Category: Daily Trust

Muslim women have been encouraged to play more active roles in leadership and governance as part of their Islamic responsibility to promote justice, accountability and the welfare of society.

The Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State, Dr. Lateefah Sowunmi-Kolapo, made the call during the inaugural summit of the Egba Muslim Women Forum (EMWOF) held in Abeokuta.

Addressing participants, Sowunmi-Kolapo stressed that although the forum must remain non-partisan, Islam encourages believers to be actively engaged in promoting the common good and supporting righteous leadership.

‘Leadership is an amanah (sacred trust), and Muslim women should be prepared to serve with integrity in education, healthcare, public institutions and other sectors where they can positively impact society and contribute to the growth of Islam,’ she said.

She noted that responsible civic engagement, advocacy for justice and support for accountable leadership are consistent with Islamic teachings, adding that Muslim women should understand public policies and contribute to shaping a society founded on moral values.

Sowunmi-Kolapo described the inauguration of the Egba Muslim Women Forum as the beginning of a movement to empower Muslim women to become agents of positive change within their homes, communities and the wider society.

She urged Muslim women to embrace unity above personal, organisational or political differences.

The PDP deputy governorship candidate also identified growing social challenges-including drug abuse, cybercrime, cultism, declining family values, the negative influence of social media and economic hardship-as issues requiring greater attention from Muslim mothers.

She urged Muslim women to nurture children with sound Islamic morals, integrity and discipline, emphasising that strong families are the foundation of a righteous and prosperous society.

Also speaking, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, described the inauguration of the forum as a significant step toward strengthening the collective voice and influence of Muslim women across Egbaland.

She said bringing together women from different Muslim organisations under one umbrella would foster unity without erasing their individual identities.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Deputy Director at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Mrs. Rasheedah Ibrahim, also called on Muslim women to rise above organisational differences and work together in the interest of the Ummah.

‘We want to rise above organisational differences and embrace collective responsibility. Let us speak with one voice on matters affecting our community,’ she said.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benue State on Thursday unveiled Abba John Abba, a lawyer, as its deputy governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The State Chairman of the party, Samson Okwu, made the announcement during an unveiling ceremony in Makurdi.

He urged aggrieved party members to set aside their grievances to ensure victory for all candidates at the polls, stressing the need for the party faithful to ‘close ranks’ in the interest of the bigger picture. The party’s governorship candidate, Herman Hembe, described Abba’s selection as a strategic decision endorsed by the national leadership, led by former Senate President, Dr. David Mark.

Expressing full confidence in his running mate, Hembe stated, ‘From my running mate to the next Deputy Governor of Benue State, we will work together for the development of Benue.’

Hembe urged party members to mobilize within their communities to secure victory in 2027, pledging that an ADC administration would improve healthcare delivery, strengthen security, and accelerate rural development. He noted that widespread insecurity has prevented residents from farming and trading, promising that his administration would implement urgent interventions to end the menace.

Furthermore, the governorship candidate promised to grant full autonomy to local governments immediately upon inauguration, emphasizing that grassroots development would remain a cornerstone of his tenure.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hembe committed to a peaceful, issue-based campaign focused on the party’s platform rather than personal attacks on opponents.

He also declared that he would serve only one four-year term if elected, after which the governorship would be zoned to Benue South. He noted that this arrangement would allow the party to align with the rotation of power, following the eight-year tenure currently being served by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

Earlier, the party’s Campaign Director, Prof. Cletus Torkyaa, urged Nigerians to vote for the ADC in 2027, describing the party as a credible alternative for good governance.

Dr. David Olofu, the ADC candidate for the Benue South Senatorial District, added that the time had come to ‘rescue Benue’ from its current challenges. He characterized the choice of Abba as a strategic move that would significantly strengthen the party’s prospects.

In his acceptance speech, Abba thanked the party for the confidence reposed in him.

He pledged unwavering loyalty to the party’s vision and promised to work closely with Hembe to ensure the ADC emerges victorious in the 2027 governorship election.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining monetary and financial system stability, controlling inflation and ensuring price stability in line with its statutory mandate.

