursday.

Vareeraya in final

Skateboarder Vareeraya Sukasem qualified for the final of the women’s street event after placing third with 110.07 points in heat 2 of the preliminary round.

BMX freestyle stars Saithan Phetnum and Rungrueang Phamee also reached the final after they finished second and third respectively in heat 1 of the men’s park qualification round.

Boxer Kangpi Bokhunthod moved into the quarter-finals of the men’s 55kg event after a 3-2 victory over Samandar Olimov of Uzbekistan on Saturday.

Jakkapon Yomkhot also progressed as he defeated Nepal’s Rabin Nepal with a 5-0 unanimous decision in the men’s 90kg event, but fellow Thai Punrawee Ruenros exited after losing to China’s Yang Chengyu by the same score in the women’s 60kg round of 16.

Ratchanok advances

In badminton, Ratchanok Intanon defeated Kim Jin Hyang of North Korea 21-14, 21-3 in the women’s singles second round but Pornpawee Chochuwong lost to Taiwan’s Lin Hsiang-ti 14-21, 16-21.

She was scheduled to play Singapore’s Yeo Jia Min in the third round later on Saturday.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn was another player who had to play two matches in one day. He came through his second round match against Pui Pang Fong of Macau 21-6, 21-10 and was due to play Vietnam’s Nguyen Hai Dang in the third round later last night.

Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Peeratchai Sukphun ended their challenge in the second round after they lost to Daniel Marthin and Leo Rolly Carnando of Indonesia 8-21, 22-24.

Women’s doubles pairs Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat/Nuntakarn Aimsaard and Napapakorn Tungkasatan/Hathaithip Mijad also bowed out in the second round on Saturday.

In table tennis, Suthasini Sawettabut and Orawan Paranang beat Shin Yu-Bin and Joo Cheon-Hui of South Korea 3-2 to reach the women’s doubles semi-finals and assure themselves of at least a bronze medal.

Hybrid campaign targets Azerbaijan-Trkiye brotherly ties

The temporary commission of the Milli Majlis against foreign interference and hybrid threats (the Commission) has examined an information campaign directed against Azerbaijan in recent days. According to the Commission, the campaign has been conducted from the territory of the Republic of Trkiye through social media platforms.

The findings paint a clear picture. Certain centers launched this effort not only to strike at the Azerbaijan-Trkiye partnership, but to confuse public opinion more broadly. The goal, investigators concluded, was to plant seeds of distrust in citizens toward their own state and its institutions, and to stir up division within society.

The campaign is coordinated. It relies on targeted advertisements, and it uses a mix of real and fake social media accounts to amplify its message and make manufactured outrage look like a genuine groundswell. This combination includes paid promotion and artificial voices.

It should be noted that the issue is particularly sensitive given the close and long-standing relationship between Azerbaijan and Trkiye. The two countries have repeatedly described their ties as those of two brotherly states, and the principle of “one nation, two states” has become a widely recognized expression of the relationship between the Azerbaijani and Turkish peoples.

Against this background, attempts to create mistrust between the two societies through social media can have an impact beyond individual online discussions. Information circulating on digital platforms can quickly reach large audiences, while misleading or deliberately manipulated content can make it difficult for users to distinguish between genuine information and coordinated campaigns.

The commission pointed out that some people in both Azerbaijan and Trkiye who have no malicious intentions have nevertheless supported or shared elements of the campaign. This makes public awareness and caution particularly important.

Azerbaijan and Trkiye continue to maintain particularly close political, economic, security and people-to-people ties. Cooperation between the two countries extends across a wide range of areas, while regular high-level contacts have reinforced the strategic character of bilateral relations.

For Baku and Ankara, maintaining public trust between the two societies remains an important part of the broader relationship.

In such a difficult period, it is necessary to remain vigilant and not to believe fabricated information.

Africa’s next agripreneurs need more than farming skills – Danjuma

Africa’s next generation of agripreneurs must combine agricultural expertise with financial literacy, technology, marketing and business management to build competitive and sustainable enterprises, Fidelis Danjuma, a mentor with the 2026 Leading Change Accelerator Program (LCAP) Blueprint, has said.

