Category: Nigerian Tribune

Commercial motorcyclists and passengers narrowly escaped death on Tuesday following hours of torrential rainfall that triggered flooding across parts of Akure, the Ondo State capital, sweeping away motorcycles and leaving residents stranded.

The heavy downpour caused severe flooding and erosion and blocked drainage channels in several parts of the metropolis, with the Oke Aro axis among the worst affected.

In the Oke Aro area of the state capital, some commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, reportedly watched helplessly as floodwaters carried away their motorcycles while they scrambled to safety.

The downpour also disrupted movement across the city, leaving several workers, students and other commuters stranded for hours as floodwaters took over major roads and residential areas.

Residents around the affected areas attributed the worsening situation partly to the ongoing construction and dualisation of the Akure-Idanre Road, which has lasted for more than one and a half years.

They called on the state government and relevant authorities to urgently address the drainage challenges and expedite work on the road project to prevent further flooding and possible loss of lives.

A resident of the Iloro Market Junction, Nireti Akinbolawa, said residents had become increasingly worried about the danger posed by flooding whenever there was heavy rainfall.

‘We are tired of this suffering. Every time it rains, we fear for our lives. The government must act fast before we lose someone.

‘The construction has made things worse. They should clear and enlarge the bridges and drainages so that water can flow freely,’ she said.

Another resident, Ifeoluwa Olabode, acknowledged the efforts of the government but urged it to do more to address the condition of the roads and drainage infrastructure.

‘We appreciate the government’s efforts so far, but more needs to be done. Our roads and drainage systems need urgent attention.

‘We are begging Governor Aiyedatiwa to fulfil his promise and complete this road,’ Olabode said.

The residents also appealed to members of the public to stop dumping refuse in drainage channels, waterways and by roadsides, warning that such practices could worsen flooding.

They further urged motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians to avoid attempting to cross flooded roads or waterways whose depth and condition were unknown, noting that such actions could result in avoidable deaths.

Contacted on the incident, the Commissioner for Environment in the state, Tob Loko, said the situation was still being assessed.

He added that the state government would take the necessary action after the assessment.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has unveiled a sweeping reform agenda for the state, promising full autonomy for local governments, a 13th-month salary for civil servants, and massive overhauls of the education and health sectors.

Senator Alli, speaking on Tuesday at a high-powered dialogue on the future of Oyo State organised by the Oyo Rising Citizens Forum (ORCF) at an event centre in Ibadan, declared that under his watch, local governments would become fully independent from 29 May 2027.

‘My administration will not spend one kobo belonging to Local Governments. They will build their schools, build their health centres and employ their own workers. That era of stifling the councils is over,’ Alli vowed, to thunderous applause.

On education, the Senator promised to crash classroom population to a maximum of 30 pupils per class, a policy he said would not only improve learning but create thousands of jobs for teachers and fresh graduates.

He pledged to comply with UNESCO’s recommendation of allocating at least 18 per cent of the state budget to education, train and retrain teachers, and employ more hands to bridge the deficit.

On health, Alli promised a functional general hospital in each of the 33 local governments and at least one fully equipped primary healthcare centre in each of the 351 wards in the state.

As a sign of commitment, he announced he would personally facilitate and commission at least three fully equipped health centres across Oyo South Senatorial District and hand them over to the state government before the election.

On the controversial circular road project, Alli promised decisive action within 72 hours of assuming office.

‘I will set up a committee within 48 to 72 hours to address the grievances of all affected residents. We will not seize people’s land and we will not sell state assets,’ he assured.

To revive the economy, Alli said his government would leverage agriculture and mining, establish at least one cottage industry in each local government area, and set up parabolic dryers in all seven towns in Ibarapa and two in each senatorial district before December.

He also promised to revive the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), engage youths through vocational and political opportunities, empower women with key appointments, and ensure prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.

At the interactive session, participants drilled the candidate on energy supply, alleged sale of state properties, welfare for doctors and revolving loans for traders – questions Alli responded to with detailed policy proposals.

2027 Oyo State governorship candidate of Accord, Oriyomi Hamzat, has unveiled the official Media Team of his campaign, bringing together media professionals, political strategists, communication experts and creative practitioners as the campaign moves into a new phase.

At the centre of the new media structure is Samuel Ibikunle (ArugboBoisi), a seasoned broadcast journalist and communicator with years of experience from management roles at different broadcast stations across southwest Nigeria, who was appointed the Official Spokesperson.

