Category: Daily Trust

The assurance was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting on Wednesday with the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, according to a statement by the ministry.

Oyedele said the government had already begun addressing many of the issues raised by the council before receiving its formal communication.

According to the minister, the necessary approvals for the payment of the outstanding wage award are being finalised, expressing confidence that eligible public servants would begin receiving the payments before mid-August.

‘When government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented,’ he said.

The minister also disclosed that promotion arrears were receiving the required attention, with outstanding batches being processed in line with established procedures.

He directed relevant officials to immediately review documents submitted by the JPSNC, work with concerned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and accelerate action on all outstanding labour-related issues requiring government intervention.

Oyedele acknowledged concerns expressed by organised labour over delays in implementing some agreements, assuring that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen trust through transparency, regular engagement and prompt action.

Earlier, JPSNC National President, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, urged the government to expedite the resolution of pending labour issues, including the outstanding wage award, promotion arrears, salary relativity concerns affecting health workers and other welfare matters.

He noted that the timely implementation of the outstanding commitments would further promote industrial harmony and reinforce workers’ confidence in the government’s commitment to their welfare.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with organised labour to ensure approved workers’ entitlements are processed and released without unnecessary delays.

He said the ministry would continue collaborating with relevant government institutions to fast-track the resolution of outstanding labour issues, stressing that constructive dialogue remains key to sustaining industrial harmony.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Mohammed Sanusi Danjuma, disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, which had been inadvertently omitted during an earlier payment exercise, are now being processed alongside Batch 9.

He expressed optimism that beneficiaries would begin receiving the payments once processing is completed, adding that the government was also working to resolve issues relating to the Peculiar Allowance and other outstanding labour matters in collaboration with relevant MDAs.

Providing an update on the payment process, Director of Cash Management at the ministry, Christiana Osho, said reconciliation for the outstanding wage award had been completed and that the payment release was at its final stage.

She explained that once the funds are released, eligible public servants would begin receiving the outstanding wage award, while processing of promotion arrears would continue according to the approved schedule.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has given a house and N10 million to Malam Aliyu Muhammad, the widower of the late Islamic teacher who was killed by a mob in the state.

Malama Ummulkhairi Muhammad was lynched in June 2026 at Maraban Jos in Kaduna State after some youths and women allegedly accused her of child theft while she was on her way to attend an Islamic preaching session.

It was later confirmed that she was innocent and had not committed the offence alleged against her.

The incident sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over mob justice and the spread of unverified allegations.

Police arrested more than 80 suspects in connection with the killing. Some have since been arraigned before a competent court on charges bordering on culpable homicide.

Governor Sani had pledged to support the family during a condolence visit after the incident.

The widower expressed gratitude to the governor for fulfilling his promise to support the family.

The governor presented the house and N10 million to Aliyu as part of the support package promised to the bereaved family.

Speaking after receiving the assistance, Aliyu said the governor had restored hope to him and his children at a difficult time.

‘Governor Uba Sani gave me N10 million in cash. I was taken to see him and he told me, ‘God willing, your children will return to school.’ He also told me that if there is anything I need, I should always reach out to the people he assigned,’ he said.

‘I thank God, and may Allah reward him with goodness. Right now, I am very happy beyond words. He fulfilled the promise he made and has kept to his word.’

Aliyu also appreciated Nigerians for standing by his family after the tragic incident.

‘I also thank the public for their prayers, support and assistance,’ he said.

Reflecting on the loss of his wife, Aliyu said more than 40 days had passed since her death, adding that the family continued to remember her good deeds.

‘Every moment, I remember the good things she did. Whenever I remember her, I pray that Allah forgives her,’ he said.

According to him, the late teacher left behind four children, who are now being cared for by him with support from other family members.

‘My mother, my second wife and I are doing our best to take care of them,’ he said.

The python that escaped from the residence of a former Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, in Kano last year has finally been recovered and handed over to the Kano Zoological Garden, bringing closure to months of anxiety in Daneji quarters and surrounding communities.

Residents of Daneji in Kano city had been living with unease since July 2025, when a python, along with a crocodile and a lion cub, was evacuated from Idris’ house after one of the reptiles reportedly escaped.

While the crocodile and lion cub were immediately relocated to the zoo, the python remained unaccounted for until last week, when it resurfaced in another house within Daneji.

The Managing Director of Kano Zoological Garden, Musayyib Kawu Ungogo, confirmed the development, saying the reptile was brought to the zoo on Tuesday after being evacuated from the house of the Ward Head of Daneji quarters.

