Category: Daily Trust

The Kogi State Government has commenced plans to compensate and relocate residents of Idogido-Orietesu and Asuwe clan communities in Okene Local Government Area to pave the way for a major development project.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo disclosed this during a meeting with residents, saying the exercise was in the public interest and aimed at transforming the socio-economic landscape of the ancient town.

Represented by the Director-General of the Bureau of Lands, Kehinde Augustine Salihu-Otaru, the governor said about 35 ancestral land title holders behind the new central mosque under construction at Idogido-Orietesu would be compensated and relocated.

He said negotiations were ongoing with landowners in Asuwe clan to finalise compensation arrangements.

According to him, the government has mapped out a new relocation site, while construction of access roads and other infrastructure has commenced.

Salihu-Otaru said the affected landowners had been consulted through a series of meetings and had given their consent for the project.

He added that the government had verified the ancestral ownership of the land and was engaging title holders to agree on compensation and prevent disputes among affected families.

He also said beneficiaries would either receive new homes or monetary compensation, depending on the agreement reached, adding that the new settlement would be completed before December 2026.

He said residents would vacate the land after receiving compensation to enable the government to begin work.

Leaders of the affected communities confirmed their support for the project, saying they had agreed to release the land for development while discussions continued to resolve outstanding issues.

The Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, has urged Nigerian universities to preserve and promote indigenous knowledge systems while embracing emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to equip graduates with skills needed in the global knowledge economy.

The emir made the call at the maiden International Hybrid Conference organised by the Faculty of Social Science Education of the Federal University of Education (FUE), Zaria.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Reimagining Knowledge Systems for Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development in the 21st Century,’ the traditional ruler described education as the bedrock of national development and stressed that higher institutions must remain at the forefront of societal transformation.

He challenged researchers and policymakers to develop home-grown solutions to Nigeria’s developmental challenges through innovation, collaboration and quality education.

Declaring the conference open, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Suleiman Balarabe, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, digital scholarship and community engagement.

Prof. Bunkure described the conference as a major milestone that would strengthen the university’s drive to position itself as a centre of excellence in knowledge production and innovation.

Representing Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Hajiya Maryam Yahaya Shaltali, said governments and educational institutions must rethink existing knowledge systems to remain relevant in the digital age.

She said the Zamfara State Government had continued to invest in quality education, research, innovation, teacher development and strategic partnerships to strengthen the education sector and promote sustainable development.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loan Board, Prof. Yahaya Saleh, who represented Governor Uba Sani, highlighted the state’s investments in scholarships, teacher development, digital learning and educational infrastructure.

He urged universities to produce research capable of shaping public policy and addressing societal challenges.

The lead paper presenter and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Jos, Prof. Gideon G. Goshit, called for stronger collaboration among universities, government agencies, industry and development partners to strengthen the education sector.

He also advocated the integration of indigenous African knowledge with modern science and technology to drive inclusive and sustainable development.

A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has ordered the remand of two men, Adediran Adeola, 28, and Emmanuel Adebola, 30, in a correctional facility over alleged armed robbery.

The prosecutor, ASP Akinwale Oriyomi, informed the court that there was probable cause to remand the defendants, who are reasonably suspected of conspiring to commit armed robbery.

He told the court that the alleged offence is contrary to and punishable under Sections 314 and 312(2)(a) and (b) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021, and was allegedly committed within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District on or about July 19, 2026.

ASP Oriyomi said there was a need to obtain legal advice, noting that the duplicate case file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the necessary advice.

He, therefore, urged the court to grant his ex parte application.

Ruling on the application, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, granted the request and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility for 30 days.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), however, says the reality is more complicated. While acknowledging that ticket racketeering exists, the Corporation insists that the biggest challenge is a simple imbalance between demand and capacity.

According to the NRC, more than 5,000 passengers seek to travel on the corridor daily, yet each train carries only 664 passengers. With only two trips operating each day, demand far exceeds the number of available seats.

The situation was not always this severe.

At one point, three train sets operated on the route, making up to 10 trips daily, with services reduced only on Wednesdays for maintenance. Today, only one train is in service, making two daily trips, while Wednesdays remain maintenance days.

The reduction in capacity has inevitably intensified competition for tickets.

By the time bookings open at midnight, thousands of passengers may already be waiting online. In such circumstances, even a perfectly functioning booking platform cannot satisfy everyone.

