Category: Daily Trust

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) chapter, has disclosed that its members are yet to receive salary payment alerts despite the Ondo State Governor approval of a special intervention fund of over N1.1 billion to offset outstanding salary arrears owed to workers in the institution.

The union said the ongoing indefinite strike, which has grounded academic activities at the university since July 10, 2026, will not be suspended until lecturers and other affected workers receive payment notifications in their bank accounts.

Chairman of ASUU-AAUA, Comrade Bolu Oshodi, said the union had been informed that the state government released the intervention fund to the university, but the institution was still awaiting the credit of the funds into its account.

‘As we speak now, the latest information is that the government has released the money to the university, but then the university is still waiting for the money to drop into its account. They said the problem is with the bank, but as far as we are concerned, what our members are waiting for is the alert,’ Oshodi said.

The lecturers are currently owed three months’ salaries covering May, June and July, a development that triggered the industrial action.

Oshodi stressed that ASUU would not rely on assurances or promises, insisting that the strike would only be suspended after members confirm receipt of their outstanding salaries.

He, however, noted that the salary arrears dispute is only one aspect of the challenges facing the university, warning that another round of industrial action may be imminent over the Ondo State Government’s failure to implement the 2025 Federal Government/ASUU agreement on the new salary structure for university lecturers.

According to him, the agreement, which took effect in January 2026, has already been implemented in federal universities and several state-owned institutions, including Ekiti State University (EKSU), Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), and Kwara State University (KWASU).

Oshodi lamented that lecturers in Ondo State-owned universities, including AAUA, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), and the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), have yet to benefit from the new salary package.

He also expressed concern over what he described as inadequate monthly subvention to the university, revealing that while the institution receives about N223 million monthly from the state government, its salary obligation stands at about N550 million.

‘The N223 million has never been enough for salaries alone. The salary bill is about N550 million. The university has consistently been forced to source additional funds to bridge the gap,’ he said.

The ASUU chairman appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to not only ensure prompt payment of the outstanding salaries but also implement the new salary structure and settle arrears dating back to January 2026.

‘It is more depressing and annoying that all the universities around us are already enjoying the new package. We are passionately appealing to the governor to do the needful. We are not asking for anything extraordinary; we are asking for what is due to us,’ Oshodi stated.

He disclosed that the AAUA chapter of ASUU has concluded internal consultations regarding a possible fresh strike over the non-implementation of the 2025 agreement and is awaiting approval from the union’s national leadership before taking further action.

A former Nigerian international squash player, Longdi Dasbak, on Monday has called for increased efforts to encourage girls to take up squash, saying female participation in the sport remains very low.

Dasbak made the call on Monday during the second edition of the Squash Premier League at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package B, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long tournament, themed ‘Breeding the Next Generation of Champions,’ began on Monday and will end on Aug. 8.

Dasbak described the league as a positive initiative that would significantly contribute to grassroots development and the growth of squash in Nigeria.

‘I would say this is a very good development, especially for grassroots squash, because that is where every successful sport begins.

‘We want to develop young players who will take the game to the next level while making squash more popular across the country. This league is another important way of promoting the sport,’ she said.

She said that participation had increased considerably since the league was introduced in 2025, adding that the growing number of children taking part showed that awareness of the sport was improving.

‘The first edition did not attract this number of participants, but now you can see many more children taking part. That shows awareness is increasing, and I believe it is a very positive development,’ she said.

Dasbak, who participated as one of the instructors at the coaching and officiating clinic organised by the tournament, said it was her first time that she will be speaking at the event.

She said she established the Dasby’s Sports Development Association in Plateau to create opportunities for girls, particularly those from less privileged backgrounds, to participate in sports.

According to her, the association also runs Dasby’s Squash Academy, where boys and girls aged six years and above receive training, with special emphasis on encouraging female participation.

‘Female participation in squash is still very low, and we have very few women actively playing the sport. That inspired me to establish the foundation in Plateau State,’ she said.(NAN).

No fewer than 21 persons were feared dead, 37 others abducted, while thousands of residents fled their homes after heavily armed bandits launched an attack on Tsamaye community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The attack, which lasted from about 9:00 p.m. on Monday until after 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, also left two homes burnt, livestock stolen and the entire community deserted, witnesses told Daily Trust.

