Category: Daily Trust

Nigerian pastor Bolaji Idowu is set to host the 2026 edition of the Next Level Prayers (NLP) UK and Europe Conference in London, with growing anticipation around the event now intersecting with a heated social media debate among Nigerians in the diaspora.

The conference, scheduled for 16 May 2026 at ExCeL London, is positioned as a major gathering focused on worship, prayer and spiritual renewal. Organisers say it will bring together believers from across the United Kingdom and Europe, with an emphasis on testimonies, community impact and faith-based engagement.

High-profile gospel ministers, including Sunmisola Agbebi-Oke, Joe Mettle and Naomi Raine, are expected to feature at the event, adding to its visibility and appeal.

Early online traction suggests strong interest, with clips and testimonies from previous NLP gatherings already circulating widely ahead of the London meeting.

However, the build-up to the conference has also sparked a parallel debate on social media, after a UK-based blogger criticised Nigerians abroad for ‘importing prayer conferences’ instead of focusing on economic opportunities.

The comment triggered widespread reactions, particularly among diaspora Nigerians who view such gatherings as central to their identity and support systems.

One of the most viral responses came from a UK-based nurse, identified as @SandraJame98422, who defended the conference and dismissed the criticism.

‘Speak for yourself. No be everybody dey think like you. How person wan cancel God? After all the testimonies from previous NLP events, people still dey question am?’ she wrote in a post that has since gained significant engagement.

Supporters of the NLP conference argue that beyond spirituality, the gatherings provide a sense of belonging and mental support for Nigerians navigating life abroad. They also point to testimonies from past editions as evidence of impact.

Critics, however, maintain that the increasing prominence of such events reflects a misplaced focus, especially within migrant communities facing economic pressures.

The exchange underscores a broader divide within the diaspora, where faith, culture and economic priorities often intersect.

Despite the online controversy, preparations for the NLP London conference continue, with organisers signalling confidence in strong attendance as interest builds across the UK and Europe.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has been screened by the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party’s primary election for the Kwara Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

According to a source, the governor was screened in Abuja on Monday.

The development signals a fresh permutations about the political permutations ahead of the 2027 elections in the State.

Confirming the development on Tuesday night, the governor’s Special Adviser on Political Communication, Bashir Adigun, said AbdulRazaq successfully participated in the screening exercise.

‘I can confirm that he has been screened to contest for the Senate seat in Kwara Central,’ he said.

He added that ‘And we are sure of landslide victory.’

AbdulRazaq is expected to complete his constitutionally permitted two terms as governor on May 29, 2027.

Sources within the party said the governor remains the only aspirant to have obtained the APC nomination and expression of interest forms for the Kwara Central Senatorial seat following the directive by the presidency as concerning governor going to the Senate in APC.

Daily Trust reports that the governor’s decision to seek the Kwara Central senatorial seat is widely being interpreted as more than a routine transition.

Observers believe the move is strategically tied to the broader battle over the future control of the APC structure in Kwara after 2027.

At the centre of the unfolding political calculations is the incumbent senator representing the district, Salihu Mustapha.

The senator has obtained the APC governorship nomination form.

The governor’s entry into the Kwara Central senatorial race is expected to place him on a direct political path with Mustapha.

With AbdulRazaq moving toward the Senate and Mustapha reportedly positioning for Government House, the emerging equation has effectively placed both political tendencies on a collision course over succession, influence and the control of party machinery ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Within the APC, insiders say the development is already triggering quiet realignments among stakeholders seeking to identify where the pendulum may eventually swing.

For AbdulRazaq’s loyalists, the Senate seat is viewed as a strategic platform to preserve the governor’s political relevance and maintain influence over the direction of governance and party affairs after the expiration of his tenure.

Supporters also believe a move to the National Assembly would enable him to retain a strong voice within both state and national politics.

On the other hand, Mustapha’s camp is believed to be leveraging his current position as senator representing Kwara Central to strengthen consultations across party blocs and structures nationally and back home.