The assurance was given on Thursday in Bauchi by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Mrs. Hakama Sidi-Ali, during a one-day stakeholders’ fair organised to promote financial inclusion, enhance public awareness of the Bank’s operations and obtain feedback on its policies and services.

According to a statement by the bank, Sidi-Ali was represented by the CBN Branch Controller in Bauchi, Michael Dalyop, who assured that the Bank remained focused on achieving sustainable economic growth through sound monetary policies.

She described the stakeholders’ fair as one of the apex bank’s strategic initiatives aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians through enhanced financial literacy and increased access to alternative payment channels.

According to her, Nigeria’s foreign reserves rose above $52.5 billion as of July 17, 2026, representing a 17-year high and surpassing the CBN’s annual target.

She attributed the increase to sustained foreign exchange inflows, renewed investor confidence and stronger participation across various asset classes, adding that the ongoing economic reforms were restoring stability to the country’s financial system.

‘The reforms introduced under the current leadership are beginning to yield measurable results, including improved macroeconomic stability, easing inflation and stronger confidence in the foreign exchange market,’ she said.

Sidi Ali noted that headline inflation declined marginally from 15.93 per cent in May to 15.91 per cent in June 2026, while food and core inflation also moderated, attributing the trend to disciplined monetary tightening, exchange rate unification and improved market transparency.

She added that the naira had continued to strengthen, with the gap between the official exchange rate and Bureau de Change rates narrowing to below two per cent, describing it as evidence of improved stability in the foreign exchange market.

He said the Bank had implemented several reforms over the past 34 months to lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.

According to her, the reforms include the unification and greater transparency of the foreign exchange market, banking sector recapitalisation, introduction of the non-resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN), the B-Match foreign exchange trading system and the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028.

She also highlighted the introduction of a 75 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio on non-Treasury Single Account public sector deposits to improve liquidity management and reduce inflationary pressures.

In addition, Sidi Ali said the CBN collaborated with the Financial Markets Dealers Association to introduce the Nigerian Overnight Financing Rate as a transparent, market-based benchmark for short-term funding transactions in line with international best practices.

Speaking on the theme of the stakeholders’ fair, she said the initiative was designed to promote alternative payment channels, deepen financial inclusion and strengthen engagement between the apex bank and the public.

‘The Fair is one of the Bank’s platforms strategically designed to engage the public on the Bank’s policies and initiatives,’ she said.

She encouraged participants to actively engage with officials and seek clarification on issues relating to financial consumer protection, innovations in Nigeria’s payment system, microfinance, monetary policy and currency management.

The CBN also used the event to reiterate its warning against the abuse and misuse of the naira, urging Nigerians to obtain information on its policies only from verified official platforms.

‘I also urge you to uphold the cleanliness and respect of the naira. It is prohibited to spray, hawk, mutilate or counterfeit the naira,’ she said, describing the national currency as ‘an indispensable national symbol and a source of our collective pride.’

Earlier, the CBN Branch Controller, Michael Dalyop, represented by Assistant Director Salahu Bello Mohammed, said the Bank’s Strategy 2024-2028 was designed to ensure monetary, price and financial system stability as a catalyst for inclusive growth and sustainable economic development.

He explained that the Bank’s policies were aimed at empowering individuals, small businesses and larger enterprises to access financial services, undertake productive activities and contribute to national economic growth.

The Accord Party has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of the Osun State Government’s bank account, saying the action undermined democracy and brought the anti-graft agency into disrepute.

The party said if the EFCC chairman failed to resign, President Bola Tinubu should remove him from office to restore public confidence in the commission.

Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, commended President Tinubu for directing the anti-graft agency to immediately unfreeze the state’s account.

He alleged that the EFCC acted outside its constitutional powers by freezing the account ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

‘The EFCC chairman should toe the path of honour and tender his resignation. If he fails to resign, President Tinubu should sack him immediately to restore the integrity of the anti-graft agency,’ Mgbudem said.

The EFCC had on Wednesday directed banks to freeze the Osun State Government’s accounts over an ongoing investigation, a move that sparked widespread criticism from the state government and opposition parties, who described it as politically motivated and capable of crippling governance just days before the governorship election.

The Osun State Government condemned the action, insisting it was unlawful and aimed at destabilising Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration.