Residents said the attack also triggered another tragedy when scores of villagers attempted to escape across a river after receiving information that the bandits were approaching.

According to locals, the overloaded boats capsized, with about 25 people, mostly women and children, swept away by the water. While seven persons were rescued alive, 18 others are feared to have drowned, as families continued searching for their missing relatives.

One resident, who was preparing to flee from the village, told Daily Trust that the attackers themselves disclosed that they had abducted 37 people after relatives called the victims’ phones.

‘When we called our relatives, the bandits answered the phones and told us they were the ones who abducted them. They said they had taken 37 people,’ he said.

He explained that while some victims were seized inside the village, many others were captured in nearby farms where they had gone to sleep for fear of recurring attacks.

‘Because of the frequent attacks, many people no longer sleep in the village. They spend the night in farms and bushes to avoid being attacked. This time, the bandits searched through the farms, woke people up and took them away.

‘Most of those abducted were women and children. I personally saw three infants placed on the ground by the bandits while they led their mothers away.’

The resident lamented that despite informing security personnel about the invasion, no reinforcement arrived before the attackers completed their operation.

‘We excused them during the previous attack because the bandits had surrounded them and were firing at them. But this time, they were informed early enough, yet nobody came to rescue us.’

Another resident who fled to Sokoto metropolis in the early hours of Tuesday said their village had been completely dispersed and everyone ran for their lives.

‘We fled to Sokoto because we have never experienced terror like what happened on Wednesday night. About 40 of us escaped here, and everyone is now staying with relatives.’

A local vigilante member, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the bandits first entered the village around 8:00 p.m., moving from house to house while forcing residents to identify wealthy households and locations where livestock were kept.

‘Some people managed to escape and alerted us. We informed the security operatives stationed in our village and asked them to support us so that we could confront the bandits, but they told us they did not have adequate equipment. We also contacted our traditional leader, but there was little he could do apart from sympathising with us.

‘When the gunfire intensified, we had no option but to hide.’

According to him, the security personnel urgently require Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to effectively respond to attacks across the difficult terrain.

He added that fewer than 20 residents now remain in the community after the attack, with over 100 vehicles transporting displaced villagers from yesterday evening to now.

‘From yesterday until today, nobody has eaten because of the trauma and panic caused by the attack,’ he said.

Residents also said the bandits razed two houses belonging to Lawwali Ta’u Mai Chaji and Hassan Hasken Halara, a vigilante member.

‘Our colleague was with us defending the village when his house was burnt. We only found ashes afterwards. We cannot even determine how many members of his family or livestock died in the fire because everything was reduced to ashes.’

Those confirmed killed during the attack, according to residents, include Kabiru Mallam Tanimu, Ayuba Mallam Hashim and Yakubu Mu’azu, while many others remain missing.

The attack has also forced residents from numerous surrounding settlements to flee. The affected communities include Borai, Tsululu, Garin Tudu, Bukka Hamsin, Turkawa, Rumbukawa, Dutsin Na Umma, Zangon Mu’azu, Arawa, Kuru, Zangon Mallam, Mai Hurde, Zugun, Gidan Na Birni, Mashaya, Marina and several others.

The displaced residents appealed to the federal and Sokoto State governments to urgently deploy additional security personnel and provide APCs to enable security operatives reclaim the area and allow displaced families to return home safely.

The Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government Area, Ayuba Hashimu, confirmed that the incidents occurred but said he could not independently verify the casualty figures.

‘The incidents indeed happened, but I was not there myself. Therefore, I have to verify the figures before I can confirm them,’ he said.

The spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the attack, saying additional security personnel had been deployed to restore peace and prevent further attacks in the affected communities.

Daily Trust recalls that on Wednesday, bandits attacked Tsamaye community in the same local government area, killing eight residents, including three worshippers inside a mosque, highlighting the worsening insecurity in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.

Sabon Birni remains one of the worst-hit local government areas in Sokoto State and the wider North-West, where armed groups have continued to carry out deadly attacks, mass abductions and widespread displacement despite ongoing security operations.