He said, ‘This python was brought to us after it was evacuated from the house of the Ward Head of Daneji quarters, after it was reportedly found in one of the houses in his area.

‘We then demanded to take its custody in Kano Zoo, and it is now under Kano State Government ownership and will be kept here.

‘People can freely come here and see it as it is part of wild animals not commonly seen by people,’ he said.

Ungogo assured residents that the python would no longer pose a threat to the community.

He added that trained personnel had visited the house where it was first found to ensure it had not laid eggs that could later hatch and multiply in the area.

He appealed to residents to report sightings of wild animals rather than attempt to kill them, stressing that eliminating such species could lead to extinction and deprive students and researchers of valuable knowledge.

The incident traces back to July 2025, when residents of Daneji, Mandawari, Kabara, and Soron Dinki were thrown into panic after reports that a python had escaped from Idris’ residence.

The former Accountant General, who had obtained a license under Nigeria’s Wild Animal Law, voluntarily surrendered the animals to the zoo.

The law permits individuals to keep certain wild animals under license, provided they maintain proper habitats and renew permits annually.

However, endangered species must be kept in zoos for conservation. Zoo officials had explained at the time that Idris’ lion was still a cub and posed no immediate danger, but stressed that mature wild animals must be transferred to the zoo.

Police later confirmed that Idris was invited for questioning, while zoo authorities worked to reassure the public that the animals were safely evacuated.

The Profile and Bago Farm polo teams asserted their dominance at the just-concluded Minna Polo Tournament, claiming the prestigious General Hassan Cup and the Emir of Minna Cup, respectively.

In a sensational display of skill, Minna Bago Farm further cemented their supremacy by also capturing the Governor’s Cup.

Meanwhile, EL-Amin, playing under the colors of their second team, Profile, reaffirmed their elite status. They edged out the visiting Jos Malcomines 6-4 in a fiercely fought final to retain both the IBB Cup and the Abdulsalami Cup.

The Bida Warriors-featuring players from the EL-Amin International School polo team-announced themselves as Minna’s newest polo prodigies, securing a back-to-back triumph in the popular Aisha Babangida Cup.

Other notable victors at the weeklong polo festival, held at the prestigious IBB Polo Ground, included the Blue Team, who lifted the Niger State First Lady Cup. Additionally, the duo of Alhassan Aliyu and Mukhtar Hassan spearheaded their squad to victory in the Late Dawule Baba Memorial Cup.

Niger State Governor Umar Mohammed Bago, acting as the Chief Host and Special Guest of Honour at the grand finale, congratulated the competing teams for showcasing true sportsmanship throughout the event.

Minna Polo Club Chairman Mohammad Babangida also commended the visiting players for bringing colour and glamour to the tournament.

While congratulating the major prize winners, he encouraged the other teams that participated in the tournament to try harder and return stronger next year.

The demonstrations, held under the banner of the ‘Festival of the Oppressed,’ saw protesters in both cities calling on the government to take urgent action to address the challenges facing Nigerians.

In Abuja, the protest was led by human rights activist and convener of the RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore.

Dozens of demonstrators marched with placards and banners bearing inscriptions condemning xenophobic attacks in South Africa and criticising the Nigerian government over the country’s worsening security situation and rising cost of living.

The protesters urged the Federal Government to take decisive diplomatic steps to protect Nigerians living in South Africa while addressing the deepening economic crisis and persistent insecurity at home, which they said had pushed millions of citizens into hardship.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Sowore said the demonstration was meant to remind Nigerians of the need for what he described as an imminent revolution.

He said the movement would continue to demand accountability from the government and advocate reforms aimed at improving the welfare and security of Nigerians.

The protests were peaceful in Abuja, while a similar demonstration in Lagos was disrupted after security operatives dispersed protesters with tear gas following an attempt by suspected hoodlums to infiltrate the gathering.

Sowore said, ‘Today, August 5, we have come to remind the whole country that the revolution is necessary and imminent. And that nothing can stop that revolution. When the people are ready, barbed wire will not stop us. The police will even join, the army will join.

‘But we have a number of demands that we must reiterate here. And they include that Nigerian workers must be paid N500,000 per month as their minimum wage. We have also asked that they release Nnamdi Kanu from unjust and unlawful detention. That they discontinue all forms of trial, whether it’s cybercrime, treason trials against activists and Nigerians who are raising up their voice against bad governance in this country.

‘Most importantly, to announce that Tinubu’s tenure is over. Tinubu must go! We have our colleagues in Lagos, in Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and different places who are also taking action today. This is just the beginning of a series of actions that will be taken. And we urge you, wherever you may be, Nigerians, to join us.

