Category: Nigerian Tribune

The House of Representatives has extended the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act for the fourth time, moving the deadline from September 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

The decision was taken on Tuesday after the House resumed plenary from its annual recess and considered and passed an Executive bill seeking to amend the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) Act, 2025.

Leading the debate, the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, said the extension was necessary because of factors affecting the Nigerian economy that had made it difficult to complete the implementation of the capital component within the previously approved timeframe.

He urged lawmakers to support the amendment to ensure that the expiration of the existing deadline would not prevent the completion of projects and other capital commitments under the 2025 budget.

The latest extension means that the capital component of the 2025 budget, which was originally due to expire at the end of 2025, will now remain operational until December 31, 2026.

This is the fourth time the implementation period has been extended since December 2025, when lawmakers first approved an extension to March 31, 2026.

First extension: December 2025 to March 2026

The first extension came in December 2025, when the National Assembly approved a revised 2025 Appropriation Act and extended the implementation period of its capital component to March 31, 2026.

The House of Representatives approved the extension on December 23, 2025, following President Bola Tinubu’s request to allow the government to release and utilise capital allocations to Ministries, Departments and Agencies before the end of the revised implementation period.

Second extension: March to June 2026

As the March 31 deadline approached, lawmakers approved another extension of the capital budget’s implementation period, moving it to June 30, 2026.

The National Assembly approved the extension on March 31 after considering legislation seeking to amend the 2025 Appropriation Act. The House said the additional period was needed to allow Ministries, Departments and Agencies to continue implementing capital projects and utilise funds allocated to them.

Third extension: June to September 2026

The third extension was approved in June after lawmakers concluded that the capital component of the 2025 budget had still not been fully implemented.

The House of Representatives passed the amendment on June 15, extending the deadline from June 30 to September 30, 2026. The bill passed through first, second and third readings in a single sitting after lawmakers suspended relevant provisions of their Standing Orders.

During the debate, lawmakers said the additional three months would give the government more time to complete ongoing projects captured in the 2025 budget. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas also said records available to the House showed that the capital budget had not been fully implemented.

Fourth extension: September to December 2026

The latest extension came after the House resumed from its annual recess on Tuesday, with lawmakers again approving an amendment to the 2025 Appropriation Act.

The House of Representatives moved the implementation deadline from September 30 to December 31, 2026, giving federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies another three months to implement capital projects and utilise funds appropriated under the 2025 budget.

Ihonvbere, while leading the debate, attributed the latest extension to ‘several factors and forces impinging on the Nigerian economy’, saying these had made it difficult to conclude implementation before the existing deadline.

The House subsequently passed the bill after consideration at the Committee of Supply, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

Following consideration of the appropriation legislation, the House of Representatives adjourned plenary until Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemate, Victor Ikpe popularly known as Keivo, appears to have been removed from the current voting list following a physical clash with fellow housemate, Tram.

Keivo and Tram were involved in a physical altercation on Monday night after a disagreement over a shirt escalated.

The incident reportedly began with an exchange of words between the two housemates before the disagreement turned physical, prompting other housemates to intervene.

Following the altercation, Big Brother instructed the housemates to freeze while three ninjas were deployed to restore order.

However, viewers noticed on Tuesday morning that Keivo’s name was no longer listed among the housemates available for voting.

The development has sparked speculation among fans about whether his absence from the voting list is connected to the altercation.

As of Tuesday morning, Big Brother Naija had not officially announced Keivo’s removal from the competition or explained why his name was missing from the voting list.

Physical altercations have previously attracted disciplinary measures on the reality show, including disqualification. However, it remains unclear what action, if any, will be taken against Keivo over the latest incident.

The development has continued to generate reactions among viewers on social media, with fans seeking clarification on Keivo’s status in the competition.

The BBNaija ‘Show Ya Sef’ season is scheduled to conclude on October 4.

The Obidient Movement has rejected the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) proposed deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the 2027 general elections, alleging that the electoral body has failed to address fundamental concerns surrounding transparency and result transmission.

In a statement signed by its Media and Communications Directorate, the group expressed concern over what it described as institutional conspiracy, disturbing secrecy and apparent collusion between INEC and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The movement argued that technology was not the fundamental problem with Nigeria’s elections, but rather the credibility, independence and accountability of institutions responsible for conducting them.

