Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Federal Government of failing to file its response to the appeal against the conviction of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, while also faulting the Court of Appeal for not listing the case for hearing.

IPOB made the allegations in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson and Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.

Powerful claimed that the time allowed for the Federal Government to file its response had expired, alleging that no brief had been filed in the appeal.

He said, ‘The time allowed for them to file their response has expired. No brief. No defence. And the Court of Appeal has refused to list the case.’

IPOB alleged that Kanu was convicted under a repealed law, arguing that the trial ought to have proceeded under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which it described as the extant legislation governing terrorism-related offences.

The group also criticised Justice James Omotosho, who presided over Kanu’s trial, accusing him of failing to apply the provisions of the 2022 Act to the case.

According to Powerful, a savings or transitional provision could preserve an existing proceeding but could not revive a repealed criminal statute for the purpose of securing a conviction.

‘A savings clause or transitional clause can keep a trial alive. It cannot resurrect a dead penal statute so a judge can drag a conviction out of the graveyard,’ he said.

IPOB further alleged that the failure of the Federal Government to file a response strengthened its argument that the conviction could not withstand legal scrutiny.

It also accused the Court of Appeal of deliberately failing to list the appeal, describing the development as a denial of Kanu’s opportunity to challenge his conviction.

The group compared the current situation with events following the Court of Appeal’s October 13, 2022 decision discharging Kanu, saying a panel was constituted within 14 days to stay the effect of the judgment.

‘Fourteen days to keep him in chains. Endless silence now that he asks for a hearing,’ Powerful said.

He questioned why the appellate court could act swiftly in 2022 but had allegedly failed to list Kanu’s appeal against his conviction.

‘Why did the Court of Appeal move within 14 days to keep Kanu in custody, but now refuses to list his appeal against a conviction under a dead law?’ he asked.

Powerful also accused the Nigerian judicial system of shielding an allegedly unlawful conviction and called on the international community to pay closer attention to Kanu’s case.

He urged the relevant authorities to explain why the appeal had not been listed, arguing that a court should not allow procedural delays to prevent a convicted person from challenging the legality of his conviction.

IPOB maintained that Kanu committed no offence under the law applicable to his trial and called for the appeal to be listed and heard.

The allegations by IPOB are claims by the group and had not, in the statement provided, been independently established by the court or the Federal Government.

Walking into a high-stakes meeting takes more than just polished slides and sharp ideas. Long before you open your mouth to make your pitch, the people sitting across the table have already formed an impression of your confidence, authority, and readiness to lead.

In corporate spaces across the globe, silence often speaks louder than spoken words. Communication is heavily driven by non-verbal cues, with tone and physical posture shaping over 90 percent of how our emotional intent is received. Even if you hold an impressive title or carry decades of technical experience, small physical twitches can quietly communicate doubt.

In this article, Tribune Online examines six subtle physical tells that reveal insecurity during corporate discussions, alongside direct steps to correct them so you can command the room with ease.

Hiding your hands beneath the table

Placing your hands in your lap, sitting on them, or tucking them into your pockets makes you look guarded. Human brains are naturally wired to look at hands for cues of trust and honesty. When your hands remain hidden from sight during an executive discussion, people instinctively perceive you as hesitant, secretive, or unengaged.

According to research shared by body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards on Science of People, the most popular TED speakers use almost double the hand gestures of less successful speakers because visible palms trigger trust. Keep your hands resting naturally on the tabletop or close to your notepad to instantly signal openness and confidence.

Touching your face and neck

Rubbing the back of your neck, clearing your collar, or scratching your chin while someone evaluates your proposal are classic pacifying behaviors. When anxiety strikes, the body attempts to calm itself by stimulating sensitive nerve endings around the face and throat.

To overcome this reflex, hold a pen in one hand or rest your forearms calmly against the desk whenever pressure mounts.