It subsequently appealed to President Tinubu to intervene.

The Presidency later announced that Tinubu had ordered the immediate reversal of the directive, describing the development as embarrassing and stressing that the state’s accounts should be unfrozen to ensure uninterrupted governance.

Reacting to the President’s intervention, the Accord Party said Tinubu’s decision helped prevent a constitutional crisis and urged security agencies, anti-graft bodies and other democratic institutions to remain neutral during the election.

The party also alleged harassment, intimidation and arrest of its members in Osun State and appealed to the President and the Inspector-General of Police to secure the release of about 60 of its supporters reportedly detained in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa states.

Accord further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a free, fair and peaceful governorship election on August 15.

To buttress the point permit me to share the words of Mr. Kio Amachree, a Stochkholm-based Nigerian writer.

On 13th July he wrote the following on X.

‘I do not know a Nigerian who would sell his soul the way the anti-immigrant mobs of South Africa have done this past month. Every unreconstructed apartheid nostalgist is laughing behind his locked gates at how easily these movements were turned against their fellow Africans, doing the dirty work of division for free and making the power grab of others so much easier’.

He added:

‘Ask the obvious question. Who is writing the cheques? March and March charters buses across provinces, prints shirts by the thousand, stages press conferences and floods social media with coordinated campaigns, yet its own public crowdfunding raised barely thirteen thousand rand. Researchers at Wits University say plainly that this is not a grassroots movement of the unemployed, that there is external funding. A Stellenbosch professor calls the movement inorganic, coordinated and amplified by people with a political agenda, with money moving in ways no one can trace. Former President Thabo Mbeki calls it what it is, a funded counter-revolutionary project that does not come from the people. Somebody with deep pockets is bankrolling the spectacle of Black South Africans hunting fellow Africans, and every day the financiers stay hidden, the beneficiaries of a divided, burning South Africa sleep more peacefully behind their locked gates. Follow the money and you will find the true authors of this shame’.

He added:

‘The movement is led by Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, a former radio presenter enjoying her fifteen minutes of fame, flanked by Zulu regiments and regional agitators like Mthokozisi Gumede in KwaZulu-Natal. This is not patriotism. It is a political project wearing the stolen clothes of liberation. Stockholm Syndrome is too weak a term for what ails this movement. Its foot soldiers appear to have been taught to hate themselves, and they have no regard for the sacrifice of the thousands of freedom fighters, many sheltered and armed by the very African nations they now terrorize, who gave them the right to breathe as free men and women’.

He concluded with the following:

‘Meanwhile those who dreamt of the good old days of white rule watch Black South Africans do to fellow Africans what apartheid once did to them, and they could not have scripted it better themselves. Every burnt shop, every checkpoint, every whip raised against a Zimbabwean domestic worker or a Nigerian trader is a gift to those who always said Africans could not govern themselves. The freedom fighters who died from Sharpeville to Soweto did not die for this. South Africans deserve to know whose money is buying their liberation back from them, rand by rand’.

Amachree is right.

South African Minister of Justice, Mamoloko Kubayi hit the nail on the head when she said ‘foreign entities are stoking unrest in South Africa’.

The truth is we do not have to dig too deep to know just who those foreign entities are when we consider the words of an essay written by Israeli columnist Grant Arthur Gotchin that was published on January 2nd 2026 in the Times of Israel in which he argued that ‘Africa must fragment and South Africa must be the first to fragment’.

The objective is clear.

It is an imperialistic and neo-colonialistic design and construct whose purpose is to destroy, divide and rule us ALL.

Outside of that permit me to ask Minister Ntshaveni and those that think like her the following questions.

Are the majority of Nigerians in South Africa not properly documented, hard working, responsible, decent people who have major investments there?

Is it fair for you to suggest that the majority of Nigerians in South Africa are undocumented and illegal immigrants, drug dealers and criminals who ‘live in shacks’ when you know very well that this is not the case?

Is it Nigerians that bring drugs into your country through your ports and borders?

Is it Nigerians that manufacture drugs there?

Is it Nigerians that make up your police force, customs and law enforcement agencies that colluded with the drug dealers to bring drugs in and sell them?