Someone, somewhere, is pressing his palm against his chest right now after a meal. He tells himself it will pass. It usually does. So he eats the same way tomorrow and the next day. After a few years, he quietly accepts the burning as part of his life. He is not alone. Across the world, hundreds of millions do the same, reaching for antacids the same way others reach for paracetamol. They manage a condition they rarely name and almost never treat properly.

Chronic indigestion, known medically as functional dyspepsia, is not a fancy term for overeating. It is a persistent, recurring condition affecting the upper digestive tract. It is characterised by pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, uncomfortable fullness after meals, early satiety, and sometimes nausea. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Scientific Reports put the global prevalence in adults at approximately 8.4%. That translates to hundreds of millions of people. Yet functional dyspepsia remains underdiagnosed, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where symptoms tend to be blamed on stress, bad food, or spiritual causes rather than investigated properly.

Now, part of what makes this condition frustrating is that it does not always manifest the same way. For some people, it is a distressing, burning sensation in the middle upper abdomen, which shows up without an obvious cause. For others, it is a heaviness that starts before a meal is even done or a bloating that lingers for hours afterwards. Most people feel consistently uncomfortable in a way that is difficult to explain to a doctor, especially when the endoscopy comes back normal.

By definition, functional dyspepsia is diagnosed when structural abnormalities like active Helicobacter pylori infection or ulcers have been excluded. It is categorised as a disorder of gut-brain interaction. The brain amplifies signals from the gut in ways that produce real pain without any visible tissue damage. A scan does not detect any of that.

In Nigeria, the picture is complicated by one particularly striking fact. According to data cited by the World Gastroenterology Organization, Nigeria has the highest recorded prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection globally, at approximately 87.7% of the population. This is driven by poor sanitation, contaminated water, and overcrowded living conditions. The bacteria do not always produce symptoms, but when they do, they are clinically indistinguishable from functional dyspepsia without proper testing. In most Nigerian primary healthcare facilities, testing is simply not available. This means many people with a curable infection are instead handed antacids and sent home.

Diet matters too, though not in the way people assume. Traditional Nigerian ingredients are not the problem. The issue is habit. Eating quickly. Going long hours without food and then eating a very large meal in one sitting. Lying down within an hour of eating. Drinking heavily carbonated drinks with meals. All of these impose real mechanical and chemical stress on the stomach. So does the widespread, unguided use of ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs sold cheaply and without prescription across the country and taken routinely for pain and fever. Most people who take them do not know that they are a significant risk factor for upper gastrointestinal irritation.

Psychological stress is another factor that gets overlooked. The gut-brain axis is highly sensitive to anxiety and chronic mental strain. Research coordinated through the Rome Foundation, which sets international standards for diagnosing gut-brain disorders, has consistently shown that people with untreated psychological distress are significantly more likely to experience persistent digestive symptoms. In a context where mental health support carries stigma and is largely out of reach for most people, it creates a loop that is difficult to break without addressing both ends.

Now, none of this means chronic indigestion is entirely a systemic failure, though the system does fail people. The specialist shortage is real. Diagnostic equipment is scarce. Primary care is overstretched. However, functional dyspepsia is also, in a meaningful part, a lifestyle condition and a matter of personal choices. Eating smaller meals more frequently reduces the burden on the stomach. Chewing slowly gives digestive enzymes time to work before food reaches the stomach. Not eating within 2 to 3 hours before lying down reduces the incidence of acid reflux. Cutting back on alcohol and carbonated drinks removes common chemical irritants. None of this requires a prescription or a hospital visit.

The self-medication problem deserves particular attention. Many Nigerians take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antacids, or H2 blockers daily for years without medical guidance, managing symptoms they have never properly investigated. Long-term unsupervised use of proton pump inhibitors carries real risks. The US Food and Drug Administration has issued formal warnings about low magnesium levels associated with prolonged use of PPIs, and there is growing evidence of links to intestinal infections, including Clostridium difficile. More fundamentally, suppressing symptoms without addressing their cause leaves treatable conditions untreated. Helicobacter pylori, which affects nearly 9 in 10 Nigerians, can be cured with a short course of antibiotics. However, many people are living with it without knowing it.

