Category: Daily Trust

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to remodel and restore the abandoned Life Camp Recreational Park along the Jeremiah Useni Way of the territory into a world-class facility.

Speaking during an on-the-spot assessment of the park in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to expanding green spaces and delivering modern recreational facilities for residents of the nation’s capital.

The FCT Minister highlighted that the decision to revitalise the long-neglected Life Camp Park stems from the FCTA’s alignment with the First Lady’s vision to green urban centres and transform abandoned spaces into vibrant community hubs.

He cited the recent transformation of the Abuja City Gate, which was recently commissioned, as a successful benchmark of this vision.

He disclosed that the First Lady had earlier in the day presented the FCTA with a Certificate of Commendation for keying into the ‘Green Area Challenge’ initiative of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

‘You are aware today that the First Lady of the federation has given a commendation to the FCT Administration for keying into the Renewed Hope initiatives of the green area challenges-how we should be able to turn around our facilities to be recreation centres to make sure the environment is green.

‘We made a promise to her today that this award will motivate us to key in as agents of the Renewed Hope initiative. To showcase that we are serious about it, I promised that we are going to turn around the recreation centre at Life Camp, which has been abandoned,’ Wike said.

Expressing concern over years of neglect, the minister emphasised the natural beauty and prime topography of the site, promising that the area will be developed to match modern standards seen in advanced countries.

He said the remodelled Life Camp Recreational Park will feature modern sporting, relaxation, and aesthetic amenities designed to host family outdoor activities, daily fitness routines, and eco-friendly leisure.

The minister also disclosed that the project will be treated as an emergency, with a target completion timeframe of one year, ensuring that residents do not need to travel far for high-quality leisure.

He said the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, has been directed to invite Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and other leading construction firms to submit competing, world-class designs to ensure that FCT residents get the best.

Truck drivers operating along a key international trade corridor in Borno State have expressed frustration over the persistent burning of their vehicles by Boko Haram insurgents.

The truckers, who transport essential goods, including fish and livestock, between Maiduguri and border communities such as Monguno, Marte and Kukawa, said the attacks have devastated their livelihoods.

According to the leader of the drivers’ group, Abba Muhammad, the dangerous stretch begins between Merari and Gajiram villages.

‘They always intercept our trucks between Gajiram and Merari and burn them. More than 20 trailers and trucks have been burnt within two months,’ Muhammad told Daily Trust.

He said the attacks had intensified in recent days, adding that between Friday and Monday, five vehicles-three trailers and two trucks-were set ablaze.

Muhammad added that a prominent trailer owner, Alhaji Good Going, suffered heavy losses after two of his trailers were destroyed by insurgents within three days-on Saturday and Monday.

Another driver, Malam Ali Zaki, recounted how a truck loaded with dry fish and heading to Maiduguri was burnt by the attackers.

He added that his own commercial vehicle, purchased by his father after the family fled Doron Baga following previous Boko Haram attacks, was also destroyed.

The truckers called on security agencies to replicate the patrol strategy currently deployed along the Gwoza and Chibok roads on the volatile Monguno highway.

The Ondo State Police Command has intensified its campaign against illicit drug trafficking and related crimes with the arrest of three suspected drug dealers during a routine patrol in Akure, the state capital.

The command, in a press briefing on Sunday by its spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said the operation was carried out by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Squad under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu.

According to the police, the operation forms part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks whose activities are often linked to cultism, armed robbery, violent crimes and other threats to public safety.

The suspects were arrested on July 24, 2026, at about 2pm during a strategic confidence-building patrol within the Akure metropolis.

They were identified as Fisayo Adedamola (F), Adeola Oluwaseun (M) and Adeogun Olumide (M), who were allegedly involved in the distribution and sale of illicit drugs.

The police said a thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of various substances and pharmaceutical products suspected to be illicit or abused drugs.

The recovered items included quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis, tramadol capsules, codeine syrup and Tutolin syrup.

The suspects were immediately taken into custody, while the recovered exhibits were secured as evidence.

The Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has declined to engage with criticisms from the Presidency, saying Catholic bishops had already delivered their message to President Bola Tinubu and were only interested in whether their concerns would lead to improved governance.

Daily Trust had reported how the former Archbishop of Abuja accused President Tinubu’s administration of being determined to win the 2027 elections ‘by all means’.

He also warned that the resources available to the government could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

But in a statement on Saturday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temotope Ajayi, described Onaiyekan’s action as an abuse of privilege.

Ajayi said there was something fundamentally inappropriate about Cardinal John Onaiyekan granting a television interview to offer his own account and interpretation of what transpired during the private meeting between the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and President Bola Tinubu.

The exchange followed a meeting between the CBCN and President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on July 28, 2026, during which the bishops presented their assessment of the country’s economy and security situation.