If 2,000 passengers attempt to book 664 seats at the same time, more than half will inevitably miss out. For many unsuccessful travellers, the experience creates the impression that something has gone wrong, when, in reality, demand has simply overwhelmed supply.

That scarcity has also created fertile ground for racketeers. To curb abuse of the system, the NRC introduced NIN-based ticketing through its booking partner, Transport Payment Solutions (TPS). Every ticket is linked to the passenger’s identity, allowing officials to verify the traveller before boarding.

The measure was intended to stop anonymous bulk purchases and make it difficult for touts to trade in railway tickets.

But the racketeers adapted

Rather than creating fake identities, some now persuade passengers to hand over their booking details, including their NIN information and login credentials, promising to secure tickets on their behalf. In many cases, they do obtain the ticket. The problem is that they retain the passenger’s profile and continue using it for future transactions.

The consequences often emerge at the station.

Callistus Unyimadu is Head, PR at NRC.

A passenger who buys such a ticket may present a valid booking reference, only for the verification device to display the photograph and details of another person. The result is immediate denial of boarding, leaving the traveller stranded despite paying for the journey.

The Corporation has repeatedly warned passengers never to share their NIN, passwords or booking profiles with anyone, stressing that doing so undermines the safeguards built into the system.

To tighten security further, TPS has completed pilot testing of an OTP-based re-verification exercise expected to be introduced soon.

Under the arrangement, every account holder will be required to confirm ownership through a one-time password sent to the registered telephone number.

The objective is straightforward: eliminate passenger profiles being controlled by third parties. Without access to the registered phone number, a racketeer will be unable to retain control of another person’s account.

TPS is also preparing to roll out an upgraded version of the Breeze booking application with improved security and a more user-friendly interface.

While these digital reforms are expected to make the booking process more secure, they cannot solve the problem at the heart of the Abuja-Kaduna corridor. Technology cannot create seats where none exist.

Even if every ticket tout disappeared tomorrow, passengers would still compete for a limited number of seats. As long as demand continues to outstrip capacity, tickets will sell out within minutes.

That reality points to the long-term solution: more operational trains and additional daily trips. Increased capacity would reduce the desperation that fuels the black market and make it easier for passengers to obtain tickets through official channels.

The responsibility, however, is shared.

The NRC must continue to strengthen its ticketing system, investigate allegations of racketeering and sanction anyone found compromising the process. Passengers, on their part, must resist the temptation to patronise touts or disclose personal information that could be used to manipulate their booking profiles.

For now, the midnight rush for Abuja-Kaduna train tickets reflects both the growing popularity of rail travel and the limitations of a system struggling to meet demand.

Until more trains return to the corridor, competition for seats will remain intense. But with stronger technology, tighter identity verification and greater public vigilance, the Corporation hopes the seats that are available will at least go to the passengers for whom they were intended.

Callistus Unyimadu is Deputy Director, Press NRC.

The Katsina State Hisbah Board has directed its officers to obtain valid court orders or arrest warrants before entering hotels or residential premises in the course of their official duties.

The directive was contained in a circular dated August 4, 2026, addressed to all local government commanders and headquarters personnel. The circular was signed by the Commander-General of the board, Dr Abu Ammar.

The board said the decision was reached at its regular meeting held on June 6, 2026, and takes immediate effect.

According to the circular, officers must obtain appropriate legal authorisation before entering any hotel or residential premises, except where the Commander-General or applicable law expressly permits otherwise.

The board said the directive was aimed at ensuring compliance with existing laws, regulations and the provisions of the Constitution governing law enforcement activities.

It urged officers to respect the constitutional rights of citizens and discharge their duties in accordance with due process and the rule of law.

The circular warned that any commander or officer who violates the directive could face disciplinary action, in addition to any legal consequences arising from the breach.

‘All commanders are directed to communicate the directive to personnel under their command and ensure strict compliance,’ the circular stated.

Suspected bandits, on Tuesday, attacked a Point of Sale (POS) shop in Galadimawa community, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing three villagers and injuring two others.

The attack occurred at about 4:30 pm, according to residents.

Local sources said the assailants arrived in the community on two motorcycles armed with AK-47 rifles and headed straight to the POS shop.

‘They rode into the town on two motorcycles and went directly to the POS shop, where they opened fire on people.

‘Five people were shot. Sadly, three of them died, while two others sustained gunshot injuries before the attackers carted away an undisclosed amount of cash and fled,’ a resident said.