The unfolding permutations have also revived conversations around the long-standing power dynamics within Kwara politics.

Analysts say the coming months may witness intensified consultations and increased political horse-trading within the APC as different blocs intensify efforts ahead of the party’s primaries.

Although neither camp has openly acknowledged any rivalry, party insiders insist the movements toward the Senate and Government House have already altered the political permutations within the ruling party.

Political analysts in the state have warned that the APC must carefully manage the political ambitions of Governor AbdulRazaq and senator Mustapha, cautioning that failure to do so could negatively affect the party’s fortunes in the 2027 general elections.

Opposition parties in the state are said to be closely monitoring the unfolding situation, reportedly with a view to exploiting any emerging cracks or divisions within the ruling party as preparations toward 2027 gather momentum.

Efforts to get reaction from the camp of Mustapha was not successful as of the time of filing this report.

The Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, on Wednesday convicted the General Overseer of Mission House of Divine Land of Joy and Prayer Ministry, Prophet Ajiboye Abayomi Olayinka, to life imprisonment for raping three underage members of his congregation inside the church premises.

The convict bagged three life imprisonment penalties for three different offences bordering on illegal sexual intercourse with 13-year-old minors.

The offences, according to the court, were committed inside the church’s mission house located in the Agah area of Ganmo, where he served as spiritual leader.

Prophet Olayinka was also slammed with a 14 years imprisonment for illegally aborting several pregnancies of his victims and threatened them not to disclose the illicit act to anyone.

According to the trial judge, Justice Hammed Aliyu Gegele, the convict used his position as a clergyman to turn his victims into sex machines, abusing them physically and mentally.

The court narrated how one of the victims recounted her ordeal with the prophet.

‘He took her to the generator house to forcefully have sex with her using anointing oil as lubricant and also woke her up after vigils for rounds of sex’, Gegele recounted.

The defendant was arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, illegal abortion, and unlawful possession of firearms.

The charges were brought under Sections 97, 235, and 283 of the Penal Code, Section 3(1) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, 2004, as well as Section 31(2) of the Kwara State Child Rights Law, 2006.

During the hearing, the prosecution called twelve (12) witnesses and tendered exhibits.

In their testimonies, the victims alleged that the convict administered anointing oil on their private parts in a ritual-like manner before subjecting them to forceful sexual abuse inside the mission house.

They further told the court that he allegedly compelled them to swear to secrecy with a Bible, warning that they would face death if they ever disclosed what happened.

On 11 February 2026, the prosecution team, led by Chief State Counsel Issa Zakari, vigorously cross-examined the defendant and his witnesses in his defence before the court.

At the conclusion of the defence, written addresses were filed, adopted, and the matter was subsequently adjourned for judgment.

Delivering the verdict on Wednesday, Justice Gegele held that the prosecution had successfully proved the offences of unlawful sexual intercourse with minors, rape, and illegal abortion against the convict, but failed to establish the charge of bigamy.

The court therefore discharged the defendant on the count of bigamy.

In his pronouncement, Justice Gegele described the defendant as ‘a pedophile and philanderer whose conduct should be deprecated by all and sundry in society.’

The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a pump-action gun recovered from the defendant to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has disclosed that it is partnering the Niger State Government to fast-track industrialisation and unlock investment opportunities especially in the rice value chain.

A statement from the Group Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, said currently the company is partnering with the state government to deepen economic opportunities in the State.

The spokesman said apart from the annual sponsorship of Trade Fair, the Dangote Rice Limited had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state on the supply of paddy rice over the next 10 years.

The statement further said: ‘According to the MoU, Dangote Rice Limited has committed to a guaranteed off take of 1 million metric tons of paddy rice, which Niger Foods will supply to boost food sufficiency in Nigeria.’

The statement quoted the Regional Director and Senior Adviser to the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, as saying that the construction of the company’s rice mill in the state is progressing.