Danjuma said cross-disciplinary mentorship and integrated entrepreneurial training were increasingly necessary to help young Africans transform innovative ideas into viable businesses capable of creating jobs and contributing to economic development.

Speaking with newsmen on the role of mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration in developing young entrepreneurs, Danjuma said traditional professional silos could no longer adequately prepare innovators for the demands of modern business.

‘Building sustainable businesses requires more than specialised technical knowledge. It demands an integrated, cross-disciplinary ecosystem where ideas, skills, experience and resources can converge to create lasting value,’ he said.

According to him, the agriculture sector illustrates the need for such an integrated approach, given its importance to Africa’s food security, employment and climate resilience.

Danjuma said knowledge of agronomy alone was insufficient to build competitive agribusinesses, urging young agripreneurs to acquire skills in financial management, value-chain operations, digital technology, strategic marketing and risk management.

‘When young innovators combine knowledge of primary-sector practices with modern business principles, agriculture can evolve from a predominantly subsistence activity into a dynamic, competitive and high-growth sector capable of creating jobs and generating sustainable economic value,’ he said.

He identified mentorship as a critical bridge between theoretical knowledge and practical business execution, particularly as young entrepreneurs move from developing an idea to producing a minimum viable product, validating the market and building scalable business models.

‘As mentors, our responsibility is not simply to provide answers. It is to help young innovators ask the right questions, test their assumptions, learn from setbacks and develop the confidence required to execute their ideas,’ Danjuma said.

He said the 10-week LCAP Blueprint programme was designed to equip its 2026 cohort with practical skills, knowledge, networks and confidence to develop sustainable ventures.

Danjuma said the programme’s objective went beyond creating businesses, stressing that it also sought to develop entrepreneurs capable of identifying problems in their communities and designing solutions with measurable economic and social impact.

‘With the right mentorship, ecosystem and opportunities, Africa’s young innovators can move from being participants in the continent’s economic transformation to becoming some of its most important drivers,’ he said.

Jonathan warns politicians against bending rules to win elections

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned politicians participating in the 2027 general elections against manipulating the electoral process or engaging in misconduct in the pursuit of victory.

Jonathan gave the warning at a public lecture organised to mark the 80th birthday of Kanu Agabi (SAN), former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

His remarks came as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with the presidential campaign season already underway.

The former president, who conceded defeat to the opposition in the 2015 presidential election, said politics has established rules that must be respected by all contestants.

Jonathan said, ‘In politics, it is a disaster. People do stupid things, also even criminal things, and they will tell you it is politics. It is not politics. Politics has rules.’

He likened electoral contests to a football match, stressing that candidates must operate within the rules governing elections.

‘Politics is like a soccer match. You play according to the rules, and that is why the courts step in to mediate if you go against the rules. Otherwise, you can do anything and win an election and walk away,’ he said.

Jonathan also spoke on corruption, saying Nigeria’s anti-corruption challenge cannot be solved solely through legislation or the activities of law-enforcement agencies.

According to him, the country must develop a culture in which ethical conduct is valued and public office is regarded as a trust.

‘The challenge before Nigeria is not simply to make laws against corruption. It is to build a culture in which ethical conduct becomes the norm, where public office is treated as a trust, and where institutions are strong enough to uphold accountability,’ he said.

Recalling his experience in Rwanda, Jonathan said social norms in the country discourage public officials from accepting gifts that could compromise public trust.

Jonathan further urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility for fighting corruption, stressing that the task should not be left solely to statutory agencies.

‘All of us Nigerians have a major role to play if we want to suppress corruption, not just the bodies established by law to discipline and punish those who do it,’ he said.

He also underscored the role of the judiciary and other institutions in enforcing accountability and ensuring that violations of established rules attract appropriate consequences.

Cholera outbreak claims two at Kano custodial centre

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that the cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kano State has been contained.

