Category: Daily Trust

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s push for a brighter future of filmmaking in Nigeria is yielding fruits as the state Sugar Factory Film Studios unveiled its first film – Ajuwaya Series.

The movie – 85 per cent of which was executed in the state-of-the-art studios – was financed by Nigeria’s First Lady Sen Oluremi Tinubu, who supported the facility with 350 million naira.

At a media briefing for the unveiling of the project in Ilorin on Tuesday, Managing Director of the Studios, Gbenga Titiloye, said the movie stands the chance of attracting direct foreign investment, ‘because this is the only functional film studio in Africa’.

He commended the Governor’s foresight and his administration’s resolve to create a platform that nurtures artistry, innovation, and economic vitality.

‘Today, we gather to celebrate a milestone that marks not just the completion of a facility, but the dawn of a new era in Nigerian cinema and cultural expression-the successful completion of the Ajuwaya project,’ he said.

‘This moment stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision, perseverance, and collaborative effort converge for the common good. What the Governor has achieved here is foreign direct investment because this is the only functional film studio in Africa, and 85 percent of this movie was done in this studio.

‘His Excellency’s willingness to champion a film studio in Nigeria demonstrates not only a bold strategic mind but also a deep faith in our people and their talent. It is through that foresight and resolve that we have arrived at this moment: a state-backed endeavour that nurtures artistry, innovation, and economic vitality’.

Titiloye also appreciated Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her generous donation to the Sugar Factory Studios, adding that her gesture reflects the spirit of national renewal and investment in the creative economy.

‘This grant (from the First Lady) is more than funding; it is a signal, a beacon, and a pledge that Nigeria will not only tell its stories but export them with pride and excellence,’ he said.

Speaking on the lessons to gain from Ajuwaya, Titiloye said the movie exemplifies how national and regional efforts can combine to create durable infrastructure for culture and economy.

The press briefing was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Princess Olubukola Babalola; Commissioner for Communications, Hon Bola Olukoju; and General Manager, Sugar Factory Film Studios and Producer of the film, Grace Babasola.

Princess Babalola, for her part, urged the youth to take advantage of the Sugar Film Studios to tap into the creative industry, saying theatre work is a model to reflect modern society.

‘This studio is important to economic growth, development growth and projecting our state as a leader in the area of theatre and creative industry generally. So, let us talk to our youth so that they can find their feet in this industry,’ she said.

Olukoju described the production of the Ajuwaya Series as a big win for the state, saying it signals the beginning of a new ecosystem in the creative industry in the sub-national.

‘For us in Kwara State, the creative industry is a big ecosystem. In the time of shooting this film, 1,211 participated. People benefited a lot, we have fashion designers, caterers, transporters, artisans, among others, and if we can have this regularly, it is going to open up the ecosystem of the creative industry. Every part of the economy benefited in the course of producing the film,’ she said.

Babasola lauded AbdulRazaq for the creation of the studios that he noted represents more than just a building or a production house.

‘Governor AbdulRazaq is a leader whose belief in the potential of young creatives has opened new doors for the film and entertainment industry in Nigeria,’ she said.

‘Ajuwaya is just the beginning. It is proof that when opportunity meets passion, great stories emerge that inspire, entertain, and remind us of who we are.’

The National Council of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination to the Council on Wednesday to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.

The President described Amupitan as ‘a distinguished scholar and an apolitical figure from Kogi State,’ noting that he is the first person from the North-Central state to be nominated for the position.

In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Below are things to know about Professor Amupitan

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982-1984), before proceeding to the University of Jos, where he earned his LL.B degree in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.

He obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Jos in 1993 and later completed a Ph.D. in Law at the same institution in 2007.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER

After his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation (1988-1989), Amupitan joined the University of Jos as a lecturer in 1989, marking the beginning of a distinguished academic career.

Over the years, he has served in several key positions at the university, including:

Head, Department of Public Law (2006-2008)

Dean, Faculty of Law (2008-2014)

Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) – a position he currently holds.

In addition to his university duties, he is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.