‘To bring about a new era and a new order in this country. We are tired of hunger, starvation, corruption and incompetence. And we are ready and willing to liberate our country. Don’t forget that on our way here, they also hired some urchins to confront us. But when those ones saw superior firepower, they let go. And that’s how we got here. We are tired of foolish people managing our security agencies.’

Protesters teargassed in Lagos

In Lagos, protesters under the #TakeItBack Movement gathered in the Maryland area, where they sang solidarity songs and chanted slogans, including ‘Revolution’, before security operatives dispersed the crowd with tear gas.

The demonstration, which began peacefully, turned chaotic after individuals suspected to be hoodlums allegedly infiltrated the gathering and attacked protesters by throwing stones.

Some journalists covering the protest were also reportedly assaulted during the melee.

Police officers deployed to the scene fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd, sending protesters, journalists and bystanders fleeing in different directions.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Lagos State Coordinator of the #TakeItBack Movement, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, alleged that armed men attacked protesters gathered at Maryland, the designated convergence point, while police officers maintained a heavy presence in the area.

According to him, the protest was scheduled to proceed from Maryland to Ojota but was disrupted before participants could begin the march.

Taofeek said he arrived at the venue late because of heavy traffic, but found police officers and men allegedly dressed in APC and NURTW-related clothing combing the streets in search of protesters.

He alleged that he was forced to remove a T-shirt bearing the inscription, ‘TINUBU MUST GO,’ after noticing the heavy presence of security operatives and individuals wearing ‘Renewed Hope’ apparel displaying President Bola Tinubu’s image.

He said he was accompanied by three other activists and that they deliberately avoided drawing attention to themselves as they moved through the area.

According to him, they temporarily took refuge in a shop where they bought drinks while suspected hoodlums monitored their movements.

Taofeek further claimed that they later met about 20 other protesters who had fled the protest ground to escape the alleged attack.

He said he advised them to immediately leave the area because the streets around Maryland had been flooded with individuals allegedly searching for protesters.

Also speaking, the Head of Legal Aid of the #TakeItBack Movement, Bolaji Oluwatosin, condemned the disruption of the protest by security operatives.

‘It is disheartening that Nigeria has degenerated to a state of lawlessness where the constitutionally empowered institution, the Nigeria Police, and the government, expected not only to secure the lives of Nigerian citizens but also to guarantee our continued existence, have decided to disrupt a peaceful demonstration by the Nigerian people led by the #TakeItBack Movement,’ he said.

Reacting to allegations that police harassed and intimidated protesters, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, denied the claims, insisting that officers were deployed to protect demonstrators and maintain law and order.

According to him, a combined team of Mobile Police officers and conventional policemen was deployed to secure the protest and prevent a breakdown of public order.

He said the protest proceeded peacefully until security operatives observed hoodlums attempting to exploit the gathering to rob unsuspecting residents and cause violence.

‘The protest started peacefully with policemen providing the protesters the much-needed protection.

‘At a stage, it was observed that hoodlums tried to hijack the process to unleash terror and rob unsuspecting members of the public of their belongings.

‘Those dispersed were the hoodlums who tried to hijack the entire process,’ Fatai said.

As of the time of filing this report, normalcy had returned to the area, although security personnel remained on the ground to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

August 5 has since become an annual day of action for supporters of the #RevolutionNow movement to stage protests against bad governance and demand political and socio-economic reforms.

The movement was launched by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on August 5, 2019.

In recent years, Nigerians have organised several protests over worsening economic hardship, which many attribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s twin policies of removing petrol subsidy and floating the naira.

Between August 1 and 10, 2024, thousands of Nigerians took part in nationwide protests under the hashtag #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, demanding action over the rising cost of living.

The protests turned violent in some states, with reports of deaths, injuries and widespread destruction of property.

In Kano State, 12 protesters were reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries. The victims were alleged to have been shot by security personnel deployed to contain the demonstrations.

Amnesty International said peaceful protests over government policies had become ‘a matter of life and death in Nigeria’ and reported that at least 24 people were killed nationwide during the demonstrations, with Kano recording the highest number of fatalities. The organisation listed Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Niger and Kaduna among the states where protesters were also killed.

Amnesty International further accused the authorities of attempting to suppress evidence of the killings and failing to hold security personnel accountable for the deaths.

The summit, organised by Land Republic Limited, is expected to bring together young people interested in building careers and earning income through the real estate sector.

In a statement on Thursday, the company said the event, themed ‘Rise and Sell,’ forms part of its efforts to expose young Nigerians to opportunities in the property industry.