She said: ‘Construction of the 32 Metric Tonnes Per Hour (MTPH) Dangote Rice Mill, being developed on a 30-hectare site in Wushishi, is progressing steadily and is on track for completion. This landmark project represents a significant step forward in bolstering the food security initiatives of the State. Upon its delivery, the mill is expected to enhance local rice production, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the agricultural development of Nigeria.’

Furthermore, Mrs. Wali-Abdurrahman said that the Strategic Business Units of the company are participating in the 22nd edition of Niger Trade Fair.

Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the Niger National Trade Fair which officially opens on Thursday May 14, 2026, and has as its theme: Public Private Partnership as the Panacea for Nigeria Economic Growth and Stability.

The participating Business Units, according to her include, Dangote Cement Plc, Dangote Salt (NASCON), Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), Dangote Fertiliser Limited (DFL), among others.

She said there is a special desk to help participants with inquiries on Dangote Refinery, the company’s vision 2030 and several of its businesses.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), Adamu Salihu, said this year’s fair is expected to attract about 300 exhibitors, which include investors, policymakers, and business leaders from across the country.

Mr. Salihu said: ‘Dangote is not only industrialising Nigeria but indeed the whole Africa. Niger Chamber of Commerce will use the Trade Fair to escalate and promote Dangote achievements to Nigerlites, Nigeria and Africa.’

‘One of the most important lessons Nigerian businesses can draw from Dangote Group’s bold investment vision is the need to believe in Nigeria and invest in the country’s vast potential. Building the Nigeria of our dreams requires indigenous companies to take the lead in driving industrialisation and economic growth,’ he said

In the same vein, Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, had said Niger State is required to develop 25,000 hectares of commercial rice farms, adding that the partnership is for 10 years and will create 50,000 direct jobs.

A former chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant for the Abuja South Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 election, Kamal Adamu Shuaibu, has said he resigned from the party due to the absence of internal democracy.

Shuaibu stated this while addressing journalists during the convention of the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Abuja.

According to him, despite years of commitment and support for the APC, neither he nor his supporters benefited meaningfully from the party’s leadership.

He said the decision to join the NDC followed consultations with stakeholders, youths and women groups across the Abuja South Federal Constituency.

He described the NDC as a party with better leadership ideals and promised to provide effective representation for the people of Abuja South if elected in 2027.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has unveiled plans to reduce the processing timeline for Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to about 90 days as part of its sweeping digital transformation programme aimed at modernising aviation regulatory processes in the country.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Modern Personnel Licensing and Certification (MPLC) NCAA Digital Transformation Initiative PEL/MED Stakeholder Engagement held at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Chris Najomo, said the initiative would eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks associated with manual licensing and certification systems.

Daily Trust reports that AOC approval used to take over five years while some airlines spent more years processing the approval which takes five phases.

However, Najomo disclosed that the authority had already reduced the timeline for obtaining an AOC from between one and two years to between six and eight months under the current administration, stressing that the new digital platform would further cut the process down to approximately 90 days.

According to him, the initiative represents a major milestone in the modernisation of aviation oversight in Nigeria and aligns with global best practices in regulatory efficiency and safety oversight.

He said: ‘Personnel licensing in aviation is key to airline operators. It is very important. This is what pertains everywhere in America and other advanced aviation systems.

‘I am sure airline operators are asking, ‘When are we going to start? When are we going to stop waiting one week, two weeks, sometimes one month for licences to come out?’ But I tell you, it is going to be over soon. There will be no more waiting.’

Najomo explained that the fully digital personnel licensing and medical certification platform would take effect from July 2, 2026, and would eliminate delays associated with paper-based processing for pilots, engineers, aviation medical personnel and other technical professionals.

He added that the new platform would provide transparent online application processes for issuance, renewal and conversion of licences, while also enabling real-time tracking of applications and reducing turnaround time.