Amupitan became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.

PUBLIC SERVICE AND BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

Outside academia, Amupitan has held several national and corporate leadership roles. He served on the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014) and is a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

He has also served as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom, and Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996-2004).

PUBLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Professor Amupitan is widely published, with several influential works in Nigerian legal scholarship. His books include:

Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008)

Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008)

Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013)

Principles of Company Law (2013)

An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014)

His areas of expertise span Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.

PERSONAL LIFE

Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have been drawn into a challenging group alongside France, Germany, Korea, Philippines, and Colombia in the final qualifying phase for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026.

The draw took place at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland, conducted by German star Marie Guelich and former French captain Endy Miyem.

D’Tigress will compete in one of four qualifying tournaments to be held in France, Turkey, China, and Puerto Rico from March 11 to 17, 2026. A total of 24 nations have been divided into four groups of six teams each, battling for 16 spots at the World Cup Finals in Germany.

In each qualifying tournament, the top three teams will advance to the World Cup, along with one Continental Cup winner. However, in the group containing World Cup hosts Germany, only the top two teams will qualify automatically, joining Germany and a Continental Cup champion.

The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will feature 16 teams and take place from September 4-13, 2026, at two venues in Berlin, Germany.

Nigeria’s D’Tigress, four-time AfroBasket champions, will be looking to secure their third consecutive World Cup appearance and continue their rise on the global stage despite facing some of the world’s strongest basketball nations in the qualifiers.

Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have announced the arrest of the suspected armed robbers linked to the death of an ARISE TV staff member, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami.

The duo lost their lives over the robbery incident at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

Our correspondent reports that the incident happened at about 3:30am, on September 29, 2025.

Ms. Somtochukwu reportedly jumped from the balcony of her apartment on the third floor of the building when the robbers invaded the estate. The suspects were identified as:

Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ from Malumfashi LGA Katsina state

Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22 years from Zaria kaduna State

Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. abba ‘m’, 27 years from Musawa LGA katsina state

Sani Sirajo a.k.a. dan borume ‘m’ 20 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state

Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. abba ‘m’ 28 years from Igabi LGA kaduna state

Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. dan-sule ‘m’ 21 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state

Abdul Salam saleh a.k.a. na-durudu ‘m’ from katsina lga katsina State

Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. gwaska ‘m’ 23 years from chikun lga kaduna state

Musa adamu a.k.a. musa hassan ‘m’ 30 years from malumfashi lga katsina state

Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. baby ‘m’ 27 years from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna state 11.Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. abbati ‘m’, 25 years from Zaria LGA, Kaduna state

Musa Umar a.k.a. small ‘m’ 31 years from Maiduguri LGA Borno state.

In its statement on Thursday, the police said shortly after the incident, four of the suspects were arrested through the tracking of the phones stolen from the building.

The police said Shamsudeen Hassan, one of the suspects, confessed to have shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the building.

Sani Sirajo, another suspect reportedly said he held the victim from falling off the storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.

‘Operatives of the scorpion squad led by ACP Victor Godfrey acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC, have successfully arrested twelve (12) of the armed robbers that were involved in that operation.’

‘During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment.

‘Sani Sirajo confessed to have tried to hold Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.

‘Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove the white Honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation. The four suspects admitted that they each received ?200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.

‘Recovered exhibits include: one (1) fabricated AK-47 rifle; thirty-six (36) rounds of 9mm live ammunition; one (1) locally made pistol; one (1) pump-action gun; two (2) live cartridges; four (4) mobile phones of the victims; two (2) sharp knives; one (1) cutlass; nine (9) torchlights used during the operation.’

The Federal Government lost a total of 13.5 million barrels of crude oil worth $3.3 billion to theft and pipeline sabotage between 2023 and 2024, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has disclosed.

Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Ogbonanya Orji, disclosed this in Lagos at the 2025 Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) conference in Lagos on Thursday.

He decried the lack of transparency and accountability that had bedeviled the oil and gas industry, saying there was the need for openness, transparency and innovation in driving the oil and gas value chain.