Leading the Directorates is Olabode Rufai Anisoloja, a strategic thinker and communications consultant, appointed Director of Strategic Communications and Public Engagement.

Tobiloba Ogunsina, JP (Wokilumo), a political strategist and public relations practitioner, takes charge as Director of Publicity and Campaign Promotions.

The digital communications arm will be headed by Badru Idris, a new-media professional, who takes on the role of Director of New Media.

Gbenga Olayiwola (Oyato), an accomplished journalist with decades of experience, was appointed Director of Media Logistics and Operations. At the same time, Edward Taiwo, a political affairs commentator and media professional, becomes Director of Research and Political Communications.

In the creative communications space, Okikiola Oluwadamilare, a creative professional, takes charge as Director of Content and Creative Services.

The new structure brings strategy, publicity, broadcast, digital communications, research, media intelligence, logistics, and creative content under a coordinated campaign communications architecture.

Hamzat charged the newly constituted Media Team to commence operations immediately as the Oriyomi Hamzat Campaign (OCC) intensifies its media engagement and political activities ahead of the 2027 Oyo State governorship election.

THE Department of State Services (DSS) says it has secured a death sentence against Ibrahim Usman, also known as Dan Iyali, over his involvement in the kidnapping and killing of three persons in Sokoto State in September 2023.

Usman faced a four-count charge before the High Court of Justice of Sokoto State, sitting in the Sokoto Judicial Division, alongside other suspects who are currently at large.

The charges bordered on criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, culpable homicide punishable with death, and voluntarily causing grievous hurt without provocation.

The latest development comes months after the DSS secured the death sentence of three men, including a Nigerian national, over terrorism and arms proliferation charges in Sokoto State.

The three convicts-Yusuf Muhammad, also known as Sallau, a Nigerien; Jabbi Alhaji Yalle; and Kabiru Muhammad-were sentenced to death by hanging in June 2026 by the High Court of Justice, Sokoto.

They were convicted after being apprehended by the DSS Counter Terrorism Unit in June 2025 in connection with alleged cross-border criminal activities involving arms

Not less than 10 million Nigerian children are currently not captured in early childhood care, development and education (ECCDE), the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has revealed.

UBEC warned that the low participation in early childhood education was contributing to poor learning outcomes and developmental challenges among children across the country.

Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, disclosed this in Abuja at a three-day capacity-building workshop for state actors on the utilisation of the ECCDE Minimum Standards, Implementation Guidelines and UNICEF Parental and Community Engagement documents.

Garba, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical), Rasaq Olajuwon Akinyemi, said only 35.6 per cent of Nigerian children aged 36 to 59 months currently attend any form of early childhood education.

She said analysis of the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey also showed that about 46 per cent of children aged 24 to 59 months were developmentally off track.

According to her, the consequences of inadequate early childhood education become more pronounced as children progress through the education system.

‘Only 35.6 per cent of Nigerian children aged 36 to 59 months attend any form of early childhood education. That leaves roughly 10 million of our youngest children outside ECCDE altogether,’ she said.

Garba added that about 70 per cent of Nigerian 10-year-olds could not read and understand a simple text, while only about 2.4 million of the 5.9 million children who enter primary school each year remain in the education system at the end of junior secondary school.

She therefore called for early childhood development to be treated as an integrated national priority rather than a stand-alone education programme.

‘There is no cheaper place in the education system to buy results,’ Garba said, citing Nobel Laureate James Heckman’s estimate of about 13 per cent annual return per child on high-quality birth-to-five programmes.

The UBEC boss urged states to ensure that ECCDE interventions were captured in their State Matching Grant Action Plans, warning that programmes not included in the plans would not receive funding, procurement or monitoring attention.

‘I must be blunt: what is not in the Action Plan will not be funded, will not be procured and will not be monitored,’ she said.

Garba also disclosed that the deadline for states to submit their ECCDE Action Plans for the next intervention year had been extended from September 30 to October 5, 2026.

She, however, stressed that the extension was not an opportunity for further delay, adding that plans submitted after the new deadline would not be considered for the intervention year.

‘The extension is not an invitation to be delayed.

‘I expect every State to leave Abuja with a costed, integrated and inclusive draft plan, to present it to your Executive Chairman on your return, and to submit the final plan through the digital planning template within the extended period. Plans received after that date will not be considered for this intervention year,’ she added.

She further directed states to develop ECCDE programmes around the needs of the whole child by working with the health, nutrition, water and sanitation, women affairs, social welfare and Local Government Education Authorities.