The truth is that knowing when to see a doctor is itself a form of personal responsibility. New indigestion in someone over 55, or symptoms that come with unintentional weight loss, difficulty swallowing, blood in vomit, or black, tarry stools, are red flags that need urgent medical attention. They may point to something far more serious. Nigeria has among the lower recorded incidence rates for gastric cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, but the disease exists here, and patients overwhelmingly present with advanced disease. The years of self-treatment that precede that presentation are not secondary to this outcome.

We will not solve the problem of chronic indigestion by building more endoscopy units alone, though we need them. We will not solve it by training more gastroenterologists alone, though we need them too. A large part of the solution lies in how we respond to our own bodies. This includes understanding that persistent discomfort is not a character test to be endured, making different choices at the dinner table and the chemist counter, and not letting pride stand between us and a clinic.

If you constantly press your palm to your chest after a meal, it is high time you looked for a lasting solution. The means to improve your situation exist, many of them free and many of them within your reach. You just have to listen to your stomach and act urgently on the message you get.

Ojenagbon, a health communication expert and certified management trainer, lives in Lagos.

An artificial intelligence (AI) expert and Chief Executive Officer of Investonaire UAE, El-Yakub Audu, has said wider adoption of AI could transform Nigeria’s estimated 39 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), boost productivity and strengthen the country’s economy.

Speaking on Business Daily on Trust TV, Audu said AI could improve productivity, deepen financial inclusion and help move more businesses from the informal to the formal sector if backed by the right infrastructure and policies.

‘The idea is that once AI is integrated into how we do business and run our economy, it can bring a lot of advantages to institutions, countries and private businesses,’ he said.

He said Nigeria had made progress in AI adoption but still required greater investment in broadband infrastructure, digital skills and regulations to maximise the technology’s benefits.

‘If Nigeria not only invests in the infrastructure and regulations that are needed but also cooperates with private sector players, I believe there’s a lot of room for growth in the economy, particularly transitioning people from the informal sector to the formal sector,’ he said.

Audu said MSMEs would benefit from AI through improved access to financial literacy, digital services and business support, adding that the technology would enable institutions to reach more businesses efficiently.

‘We have about 39 million MSMEs in Nigeria. If institutions like SMEDAN adopt AI, it allows them to reach more users and offer opportunities that help migrate businesses from the informal to the formal sector,’ he said.

He said AI should also be integrated into tertiary education to equip graduates with skills needed in an increasingly technology driven economy.

‘We have over 2.5 million people graduating from tertiary institutions every year in Nigeria. Being able to incorporate financial literacy training into their curriculum would help transition more people from the informal to the formal sector,’ he said.

On employment, Audu acknowledged concerns that AI could replace some jobs but said it would also create new opportunities for workers willing to acquire new skills.

‘There is one aspect that certain jobs will be lost because of the advent of AI, but at the same time there are lots of new jobs that will be created. People should upskill because AI is here to stay,’ he said.

Speaking on agriculture, he said AI would improve productivity through data driven decision making, precision farming and the use of drones to improve crop yields.

‘Knowing whether your soil will give you the kind of yield you want depends on data. AI, even with drones, can improve productivity, crop yields and food production,’ he said.

Audu also said AI could strengthen the financial sector through improved credit profiling, financial inclusion and fraud detection, but warned that it could also be exploited for cybercrime.

‘AI does not come without concerns. There are risks around scams and cyber attacks, so investment in cybersecurity and public awareness will remain important,’ he said.

On healthcare, he said AI could support faster and more accurate diagnosis by analysing large volumes of medical data, particularly in underserved communities.

He urged organisations to invest in staff training and capacity building, saying businesses that fail to adopt AI risk losing competitiveness.

‘If you want to remain competitive, the best thing you can do is learn about AI and integrate it into what you are doing to help you do it better,’ he said.

On 30th July, 2026, the Ministry of Defence convened the maiden South East Regional Security Summit in Umuahia, Abia State to explore and adopt various non-kinetic strategies in addressing the security concerns in the South East region. It was the first in the series lined up for all the geopolitical zones in the country. The decision to kickstart the campaign in the South East was strategic and borne out of the need to send a strong message to those behind the insecurity in the region that moving forward in the South East, it would be a regime of ‘Udo adawala n’ala Igbo’ (Peace is being restored in Igboland). These were my thoughts, and they came from a deep commitment to the security of lives and property in the South East.