He spoke on the theme, ‘Nigeria’s Energy Future: Exploring Opportunities and Addressing Risks for Sustainable Growth.’ Orji noted that the lost revenue could have supported a full year of the federal health budget or provided energy access to millions of households.

He further disclosed that its 2021-2022 Oil and Gas Industry Reports indicated that Nigeria earned $23.04 billion in 2021 and $23.05 billion in 2022 from the sector.

In addition, it stated that N1.5 trillion were owed to the Federation by some companies and government agencies, saying the funds could have supported the provision of energy infrastructure and healthcare to the people.

This is why transparency and accountability are not optional but necessary conditions to guarantee a more sustainable energy future for Nigeria, he stated.

The ES stated that NEITI is committed to ensuring that every barrel of crude produced is duly accounted for, noting that the secrecy in the value chain remains a matter of concern.

According to him, there is the need for reliable data in the industry as ‘data build trust, trust drives investment, investment generates revenues and revenues deliver impact.

He said, ‘Over the past decade, NEITI has evolved from an auditing agency to a governance reform institution.

‘We have institutionalised regular audits of oil, gas, and solid mineral sectors, tracking production, payments, and remediation; developed Nigeria’s Beneficial Ownership Register, unmasking the true owners of over 4,800 extractive assets, and helping the government combat corruption and illicit financial flows; and launched the NEITI Data Centre-a national open-data infrastructure that provides real-time public access to industry information.

‘We have also strengthened partnerships with NUPRC, NMDPRA, and NCDMB to promote transparency in licensing, metering, and host community trust management and introduced the Just Energy Transition and Climate Accountability Framework to ensure that Nigeria’s shift to cleaner energy is transparent, inclusive, and fair.’

The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned Nigerians against dealing with Barry Donald, who has been dismissed from the agency.

In a statement, the secret police said the dismissed official had been using the agency’s name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The agency cautioned members of the public to avoid any form of dealings with him, adding that anyone who needs clarification or wishes to make an enquiry should contact the DSS directly.

‘The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby alerts members of the public of the activities of one Barry Donald, a dismissed staff. He is reportedly engaging in unscrupulous activities, including using the name of the Service to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.’

‘Members of the public are therefore advised to desist from any dealings with him. For requests, enquiries or complaints the Service can be reached on 09088373515 or via email: dsspr@dss.gov.ng,’ the statement read.

The House of Representatives has resolved to review the existing university admission age policy while pledging continued support for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other examination bodies to enable them to effectively discharge their mandates.

Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, Rep. Oforji Oboku, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja when members of the committee visited the venue of the ongoing examination for exceptional underage children seeking university admissions.

Rep. Oboku commended the exceptional performance of the young candidates participating in the examination, describing them as a source of pride to the nation.

‘The performance of these underage students shows that our educational system is moving in the right direction. We are very proud of JAMB, and we will continue to support and encourage them to do more,’ he said. On the issue of the age limit for university admission, Rep. Oboku clarified that the policy originated from the Federal Ministry of Education, not JAMB, but assured that the House will review it as part of broader educational reforms.

‘The issue of age limit is not JAMB’s decision; it’s a government policy. JAMB is only implementing what the Ministry of Education has approved. However, we will look into it and, if the need arises, take the necessary legislative steps,’ he added.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved closer to achieving a two-thirds majority in the Senate as its membership rose to 72 following the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) from the Labour Party (LP) and the swearing-in of Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central).

Senator Kelvin Chukwu, representing Enugu East, formally defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC on Wednesday. His defection letter was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

Also, Senator Joseph Ikpea was sworn in as senator for Edo Central after winning the recent by-election held to fill the seat vacated by Senator Monday Okpebholo, who became governor of Edo State in 2024.

Similarly, Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was sworn in to represent Anambra South. He replaces Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died in 2024. With the Senate comprising 109 members, two-thirds mathematically equals 72.66. However, legislative practice dictates rounding up to 73 because constitutional provisions requiring ‘not less than two-thirds’ must meet the next whole number. This interpretation aligns with Sections 143 and 188 of the 1999 Constitution, which set the same voting threshold for presidential and gubernatorial impeachments.