Collapsing your shoulders and slouching

Slumping into your chair makes your frame look smaller and signals that you want to disappear from the conversation. When you round your shoulders forward and hollow your chest, your posture immediately projects fatigue, defeat, or intimidation.

Adopting expansive, open postures physically alters how people evaluate authority and competence. Sit right back into your chair, roll your shoulders slightly backward, and let your spine lengthen naturally so you take up your rightful space at the table.

The darting gaze and looking away when speaking

Looking around the room, staring at the floor, or glancing constantly toward the door gives the impression that you cannot handle the scrutiny of your peers. While unbroken staring can feel aggressive, darting your eyes away every few seconds betrays internal nervousness and self-doubt.

Aim for the 60-to-70 percent rule: hold soft, steady eye contact while listening and deliver key points while looking directly at your colleagues before calmly shifting your gaze.

Fidgeting with objects and jiggling feet

Clicking a pen repeatedly, twisting rings, adjusting cuffs, or bouncing your legs beneath the table are physical outlets for nervous energy. These rapid, repetitive movements distract colleagues and scream that your adrenaline is in overdrive.

Unconscious micro-movements draw attention away from the substance of your contribution and toward your anxiety. Before the session begins, plant both feet flat on the floor to anchor your balance, take a steady breath, and leave pens or phone screens untouched unless you are actively taking notes.

Over-nodding in agreement

Nodding rapidly like a bobblehead whenever a senior executive speaks might seem like active listening, but it usually signals an excessive desire for approval. Rather than projecting alignment, rapid-fire nodding makes it look as though you are overly desperate to please the room.

Bobbing your head continuously dilutes your authority, making you appear subordinate rather than like a strategic peer. Acknowledge valuable points with one or two slow, deliberate nods, then hold your head upright and still to demonstrate thoughtful engagement.

The Ondo State Government has increased the 2026 budget from N524.411 billion to N769.384 billion, with the additional funds targeted at accelerating road construction and other critical infrastructure across the state.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Olaolu Akindolire, who disclosed this at the State Executive Council meeting, explained that the budget review was driven by the administration’s determination to intensify infrastructure development.

According to him, the revised appropriation followed a mid-year assessment of the 2026 budget, which was signed into law by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on December 29, 2025, and came into effect on January 1, 2026.

He said the revised budget, which has been forwarded to the Ondo State House of Assembly for ratification, was necessary to realign spending priorities, bridge funding gaps and improve implementation during the remaining months of the year.

Akindolire explained that the first- and second-quarter budget implementation reviews revealed varying levels of performance among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with some recording increased financial demands and nearing their approved provisions, while others experienced slower utilisation due to implementation challenges.

He, however, said the government had resolved to deploy additional resources to areas requiring urgent intervention, particularly infrastructure.

As part of the renewed infrastructure drive, Governor Aiyedatiwa has directed that at least five kilometres of roads be constructed in each of the state’s 18 local government areas before the end of 2026, translating to a minimum of 90 kilometres of new roads across the state.

The commissioner said the road projects were designed to improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, connect communities to markets, schools and healthcare facilities, and stimulate economic activities across both urban and rural areas.

He added that the revised budget also made additional provisions for the ongoing Adegbola-St Matthias flyover project along the Oba Adesida Road corridor in Alagbaka, Akure, describing it as part of the administration’s efforts to address critical transportation infrastructure.

‘Water and healthcare have also received additional funding, with anticipated development financing expected to support projects aimed at improving access to reliable potable water, while the healthcare allocation is expected to strengthen service delivery and respond to emerging needs,’ Akindolire stated.

The council also approved the appointment of Prof. Thompson Akinyele Akinifesi as the pioneer Ekingbade of Bolorunduro in Ondo East Local Government Area.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, said the appointment would usher in a new phase of development in the community, which serves as the headquarters of Bolorunduro Local Government.

The council equally approved the appointment of warrant chiefs to oversee the processes for selecting new traditional rulers in Ikun Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area, Ute in Ose Local Government Area and Ero in Ifedore Local Government Area.