Is it Nigerians that consume drugs in your country or force others to consume them?

Are Nigerians the only ones that are involved in the drug trade in South Africa?

Are 98% of the people in South African prisons South Africans and not Nigerians?

Is it not a fact that, as South African Minister of Correctional Services Dr. Pieter Groenewald recently confirmed, there are only 28,000 foreign prisoners in South Africa and that less than 300 of them are Nigerians?

Does this not torpedo the absurd notion that all Nigerians that reside in South Africa are criminals, scammers and drug dealers?

Have any Nigerians been implicated or accused in the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry which is probing allegations of corruption and drug related crimes or is it only South Africans including South African law enforcement and Government officials?

There was a 2 billion rand (120 million USD) drug bust in South Africa recently which involved South Africans and nationals of a South American country. There were no Nigerians involved.

The two former Heads of the South African Police that were prosecuted for drug trafficking and the suspended head of the South African Police that is under investigation for drug trafficking and corruption today are NOT Nigerians but South Africans.

All these events and facts speak volumes and clearly point to the fact that the commission of crimes in South Africa and elsewhere are not the exclusive preserve of Nigerian nationals.

There is no doubt that there is a drug and crime problem in South Africa in which some Nigerians are involved and we hold as much contempt and disdain for them as you do for indulging in such heinous crimes that brings so much misery to South African families.

We urge you to deal with such criminals decisively within the confines of your laws and we will assist you in this in any way that we can.

To however allege or imply that ALL Nigerians and ONLY Nigerians are involved in such criminality is disingenious and false.

Was a South African woman who was carrying her three year old child not arrested at Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos in early July smuggling large amounts of cocaine into our country?

Was another South African not caught smuggling 7.5 kilograms of heroine in Thailand a few days later?

Does this mean that all South Africans are drug dealers?

Surely not!

Did the South African Ministers that treated Ireti Bakare Yusuf with such contempt and accused her of being rude and disrespectful simply because she asked Minister Ntshaveni whether she thought she ought to apologise to Nigerians for suggesting that we were all drug dealers do the right thing?

Was treating a female journalist that asked a legitimate question in that way and even subjecting her to threats of being thrown out of the hall and being manhandled by aggressive and hostile security officers not unacceptable?

Is this the way to build bridges between our two countries and does this attitude and behaviour towards a respected Nigerian journalist reflect the fact that many in South Africa, including some in Government, view our people as nothing but criminals?

There are thousands of documented Nigerians in your country lawfully who are doing a great job in numerous responsible professions and spheres of human endeavour, who are adding immense value to your community, who are employing and providing essential legal, medical and academic services for your people and who are hardworking, proud and law-abiding citizens.

Many have even married South African nationals and are raising their children in your country.

They are indeed your guests and we expect you to treat them as such and not set them up for persecution and villification by referring to them as drug dealers and criminals.

I take strong objection to this mischaracterisation of our citizens and it is indeed painful that a country of 250 million people that contributed so much to your liberation struggle and that has opened its markets and borders to your companies and nationals for so many years can be referred to and treated in this way.

I call for caution and restraint.

Permit me to add the following.

Some have tried to frame the hostility, violence, challenges and insults that black African foreign nationals, including Nigerians, are facing in South Africa as a consequence of a ‘migration problem’.

I respectfully disagree.

According to census figures the number of documented and undocumented foreigners living in South Africa is 3 million.

3 million out of a population of 64 million can hardly be described as a migration crisis.

The problem that South Africa has is one of wealth creation and distribution and not migration.

The migrants are simply the scapegoats for what is essentially the failure of the state to effectively fight poverty and better the lives of its citizens.

The sooner the poverty problem is solved the sooner Afrophobia and the murderous hate and violence that goes with it will cease.

That should be the focus and objective of South African Government officials and the South people and not the demonisation and mischaracterisation of Nigerian nationals, or any other African nationals, that reside in their country.

We want to have a productive and mutually respectful relationship with South Africa which will enhance trade and strong strategic relations with our country and not one of disrespect and recriminations.

