Category: PM News

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

A 70-year-old shepherd simply identified as Alhaji Saleh, and his two children, were rescued from the shackles of bandits in Kano, on Friday.

The victims are safe, as the Shepherd is currently on medication, at a Kano hospital.

The two children of the attacked Shepherd have already been reunited with their immediate family for absolute care.

The rescue operation was carried out by operatives of Kano Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Our Correspondent gathered from security sources, that the criminal elements, also planned to rustle scores of livestock within the area.

The suspected bandits targeted their nefarious operation at Bakin Komau, Dangora community of Kiru Local Government Area, Kano state.

However, operatives of the NSCDC, rescued the two abducted children, repelled cattle rustling, and further attacks, within the area.

The Kano Command NSCDC, Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Idris Abdullahi, also confirmed the development in a Statement issued in Kano, on Friday.

According to the statement, “a group of armed criminals attacked a Shepherd, leaving him with serious injuries, before abducting his two children during an attempt to rustle livestock in the area.

“Upon receiving a distress call, NSCDC personnel stationed around the nearby Dansoshiya Forest swiftly mobilized to the scene and engaged the suspects in a gun duel.

“The operatives’ rapid intervention forced the assailants to abandon the victims, and flee into the forest with gunshot wounds.

“The rescued victims were safely reunited with their family, while the injured Shepherd, 70-year-old Alhaji Saleh, was immediately taken for medical treatment.”

The authorities of Kano NSCDC further explained that its operatives were deployed to the area as part of efforts to secure the ongoing Dam construction project and protect surrounding grazing reserves and farming communities from criminal activities.

The Kano State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mohammed Hassan Agalama, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting lives, property, and critical national assets across the state.

He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance rapid response to threats of lives and property, and strengthened security within communities.

Serenity Sisterhood Initiatives (SSI), in partnership with Care Connect, has marked World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 with a far-reaching menstrual health awareness campaign aimed at empowering adolescent girls with knowledge, confidence, and access to essential hygiene products.

The outreach, held on June 2, 2026, took place at Ikeja Senior High School and Opebi Grammar School in Ikeja, Lagos, bringing together hundreds of female students, teachers, and volunteers in a united effort to promote menstrual health education and break the stigma surrounding menstruation.

The initiative was designed to address the persistent myths, misconceptions, and cultural taboos that often prevent young girls from openly discussing menstrual health and seeking accurate information. Through interactive sessions, practical demonstrations, and engaging discussions, participants received comprehensive guidance on menstrual hygiene management, reproductive health, and personal well-being.

Topics covered during the programme included proper menstrual hygiene practices and infection prevention, understanding reproductive anatomy and the physical changes associated with puberty, as well as strategies for building self-confidence and maintaining emotional well-being during menstrual cycles.

Speaking at the event, Olori Bernitha Agboge, Founder of Serenity Sisterhood Initiatives, alongside Alhaja Olayinka Olajide, Olufunke Olorunfemi, Aminat Kazeem, and Uchenna Onuoha, Managing Director of Care Connect, encouraged the students to embrace menstruation as a natural biological process and reject the stigma often associated with it.

The speakers emphasized that no girl should feel ashamed, isolated, or disadvantaged because of her period. They urged the students to seek accurate information, prioritize their health, and support one another in creating safe and informed environments where menstrual health can be discussed openly.

Providing Immediate Support

As part of the outreach, SSI and Care Connect distributed free sanitary pads, hygiene kits, and educational materials to participating students. The intervention was aimed at easing the burden created by the increasing cost of menstrual hygiene products and ensuring that girls can manage their periods safely and confidently without disruptions to their education.

The campaign aligns with the global theme for Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” which advocates for a world where menstruation is no longer a barrier to education, opportunity, or dignity.

By bringing menstrual health education and essential supplies directly to schools, the two organizations contributed meaningfully to the global call for improved awareness, accessibility, and inclusivity.

Serenity Sisterhood Initiatives reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the welfare of women and girls through education, mentorship, advocacy, and community-based interventions.

According to the organizers, the partnership between SSI and Care Connect demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when organizations collaborate to address critical social issues affecting young people.

“Our partnership with Care Connect reflects the power of collective action,” the organizers said. “Together, we are working towards a society where no girl misses school, loses confidence, or is denied opportunities because of her menstrual cycle. Every girl deserves access to accurate information, quality menstrual products, and the dignity to thrive.”

The successful outreach further underscores the importance of sustained investment in menstrual health education as a key component of gender equality, educational attainment, and the overall empowerment of girls and young women in Nigeria.

By Alaba Olusola Oke

A former Presidential Aspirant of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Mrs Abisayo Busari-Akinnadeju, has confirmed that the N10.8 million she paid to obtain the nomination form has been returned to her by the party after she failed to get the ticket.

Busari-Akinnadeju announced her resignation from the DLA on May 28 over her dissatisfaction with the party primaries.

She alleged that a presidential candidate was imposed on the party based on the use of consensus which she did not agree to.

She added that she was later suspended from the party because of her refusal to agree to consensus mode for choosing the presidential candidate.

She had subsequently demanded the refund of the money she paid to obtain the party’s presidential nomination form.

Busari-Akinnadeju, in a statement on Friday in Akure confirmed that the party had paid her N10.8 million, leaving a balance of N1.2 million.

” I want to say that the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) has refunded the presidential nomination fee I paid in April 2026, in respect of my aspiration for the Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2027 general election.

“I resigned from the DLA on May 28, because of the imposition of a consensus candidate by means that did not comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and the use of a disciplinary process to remove me as a cleared aspirant when i could not endorse consensus mode.