We elected to start with the South East because it is a region that holds great prospects for the country, and also due to the fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is passionate and committed to entrenching sustainable peace and tranquillity in the region beyond the ongoing infrastructural projects. The need to ensure that the region remains peaceful for sustainable growth and development was not lost on us at the Ministry of Defence.

The theme of the summit was ‘Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Regional Security and Stability.’ This was evocative and corroborated the maxim that ‘two heads are better than one’ and that winning the war against insecurity requires a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. I was impressed with the attendance list, which ranged from traditional rulers, political administrators, clergy, unions, youth groups, security and intelligence operatives, teachers, students, artisans, and others, including veterans from the region.

I was impressed with the various presentations at the summit. I identified an uncommon commitment from the audience. The conversations centred around the way forward. The summit also afforded me the opportunity to have a first-hand understanding of the dynamics at play in the region regarding security challenges. As the Minister of Defence, it indeed placed me on a pedestal of greater understanding that will shape future defence policies in the country. This is a pledge.

Lessons from the Elders

My boss, mentor, and father, General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu, GCMG, CFR, COM, psc+, mni, finiia, among others, availed us of his esteemed presence at the summit. His presentation indeed touched on the very essence of collaborative approaches to strengthening regional security and stability. My takeaway from his presentation was that ‘military force is indispensable, but military force alone has never permanently solved a political, economic, or social problem.’ He also highlighted that security cannot remain the exclusive responsibility of the Armed Forces or other security agencies. Security succeeds when citizens become participants rather than spectators. I thank General Nwachukwu for taking time out of his revered schedule to attend the summit. It was highly appreciated.

My boss and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika, CFR, indeed put a smile on my face with his presence and the quality of his presentation as the keynote speaker. In his characteristic manner, he spoke eloquently on the necessity that ‘institutional success should be measured not only by operational achievements, but also by whether citizens experience greater freedom, confidence, and predictability in their daily lives. Delivering such outcomes, however, requires a clear understanding of the threats, networks, and conditions that continue to disrupt normal activity across the region.’

He capped his presentation with a nugget: ‘For collaboration to produce meaningful results, it must therefore begin with a shared and accurate understanding of the threat. Without a common diagnosis, institutions may pursue conflicting priorities, duplicate effort, or apply responses that fail to address the underlying problem.’ This was a very clear message that was received wholeheartedly. I wish to use this medium to extend my heartfelt gratitude to him for his presence.

I must not fail to mention that my brother and friend, Dr. Alex Otti, the Executive Governor of Abia State, was such a wonderful host. He was very instrumental to the success of the summit. His contributions were vital, and his presence from the beginning to the end of the programme was reassuring that he is a worthy partner in progress in our quest to achieve regional stability in the South East. Also, the representatives of other governors of the South East who were present added color to the summit with their vital contributions.

A Shared Responsibility

The maiden South East Regional Security Summit was a success. This much was captured in the communiqué with the reaffirmation by participants on the importance of sustained partnership among stakeholders in the region towards a peaceful, secure, and prosperous South East. This was reassuring, and I left Umuahia with assurances that the various stakeholders in the region have elected to take ownership of the security initiatives in place towards sustainable peace and security.

This is the collaboration that we seek at the Ministry of Defence, not just in the South East, but in other regions of the country. Direct feedback is necessary in the sense that there is no universal security strategy in Nigeria. Nigeria is a plural country, and the causation of insecurity varies from region to region. This can only be identified through the gathering of stakeholders. It could also pass for a town hall meeting because there were no restrictions on the participants list. It was broad and holistic, as mentioned earlier, and it was deliberately intentioned to gather as much feedback as possible.

Security is everyone’s business. This is the reality that we must embrace, and it is the reason why we are taking collaborative approaches to strengthening regional security and stability across the various regions of the country. With this, we are embarking on a paradigm shift-a shift that emphasizes the ‘Whole-of-Society Approach’ towards addressing our security challenges adopted by the Ministry of Defence under my watch.