The APC’s new strength of 72 senators now puts it a single seat away from that constitutional majority. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 28 senators, the Labour Party 4, APGA 2, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 1.

Analysts warn of democratic imbalance as Akpabio mocks opposition

Meanwhile, analysts have warned that if the APC secures a two-thirds majority, it could pass executive bills and requests without opposition support, undermining the legislature’s independence.

Political scientist Professor Gbade Ojo described the development as ‘deeply concerning,’ saying it could lead to ‘a subtle dictatorship.’

‘When a ruling party controls the parliament to the extent of holding a two-thirds majority, it erodes the principle of checks and balances,’ he said. ‘The National Assembly risks becoming a rubber stamp for the executive, compromising its oversight role.’

He also criticised the weakness of opposition parties, saying internal disunity and ideological vacuum had worsened their decline. ‘The opposition has failed to put its house in order. Everyone is fighting for survival, not principles,’ he added.

Moments after Chukwu’s defection letter was read, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) hailed the move, saying more lawmakers were joining the APC ‘because the APC-led government is working.’

He argued that the Labour Party’s internal disarray forced Chukwu’s defection, while Senate President Akpabio mocked opposition parties, describing them as ‘tattered’ and urging them to ‘put their houses in order.’

‘I want a vibrant opposition. But the opposition is tattered. Please, put your houses in order, ‘he said.

After mocking the opposition, Akpabio asked Senator Moro, the Minority Leader to speak. In his remarks, Moro said the remaining opposition senators would remain strong till 2027.

He said, it was sad that Senator Chukwu defected to the APC. Moro said despite claiming in his letter that he had consulted widely before his defection, he (Moro) was not consulted.

He said, ‘He (Senator Chukwu) came here on sympathy vote’ after his brother was killed before the 2023 election.

To Akpabio, Senator Moro said, ‘The house (APC) is becoming too full, it should worry you.’

In his letter to the Senate, Chukwu blamed his decision on ‘internal wrangling, leadership crisis, and lack of focus’ within the Labour Party.

‘Recent developments within the Labour Party, including lack of cohesion and direction, have made it increasingly difficult for me to effectively discharge my duties,’ he said.

Chukwu added that the APC, under President Bola Tinubu, offered ‘a more stable, progressive, and inclusive platform’ for achieving national unity and good governance.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the World Bank’s October 2025 report ‘as clear confirmation that the economic policies of the Tinubu-led APC government have ruined the lives and livelihoods of the majority of Nigerians.

The Coalition, therefore, charged the present administration to stop peddling what it called, ‘Creative Statistics’ and start putting the people first by prioritising food security, job creation, and targeted social protection systems that shield the 139 million vulnerable Nigerians that the economic policies have created.

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, said the report exposed the wide gap between the government’s rhetoric of economic progress and the lived reality of Nigerians, noting that while the administration celebrates increased revenue and meeting revenue targets, more citizens are slipping into poverty at a rate never seen before in Nigeria. The party also accused the government of masking its domestic economic failures with creative statistics that paint rosy pictures of economic progress while the people continue to suffer.

ADC said the party has been studying the October 2025 World Bank Report, which states that 139 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line, up from 81 million in 2019.

‘That figure, representing 61% of the population, is clear evidence that the economic policies of the Tinubu-led APC government have actually sent more Nigerians into abject poverty, contrary to the government’s performance propaganda and claims of progress.’

‘The World Bank numbers tell a simple but painful story: under the APC and President Bola Tinubu’s government, more Nigerians have fallen into poverty than at any other time in our history. In 2019, four out of ten Nigerians were poor. Today, it is, at least, six out of ten.’

The party recalled that President Tinubu, in his Independence Day address to the nation, declared triumphantly that ‘the worst is over’ while bandying statistics which have now been proven to be calculated ‘whitewash’ to serve the government’s narrative of progress.