However, speaking in an exclusive interview with Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, on Monday, Onaiyekan said the CBCN had no intention of engaging in a public exchange with government spokespersons over the meeting.

He said the bishops’ intervention was based on their moral responsibility to Nigerians.

Onaiyekan said, ‘We didn’t go there just as Catholic bishops pushing the Catholic agenda. No. We went there as people who are with the spiritual mandate to speak to anybody in the name of God.

‘I would not even answer that question. We have no response for them. We have spoken and the only response we are waiting for is whether it is affecting the way they are governing.

‘That some of the supporters of the government and the state and spokesperson may have their own idea about what they think they should be saying on behalf of their principal, is their business, not mine.

‘As for response to the things we are hearing, I don’t even have to say anything because the social media is full of response from Nigerian people and that for me is more than enough.’

He explained that the audience with President Tinubu was initiated by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria after months of waiting for approval.

According to him, the meeting was neither intended as an evangelistic mission nor an attempt to advance the interests of the Catholic Church, but an opportunity to present the bishops’ concerns about governance and the welfare of Nigerians as part of their pastoral responsibility.

He added, ‘The Bishops visited President Tinubu last week and we requested an audience. It took some months before we were granted the audience and we prepared to see him, and the main reason we wanted to see him was not to go on an evangelical mission.

‘We didn’t go there to preach to him and try to see whether we could convert him to our Catholic Church, but we went there to share our views and thoughts about the government which he heads, hoping that our ideas will be taken into consideration, So that is what took us to the statehouse.’

Onaiyekan, however, expressed hope that the government would remain open to further engagement on issues affecting Nigerians.

The Cardinal said, ‘We are hoping that our meeting with the President or our dialogue with the government of Nigeria did not end with that visit.’

According to him, the bishops were still expecting the government to create another opportunity for a more detailed conversation.

He stated, ‘We are hoping that somehow, he will invite us, not necessarily to meet him, I mean President Tinubu, but at least to open up fairness for us to give more information, more concerns that we have, than we could give in the ten minutes talk that we gave to him.’

Onaiyekan maintained that the bishops had no partisan political ambitions and urged the government to focus on the substance of their message rather than the personalities behind it.

He said, ‘I have told you already that I am not even prepared to start engaging anybody. Don’t forget that I was not defending my thesis. The document was prepared by the bishops of Nigeria, and we are a big number, and it was passed unanimously.

‘We don’t have any political ambitions for anything. Even our church does not even allow us to get engaged in party politics. So, even if I wanted to be a presidential candidate, I can’t be.’

On the economy, Onaiyekan acknowledged the government’s emphasis on macroeconomic indicators but argued that improvements should ultimately be measured by the quality of life experienced by ordinary Nigerians.

He said, ‘If we admit that the role of government is the welfare of citizens, then it means we are not going to judge the success of our government on the basis of the statistics from GDP, from the World Bank, or whatever. The important thing is, what, how is the life of the Nigerian?’

An aspirant for the Kaduna South Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Yusuf Umar Garkuwa, has rejected the emergence of Rufai Ahmad Chanchangi as the party’s candidate, alleging that no valid primary election was conducted.

Garkuwa, in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, said the publication of Chanchangi’s name by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ‘came as a surprise to many party members, supporters and seven other aspirants.

‘We reject this outcome because no valid primary election was conducted to produce a candidate in accordance with the Constitution of our party and the Electoral Act,’ he said.

The aspirant insisted that his objection was not borne out of personal differences but was aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the party.

‘Our position is straightforward. This is not about personalities or political rivalry. It is about protecting the integrity of our party and ensuring that no one emerges as the flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress without following the constitutional process laid down by the party and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ he stated.

According to him, the emergence of the candidate did not reflect the wishes of ADC members and delegates in Kaduna South Federal Constituency.

Garkuwa disclosed that he had approached a court to challenge the process, expressing confidence that the judiciary would determine the matter in line with the law.

‘For this reason, we have approached a court of competent jurisdiction to challenge the process and seek appropriate judicial reliefs. We are confident that the court will uphold the Constitution, protect the rule of law, and ensure that justice is done,’ he said.

He urged members of the party to remain committed to democratic principles, saying Nigerians expected political parties to offer credible alternatives.

‘As democrats, we must continue to stand for democracy, not autocracy. Nigerians are looking to political parties for a genuine alternative. They deserve leaders who respect due process and institutions, not leaders who ask others to obey rules they are unwilling to obey themselves,’ he said.

The aspirant maintained that the legal action was not intended to create divisions within the party but to ensure that its constitution was respected.

‘I wish to assure every supporter that this legal action is not intended to divide our party. It is a lawful effort to protect its integrity and ensure that its constitution is respected. Strong political parties are built on rules, not on individuals,’ he added.

He also appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful while the court considers the case.