The highlight of the summit as captured in the communique was the resolution that the five South-East States collaborate with relevant federal security and intelligence institutions to deepen coordination and develop more effective mechanisms for addressing security threats that transcend state boundaries. Also, security agencies were specifically tasked with the responsibility of deepening sustained engagement with communities through dialogue, confidence-building measures and appropriate civil-military cooperation initiatives aimed at strengthening trust and public participation. This is the essence of collaborative approaches in the critical security architecture in the country.

I must add that beyond the eloquence of the presentations at the summit, the political authorities in the South East states must as a matter of urgency designate appropriate focal points to facilitate coordination, implementation and follow-up on the resolutions of the summit, and an appropriate mechanism for periodic review of progress in implementing agreed actions towards addressing the security challenges across the South-East.

Thank you

The next destination is the North Central, and others will follow suit in no particular order. The overarching objective is regional security and stability. This is the marching order of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and it is introspective and reflective of his passion and commitment to addressing the security challenges in the country. I want to use this medium to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership strides, especially his keen interest in the security of the lives and property of Nigerians across the country.

My appreciation also goes to all who contributed to this milestone, particularly the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South East) for her dedicated collaboration. And most importantly, to the good people of the South East region, I say ‘Daal?, Nd?da ?w?wa Anyanw?.’ (Thank you, South East).

The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) has emphasized the need for journalists to ensure accurate information is published to Nigerians while covering the energy sector.

Speaking during a training workshop, the Executive Secretary of PTDF, Prof. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu, said publishing more accurate, balanced, and insightful reporting helps to strengthen understanding of the sector.

He stated that as the nation’s foremost human capacity development agency for the oil and gas industry, it recognises that building capacity must extend beyond industry professionals to include those responsible for informing the public.

He stated that the training was organized due to the realization that the media is a strategic partner in shaping public discourse, promoting transparency, and driving national development.

He said, ‘In an industry as technical and constantly evolving as oil and gas, effective journalism requires not only timely reporting but also a sound understanding of the policies, technologies, and issues that shape the sector.

‘Our story is one of developing skilled manpower, advancing research and innovation, supporting local content, and contributing to Nigeria’s energy future. We believe these achievements deserve to be communicated with clarity, context, and credibility.’

He added that the training also reinforces the enduring partnership between PTDF and the media.

‘We deeply value your role in amplifying our initiatives and appreciate the professionalism with which you continue to engage the Fund. We remain committed to strengthening this relationship through continuous engagement, openness, and mutual respect.

The Association of Energy Correspondents Abuja FCT (AECAF) chairman, John Ofikhenua urged PTDF to sustain the symbiotic relationship with the media to deepen the understanding of the mandate of the fund.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director, BetterWays, Dr Victor Dare, said the oil and gas sector remains the cornerstone and key driver of Nigeria’s economy, accounting for about 65% of government revenue, over 85% of total export earnings, and roughly 90% of foreign exchange earnings, despite contributing less than 10% to the annual GDP.

New Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) signing, Johnmark Shirsha Atule, has declared his readiness to hit the ground running after receiving a rousing welcome from the club’s management, teammates and supporters.

The attacking midfielder joined the ‘Oluyole Warriors’ from Kwara United on a two-year deal, with the prospect of continental football providing an added incentive for the 22-year-old.

Atule, a former junior international, first caught the eye on the international stage when he represented Nigeria at the 2018 Africa Youth Games in Algeria.

His journey to the professional ranks, however, was far from straightforward.

After overcoming setbacks early in his career, the DreamFoot Football Academy Makurdi graduate eventually secured his first professional contract with Lobi Stars ahead of the 2023/2024 season.

He impressed in his debut campaign before moving to Kwara United in 2025, where he featured in the NPFL and CAF Confederation Cup.

The Oluyole Warriors’ qualification for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup proved a major attraction for a player eager to test himself on the continental stage.

3SC finished third in the 2026 NPFL season to secure Nigeria’s ticket to next season’s second-tier CAF club competition.

Following his unveiling at the historic Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Atule took to Facebook to express his appreciation to the club for the warm reception.

The midfielder described his move to 3SC as an honour and promised to give his best as the club prepares for both domestic and continental challenges.