‘However, what is important is the reality that those numbers were meant to hide. Behind President Tinubu’s shiny statistics are the grim realities of historic human suffering: families skipping meals, children dropping out of school, and households selling assets just to buy food and basic drugs to survive.

‘Under the APC, nearly 30 million Nigerians have now joined the ranks of the ultra-poor those who, even if they spend every naira they earn on food, still cannot afford enough calories to survive.’

ADC said while the government celebrates record revenue collection and the illusion of economic stability, the World Bank’s data shows that Nigerians are actually growing poorer by the day.

‘Food inflation has gone through the roof, with the price of a bag of rice multiplying five times in just four years. Poor families now spend roughly 70 percent of their income on food, leaving nothing for rent, school fees, or medicine.’

‘The so-called social safety nets that should protect the vulnerable have also collapsed. Coverage has fallen from 20 percent in 2019 to just 6 percent in 2025. Government support to the poorest citizens is almost non-existent, amounting to a mere 0.14 percent of GDP compared to a global average of 1.5 percent.’

The Senate on Wednesday resolved to summon the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to brief the lawmakers on the coordinated federal response to insecurity in Kwara South.

The Senate also urged the federal government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South, near the forest belts of Ifelodun Local Government Area, as a rapid response hub to tackle insecurity in the zone.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored during plenary by Senator Lola Ashiru (Kwara South).

The red chamber also called for the immediate deployment of additional troops and special units to clear the forests and restore normalcy in affected communities in the senatorial district. In his lead debate, Senator Ashiru lamented the escalating insecurity in Kwara South, especially in Ifelodun LGA, where he said bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings have reached alarming levels in recent weeks.

He disclosed that the development has forced thousands of residents to flee their communities.

After a debate on the motion, the Senate mandated its committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to undertake an on-the-spot assessment of affected areas and report back within two weeks.

It also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons in Ifelodun and other affected LGAs.

The red chamber equally urged the federal government to compensate families of fallen forest guards and vigilantes who died defending their communities.

Army deploys full brigade to Kwara forests

The Nigerian Army has deployed a full brigade with heavy military equipment to Kwara State to dislodge bandits operating from forests in parts of the northern and southern axis.

The deployment saw troops and armoured vehicles advancing through communities around Oke Ode and Babanla in Ifelodun Local Government Area, according to a government statement on Wednesday night.

Daily Trust reports that the affected communities had come under renewed attacks lately from the bandits, killing and kidnapping many victims in the process.

The operation forms part of the ongoing Operation Fasan Yanma aimed at neutralising armed criminal groups and restoring peace across affected areas.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the issue over the weekend in Jos, thanked the president for his swift intervention and the military hierarchy for their commitment to public safety.

‘We will not spare any resources in support of the military, DSS, police, and other security agencies as they work to strengthen the security of lives and properties,’ the Governor said in the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.

He expressed optimism that the new deployment would bring lasting relief to communities that have suffered repeated abductions and killings.

‘We are upbeat that this operation, as part of Operation Fasan Yanma, will eliminate all forms of threats in affected areas in Kwara South and Kwara North.

‘I thank the President and the security agencies for the efforts so far. As I said a few days ago, we just need to double our efforts to save the people. We are confident that the operation, under the theatre commander Major General Soyele, who is accompanied by Brigadier General A.A. Babatunde, will succeed in this important task and clear the entire area,’ he said.

The governor also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, and the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, who had earlier relocated to Kwara to oversee the operation.

Security challenges require multi-level policing – Speaker Abbas

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has called for decisive legislative action to establish a multi-level policing system to address the nation’s deepening security challenges.

Abbas made the call on Wednesday during a public hearing on the Private Intelligence and Investigation Council Bill, 2024, organised by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

He said security sector reforms have become a national priority and must now ‘move from theory to decisive action.’

Represented by the member representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency, Hon. Muktar Shagaya, the Speaker said creating state police through a constitutional amendment remains a viable option that deserves serious national consideration.

The Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Ahmad Satomi, said the proposed legislation would mark a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture through the regulation and professionalisation of private intelligence operations.