The source added that the injured victims were rushed to a hospital for treatment. The deceased were identified as Alhaji Hassan Abdullahi, Yakubu Muazu and Magaji Sarauta. The injured victims, Aliyu Rufai and Umar Mohammed, are currently receiving treatment for gunshot wounds.

Following the attack, residents appealed to the Kaduna State Government to deploy more security personnel, particularly soldiers, to the area.

A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said many neighbouring communities had been displaced by repeated bandit attacks, forcing residents to relocate to Galadimawa and making the town increasingly vulnerable.

Effort to speak with the police command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansur Hassan, failed as he could not be reached on the phone as of the time of filing the report.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a fresh reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, following a sharp decline in global crude oil prices amid renewed diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran.

The new pricing, which takes effect on Thursday, August 6, sees the ex-depot price of PMS reduced by N50 per litre to N1,165 from the previous N1,215 per litre. Diesel also recorded a significant price cut, with the refinery lowering its ex-depot price by N80 per litre from N1,650 to N1,570 per litre.

The refinery said the latest review reflects its commitment to making petroleum products more affordable for Nigerians while supporting businesses and economic activities through lower energy costs.

According to the company, the reduction underscores its strategy of passing on the benefits of improved operational efficiencies and favourable market conditions to consumers whenever possible.

‘Dangote Petroleum Refinery remains committed to ensuring stable supply while leveraging operational efficiencies to deliver value to consumers, businesses and stakeholders,’ the company said in a statement.

As Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote stated that it remains focused on strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, reducing dependence on imported refined petroleum products and contributing to the country’s broader economic development.

The latest price adjustment came against the backdrop of a sharp decline in international crude oil prices, driven largely by growing optimism that renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran could ease geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Oil prices fell by more than five per cent on Tuesday and the decline persisted on Wednesday as traders reacted positively to reports that the United States and Iran were making progress toward a possible framework agreement that could reduce the risk of prolonged supply disruptions from one of the world’s most strategic oil-producing regions.

At the time of reporting, Brent crude traded at $79.70 per barrel, representing a 5.23 per cent decline, while the United States benchmark, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), dropped to $75.62 per barrel.

However, uncertainty remains over the prospects of a final agreement. Iranian authorities have maintained that no formal negotiations with the United States are currently taking place, leaving investors to balance hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough against the continued possibility of renewed military escalation.

Further weighing on oil prices, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) confirmed that members implementing voluntary production cuts would increase collective crude output by 188,000 barrels per day in September. The increase marks the final phase of unwinding the 1.65 million barrels per day production cuts first introduced in 2023.

Despite the recent decline in crude prices, supply risks remain elevated across global energy markets. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continues to face security challenges, with reports of attacks on commercial vessels near Oman’s Al Khasab port adding to concerns over maritime safety.

Meanwhile, President Trump has intensified pressure on major US oil companies, including ExxonMobil and Chevron, urging refiners and fuel retailers to reduce petrol prices and pass on the benefits of lower crude costs to consumers.

In Nigeria, some marketers told Daily Trust they were still monitoring the current situation and things are still dicey.

‘We are still watching and tracking developments. As of today we can’t predict the direction of the market,’ a marketer said.

The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has urged Nigerians to consciously support indigenous airlines and other homegrown businesses, describing the aviation sector as one of the most delicate industries that requires resilience, innovation and sustained public patronage to survive.

Salako-Oyedele made the call on Wednesday in Lagos during the public presentation of ‘Pathways, Pilgrimage and Destiny: The Biography of Alhaji Muneer Bankole’, a book chronicling the life and achievements of the founder and Managing Director of Med-View Airline.

The biography written by Mobolanle Ebunoluwa Sotunsa, chronicles Bankole’s journey from his early years to building one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous airlines and becoming a key player in the country’s pilgrimage operations.

The book highlights his entrepreneurial vision, leadership, resilience and deep faith, while documenting the obstacles he encountered in the highly regulated aviation industry.

Speaking at the event, the deputy governor congratulated Bankole on documenting his life’s journey, noting that while everyone has a story to tell, only a few have their experiences preserved for future generations.

‘Every life has a story, but not every story is documented,’ she said, adding, ‘One of the greatest benefits of writing a biography is that it becomes a reference point, not just for family members but for future entrepreneurs, researchers and the wider society.’