The Service, however, said two inmates died from the outbreak, with one death recorded at the custodial centre and the other at the Kano State Infectious Diseases Hospital.

The NCoS Public Relations Officer, Jane Osuji, said the outbreak was confirmed through laboratory investigation on September 23 by the Service’s medical team and Kano State public health authorities.

She said the incident was first detected on September 17 when an inmate presented with vomiting and diarrhoea and was immediately admitted and treated at the centre’s medical facility.

According to her, the medical team activated emergency protocols the following morning while intensifying treatment, monitoring and other interventions.

Osuji said the measures brought the outbreak under control, adding that no further deaths had been recorded since the diagnosis.

She said the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, directed that all necessary measures be sustained to protect the health and welfare of inmates and personnel.

The NCoS spokesperson expressed regret over the deaths and said the Controller-General had extended his condolences to the families of the deceased.

She said the Service had introduced additional preventive measures in collaboration with the Kano State Government to prevent future occurrences.

‘The Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to reassure the public that healthcare services remain available across custodial facilities through qualified medical personnel, while continuous disease surveillance, early detection and prompt medical response are being strengthened in collaboration with relevant public health authorities,’ Osuji said.

She added that Nwakuche had directed a team of senior medical personnel from the Service’s National Headquarters to proceed to the facility for sustained monitoring.

The Controller-General, according to Osuji, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to treating persons in custody humanely and protecting their health, dignity and welfare in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, and established correctional standards.

Osinachi Ohale: Five AFCON titles, 16-year Super Falcons legacy

For 16 years, Osinachi Ohale wore the Super Falcons jersey through different generations, coaches, teammates, and defining moments in Nigerian women’s football.

Now, at 33, the defender has brought her international career to an end, leaving the national team with 86 caps, four FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances, seven Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournaments, and five continental titles.

Ohale’s decision marks the end of one of the longest international careers in the history of the Super Falcons and closes a chapter that began when she first represented Nigeria as a teenager.

In announcing her retirement, Ohale described the decision as difficult but said she was leaving with gratitude and fulfilment after giving 16 years to the national team.

‘After 16 years of wearing the Nigeria jersey, representing my country and giving everything I had for this beautiful sport, I have made the very difficult decision to retire from international football,’ she wrote.

Her career coincided with a period in which Nigeria continued to assert its dominance in African women’s football.

Across seven Women’s AFCON appearances, Ohale was part of five title-winning campaigns, contributing to a national team that repeatedly navigated changes in personnel and coaching while maintaining its place at the top of the continent.

Her four World Cup appearances further underline her longevity at the international level.

But for Ohale, the significance of her Super Falcons career extends beyond the numbers and medals.

She reflected on the sacrifices, friendships, victories, and difficult moments that shaped her journey, describing the opportunity to represent Nigeria as one of the greatest privileges of her career.

‘I gave this jersey my youth, my strength, my sweat, my tears and my heart. And if I had to do it all over again, I would choose Nigeria again, every time,’ she said.

More than trophies

Ohale’s 16-year journey took her through several generations of the Super Falcons, allowing her to experience the demands of international football from the perspective of both a young player and one of the team’s experienced figures.

Her farewell message acknowledged the teammates, coaches, technical staff, family and loved ones who supported her throughout the journey. She also thanked the Nigeria Football Federation for its role in her international career.

Nigeria’s smartphone ownership rises to 75%, reshaping digital economy

Nigeria is rapidly becoming a mobile-first economy as smartphone penetration rises to 75 per cent from 64 per cent in 2023, accelerating consumers’ shift from feature phones to internet-enabled devices and app-driven digital services.

Smartphone ownership in Nigeria continues to grow significantly as consumers increasingly rely on mobile devices for communication, financial transactions, entertainment, learning and productivity, creating new opportunities for businesses operating in the country’s expanding digital economy.

This was revealed in the Nigeria Smartphone Study: A Nationwide Analysis of Smartphone Ownership and Digital Application Usage, conducted by KPMG in partnership with Orange Group Nigeria.