The appointments are expected to facilitate the emergence of the new Olokun of Ikun Akoko, Olute of Ute and Ekiri of Ero.

Takuro assured that the government would continue to ensure a smooth and credible process for the installation of traditional rulers in communities ready to select new obas, without undue interference.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Idowu Ajanaku, reiterated the council’s position, stressing that the Aiyedatiwa administration would continue to prioritise infrastructure as a major component of its development agenda.

Oyo State governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, has promised prompt payment of gratuities and immediate pension enrolment for retired civil servants if elected governor in 2027.

Adegoke also pledged to empower youths through local government councils and vocational training programmes.

He made the promises on Monday during a thank-you visit to Oyo East, Oyo West, Atiba and Afijio Local Government Areas.

The ADC candidate criticised the long delays retirees face in receiving gratuities and accessing pension benefits, promising to begin the processes before retirement to ensure seamless payment.

He also pledged to repair at least 10 township roads in each local government within his first 100 days in office, employ agricultural extension officers and provide soft loans to farmers.

Adegoke said his administration would strengthen local government autonomy and revive Oyo State’s development legacy, with a focus on infrastructure, youth empowerment and agriculture.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has distributed N50,000 each to 5,800 women across the state as part of his administration’s monthly women empowerment and poverty alleviation programme.

The cash intervention, amounting to N290 million, is aimed at enabling the beneficiaries to establish small businesses and become financially self-reliant.

Speaking during the distribution ceremony held at the Government House, Kano, Governor Yusuf said the programme was designed to improve the economic status of women and enable them to support themselves and their families.

‘This N50,000 being given to each and every one of you is meant to empower you to start small businesses which will make you self-reliant so that you will be able to support yourselves and your own families financially,’ the governor said.

He explained that his administration would continue to select women from the 44 local government areas of the state every month and provide them with N50,000 each as part of efforts to boost their economic wellbeing.

Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to support his administration’s people-oriented programmes in healthcare, water supply, education, infrastructure and economic empowerment.

He also appealed to the women to reciprocate the gesture by voting massively for him and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

The governor said continued support from the people would enable his administration to sustain its programmes and deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Earlier, the Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, described the initiative as a significant intervention aimed at improving the economic wellbeing of women across the state.

Amina said Governor Yusuf had demonstrated commitment to the welfare of women through policies and programmes designed to improve their livelihoods.

‘His Excellency, the Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, is a very compassionate leader who is always interested in the wellbeing of the people of the state, especially women, who have immensely benefited from his life-changing policies and programmes,’ she said.

The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the government’s gesture by supporting Governor Yusuf’s bid for a second term in office in 2027.

She also called on them to vote for other APC candidates contesting the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly elections across the state.

With school resumption around the corner, parents are preparing once again, weighing the cost of uniforms, books, shoes, stationery and other essential materials. So, a school bag may look like a small part of the budget, but choosing one that is affordable, durable, and comfortable can save money when the academic year gets busy.

Parents are also advised to begin preparations early, particularly by purchasing school supplies ahead of resumption. Doing so can help families avoid last-minute pressure and possible price increases that often come with higher demand for school items.

Meanwhile, for Nigerian families trying to keep spending under control in 2026, there are several reasonably priced backpacks available online.

Although prices may change, the current Jumia Nigeria’s listings show school bags and backpacks ranging from about N8,000 to N25,000, depending on size, material, design and features.

Here, in this article, Tribune Online looks into the 10 affordable options worth considering.

Quality children’s school bag – about N8,000

For parents shopping on a tight budget, a basic children’s backpack can do the job without stretching the wallet. Current listings show simple school bags around N8,000, with adjustable shoulder straps and enough room for basic classroom materials.

This type is best suited to younger pupils who do not need to carry large textbooks or electronic devices. Therefore, check the stitching, zippers, and strap attachment points before buying, as a low price is only a bargain if the bag survives the school term.