‘I therefore urge all our supporters to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and respectful throughout this process. Let no one be provoked into violence or any action capable of disrupting public peace. Our confidence is in the judiciary, and we shall allow the courts to determine this matter,’ Garkuwa said.

He further assured residents of Kaduna South Federal Constituency of his commitment to pursuing the matter through legal means.

‘Our struggle is not against any individual; it is for justice, fairness, and the preservation of democratic values,’ he said.

Gunmen on Sunday night killed a former councillor, Daniel Danjuma Chong, during an attack on Rim village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Sources said the deceased was a former councillor representing Rim Ward in the local government area.

The spokesperson of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers invaded the village at about 10:45pm.

Narrating the incident, Tengwong said: ‘The Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), under the leadership of its National President, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, is saddened by another round of last night’s terror attack that claimed the life of a former legislator in Riyom Local Government Area, and we condemn it in its entirety.

‘According to local sources in Torok, Rim community, Riyom Local Government Area, Hon. Daniel Danjuma Chong, popularly known as Hon. Star, a former councillor representing Rim Ward, was shot dead by suspected armed bandits and their collaborators who invaded the village at about 10:45pm on August 2, 2026.’

The group further alleged that the attackers, who reportedly came from Kess, popularly known as Bangai-Fulani, invaded the community and opened fire indiscriminately before fleeing.

While condoling with the family of the deceased and the people of Torok community, the group called on security agencies and the Plateau State Government to ensure the perpetrators are arrested and brought to justice.

It described the continued killing of innocent citizens as unacceptable, insisting that those responsible must be held accountable.

The spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabo Alfred, had yet to respond to enquiries from our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

Standard Chartered has reported a record financial performance for the first half of 2026, driven by strong growth in its Wealth Solutions and Global Banking businesses, while raising its income outlook for the full year.

The international banking group recorded operating income of $11.6 billion, its highest ever for the first half, while profit before tax increased 9% to $4.8 billion. Earnings per share also rose 17%, reflecting sustained business momentum across its international markets.

Group Chief Executive, Bill Winters, attributed the performance to the bank’s diversified international network and consistent execution of its strategy.

‘We delivered a record first-half performance in 2026, with double-digit growth in Wealth Solutions and Global Banking. Our performance demonstrates the strength of our differentiated international network and the disciplined execution of our strategy. Clients continue to turn to us to facilitate trade, investment and wealth flows across the world’s most dynamic markets,’ he said.

Winters added that the bank’s improved earnings outlook and a new $1 billion share buyback programme demonstrate confidence in its growth prospects.

Group Chief Financial Officer, Manus Costello, said the bank remains focused on delivering sustainable long-term growth through continued investment in its operations.

‘We are continuing to invest in building a simpler, faster and more connected bank while remaining disciplined on costs and capital. These strengths give us confidence in our ability to deliver exceptional growth and sustainably higher returns,’ he said.

Standard Chartered maintained a strong capital position during the period, reporting a Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 14.2%.

The Board also approved an interim dividend of 20.4 cents per share, representing a 66% increase compared with the same period last year.

Following the strong first-half results, the bank upgraded its guidance for 2026 and now expects operating income growth to be around the middle of its 5-7% target range at constant currency.

The lender said the improved outlook reflects continued momentum across its businesses and confidence in delivering sustainable earnings growth over the remainder of the year.

The Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN) has announced plans to develop a National Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Framework aimed at strengthening project delivery, improving accountability and creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.

The Registrar of the institute’s Membership Arm, Hajiya Hajira Yusuf, disclosed this on Monday at the National Health, Safety and Environment Conference 2026 organised by the institute in collaboration with the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).

She said the initiative would provide a coordinated approach to implementing HSE standards across sectors while addressing Nigeria’s peculiar challenges in project execution and infrastructure management.

According to Yusuf, the conference marks the beginning of a broader stakeholder engagement that will culminate in the development of a framework capable of improving safety practices and professional accountability nationwide.

‘We are using this conference as a starting point. We are bringing stakeholders together because health, safety and environment have become indispensable to sustainable development. Our goal is to develop a national framework that reflects Nigeria’s realities and helps close existing gaps,’ she said.

She explained that the institute’s membership arm was established following the Federal Government’s restructuring of CIPMN in 2022, which separated its regulatory and membership responsibilities. The membership arm commenced operations in January 2026 with a mandate to promote members’ welfare, continuous professional development and capacity building.

Yusuf said one of the biggest obstacles to effective project delivery in Nigeria is the absence of clearly defined responsibility after projects are completed.

She noted that although architects, engineers and quantity surveyors perform their individual responsibilities during project execution, there is often no designated professional responsible for ensuring the long-term sustainability and safety of completed projects.

According to her, the same accountability gap exists in workplace safety, where organisations frequently neglect the role of qualified safety officers despite existing legal provisions.