Lawrence Amadi, partner and head, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, KPMG Africa, said the analysis was designed to provide businesses and investors with insight into consumer behaviour and preferences, and also help investors, companies, and stakeholders coming to Nigeria to invest make informed decisions and contribute to the continued development of the ecosystem.

‘The analysis intends to capture consumer behaviour and preferences, especially among consumers using smartphones and from a look forward standpoint, this kind of study will help investors, companies, stakeholders coming to Nigeria to invest, make informed decisions and contribute to the continued development of the ecosystem’, he said.

Amadi cited Temu’s entry into Nigeria as an example of how companies can use consumer data to shape their market strategies.

‘There was a reason why Temu targeted a lot of sponsored ads in Nigeria, because they already knew we had Jumia and Konga, but of course, they studied the complaints customers had using reviews and comments on social media. That’s why they worked on the available data and strategised based on that’, he said

The study found that Android dominates Nigeria’s smartphone market, accounting for 96 per cent of devices, while Tecno leads individual smartphone brands with a 30 per cent share.

Social media and messaging platforms also recorded significant penetration. WhatsApp was installed on 95 per cent of smartphones surveyed, followed by Facebook at 8 per cent and TikTok at per cent.

Fintech applications are similarly becoming embedded in consumers’ digital activities, with OPay recording 69 per cent penetration among smartphone users, followed by PalmPay at 29 per cent.t

The study also highlighted the growing use of smartphones beyond communication and payments.

Xender emerged as the most dominant platform with a 77 per cent smartphone presence, reflecting its widespread use for file sharing, while Google Drive recorded 31 per cent penetration.

The growing awareness and use of artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT and Google Assistant, further indicate that smartphones are evolving beyond communication devices into platforms for work, learning, and digital productivity.

Ernest Ezenna, Business Development Director, Orange Group Nigeria, stated that Nigeria’s digital transformation is being driven by its young population, improving internet connectivity and increasing smartphone affordability.

Adetola Adesanoye, Research Lead, Orange Group Nigeria, said the first edition of the study was launched in 2019 to provide insights into smartphone ownership and usage, with plans to conduct it biennially across multiple cities.

She said the survey process was designed to verify the accuracy of respondents’ answers.

‘We verified that the respondents actually had this apps on their phones, and it was not just a mere response, so every detail was confirmed’, Adesanoye said

Looking ahead, the findings suggest that as smartphone adoption expands, businesses will need to align their digital services with changing consumer preferences, affordability and application usage patterns to participate in Nigeria’s growing mobile economy.

Youths protest eight-month blackout in Edo

Activities at the premises of the Edo State Ministry of Power were temporarily disrupted on Friday following a protest by youths from several communities of Ososo, Ojah and Ijiranmi in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area over a prolonged power outage.

The protesters said they have not had power supply for the past eight months and demanded an alternative power distribution company if the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) could no longer supply power.

They carried placards with various inscriptions, saying the prolonged power outage has crippled economic activities and stalled development in the affected communities.

Spokesman of the protesters, Mr Bernard Gomina, said the protest was to draw attention to hardship in the affected communities.

Gomina alleged that the communities contributed money for the repair of faulty equipment, but the problems persisted.

He said the BEDC continued to slam them with what he termed outrageous estimated bills.

The lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo II in the Edo State House of Assembly, Donald Okogbe, who joined the protesters, said the people were frustrated by the prolonged outage.

Okogbe called on relevant agencies to give a license to an alternative firm that would ensure steady power supply.

He said, ‘It has become necessary to consider an alternative arrangement if the BEDC can no longer provide reliable power.

‘We urge the Edo Electricity Regulatory Commission to explore the possibility of removing the affected communities from BEDC’s coverage.

‘Steady power supply is essential for economic growth and the well-being of the people. We call on the authorities to treat the matter as an emergency.’

Chairman of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr Shittu Shaibu, assured the protesters that the Commission was aware of the situation and was working to resolve it.

Edo Commissioner for Power, Paul Osenbo, urged the protesters to submit a memo detailing their complaints.