According to him, the system would also introduce biometric-backed credentials and QR-code-based licence verification to improve security and compliance.

‘The aviation industry can no longer rely on manual and semi-automated processes, fragmented databases and paper-driven workflows in an era where global regulatory compliance, real-time verification and data integrity have become critical,’ he said.

Najomo further explained that the deployment of the digital licensing and medical certification platform represented the first phase of the NCAA’s broader digital transformation agenda.

He said subsequent phases of the programme would cover Air Operator Certificate processes, Approved Training Organisations (ATOs), Approved Maintenance Organisations (AMOs), aerodromes, air navigation service providers, ground handling companies and dangerous goods approvals.

The DGCA also revealed that the digitalisation initiative would extend to technical certification processes such as aircraft registration, airworthiness certification, aircraft maintenance programme approvals, export and import certification of airworthiness, supplemental type certificates and monitoring of airworthiness directives.

The Director of Airworthiness Standards (DAWS), Engr. Godwin Balang, said the MPLC project would completely eliminate paper-based processing in aviation certification and licensing.

Balang stated that the project was conceived to digitise and modernise the regulatory operations of the authority, noting that effective aviation oversight could no longer be managed manually.

‘What we are going to find with my team is not something you can use paper files to do. You need systems. That is why we are gathered here today,’ he said.

‘The Director-General has picked this project and within two years, he has moved it from where he met it to where it is today. What you are seeing on the screen is the landing page of the software we are talking about.

‘It has a central module, personnel licensing module, technical records module and organisational approvals module. This is a very big area.’

Saudi Arabia has unveiled major initiatives aimed at improving the experience of pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom.

The Saudi General Authority for Media Regulation on Tuesday conducted a guided tour for local and international journalists covering the 2026 Hajj to key religious, historical and heritage sites in Makkah.

The tour formed part of efforts to support media organisations reporting the annual pilgrimage.

Among the major projects showcased was the ‘Masar Destination,’ an urban development initiative designed to create a new entrance into Makkah and ease movement for pilgrims and residents.

A stakeholder in the project, Abdullaziz Al-Ghurashi, said the development stretches over 3.5 kilometres and is located close to the Grand Mosque and the Haramain train station.

According to him, the project includes large pedestrian boulevards, underground parking facilities and bus stations to improve transportation and crowd management during Hajj and Umrah seasons.

He added that the destination could accommodate about 160,000 people at a time, most of them pilgrims.

The delegation also visited the International Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilisation as well as the Clock Tower Museum, also known as the Universe Sciences Centre.

Officials explained that the museum, located within the Makkah Clock Tower, has over 80 floors, with four dedicated exhibition floors showcasing the origin of the universe, the movement of the sun and moon, historical methods of time measurement and the mechanism behind the world’s largest clock.

The museum combines science and faith, offering visitors educational insights into astronomy, Islamic civilisation and the evolution of timekeeping.

At the Ka’aba Kiswah Factory, officials explained the process involved in producing the Kiswah, the black cloth used to cover the Holy Ka’aba.

Authorities said the Kiswah is produced within 10 months using hand-crafted techniques by Saudi artisans before it is replaced annually during Hajj.

Officials at the factory disclosed that the front design of the Kiswah was originally introduced by a craftsman identified as Abdulrahman, whose name remains inscribed on the covering as part of the tradition and for copyright recognition.

The media team also visited the Adahi project facility, where sacrificial animals for Hajj are processed and distributed.

Deputy Supervisor of the project, Siraj Muhammed, said the factory handles about 300,000 animals daily during the Hajj period and nearly 900,000 within the three days of sacrifice.

He said the project employs about 17,000 workers and distributes processed meat to about 27 Muslim countries across the world as part of humanitarian support programmes.

According to officials, the initiatives are part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to enhance services, improve crowd management and ensure a more comfortable spiritual experience for millions of pilgrims visiting the Kingdom annually.

The Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has intensified efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s mining sector through a broader institutional collaboration with the Mining Marshals, expanding the security outfit’s role beyond its conventional enforcement mandate against illegal miners.

The ministry is increasingly integrating the Mining Marshals into strategic operations involving investigations, intelligence gathering, compliance monitoring and fact-finding missions aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight and accountability across the solid minerals sector.

The initiative, industry stakeholders say, reflects the Federal Government’s evolving strategy towards repositioning the mining industry as a transparent, secure and investment-friendly sector capable of driving economic diversification.

SPONSOR AD

As part of the expanded operational framework, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development recently embarked on an operational tour of mining sites in parts of Northern Nigeria alongside the Mining Marshals.

The operational engagements were initiated by the ministry under the leadership of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, with the Mining Marshals participating as part of the ministry’s coordinated drive to strengthen monitoring, regulatory compliance and operational oversight within the sector.

The team, which was led on different occasions by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, who represented the minister, visited several mining sites across Nasarawa and Plateau States.

During one of the operational and fact-finding missions, officials of the ministry, alongside the Commander of the Mining Marshals, ACC Attah John Onoja, visited a mining site allegedly being illegally exploited.

The visit, according to officials, formed part of ongoing efforts by the ministry to verify allegations of unlawful mining activities, assess compliance with extant mining regulations and obtain field-based information necessary for administrative, regulatory and possible enforcement actions.

The delegation also included key directors and senior officials of the ministry such as Engr. Frank Odoom, Director of Special Duties; Engr. Imam A. Ganiyu, Director of Mines Inspectorate; Andrew Zubiri, Director of Legal Services; and Ibrahim Abdulmajeed J., representative of the Director General of the Mining Cadastre Office.

Findings indicated that the operational tour further reinforced the Federal Government’s commitment towards building a sanitised mining sector where host communities, investors, mine workers, institutions and other stakeholders can operate under a more secure and regulated environment.

Officials further noted that the engagements created an important feedback mechanism between government authorities and mining communities, enabling concerns relating to illegal mining, environmental practices, security challenges and regulatory compliance to be directly communicated to the ministry.

Observers believe the ministry’s decision to incorporate the Mining Marshals into broader institutional and investigative operations underscores a more coordinated national response towards tackling illegal mining and strengthening governance within the solid minerals industry.

Under the leadership of Dele Alake, the ministry has sustained reforms targeted at curbing illegal mining, improving sectoral monitoring and restoring investor confidence in Nigeria’s mineral resources value chain.

As social media increasingly influences modern entrepreneurship and consumer behavior, a growing number of independent business owners are using digital platforms to establish recognizable brands outside of traditional corporate structures.

Among those entrepreneurs gaining visibility through this evolving landscape is Haitian businessman Jean Josue Bien-Aimé, founder of BAM Official LLC, a United States-based beverage and lifestyle company that has steadily expanded its online presence since launching in 2020.

Originally from Carrefour, Haiti, Bien-Aimé founded BAM Official LLC during a period when online marketing and digital commerce were becoming central to the growth strategies of small and independently owned businesses.

Through a combination of social media engagement, product-focused branding, and consistent online activity, the company gradually built recognition among Haitian and Caribbean audiences both domestically and internationally.

The company primarily operates within the food and beverage sector while also developing a broader lifestyle-oriented digital identity. Promotional campaigns associated with BAM Official LLC have circulated widely on TikTok and Instagram, where short-form videos featuring products and brand-related content have generated strong audience interaction. Supporters say the company’s visibility online reflects the increasing ability of small businesses to use digital media as a primary tool for expanding public recognition.

Marketing analysts note that platforms such as TikTok have significantly altered the way businesses communicate with consumers. Rather than depending exclusively on television advertising, retail partnerships, or large-scale corporate campaigns, many modern brands now rely heavily on direct audience engagement and viral content distribution. According to observers familiar with online branding trends, BAM Official LLC represents part of a broader movement of immigrant-owned businesses adapting successfully to this new digital environment.