‘I may be bold enough to say that Nigeria’s problem is not necessarily corruption alone. The major issue is the gap in our systems and processes. We have laws, but implementation remains weak because responsibility is not clearly assigned.

She observed that while many graduates continue searching for government jobs, opportunities exist in health, safety and environmental management across construction, manufacturing, aviation, oil and gas, transportation and other sectors.

‘The jobs are there. What we need are trained and certified professionals who can fill those gaps. Through conferences like this, we want to educate Nigerians and encourage them to embrace safety as a viable professional career,’ she said.

She added that CIPMN would continue to organise training programmes and certification courses to prepare professionals for the growing demand for project and safety managers.

Earlier in her welcome address, Yusuf described the conference as a national call to action, saying no development project should be regarded as successful if it compromises human lives or damages the environment.

She said health, safety and environmental considerations should be incorporated into every phase of project delivery, from conception and design to procurement, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

In his goodwill message, the Director-General and Chief Executive of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Dr. Danjuma Ismaila Adamu, represented at the event, said aviation remains one of the world’s safest industries because of its uncompromising adherence to safety regulations.

He said integrating HSE principles into project management has become increasingly important as Nigeria expands investments in aviation infrastructure and other critical sectors.

Adamu said NCAT has continued to receive international recognition, including maintaining the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Training Centre of Excellence Platinum Status for six consecutive years and emerging as the leading trainer of aviation professionals in West and Central Africa.

Delivering the keynote lecture, United Kingdom-based safety consultant and former police officer, Dr Paschal Oribhabor, challenged participants to move beyond theoretical discussions and embrace practical safety implementation.

He maintained that effective safety management requires committed leadership, regular inspections, risk assessments, audits and strict enforcement of standards.

According to him, ‘good safety is good business,’ adding that organisations that invest in safety reduce accidents, save costs and improve productivity.

Gunmen on Tuesday reportedly ambushed a joint security patrol along the Ganawuri -Sabon Gida road in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing two security operatives and carting away their rifles.

Security sources told our correspondent that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, when four operatives drawn from two security locations mounted a roadblock along the route.

The sources said the team was returning to their respective duty posts after the operation, when two of the personnel failed to return, prompting an immediate search by their colleagues.

According to the sources, the bodies of the two operatives were later recovered at the scene of the attack, while their service rifles were missing.

The motorcycle used by the operatives was, however, recovered.

Following the incident, security personnel launched cordon-and-search operations in the surrounding communities as part of efforts to track down the attackers and recover the stolen weapons.

As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the slain operatives had not been officially confirmed

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, SP Alfred Alabo, and the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, were unsuccessful as inquiries from our correspondent were not responded as of press time.

The Bayelsa State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has asked the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to review procurement practices in the oil and gas industry to ensure continued opportunities for indigenous businesses and host communities.

In a petition dated August 3, 2026, the council urged the board to examine recent procurement arrangements and assess their implications for Nigerian Content participation, employment and investments by local companies.

The NYCN said its intervention was aimed at ensuring that procurement practices remained consistent with the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.

‘We therefore urge the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to exercise its statutory oversight powers by urgently investigating these concerns and taking appropriate corrective action where necessary,’ the petition said.

The council particularly sought a review of the increasing use of the Free Carrier (FCA) procurement arrangement, expressing concern about its possible impact on indigenous companies operating within the oil and gas supply chain.

According to the group, Nigerian businesses have invested significantly in pipe coating facilities, warehousing, logistics, fabrication and other services following opportunities created by the Nigerian Content framework.

‘Over the years, indigenous investors have committed substantial capital towards establishing pipe coating facilities, warehousing infrastructure, logistics operations, fabrication yards, and other value-adding services encouraged by the Local Content framework,’ it said.

The NYCN asked the NCDMB to assess whether changes in procurement arrangements could reduce opportunities for Nigerian suppliers, logistics operators, clearing and forwarding companies and other local service providers.

It also urged the board to examine the practice of handling some procurement functions outside the country and determine its implications for local employment and capacity development.

‘Nigeria possesses a large pool of experienced procurement professionals with the competence to perform these functions locally,’ the council said.

The group further called for continued regulatory oversight of procurement orders, contract awards and the participation of qualified host-community and Nigerian Content companies.

It said indigenous businesses that had invested in infrastructure and capacity should continue to have opportunities to participate meaningfully in the industry.

The council therefore urged the NCDMB to review relevant procurement models and ensure that industry practices support indigenous manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, employment and other value-adding activities.

It also called for greater engagement among regulators, operators, indigenous businesses and host communities in addressing concerns arising from procurement policies.

‘The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Bayelsa State Chapter, remains committed to constructive engagement and peaceful dialogue,’ the petition said.

The council expressed confidence that the NCDMB would consider the issues raised and take steps it considered appropriate to protect Nigerian Content objectives and encourage sustainable participation by indigenous businesses.