As a Nigerian that has immense respect and profound admiration for the struggles and sacrifices of your heroes past like Nelson Mandela, Oliver Thambo, Walter Sisulu, Steve Biko, Chris Hani, Thabo Mbeki, Govan Mbeki,

F.W. De Klerk, Desmond Tutu, Alan Boesak, Tokyo Sexwale, Joe Slovo, Winnie Mandela, Jessie Duarte and so many others I sincerely hope and pray that we can achieve this.

Wisdom and diplomacy insists that sovereign nations must treat one another with respect in order to strengthen and build strong bilateral relations.

This is especially so when there is so much at stake.

Thankfully for every repugnant expression of racism, arrogance, ignorance and hate from the likes of Jacinta Ngobese- Zuma and others we have expressions of fraternity, understanding, appreciation and Pan-African solidarity from seasoned and experienced South African leaders and diplomats like Minister Firoz Chachalia and Mr. Zane Dongor and therein lies the hope for the future.

Extremists and racists that are working for a foreign power and that have a hidden agenda from both sides of the divide shall not prevail and shall not set us apart.

Whatever our challenges and our concerns about one another may be we will sit down, work them out and stay together all for the sake of our respective nations and the benefit of Mother Africa.

As High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa it is my primary duty to strengthen ties between our two great nations and ensure that our relationship remains strong, respectful, mutually beneficial and cordial.

In addition to that I have a duty to protect the interests of every Nigerian in South Africa that is properly documented and that abides by the law.

I shall not fail in these duties or be found wanting.

Responsible diplomacy and law enforcement is the way out of the challenges that South Africa are facing with illegal migration and drug related crimes and not the blanket villification of a fellow African nation.

This is especially so given the fact that that African nation offers nothing but support and good tidings for the Government and people of South Africa, a country we have loved and respected for many years.

(END OF PART 5)

(Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, a former Minister of Aviation and the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to South Africa)

Today, I sat in a hall filled with the finest of Yobe society , traditional rulers, clerics, politicians, technocrats, and ordinary citizens from all walks of life and I watched something rare unfold. It was not just an oath-taking ceremony. It was a masterclass in leadership, trust, and the quiet power of mentorship. The occasion was the swearing-in of Dr. Mohammed Goje as the substantive Secretary to the State Government of Yobe State, with His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, COMN, himself presiding. And what I witnessed today will stay with me forever.

Let me begin with the Governor. His Excellency took the podium and spoke about Dr. Goje in a manner I have rarely heard a leader speak about an appointee. This was not the language of political convenience or routine endorsement. This was the voice of a master who had nurtured an offspring from scratch , who had watched him grow, who had tested him in the crucible of complex assignments, and who had now arrived at an unshakeable conviction: this is the man. The Governor’s words carried the weight of years of observation, of quiet mentoring behind the scenes, of countless moments where Goje was given a task and he simply delivered. As I listened, I thought to myself: this is what it looks like when a leader is not insecure, when he does not fear the brilliance of his protégé, but instead polishes it until it shines so brightly that everyone can see. Standing there, administering the oath himself, Governor Buni was not just fulfilling a constitutional tradition , he was publicly sealing a bond of trust forged over years.

And then there was Goje himself. Standing before the Governor, hand raised, reciting his oath with a calm that can only come from deep preparation. He did not need to prove anything today because his work had already done the proving. I have known him for years ,as a sound and intellectually formidable mind, a true technocrat in every sense, yet remarkably down-to-earth, responsible, and unfailingly reliable. He is that rare listening friend who combines deep international networking with genuine grassroots sensitivity. Today, as the hall erupted in celebration, I could not help but reflect on the journey. This is the man who transformed the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency into arguably the most successful agency in the state, navigating complex humanitarian crises with skilful foresight. This is the same man who, as Head of the Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum Secretariat, drove the actualisation of pivotal regional programmes with diplomatic finesse and data-driven precision that earned praise from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and beyond. A Harvard Kennedy School and London School of Economics-trained professional, a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health , yet so deeply rooted to his people.

Today’s ceremony was the public confirmation of what those close to the administration have long known. Since 2019, Governor Buni has shaped Goje’s professional growth through strategic leadership mentorship, blending formal academic brilliance with practical, high-level governance experience. Every assignment was a lesson. Every challenge was a test. And today, the Governor stood before the world and said, in essence: ‘I have trained him, I have tested him, and I am confident.’ Watching the Governor administer that oath, I saw a master watching his protégé step fully into destiny and the pride in His Excellency’s eyes was unmistakable.