Followers of the company frequently describe BAM Official LLC as a visible example of Haitian entrepreneurship within social media-driven commerce. Many supporters point to the founder’s Haitian background and his continued public representation of Caribbean culture as factors contributing to the company’s growing support among diaspora audiences.

Public conversations surrounding the business have also referenced its involvement in sponsorship and promotional initiatives connected to Haitian entertainment and sports-related activities. Community supporters online have associated the company with projects tied to Haitian football representation as well as entertainment competitions involving Haitian public figures abroad. While the company remains primarily recognized for its digital branding and beverage-related marketing, supporters say these activities have contributed positively to its broader public image.

Business experts say culturally connected brands often maintain stronger engagement online because audiences increasingly gravitate toward companies they view as authentic and community-oriented. This trend has become especially noticeable among younger consumers active on social media platforms, where representation and cultural identity frequently influence audience loyalty and brand interaction.

Observers additionally note that Haitian-owned businesses have become more visible internationally in recent years, particularly through digital entrepreneurship and independent media exposure. Companies such as BAM Official LLC are increasingly being discussed within conversations about the growing influence of Caribbean-owned brands operating through online commerce and digital marketing strategies.

As the company continues expanding its audience reach, supporters believe BAM Official LLC may continue strengthening its position within Haitian and Caribbean digital consumer markets. For Jean Josue Bien-Aimé, the company’s growth appears connected not only to business development, but also to increasing international visibility for Haitian entrepreneurship in the evolving digital economy.

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and traditional rulers in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency of Ogun State have reaffirmed their support for the immediate past Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, to represent the constituency in the 11th Assembly of the House of Representatives.

Adeleye, a two-time member of the State House of Assembly, had been endorsed as the consensus candidate of the APC for the constituency ahead of the next election.

The Olu of Itori and Chairman of Progressives Obas, Oba Fatai Akamo, as well as the Olorile of Orile-Ifo, Oba Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, during her visits, also showered royal blessings on Adeleye, declaring that her aspiration would give a voice to all strata of society.

Political leaders, including the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat; former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and member representing Ifo I State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Oluomo Olakunle; among others, spoke separately during the party’s engagement held in Ewekoro and Ifo Local Government Areas respectively.

They commended the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for upholding the ideals of the party, noting that the engagement and efforts of leaders from the constituency with the hierarchy of the party led to the consensus arrangement. They added that it was in the collective interest of the people to allow Ifo Local Government Area to have its turn in occupying the House of Representatives seat in the forthcoming elections.

Acknowledging the efforts of the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, in the National Assembly, the party bigwigs sought massive support from party members to deliver en masse votes for all the consensus candidates of the party in the forthcoming elections for all elective positions.

Also, the Party Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government, Alhaji Ayinde Sogbamu, noted that the interest of the party remained paramount and must be adhered to with a view to strengthening internal cohesion and unity.

His counterpart in Ifo Local Government Area, Barr. Olumide Oduwole, stated that, ‘In the interest of fairness, truth, and inclusiveness, Hon. Adijat has been tested and trusted as a consistent candidate to fly the flag of our great party for the Federal House of Representatives, so it is best that we give her all the necessary support to enable her emerge victorious in the coming phases of the elections.’

In her remarks, the consensus candidate appreciated members of the party for standing in the best interest of loyalty, noting that history would forever be kind to the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for upholding the principle of fairness in the federal constituency.

The former commissioner, who announced plans to give a facelift to the party secretariat with the donation of a generating set and fans to the Ewekoro party secretariat, sought increased support for the party while assuring constituents that she would represent all interests, yearnings, and needs of the federal constituency upon successful election.

The meetings were attended by ward chairmen and vice-chairmen, secretaries, women leaders, youth leaders, ward apex bodies, party executives, ward councillors, and apex leaders, among others, from both Ifo and Ewekoro Local Government Areas.