Waterproof children’s school bag – about N11,000 to N12,000

Nigeria’s rainy season makes water resistance a useful feature, particularly for pupils who walk to school or use public transport. The current marketplace listings put several waterproof children’s backpacks in the price range of N11,000 to N12,000.

Although a waterproof exterior will not necessarily make a bag completely waterproof, it can provide useful protection against light rain and accidental spills. So, it is important to look for secure zippers and a material that is easy to wipe clean.

Unisex school backpack – about N11,800 to N12,500

A simple unisex backpack is another practical choice for families buying for more than one child. Current listings include options around N11,800 to N12,500, with designs suitable for boys and girls.

The advantage is versatility. Rather than paying more for a heavily themed bag that a child may quickly outgrow, a neutral design can remain useful for several school years if its construction is good.

Children’s backpack with water-bottle pockets – about N9,800

Side pockets are easy to overlook, but they can make school mornings less chaotic. A current listing around N9,800 includes side elastic pockets designed for carrying water bottles.

That small feature can help keep bottles separate from books and stationery while giving children easier access to drinking water during the day.

Back-to-school cars backpack – about N17,000

For children who want something more colorful, a themed backpack can make the start of a new term more exciting.

Cars-themed back-to-school backpack currently listed at about N17,000 offers a larger option for pupils who carry more books.

Parents should still put durability ahead of appearance. A flashy design means little if the zip breaks or the shoulder straps begin separating after a few weeks.

Star express school backpack – about N14,700

The Star Express school backpack is another mid-budget option, currently listed around N14,725 on Jumia. It is marketed for boys and girls and sits comfortably within the price range many families may consider for a regular school bag.

It may be a reasonable compromise for parents looking for something more substantial than the cheapest children’s bags without moving into premium pricing.

Waterproof student backpack – about N16,000

Older pupils and secondary school students often need more room for textbooks, notebooks and personal items. Current listings include waterproof student backpacks around N16,150.

Before buying, check the dimensions and compartment arrangement. A larger bag is useful only when it can organize books properly without becoming unnecessarily heavy.

Durable Laptop/School Backpack – about N14,000

Students who carry a laptop or tablet may need a backpack that offers more protection than a basic children’s school bag.

A Hppower Khaki laptop/school bag is currently listed around N14,000, while similar waterproof laptop-school backpacks are available for less or slightly more.

For older students, this category can offer better value because the same bag can work for school, university, travel or work.

3-in-1 school backpack set – about N24,500

Parents who want several accessories in one purchase can consider 3-in-1 sets that combine a backpack with items such as a lunch bag and pencil case. Current listings show waterproof children’s sets around N24,480.

Although the upfront cost is higher, buying several coordinated items together may make sense when a child needs a complete school-bag set.

Large-capacity waterproof backpack – about N25,900

For older students carrying plenty of books, a larger-capacity waterproof backpack can be worth the extra money. Current Nigerian listings include premium waterproof student backpacks around N25,920.

The key is not to confuse capacity with usefulness. A huge backpack can encourage children to carry unnecessary items and make the load heavier than it should be.

What parents should check before buying

Price should not be the only deciding factor. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended backpacks with wide, padded shoulder straps and a padded back, while heavier items should be positioned close to the child’s back. It also advised that keeping the backpack at no more than about 15% of the child’s body weight.

Parents should therefore examine the seams, zippers, straps, compartments and back padding before paying. For Nigerian students who regularly travel during rainy weather, water resistance is another useful consideration.

Also, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned about injuries associated with backpacks and advises families to avoid excessively heavy loads.

Tension briefly gripped Ooni Ilare Street, Ile-Ife, Osun State, following the sudden death of a young man identified as Sunday, popularly known as Apetu, amid conflicting accounts over the circumstances surrounding his death.

Apetu, said to be a member of a local vigilante group in Ile-Ife, reportedly became critically distressed last Sunday afternoon following a sexual encounter with a woman on the street.