Garba said the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey put stunting among children under five at 40 per cent nationally, with the figure ranging from 12 per cent in Rivers State to 65 per cent in Katsina State.

She also urged states to ensure that ECCDE centres complied with essential standards covering child safety, supervision, safeguarding, food and water safety, structural safety and emergency exits.

The UBEC boss called for measures to ensure that children with disabilities and those living in hard-to-reach, nomadic, riverine and conflict-affected communities were not excluded from ECCDE programmes.

She also called for stronger engagement with parents, caregivers, School-Based Management Committees, traditional institutions and religious bodies, stressing that communities could serve as important delivery platforms for children who could not easily be reached through conventional classrooms.

Earlier, the Acting Director, Department of Special Programmes and Early Childhood, UBEC, Dr Chijioke J. Onwuzurike, said Nigeria currently had more than 45 early childhood development delivery channels across the health, nutrition, education, agriculture and social protection sectors.

She, however, said the multiplicity of channels had created fragmentation, with platforms sometimes duplicating one another, failing to share data and providing inconsistent services across communities.

Onwuzurike said the Commission expected every state, over the next 18 months, to map and streamline its existing early childhood development platforms.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday tasked Federal Government and Security Agencies with the urgent need to intensify efforts to secure the safe rescue of the 116 schoolchildren and other persons abducted in Lassa, Mussa and along the Buratai-Maiduguri road in Borno State.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion under urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Midala Balami (APC-Borno)

He said: ‘The House will recall that sometime ago, I stood on the floor of this Honourable House with the sad and grave news of the abduction of 44 schoolchildren and 36 other persons in Mussa and along the Buratai-Maiduguri road, an incident that has continued to cause widespread fear, anguish and anxiety among the affected families and communities, and that this was followed by the abduction of 36 students and 4 teachers in Lassa Ward, Askira-Uba Local Government Area.

‘The House further notes that the continued captivity of the victims poses a serious threat to their lives, safety, education and fundamental rights, while placing an enormous emotional and psychological burden on their families and the affected communities.

‘The House is concerned that the affected areas and adjoining communities remain vulnerable to further attacks, abductions and other forms of insecurity if urgent, sustained and coordinated security measures are not strengthened.

According to him, 44 schoolchildren from Mussa were abducted on 15 May 2026, and that on the same day the House considered and adopted a resolution calling for urgent action towards their rescue.

‘The House notes with grave concern that, as of the date of this Motion, the 44 schoolchildren from Mussa have spent more than 138 days in captivity while 36 schoolchildren from Lassa have been in captivity for more than 70 days, and other persons abducted along the Buratai-Marduguri Road have remained in captivity for more than 160 days.’

While noting that the prolonged captivity of these innocent schoolchildren and other victims has subjected their families and constituents to unbearable emotional distress, uncertainty and fear, with communities continuously crying out for urgent and decisive action to secure their safe release, the Borno lawmaker acknowledged efforts made by security agencies, local authorities, traditional institutions and community members involved in the search-and-rescue efforts.

Balami, who lamented that despite previous resolutions and ongoing efforts by the relevant authorities, the victims remain in captivity, thereby underscoring the need for a more intensified, coordinated and appropriate approach to their rescue; however, he urged that such efforts be substantially intensified, better coordinated and sustained until all the victims are safely rescued.

He maintained that any further delay in securing the safe release of the abducted persons could expose them to further danger and compound the trauma already suffered by their families and communities.

To this end, the House urged relevant security agencies to intensify and sustain search-and-rescue operations aimed at securing the immediate and safe release of the 116 abducted schoolchildren and all other persons held in captivity.

The lawmakers also called for enhanced intelligence gathering, information sharing and interagency coordination among the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Intelligence Services and other relevant security agencies to locate the victims and apprehend those responsible for the abductions.

The House further tasked security agencies to strengthen security along the Buratai-Maiduguri road, Mussa, Lassa and other identified vulnerable communities and routes, including through increased patrols, intelligence-led operations and appropriate security checkpoints.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday met with security chiefs in the state to review security operations and strengthen measures ahead of the end-of-year festivities and other major activities expected to take place in Lagos.

The meeting, held at the State House, Marina, focused on ongoing security operations and plans to reinforce the state’s security architecture ahead of the expected influx of visitors during the Yuletide.

Sanwo-Olu assured residents and visitors to the state that his administration would continue to prioritise security and prevent criminal activities.