The event itself was a testament to Goje’s broad acceptance. From traditional rulers to political heavyweights, from civil servants to youth groups, the cross-section of attendees told a story of a man who has built bridges across every divide. The atmosphere was not merely celebratory; it was affirmative. There was a palpable sense in the room that Yobe State had just locked in one of its finest minds for the long haul, and that this moment was bigger than any one individual , it was a statement about the kind of leadership this administration values and rewards.

What excites me most about this moment is what it signals for the future. Governor Buni has not only appointed a competent SSG; he has built a pipeline of generational leadership that will outlast his tenure. He has demonstrated to every young technocrat in Yobe State that loyalty, discipline, and excellence will be rewarded ,not with empty praise, but with real responsibility. In Goje, the Governor has found a round peg in a round hole, an executor who understands the machinery of government and shares the Governor’s vision of a Yobe that works for everyone. When the master trusts the protégé this completely, the state wins twice over.

To my brother and friend, Dr. Mohammed Goje, I say congratulations once again. The journey from acting to substantive SSG, sealed today with an oath administered by the Governor himself, is a validation of everything we who know you have always believed. You have Yobe in your heart, and now you have the full mandate to serve with even greater impact. The entire Lake Chad Basin region has benefitted from your brilliance; now your home state will benefit even more.

To His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, I say thank you. Thank you for showing that mentorship is not dead in Nigerian politics. Thank you for proving that a leader’s greatest legacy is not the buildings he erects but the leaders he builds. Today, as I watched you preside over that oath with such visible pride and confidence, I felt profoundly proud to serve under you. You have once again reminded us that true leadership is about seeing tomorrow and preparing for it today.

Today was a good day for Yobe State. A very good day.

Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori is the Honorary Special Adviser on International Relations and Investment to the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon (Dr) Mai Mala Buni CON; and Technical Advisor, Lake Chad Basin Governors Forum and also Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigeria Food Corporation;

She said an assessment of nominal rolls obtained from several federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) showed that Nasarawa had yet to attain its expected level of representation in many institutions.

Ahmadu-Jabiru said the commission’s fifth board, under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Ayo Hulayat Omidiran, had rolled out reforms aimed at strengthening transparency and compliance with the Federal Character principle.

She said one of the reforms was the launch of the commission’s website, where MDAs intending to recruit are expected to advertise vacancies to ensure qualified Nigerians have equal access to federal employment opportunities.

‘From the nominal rolls we have assessed across a number of MDAs, Nasarawa State is still underrepresented. Our responsibility is to ensure that future recruitments reflect the Federal Character principle and that every state gets its fair share,’ she said.

She noted that recruitments conducted before the inauguration of the current board could not be reversed but said the commission would ensure future exercises complied with the law before issuing Certificates of Compliance.

‘We cannot reverse recruitments that were done before this board came into office, but going forward, we will ensure that every recruitment complies with the law before Certificates of Compliance are issued,’ she said.

Ahmadu-Jabiru explained that the FCC does not recruit workers but monitors recruitment exercises conducted by federal MDAs to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions on fairness and equity.

‘The commission does not employ anybody. Our duty is to monitor the process and ensure compliance with the Federal Character principle before approving recruitment exercises,’ she explained.

She urged qualified applicants from Nasarawa State to take advantage of vacancies advertised on the commission’s website, saying failure to apply could further affect the state’s representation in federal employment.

She also thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing her into the commission and Governor Abdullahi Sule for nominating her to represent Nasarawa State.

The fixtures draw for the 2026/2027 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will be held today, August 7, on the sidelines of the league body’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The AGM serves as the official business assembly of the NPFL, where the board and club leadership review the concluded season and ratify the policy direction for the incoming campaign.

The gathering will be held at the Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi Events Hall, opposite the University College Hospital in Ibadan.

Over the past four seasons, NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye has steadied the affairs of the top-flight league, establishing a reliable calendar that sees the season kick off in August and conclude in May.