According to the group, INEC should first account for existing shortcomings in the electoral process before introducing new technologies.

‘The same INEC that has failed to address the most basic issues surrounding electoral transparency, result transmission and the credibility of its processes is now announcing plans to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the 2027 elections,’ the statement said.

The Obidient Movement questioned how the proposed AI system would operate, the problems it was intended to address and the safeguards that would be put in place to prevent abuse.

It also cited a recent investigation by Mundx Analytics, claiming that presidential results from more than 50,000 polling units in the 2023 election were uploaded from mobile phones.

The movement alleged that individuals working with INEC were involved in manipulating the electoral process, but did not provide independent evidence in the statement to substantiate the allegation.

The group further raised concerns about INEC’s ICT leadership ahead of the 2027 elections, specifically mentioning Lawrence Bayode, whom it identified as the Commission’s ICT Director.

It alleged that Bayode and other officials were involved in the alleged manipulation of the 2023 election and questioned why the same officials remained responsible for critical electoral systems ahead of the next general elections.

‘The issue in 2023 was not a failure of technology, but the evil collusion of Mr. Bayode, the then INEC Chairman, Mr. Mahmood Yakubu, and the APC,’ the group alleged.

The Obidient Movement also accused the electoral body of attempting to shift attention from unresolved concerns about the 2023 elections by introducing AI into the electoral process.

It subsequently issued a series of demands to INEC, including the publication of a comprehensive 2027 election plan detailing the technologies, procedures and safeguards to be deployed.

The group also called for an independent audit of INEC’s electoral technology, with the findings and corrective measures made public.

It demanded transparent and verifiable transmission of election results, saying every vote recorded at polling units should be accurately reflected in the final results.

The movement further asked INEC to provide detailed explanations of its proposed use of AI and subject the technology to independent testing and public scrutiny.

It also called for measures to guarantee the independence of the Commission’s ICT leadership, including the removal of officials whose alleged partisan activities could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

The group warned that any attempt to manipulate the 2027 elections could trigger widespread public outrage and an electoral crisis.

It urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to review the Commission’s approach and take steps to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process before the 2027 elections.

‘The responsibility for preventing an electoral crisis rests squarely on INEC. ‘The Commission must act now, before its continued secrecy and failures push the country towards a crisis that could have been avoided’, the statement said.

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has pledged to deepen its partnership with indigenous cable manufacturer, Coleman Technical Industries Limited, beyond 2027 as part of efforts to expand local manufacturing capacity and promote Nigerian businesses in international projects.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Adeleye Falade, made the commitment during a tour of Coleman’s manufacturing facilities in Sagamu and Arepo, Ogun State, where he expressed surprise at the scale of the company’s operations, investment in equipment and machinery, and the capabilities of its workforce.

Falade said the existing relationship between NLNG and Coleman had significant room for expansion, stressing that the company was interested in creating more opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers to participate in projects with global reach.

‘We’re already in partnership. That partnership will only expand. There is scope; there is opportunity,’ he said.

The NLNG chief executive said the company was also exploring ways of connecting Nigerian manufacturers with international projects, including opportunities relating to the construction of vessels for NLNG.

He said Nigerian manufacturers could compete successfully in global markets if they were able to demonstrate quality, reliability and value.

Falade described his experience at Coleman’s facilities as ‘mind-blowing’, saying he had not anticipated the scale of investment and level of operations he encountered during the visit.

‘I’m not sure I was prepared for what I saw. I mean, that’s the honest truth. I’d seen a few of Coleman events, and I knew that something remarkable was going on, but I don’t think any of that prepared me for what I saw,’ he said.

According to him, the facilities demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian businesses to achieve world-class standards through sustained investment, innovation and commitment.

He said NLNG would continue to support initiatives capable of growing Nigerian businesses, creating jobs and deepening local content, adding that the company remained committed to developing indigenous capacity.

Falade described Coleman’s facilities as a source of pride to Nigeria, citing the company’s operational standards, manufacturing capabilities and investment in local production.

He also commended Coleman’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, George Onafowokan, and Executive Director, Michael Onafowokan, for building a business which, he said, exhibited the characteristics of a world-class organisation.

Responding, Onafowokan described the visit as an endorsement of the longstanding relationship between NLNG and Coleman and the gas company’s commitment to local content development.