According to a situation report attributed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the incident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. in the Ooni Ilare area, within the Odi-Olokun Division of Ile-Ife.

The report stated that Apetu was found in a distressed condition and was allegedly seen pleading with the woman while gasping, screaming and displaying signs of severe physical distress.

A video recorded at the scene and circulated on social media has also drawn public attention to the incident. In the footage, the deceased was heard pleading with the woman to give him urine.

However, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, as authorities have yet to publicly establish what caused the medical emergency.

While some residents have attributed the death to a traditional belief commonly described as ‘thunderbolt’, there is no official confirmation that such a phenomenon was responsible for his death.

The claim is reportedly linked to a local belief that a person believed to be under a ‘thunderbolt’ spell could cause harm to another person through sexual contact. Such claims remain matters of traditional belief and have not been established as a medical or scientific explanation for the death.

The situation report further stated that Apetu eventually died following the incident and that his remains were deposited at the morgue of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife.

The woman involved in the incident was reportedly arrested and taken into custody at the Moore Police Division in Ile-Ife as authorities commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death.

When contacted over reports circulating on social media, a senior police officer from the Osun State Police Command said he was aware of the rumours but cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information.

The command said no conclusion should be drawn from social media accounts until investigations establish what actually happened.

The development has generated considerable attention in the community, particularly because of the conflicting explanations surrounding the man’s sudden death.

Residents and community leaders have been urged to remain calm and avoid sensational claims capable of causing panic while allowing the police and relevant medical authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.

When contacted on the development, the NSCDC spokesperson, ASC I Kehinde Adeleke, confirmed the incident.

Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to infrastructure development in communities, assuring residents that no community will be left behind.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated this at the flag-off of the 1,086-metre Alhaji Ashafa, Alhaji Ogundimu and Tunde Olufoye Streets in Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Alimosho.

The governor, represented by the Special Adviser on Rural Development, Dr Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, said the project demonstrated the administration’s commitment to sustainable development at the grassroots.

Sanwo-Olu said the project will ensure that the benefits of good governance reach rural and semi-urban communities in the state.

He added that the Office of Rural Development had flagged off about eight road projects in different communities as part of efforts to build a more connected and inclusive Lagos.

The governor said the projects aligned with his administration’s vision of taking infrastructure development to the grassroots and ensuring that no community is left behind.

In his goodwill message, the member representing Alimosho Constituency II, in the state House of Assembly, Honourable Kehinde Joseph, represented by Comrade Raheem Akeem, commended the government for the initiative.

He said the project will provide lasting solutions to some of the challenges facing residents and businesses in the community.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa, also commended the governor for approving the project.

She said the roads will boost socio-economic activities, reduce travel time and create employment opportunities for residents.

Chairman of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Comrade Lasisi Akinsanya, represented by the Secretary to the Local Government, Mrs Mojisola Badmus, appreciated the state government for its interventions in the area and urged residents to cooperate with the contractor.

Speaking for the Motorola and Ogo Oluwa Community Development Associations, Alhaji Muniru Ogundimu thanked the government for the project and pledged residents’ support and cooperation for its timely completion.

Ahead of the 2027 general election, the Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has called on political parties and candidates to make housing reform at the centre of their campaign.

In a statement by its Research and Economic Unit, the group urged presidential and gubernatorial candidates to move beyond rhetoric and present clear and measurable housing strategies.

HDAN argued that housing should no longer be treated as a secondary social issue, emphasising its role as an economic driver of job creation, industrialisation, public health, and poverty reduction.

It highlighted several policy areas that politicians should address in their manifestos:

It wants politicians to have clear plans to digitalise land registries, expedite title issuance, and lower land costs to make serviced plots available for affordable housing development.

On mortgage and housing finance, the group urged politicians to provide specific proposals for long-term financing, single-digit interest rates, rent-to-own models, pension-backed housing finance, and cooperative housing access for formal and informal workers.