Reflecting on this progress, Elegbeleye noted, ‘Our modest achievement includes putting the NPFL on a stable calendar since the 2023/2024 season. It is a major shift from the era of never knowing when the season will be concluded.’

He also highlighted his initial promise to ensure live broadcast coverage of the league, stating, ‘We have succeeded to a large extent in this direction, but still have much more work to do.’

Meanwhile, during the AGM, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Davidson Owumi will present the technical and operations report, while GTI Asset Management will present the financial report.

Following the conclusion of these presentations and the earlier announcement of the official kick-off dates, the highly anticipated fixtures draw for the 2026/2027 season will take place.

Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, has commended the commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, John Onoja Attah, for what she described as his patriotism and leadership in tackling illegal mining across the country.

The minister spoke in Abuja while presenting the Transformational Leadership Award to Onoja on behalf of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) at the maiden edition of the Women in Security Summit and Awards (WINSEC) 2026.

Suleiman-Ibrahim said Onoja’s leadership had strengthened efforts to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources and restore order to the solid minerals sector.

‘Your patriotism is legendary. Your contributions have been sparkling and have provided a huge boost to Nigeria’s mineral sector,’ she said.

The minister recalled witnessing Onoja’s inauguration as the pioneer commander of the Mining Marshals, adding that his performance had justified the confidence reposed in him.

‘I was on the table the day you were inaugurated as commander of the Mining Marshals, and it gladdens my heart that your exploits have been rewarding, encouraging and sparkling. Thank you for bringing sanity to the mining sector,’ she added.

The award recognised Onoja’s contributions to combating illegal mining, protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and strengthening security within the mining industry.

Receiving the award, Onoja dedicated the honour to Ahmed Audi, Commandant-General of the NSCDC, whom he credited with providing the leadership that led to the establishment of the Mining Marshals.

He described the recognition as a tribute to the commitment and professionalism of officers and men of the specialised unit.

Onoja also announced plans to integrate female NSCDC personnel into the Mining Marshals, saying the initiative aligns with the corps’ commitment to gender inclusion and modern security practices.

According to him, the inclusion of women in the specialised task force would strengthen operational effectiveness while creating more opportunities for female officers to contribute to the protection of Nigeria’s mining sector.

The event attracted the first ladies of Borno, Yobe and Bauchi states, serving and retired security chiefs, government officials and development partners.

Former Inspector-General of police Suleiman Abba was also honoured for his contributions to security, peacebuilding and national development.

Participants at the summit described Onoja’s recognition as evidence of the growing impact of the Mining Marshals in combating illegal mining and safeguarding Nigeria’s mineral resources.

The United Kingdom High Commission and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki held extensive discussions regarding the state of Nigeria’s democracy in Abuja on Thursday.

The High Commission’s delegation was led by Dr. Fortune Aldred, Senior Political Adviser, and Stephen Asek, Political Adviser (Cameroon).

Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, stated that the meeting deliberated on the health of Nigeria’s democracy and the role and relevance of the opposition within the democratic process.

According to Ememobong, the interactive session centered on the ‘current asphyxiation of the opposition, the prolonged state-sponsored leadership crisis in the PDP, the potential candidature of former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 elections, and the general outlook for the 2026 elections.’

In his presentation, Turaki reiterated the party’s position on the ‘need to ensure the survival of multi-party democracy and the opposition, which remain critical pillars of a thriving democratic system.’

He further argued that the current ‘state capture’ disposition of the APC-led Federal Government has directly contributed to heightened political tension, a trend he described as unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy.

‘The political temperature of the country has risen to fever-pitch levels, traceable majorly to the actions and inactions of the APC-led Federal Government, who are relentlessly provocative in their desire to forcefully capture every part of our country,’ Turaki stated.

Responding on behalf of the delegation, the team leader, Dr. Fortune Aldred, thanked the party leadership for the engagement and assured them that the issues raised would be conveyed through the Commission’s established reporting channels.

Dr. Aldred further noted that while Nigeria is a sovereign nation and its internal politics remain a domestic affair, the Commission has a responsibility to monitor political developments and communicate its observations through established diplomatic avenues.