He said Coleman had benefited from NLNG’s local-content initiatives, including its participation in major projects such as NLNG’s Train 7 development.

Onafowokan said Coleman’s transformation from a family-owned business into a multinational and generational company had been driven by its confidence in Nigerian talent and manufacturing capacity.

According to him, the company’s growth reflected what Nigerian businesses could achieve when local talent, investment and industrial capacity were deliberately developed.

He described Coleman’s journey as ‘the Nigerian story’, one built on the conviction that Nigerians could manufacture world-class products and operate world-class facilities from within the country.

Onafowokan thanked the NLNG chief executive for the visit, saying Falade’s assessment of the company’s operations would encourage Coleman to further invest in its people, facilities and production capacity.

He said the company would continue to position itself to contribute to Nigeria’s industrial development and expand the role of indigenous manufacturers in major projects.

The renewed commitment comes as Nigerian manufacturers increasingly seek stronger links with large domestic project sponsors and international markets to deepen local value addition, reduce dependence on imported industrial products and expand employment opportunities.

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has deployed 3,000 personnel across the FCT to ensure the safety of residents and critical national assets and infrastructure before, during, and after Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

FCT Commandant of the Corps, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, ordered the deployment as part of measures to enforce law and order and ensure a peaceful celebration across the nation’s capital.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Monica Ojobi, in a statement on Tuesday said the deployment covers specialised departments and units of the Corps, including the Arms Squad, Female Strike Force, Crack Squad, Agro Rangers, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) Unit, as well as the Counter-Terrorism Unit.

She said personnel had also been deployed to volatile areas and identified soft targets, including shopping malls, recreational centres, markets, motor parks, amusement parks and locations housing Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI).

According to the statement, undercover operatives had been deployed for covert operations and surveillance as part of efforts to prevent security breaches and respond proactively to emergencies.

Ojobi further noted that black spots, including uncompleted buildings suspected of harbouring criminal elements, are also being monitored to prevent acts capable of undermining the peaceful celebration.

Odumosu also directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to ensure that their respective Area Councils remain security-conscious and maintain visible presence throughout the period.

‘As usual, I will not tolerate any form of security breaches. All hands must be on deck. Ensure your personnel comply wholesomely,’ he said.

The Commandant charged personnel to remain disciplined and conduct themselves professionally, while working in synergy with other security agencies to protect lives, property and government critical national assets and infrastructure.

He further directed personnel to adhere strictly to the rules of engagement, warning them against harassment and intimidation of citizens, as well as accidental discharge.

Odumosu assured FCT residents of a safe and peaceful Independence anniversary, saying the Command had taken necessary measures to secure the territory before, during and after the celebration.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, individuals or groups to the nearest security agency.

‘We are ready to ensure the celebration is peaceful. You have a responsibility to carry out; you must be proactive, vigilant and ready to cooperate with us for our common good,’ the Commandant said.

He warned criminals and vandals to stay away from Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, stressing that NSCDC covert officers and patrol teams had been deployed across the city.

‘Odumosu wished residents of the FCT a peaceful and happy Independence anniversary,’ the statement added.

Exposure to extreme cold and high temperatures can increase the risk of hospitalisation among people with heart failure, a large Swedish study has found.

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) and presented at the 2026 European Society of Cardiology Congress, found that short periods of extreme cold were followed by a higher risk of heart failure hospitalisation, while exposure to higher temperatures was associated with an increased risk within a shorter period.

The findings highlight the potential impact of temperature extremes on people living with heart failure and the need for health systems to prepare for weather-related health emergencies.

Researchers analysed about 482,000 heart failure hospitalisations recorded in the Swedish National Patient Register between 2006 and 2021.

They examined the effects of cold spells, heat waves and daily temperatures that were outside the optimal range for health.

Cold spells were defined as at least two consecutive days when temperatures fell at or below the fifth percentile for the local area between October and March.

The researchers found that cold spells were associated with a higher risk of heart failure hospitalisation within two to six days of exposure, with the strongest statistically significant association occurring between three and five days.

Lower ambient temperatures also increased the risk of hospitalisation, particularly three to five days after exposure.

Higher temperatures, however, were linked to a more immediate increase in heart failure risk, occurring within zero to three days of exposure.

Interestingly, the researchers found no statistically significant association between heat waves and heart failure hospitalisation.