‘I am truly honoured and grateful to join 3SC. Thank you to the management, coaching staff, teammates, and the amazing fans for welcoming me into this great club.

‘It is a privilege to wear this badge, and I promise to give my all on and off the pitch. I look forward to contributing to the team’s success and creating unforgettable moments together.

‘Thank you for this opportunity. Up Shooting Stars SC,’ he wrote.

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed a suit filed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) challenging some provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.

Specifically, the provision one of the main opposition parties is challenging borders on the qualification and disqualification of candidates for elective offices.

Justice Muhammed Umar, in his ruling on the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/635/2025, held that the action lacked merit.

Daily Trust reports that the NDC had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Clerk of the National Assembly and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was also joined in the suit seeking, among other reliefs, declarations that Sections 138 and 77(5) of the Electoral Act 2026 were unconstitutional.

The plaintiff also urged the court to hold that questions bordering on the qualification of candidates could still be raised after elections.

However, in his ruling, Justice Umar upheld preliminary objections challenging the competence of the suit, and held that the plaintiff was merely inviting the court to interpret constitutional and statutory provisions.

The judge also ruled that the disputed provisions of the Electoral Act complement, rather than conflict with, the 1999 Constitution.

‘The plaintiff is invoking the interpretative jurisdiction of this honourable court in respect of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 on the one hand and the 1999 Constitution on the other hand,’ the judge held.

He added that the mere attachment of INEC’s election timetable to the originating summons did not transform the case into a pre-election matter.

‘The fact that the defendant’s timetable is attached cannot make the case within the contemplation of Section 285… there is no deposition… that raises questions as to the timetable,’ the court held.

On the objection raised by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Justice Umar held that the plaintiff failed to comply with the statutory requirement of serving a pre-action notice before commencing proceedings.

He ruled that the implication of non-service of a pre-action notice on the 2nd defendant ‘makes this suit incompetent against the second defendant,’ before striking out the action against the Clerk.

On the substantive issue, the judge rejected the NDC’s argument that Section 138 of the Electoral Act was inconsistent with constitutional provisions governing qualification and disqualification for elective offices.

Justice Umar held that the Constitution prescribes the qualifications and disqualifications for elective offices, while the Electoral Act merely provides the procedure and timeline for ventilating disputes arising from party primaries.

‘Any aggrieved party who intends to challenge any candidate that emerged at the primary election of a political party on grounds of disqualification… must do so at the pre-election level,’ the Judge said.

He further held that, when read together with other provisions of the Electoral Act, Section 138 was not inconsistent with the Constitution.

‘The provision of Section 138 of the Electoral Act 2026 complements the provision of the Constitution, but is not in conflict with it. The contention of the plaintiff that Section 138 is inconsistent with the Constitution is of no merit,’ he ruled.

Justice Umar also declined to invalidate Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act, holding that the issue had already been determined by the Court of Appeal.

According to him, the appellate court had pronounced on the provision in an earlier decision, stressing that the implication was that ‘courts, generally, are binded by precedent.’

A presidential aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Bayero Lawal, has slammed a suit against the party for allegedly denying him expression of interest and nomination forms during the recently concluded presidential primaries.

Alhaji Lawal, a founding member of the party, also joined the Presidential Screening Committee of the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the suit before a Federal High Court Abuja and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1020/2026.

Daily Trust reports that the ruling APC had in May waived the screening requirement for the President, Bola Tinubu ahead of its 2027 primaries, declaring him duly cleared in line with the party’s constitution and internal procedures. The decision, according to the spokesman of the party, Felix Morka, was taken by the National Working Committee at its 188th meeting held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

But on May 21, Lawal through his lawyer, Basil Kpenkpen, approached the Federal High Court, arguing that the party refused to allow him to obtain both the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the primaries against the incumbent president in line with the democratic tenets.

In an originating summons, obtained by our correspondent, the plaintiff sought seven reliefs, among which is payment of N100m for both forms be declared illegal, arguing that such mandatory payment was not captured in the party’s constitution.

He maintained that the constitution of APC guarantees him, as a fully registered and financially up-to-date member of the 1st Defendant (party), has rights to contest for and be voted for in any elective position, including the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.