According to Land Republic, the initiative has, over the past five years, focused on helping young people develop careers in real estate, particularly through property sales and marketing.

The Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Land Republic, Victor Adegbile, said the decision to hold the summit in Ibadan was aimed at expanding opportunities for young people in the South-West.

‘Ibadan and the South-West have always understood enterprise – it is in our blood,’ Adegbile said.

‘For five years, we have opened doors for young people who couldn’t find work and watched them build real careers through real estate. Bringing this summit home to Ibadan is our way of investing in the young people of this land.’

The company said participants at the one-day event would receive training in property sales, ethical client management and the use of digital tools in real estate marketing.

It added that participants would also have the opportunity to join its realtor network operating across Lagos, Ibadan and Ogun State.

Land Republic further said it serves diaspora investors in the United Kingdom and the United States and operates technology platforms, including Land Charting and Brick Stack.

The company described the summit as part of its broader initiative to promote youth participation and economic opportunities in the real estate sector in Ibadan.

Renowned Nigerian journalist, Fegiro Johnson, has reacted to the ongoing wave of spiritual revival reportedly sweeping across several churches in Lagos under the umbrella of the Newbreed Pastors and Leaders (NPL), following a programme led by Senior Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Pastor Bolaji Idowu.

The programme, which has attracted thousands of worshippers and Christian faithful from different parts of the country, has been marked by intense worship, prayers, testimonies, and reports of renewed spiritual commitment among participants.

Johnson described the gathering as a significant moment for the Christian community, noting that the atmosphere of worship and prayer has continued to inspire conversations both within and outside religious circles.

According to him, the growing participation of young people and church leaders reflects a renewed hunger for spiritual awakening and unity among believers.

The event has generated widespread attention across social media platforms, where videos and photographs showing packed auditoriums, passionate worship sessions, and testimonies have continued to trend.

Religious observers say the revival programme has become one of the most talked-about Christian gatherings in Lagos in recent weeks, with many participants describing it as a life-changing experience.

Pastor Bolaji Idowu, known for his teachings on faith, leadership, and personal transformation, has consistently emphasized the need for believers to pursue a deeper relationship with God and become positive influences in society.

As discussions surrounding the revival continue, many Nigerians have expressed hope that the renewed spiritual awakening would translate into positive moral values, national unity, and societal transformation.

The programme is expected to continue with additional worship sessions, prayers, and teachings aimed at strengthening the faith of participants and encouraging spiritual growth across the Christian community.

The stakeholders also called for a negotiated and peaceful framework for power rotation among the three senatorial districts of Kogi State.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued after the Kogi East APC Strategic Leadership Conference held in Abuja on Monday under the chairmanship of Major-Gen. Patrick Ademu Akpa (rtd).

The group said its immediate priority was to mobilise voters across the nine local government areas of Kogi East for Tinubu, Ododo and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

It described Kogi East as the largest voting bloc in the state and said the district delivered the highest share of votes for Tinubu among Kogi State’s three senatorial districts during the 2023 presidential election.

The stakeholders said they were prepared to increase their electoral contribution in 2027, citing appointments given to indigenes of Kogi East by the Tinubu administration.

They, however, said political support should go alongside discussions with stakeholders from Kogi Central and Kogi West on a transparent and peaceful arrangement for the rotation of political power in the state.

‘We call for an immediate shift toward building consensus, renegotiating power transfer and rotation, and establishing an inclusive, development-driven agenda that guarantees equitable access to the instruments of power,’ the communiqué said.

‘Kogi East will never be an appendage of any other nationality or political bloc. We stand as a major bloc… prepared to seize all opportunities this time around for our people.’

The stakeholders also raised concerns over what they described as a 20-year infrastructural deficit in Kogi East, saying political engagement with both the state and federal governments should result in concrete development projects across the district.

They said residents of the area had suffered from infrastructural neglect and internal leadership challenges, particularly in the years following the death of former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu.

The group said it would seek accelerated intervention in road infrastructure and upgrades of public facilities across the nine local government areas of the senatorial district.

It also cited some projects associated with the administration of the late Audu, including the establishment of the state’s first university in Anyigba, the Obajana Cement Project in Kogi West and road infrastructure.

According to the communiqué, the stakeholders resolved to engage Kogi Central and Kogi West ‘on equitable terms’ towards establishing a predictable and transparent framework for future power shifts.

They also pledged to pursue reconciliation within Kogi East and address internal political divisions that followed the 2015 elections.

The stakeholders further called for the institutionalisation of the non-partisan Prince Abubakar Audu Leadership Foundation and urged the Federal Government to confer a national honour on the late former governor.