He said, ‘We will not relent on our efforts to ensure that criminals don’t find a place for their evil activities in our state.’

The governor was briefed by the security chiefs on security activities across the state, as well as measures being planned to enhance public safety in the coming months.

Those at the meeting included the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai; Commander, 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Brig.-Gen. A.O. Owolabi; Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu; Commander, 651 Base Services Group, Ikeja, Air Commodore M.A. Imam; and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan.

Also present were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Tayo Ayinde; Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Hundeyin; and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro.

The meeting came as Lagos prepares to host President Bola Tinubu from Tuesday, with several official engagements expected during his visit.

The state is also preparing for increased activities during the Yuletide, when a large number of visitors are expected to arrive in Lagos.

Beyond the festive season, the government is also anticipating increased religious, cultural and political activities following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that campaigns for the 2027 general elections can commence.

The governor’s meeting with the security chiefs is therefore expected to form part of the state’s preparations to maintain public safety amid the anticipated increase in movement and activities across Lagos.

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, forwarded the names of seven nominees to the Senate for confirmation as chairman and board members of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the request was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio by the President.

In the correspondence read by Akpabio during plenary, Dr Abdullahi Saidu was nominated as chairman, alongside Mohammed Asmau, Mohammed Makama, Suleiman Gidado, Louis Ndukwe, Amaechi Ugwele and Olaniyi Onikola as members.

After reading the letter, the Senate President referred the nominations to the Senate Committee on Finance, directing it to report back within two weeks for legislative consideration.

Another executive communication from the President sought consideration of the National Medical College Amendment Bill 2026, proposing changes to the institution and its academic responsibilities and mandate.

According to Tinubu, the proposed bill seeks to strengthen the college’s mandate for postgraduate training and professional examinations in medicine, dentistry and related medical disciplines across Nigeria.

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to publish the full text of Nigeria’s health agreement with the United States.

Atiku made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu.

He said the call became necessary following disclosure by Ghanaian President John Mahama that Ghana rejected a proposed health compact over concerns about medical records, pathogen information, funding obligations and inspection of imported medicines.

‘At this point, Nigerians do not know whether provisions Ghana rejected are in the agreement Tinubu signed. That is precisely why government must publish the full text. Nigerians should not have to guess what has been agreed in their name,’ Atiku said.

Nigeria signed a five-year health Memorandum of Understanding with the United States on 19 December 2025. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, it covers disease surveillance, health data systems and procedures involving pathogen samples. The United States is expected to provide nearly $2 billion in grants, while Nigeria has made health spending commitments projected to mobilise nearly $3 billion over five years.

Atiku said the commitments must be measured against the condition of healthcare at home, noting that the latest internationally comparable estimates put Nigeria’s maternal deaths at 75,000 in 2023.

He also questioned how the administration would fulfil domestic funding commitments, referencing disclosure by the Minister of Health, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, that at the time of his budget defence, only N36 million had been released from N218 billion appropriated for capital projects and programmes at the Ministry of Health headquarters in 2025.

‘A government that cannot release funds for approved health projects must explain how it intends to honour a multibillion-dollar commitment,’ Atiku said.

He called on the Federal Government to publish the complete Memorandum of Understanding, together with related protocols, annexes, data-sharing arrangements, specimen-sharing agreements and financial undertakings.

He asked whether Nigerians’ medical information or pathogen samples can leave the country, who may access them, what safeguards protect patients, whether NAFDAC retains full authority to inspect medicines and medical products, and what the Federal and state governments have promised to spend.

Atiku said Nigeria welcomes international cooperation that saves lives, but the government must be accountable for the terms it accepts and the results it delivers, adding that the same duty of disclosure applies to other international commitments, including the partnership with France.

The Nigerian naira opened the trading week depreciating against the United States (US) dollar, trading at N1,331.3292 at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official foreign exchange (FX) window on Monday, September 28, 2026.

The data shared on the CBN’s official platform shows that the naira traded at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate of N1,331.3292 per dollar and closed at N1,331.5000 per dollar.

The currency, which traded at an NFEM rate of N1,329.5138 on September 25, 2026, depreciated slightly by at least N1.82 after trading activities on Monday.

At the parallel market, the buying remained the same while the selling rate decreased by N3 when compared to the previous trading rate on Friday , September 25, 2026.

According to Aboki FX , the Naira-to-dollar exchange rate at the black market on Monday , September 28, 2026, was N1,375 and N1,382 per dollar for buying and selling rates, respectively.