It canvassed direct strategies to support local production of cement, steel, and finishing products, reducing reliance on costly imports and lowering logistics and energy expenses.

It said the manifesto must target rental housing policies, including incentives for institutional investors in rental stock and regulatory measures to protect both tenants and landlords.

‘Structured frameworks for informal settlement upgrades, infrastructure integration, and sustainable urban expansion,’ the report read, pointing it out to international examples where housing commitments form a key measure of political accountability.’

A medical laboratory scientist and public health practitioner, Mrs Blessing Ijeoma Omorowe-Nwune, has urged people experiencing separation, divorce and other forms of family breakdown not to see such challenges as the end of their lives, but as an opportunity to begin a purposeful new chapter.

Omorowe-Nwune, made the call at the public presentation of her book, ‘When Families Fall Apart: Navigating Separation, Divorce and Spousal Loss with Healing, Faith and Hope’ in Ibadan.

At the book launch, which was held at Richland Hotels, Yemetu on September 7, 2026, the author said her personal experiences of childhood trauma, growing up in a broken home and difficulties in her marriage inspired her to write the book as a source of hope for people struggling to recover from painful family experiences.

‘I’m always broken when I see broken people not able to survive from what has really broken them. And I think I am a victim of such a situation, and I was able to stand. So I just thought, if I could do it, others can do it too,’ she said.

Omorowe-Nwune, who described herself as a humanitarian and advocate for children, women and young people, said she realised that although she could not personally reach everyone facing similar challenges, a book could enable her to speak to millions.

In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Omorowe-Nwune urged people going through separation or divorce to believe that they could rebuild their lives.

‘For those experiencing separation and divorce, they should never see it as the end of their life. It should not be the end of their story, but should be the beginning of a purposeful life,’ she said.

The author also emphasised the importance of faith during difficult family transitions, noting that some people mistakenly believe that Christians should not experience serious problems.

She described the book as a ‘tool’ designed to help readers navigate difficult periods while maintaining faith and hope.

The chairman of the occasion, Rotarian Oyebode Adesina said he was ‘delighted and honoured’ to celebrate Blessing’s book When Families Fall Apart, noting marriages break down due to ‘misunderstandings, fights, ignoring red flags’ and urging patience, early counselling, and recognizing that ‘you cannot trade your life for love’ for safety and wellbeing in marriage.

Speaking at the event, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Purpebloom Publishers, Mrs Adejoke Adepoju-Oyekan, described the publication as more than a book, saying it was a message of hope for people whose lives had been disrupted by separation, divorce, loss and grief.

‘There are some books you publish because they are good books. But there are books you publish because you know that somebody somewhere is going to read those words for life because of the circumstances,’ she said.

Adepoju-Oyekan said the book reminded readers that the end of a relationship did not necessarily mean the end of their future.

‘Sometimes what ends is the relationship. I want you to know that it’s not your future. Sometimes what you lose is a person. I want you to know that that’s not the purpose. And sometimes the chapter that closes is not the end of the book. It is simply the end of that chapter,’ she said.

Reviewing the book, the Dean of Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Professor Kester Oluwaseun, represented by Dr Abiola Omokhabi a lecturer in the Department of Adult Education, University of Ibadan, described it as a timely and compassionate work that combines psychology, African family wisdom and Christian faith.

She commended its practical approach, noting that it provides prayers, reflection prompts, guidance on boundaries, co-parenting advice and grieving practices.

He described the book as being suitable for people experiencing separation, divorce or spousal loss, as well as pastors, counsellors and Christian leaders.

He praised the author for addressing difficult emotions such as anger, shame, loneliness and feeling trapped without resorting to ‘toxic positivity.’

Professor Oluwaseun said the book’s central message was that even when families fall apart, healing and hope remain possible.

The occasion was attended by family, friends, Rotary Club, Orita Mefa and colleagues from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.