Heat waves were defined as two or more days with temperatures at or above the 95th percentile for the local area between April and September.

Lead author Dr Wenli Ni, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said the findings addressed an important gap in understanding how temperature affects heart failure in Nordic populations.

‘High-latitude settings such as Sweden are characterised by frequent cold exposure while simultaneously facing an emerging, unacclimatised vulnerability to heat as the global climate warms,’ she said.

According to the researchers, the delayed increase in hospitalisation following cold exposure and the more immediate risk associated with higher temperatures point to the need for time-sensitive measures.

They said patients may require closer monitoring following cold-weather alerts, while heat events may demand faster responses to prevent sudden deterioration.

In an accompanying editorial, Dr Tiantian Li, deputy director of the National Institute of Environmental Health at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said cardiovascular care must increasingly take weather conditions into account.

‘We can no longer practise cardiovascular medicine in a meteorological vacuum,’ Li said.

She noted that evidence linking unsuitable temperatures to cardiovascular harm is now substantial, adding that research should move beyond simply documenting the association to developing practical early-warning systems.

The researchers said the findings could help health authorities improve preparedness for environmental stressors, particularly as climate change increases exposure to extreme temperatures.

Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, has expressed appreciation to NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for regularly checking on his detained father.

Bello said Obi’s concern came as a lesson to him, especially because he had previously been critical of the former Anambra governor.

Speaking in a video, El-Rufai’s son said several prominent politicians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Obi, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, had contacted him to ask about his father.

He, however, singled out Peter Obi for particular appreciation.

‘Politicians like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others called me to ask about my dad.

‘I would like to thank them, particularly Mr Peter Obi. He always called me to ask about my dad. And for me, at 38, it’s a lesson in life because, in the case of Obi, I used to be critical of him,’ he said.

Bello added that his father was using the period in detention to read, study the Quran, and reflect on his experiences.

‘And for Malam, he is using the time to finish books, catch up, read the Quran, so it’s also a moment for him in isolation to reflect, plan better, and tone down on things like that,’ he added.

Obi had earlier publicly criticised the detention of the former Kaduna governor, describing it as ‘political persecution’ and calling for the rule of law to prevail.

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) since February 18, following investigations by anti-corruption authorities. The ICPC confirmed at the time that he was in its custody in connection with ongoing investigations.

The former governor has subsequently faced legal proceedings relating to allegations brought against him by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS).

First Bank of Nigeria Ltd has reassured customers that its FirstMobile application remains secure and fully operational, dismissing a viral WhatsApp voice message claiming the platform had been compromised.

The Bank, in a statement issued on Monday, described the claim as false and misleading, urging customers and other stakeholders to disregard it.

‘FirstMobile is secure and fully operational, supported by robust information security infrastructure,’ the bank said.

It’s said it continues to invest in technology and cybersecurity protocols to ensure resilience, reliability and security across its digital channels.

FirstBank assured customers that their funds remain safe and that FirstMobile and its other digital channels continue to operate securely.

The bank urged stakeholders to refrain from sharing unverified information capable of causing unnecessary concern.

It advised customers to rely solely on its verified communication channels for accurate updates.

About 150 young men and women from Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State have benefited from a free digital entrepreneurship training organised by the Otunba Lana Akintan Human Rights Foundation (OLAKHURF).

The one-day programme, held on Saturday at Aladuke Hall, Oja-Odan, was themed: ‘Digital Entrepreneurship Capacity Building Programme’.

Organised under OLAKHURF’s Empowerment Support Services (ESUS) programme, the training aimed to equip participants with practical digital skills, entrepreneurship knowledge, and opportunities for employment and business development.

The foundation, established by Otunba Ephraim Lana Akintan, also operates through three other intervention areas: Domestic Violence and Abuse (DOVA), Child Rights Education (CRED), and Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Practices (ATCLAP).

The training covered three major areas: understanding the digital economy and entrepreneurship, digital skills for employment and job creation, and digital payment systems for business and enterprise.

Samson Egbuns, Michael Jacob, and Mary Oguntuyi served as resource persons, providing practical and interactive sessions on opportunities for self-employment, digital enterprise development, and business growth.

Speaking at the event, OLAKHURF’s chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Babayemi Ogundipe, said the initiative reflected the founder’s commitment to empowering young people through education, skills acquisition, and economic opportunities.