She said the biography was particularly significant because it captures both the successes and setbacks of Med-View Airline, providing valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and operators in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

‘Whether we like it or not, Med-View had its challenges. What were those challenges? Upcoming entrepreneurs can learn from them. There are also regulatory challenges because aviation is a very delicate industry,’ she said.

According to Salako-Oyedele, building and sustaining an airline business in Nigeria demands exceptional courage, discipline and constant attention to operational realities.

‘For Alhaji Bankole to have even started an airline shows how industrious he is. That is the story of many Nigerian businesses. You have to keep your fingers on the pulse every day to make sure things continue to go well,’ she added.

Chairman of the occasion and Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo described Bankola as a quintessential Nigerian who dared where others trembled.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has commenced a two-week leave, beginning Thursday, August 6, 2026.

This is the first time Senator Kashim Shettima will be going on leave since he was sworn into office in May 2023.

This was made known by Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman to the Vice President, in a statement.

The statement said that during the period, the Vice President will devote time to study and reflection as part of efforts to strengthen his capacity for continued service to the nation.

‘The leave offers Senator Shettima an opportunity to review the administration’s ongoing programmes, deepen his understanding of emerging national and global policy issues, and prepare for the responsibilities ahead as the Federal Government intensifies the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, the Vice President has remained actively engaged in the coordination and supervision of several strategic government initiatives, particularly in economic development, food security, humanitarian affairs, digital transformation, job creation and regional cooperation.

‘He has also chaired the National Economic Council, which brings together the governors of the 36 states, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other relevant public officials to deliberate on policies affecting the economy and the welfare of Nigerians,’ the statement said.

Beyond his responsibilities within the country, Vice President Shettima has also represented President Tinubu at major international and regional engagements, advancing Nigeria’s position on economic integration, peace and security, climate action, investment and sustainable development.

Shettima, the statement said, has remained committed to the ideals of loyalty, duty and service that have defined his role in the administration, as well as supporting President Tinubu’s efforts to build a more secure, productive and prosperous Nigeria.

The Vice President will return to office at the end of the two-week leave period and resume his official responsibilities with renewed energy and dedication to the service of the nation.

As rising petrol prices continue to increase the cost of transportation across the country, many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are turning to the Abuja Light Rail as a more affordable, faster and reliable means of commuting.

The rail service, commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 27, 2024, has become increasingly popular among workers, business owners and travellers seeking relief from the high cost of road transport.

The Abuja Light Rail, operated by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), runs along the Yellow Line, connecting the Abuja Metro Station in the city centre to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport through Kukwaba 1, Kukwaba 2, Wupa, Idu and Bassanjiwa.

The journey takes about 20 minutes, significantly reducing travel time compared to road transport, especially during peak traffic periods.

Following the inauguration of the rail service, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike approved free rides for commuters for the first two months to encourage public patronage.

Commuters who spoke with Daily Trust said the service has become a preferred transport option as fuel prices continue to rise.

They estimated that more than 600 passengers use the train during peak periods, noting that the service currently operates four trips daily at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

A commuter, Zachariah Asimiyu, said the rail service had helped him reduce transportation expenses while offering a more convenient alternative to road travel.

He said the train was not only cheaper but also enabled passengers to avoid the traffic congestion that often characterises movement within the city.

Another passenger, Saheed Salau, said he had significantly reduced the use of his private vehicle because commuting by rail was more economical, particularly following the recent increase in petrol prices.

He added that besides being cost-effective, the train offered a safer and more comfortable travel experience.

Similarly, Farouq Ibrahim described the rail system as reliable and punctual, urging more residents to take advantage of the service.

A railway engineer, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said the Abuja Light Rail had maintained an impressive safety record since commercial operations began.

According to him, there has been no derailment since the service commenced, attributing the achievement to routine maintenance and continuous technical support from the Chinese operators managing the system.

First-time passengers also described their experience as smooth and comfortable, saying they would continue using the train whenever the need arose.

Despite the growing popularity of the service, many commuters called on the FCTA to increase the number of daily trips, particularly during rush hours, to accommodate rising passenger demand.

Responding to the concerns, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, said the existing timetable was currently adequate but assured residents that the administration would continue to monitor passenger demand and make improvements where necessary.

With transportation costs continuing to rise alongside fuel prices, residents believe that expanding the Abuja Light Rail service would not only provide relief to commuters but also reduce traffic congestion, lower transport costs and promote a more sustainable urban transport system in the nation’s capital.