The communiqué was signed by 26 Kogi East leaders, including Major-Gen. Patrick Ademu Akpa (rtd), Amb. Isaac A. Onu, Rt. Hon. Ismaila Inna Hussani, Rt. Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Egwu, Hajia Salamatu Baiwa Umar-Eluma, AIG Abutu Iyaro (rtd), Dr. Sani Teidi, Hon. Dan Okolo, Abdulahi Haruna (SAN), Dr. Johnson Musa, Prof. Aliyu Idris, Dr. Tom Diche, Hajia Mariam Yakubu, Hajia Hassanat Abubakar and Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Ainoko.

In a stirring tribute to resilience, vision, and trailblazing leadership, Women in Logistics and Transportation (WILAT) Nigeria has officially launched its commemorative book, ‘The Birth Before the Spread,’ at an exclusive luncheon in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

The landmark publication chronicles the inspiring journey of WILAT, from its modest beginnings in Nigeria to its emergence as a formidable global force redefining the supply chain and transportation industry. More than a historical record, the book stands as a living testament to the courage, tenacity, and professional excellence of women who have carved a path where few dared to tread.

Dr. Ogochukwu Ugboma, Global Vice Chairperson of WILAT for North and West Africa, described the book as a long-overdue archive of women’s contributions to a sector often dominated by male narratives.

‘This book fills a significant gap in documenting the role of women in logistics and transport for future generations,’ she said, adding, ‘It ensures that our stories, struggles, and victories are not lost to time but serve as a beacon for young girls and women aspiring to lead in this space.’

Hajia Aisha Ali Ibrahim, a pioneering founder of WILAT and MD/CEO of Confluence Logistics and Transport Consult Limited, spoke with palpable emotion, calling the book ‘a monument to the collective strength of women who boldly faced the boardroom tasks.’

She lauded the indomitable spirit of WILAT members, adding, ‘We built networks where none ever existed.’

Khadija Saidu Shabi, WILAT Chairperson in Nigeria, emphasized the organization’s deliberate focus on legacy, noting that mentorship remains at the heart of their mission. ‘WILAT has intentionally focused on mentoring the next generation,’ she said. ‘This book is not just about our past; it is a roadmap for the future leaders who will carry this torch even farther.’

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Owusu Fianko, Global Chairperson of WILAT, hailed the organization as ‘the most sought-after forum for advocacy, professionalism, and the empowerment of women in the logistics and transportation supply chain.’ He underscored the growing global recognition of WILAT’s work and called on stakeholders to invest in gender-inclusive policies that sustain the momentum.

The event also drew high-level government acknowledgment, with Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, commending the organization for its transformative impact.

He stressed that women have a vital role to play in national development and praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s deliberate appointment of women to many strategic positions across the country.

‘This administration recognizes that no nation can achieve its full potential without the full participation of its women,’ Audu said.

‘WILAT’s story is a powerful reminder that when women are given the opportunity, they don’t just participate, they lead, they innovate, and they inspire,’ he added.

‘The Birth Before the Spread’ is now set to become a reference point for policymakers, academics, and industry leaders, offering both a historical account and a forward-looking blueprint for inclusive growth in the logistics and transportation sector. As WILAT continues to expand its footprint across continents, one message rang clear at the Abuja launch: the spread has only just begun.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained why he feels embarrassed over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to obtain a court order restricting the Osun State Government’s bank accounts, saying the timing of the action could create the impression that the Federal Government is interfering in the state’s forthcoming governorship election.

In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, the President said he was not embarrassed by the EFCC’s exercise of its statutory powers but by when the action was taken, noting that every decision of a federal institution is often attributed to him, whether or not he had prior knowledge of it.

‘It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government. I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action,’ Tinubu said.

The President reiterated that since assuming office, he had consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to perform their constitutional responsibilities independently, without fear, favour or political interference.

He said he had deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because strong democratic institutions are essential to good governance and the rule of law.

Tinubu, however, said the timing of the restriction on Osun State’s accounts was ‘inauspicious,’ given that the state is only a few days away from its governorship election.

According to him, no action should be taken that could give the impression that the EFCC or any other federal agency is being used to influence the electoral process.

‘Nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election,’ he stated.

Although he said he was yet to receive a full briefing on the reasons behind the EFCC’s application to the court, Tinubu stressed that preserving public confidence in the electoral process was of overriding importance.

Consequently, the President directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order restricting the Osun State Government’s accounts and discontinue all legal actions instituted against the state in connection with the matter.

Tinubu said the directive was issued in the public interest to protect the integrity, credibility and fairness of the democratic process ahead of the Osun governorship election.