Ogundipe urged the beneficiaries to put the knowledge acquired into practice and become self-reliant, adding, ‘Apply the essence of this workshop to your lives.’

He also encouraged them to give back to society when they attain success.

The programme ended with the presentation of certificates of participation to the beneficiaries, while the facilitators offered continued mentorship and guidance to support their entrepreneurial pursuits.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Daniel Emmanuel expressed appreciation to OLAKHURF and its founder, pledging that the beneficiaries would apply the knowledge gained to build sustainable livelihoods through digital skills and entrepreneurship.

The Federal Government has launched the National Youth Data Bank (NYDB), a centralised platform designed to provide reliable information on the skills, education, employment, entrepreneurship and other needs of Nigerian youths.

Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, who formally launched the initiative on Tuesday in Abuja, said the platform would enable the government and other stakeholders to better identify young Nigerians and connect them with relevant opportunities.

Olawande, who spoke at the official launch of the NYDB, with the theme, ‘Building a Stronger Future for the Nigerian Youth through Data, Opportunity and Inclusion,’ said the initiative was aimed at addressing the fragmentation of youth-related information across government institutions and programmes.

He added that the strategic initiative was designed to strengthen evidence-based planning, improve policy formulation and enhance the delivery of targeted youth development programmes and interventions across Nigeria.

The Minister said the absence of comprehensive and reliable data had made it difficult for the government to determine the actual number, location, skills and needs of young Nigerians, as well as assess whether interventions were reaching the intended beneficiaries.

According to him, the NYDB would provide information on demographics, education, skills and professional qualifications, employment status, entrepreneurship, talents, training needs and other areas relevant to youth development.

He emphasised that the success of the National Youth Data Bank would depend on sustained collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, state governments, educational institutions, development partners, the private sector, civil society organisations and youth organisations.

The Minister said the initiative would also help bridge the gap between young Nigerians and the government, noting that the ministry had earlier established a youth help desk to improve communication and access to information.

He explained that the new platform would go beyond collecting names and figures to linking young people with opportunities in skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, digital programmes and other youth-focused interventions.

Olawande said young entrepreneurs with viable ideas would be connected to appropriate support, while graduates seeking employment would have pathways to relevant opportunities.

He noted that existing institutions already had significant youth-related data, citing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which he said had data on more than 480,000 corps members mobilised annually.

Olawande said the ministry would deploy enumerators to capture data on both formal and informal youth, including those engaged in agriculture, sports, technology and other creative fields.

He said the approach was intended to ensure that young people in rural and underserved communities were not excluded from government programmes and opportunities.

The Minister also called on young Nigerians to register on the platform and provide accurate information, stressing that the credibility of the database would depend on the quality of information supplied.

He assured Nigerians that measures would be put in place to protect personal information and ensure that data was properly managed and used for legitimate purposes.

Olawande, however, said the initiative was not being introduced as an election-related programme ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the government was focused on building institutions that would outlive the present administration.

He said, ‘We need to build institutions. Everything should not be election, election. It is a process. Government is a process. You start something, you build on it when it is ripe enough to put out, so that it is not going to be part of those things that they just do and doesn’t see the light of the day.

‘Even when we leave office, other people can build on it. We must do something that will make sure that the Nigerian youth, or the country itself, knows that we are building an institution that will serve for a long while, not just the time we have.’

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, who was represented by the Director, Human Resources, Olaniepekun Akinwumi Adebayo, described the NYDB as a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen youth development planning.

She said credible data on the educational and skills profiles, employment status, entrepreneurial interests, locations, aspirations and vulnerabilities of young Nigerians was necessary for effective policymaking and targeting of programmes.

She called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state and local governments, development partners, youth organisations and private-sector stakeholders to collaborate with the ministry to make the NYDB a reliable and sustainable national resource.

According to the ministry, the NYDB will cover Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with identity verification and data validation processes incorporated to improve the reliability of information collected.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth Development, Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu, who was represented by Dr Ijeoma Chilean, Clerk of the Senate Committee, hailed the National Youth Data Bank as a remarkable accomplishment towards advancing a more responsive, inclusive and evidence-based approach to youth development in Nigeria.

Adaramodu commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, POGMA Nigeria Limited and other stakeholders for their commitment to the development and implementation of the initiative.