“I acknowledge receipt of N10.8 million of the Presidential nomination fee I paid in April 2026, and

“I note that a further N1.2 million remains outstanding. I am grateful that the party has chosen to do the right thing in this respect.”

“It is important, however, that the meaning of this refund is not misunderstood. The return of the money does not return the integrity of the process.

” It is an acknowledgement that the original collection was indefensible. It is not a remedy for what was done in the weeks between the collection and the return,” she said.

She stated that the systemic questions raised by her experience remained open.

“There was an intentional attempt to stop me from being screened, a disciplinary action to complete the process after screening.

” The state chairmen of the party were directed not to attend the presidential primary at the headquarter, but to transmit figures to the national secretariat so that a candidate could be produced by a purported consensus,” she alleged.

According to her, the Electoral Act 2026 does not permit consensus without the written consent of every cleared aspirant.

“My removal, through a disciplinary process convened on three days’ notice and conducted without particulars, was the route by which that statutory obstacle was cleared.

“Those facts are not undone by a bank transfer.

“My concern is no longer about my own money. It is about the next aspirant, in this party or any other, whose money may not come back so quickly because she does not have the standing or the platform to demand it,” she said.

Busari-Akinnadeju said that rights to a fair contest is not a privilege of the well-resourced but a constitutional entitlement of every Nigerian who participates in the political process.

She added the right must be enforceable by every Nigerian.

“I thank the Nigerians who stood with me through the past week, who read, who watched, who shared, who wrote, and who made it impossible for this story to be treated as private.

“The strength of public attention is what made this refund possible. The same strength will be needed for the larger work,” she said.

Busari-Akinnadeju, who said she had become non-partisan, stated that the launched Dare Agenda Movement, was a platform for Nigerians to demand and pursue purposeful leadership for the country.

“The Office of the Nigerian Citizen is open. The Dare Agenda is in motion. The country cannot wait until 2027, and I will not be waiting until then to do the work I am here to do,” she said. ( NAN)

By Taiye Agbaje

The trial of publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore for alleged cyberbullying before Federal High Court in Abuja stalled on Friday.

This was after Sowore indicated his readiness to represent himself in court pending reconstitution of a new legal team in the ongoing

Sowore told Justice Mohammed Umar that he will represent himself after he was called to open his defence.

Justice Umar had, on Thursday, fixed today for the defendant to open his defence.

The judge, who declined to grant an oral application by Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, for a long adjournment, ordered that the trial shall be conducted day-to-day.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly making false claims against the person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in a post he made on his “X” and Facebook accounts.

Upon resumed hearing on Friday, only DSS lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, was in court when the case was called.

Abubakar, Sowore’s counsel, was conspicuously absent.

When the defendant, who was already in the dock, was asked by the judge the whereabouts of his lawyer, he said upon the ruling of the judge the previous day that the trial would proceed on a day-to-day basis, his lawyers were afraid to appear before Justice Umar.

“Our lawyers indicated to me they are afraid before you and will not appear any longer because of the humiliation they suffered before this court.

“And pending the time I am able to reconstitute a new legal team, I shall be representing myself before your lordship,” he said.

Sowore told the court that it was his constitutional right to choose lawyers to represent him in any form of trial in Nigeria.

The defendant then informed the court that he had two applications which he had filed and one of it had already been served on the prosecution.

“A motion on notice filed yesterday, June 4, 2026, and served on the prosecutor earlier this morning.

“The application is motion on notice for a recusal,” he said.

Sowore, therefore, sought the permission to move the application for recusal and the DSS lawyer did not object.

Moving his motion, the defendant prayed the court for an order directing the judge to recuse himself or withdraw from the case in view of bias and humiliation.

He cited Section 36(1)(5) (6) of the 1999 Constitution to back his submission and urged the court to grant his relief.

Kehinde, who urged the court to also grant him the leave to respond on points of law, argued that Sowore’s application was fundamentally defective.

“This application is fundamentally incompetent as there is no name of the counsel that prepared the motion and attached to the motion paper,” he said.

But the judge said a lawyer signed the copy of the application in the court file.

“From my record here, the person that signed it is Marshall Abubakar,” Justice Umar said.

“Mine was not signed my lord,” Kehinde responded.

“We presume it is Marshall Abubakar that signed it.

“I will not condone any technical move from you,” the judge told Kehinde.

Replying to Sowore’s motion, the DSS lawyer described the application as “an abuse of court process meant to annoy and irritate this court.”

According to him, this court is bound by the records of this honourable court where a letter written by the chief judge dated May 22, directed that this matter should proceed.

He said the letter was copied to all the parties.

“Moreover, there is a subsisting order of this court that defence must commence today and the option is for the defence to be foreclosed if the defendant is not ready,” he said.

The senior lawyer prayed the court to refuse the application.

Justice Umar said to do justice to the application, he would have to go through the defendant’s process.

“I will adjourn this case to Monday for ruling,” he said.

But Sowore begged for more time to enable him get lawyers, adding that this was also “in view of the Democracy Day celebration.”

The judge reminded him that an order had already been made for a day-to-day hearing of the case.

“My lord, take judicial notice that I have attended this case from day one.

“I am just asking for indulgence for at least a week to come,” he prayed.

Justice Umar consequently adjourned the matter until June 15 for ruling and for defence.

(NAN)

South Korea’s National Election Commission (NEC) chairperson, Roh Tae-ak on Friday offered to resign following a widespread shortage of ballot papers that disrupted voting in Seoul during this week’s local elections.

Roh made the announcement during a press briefing at NEC headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, expressing deep responsibility for the incident and apologising for eroding public trust in election management.

“The situation undermined voters’ confidence and participation in local elections, and I feel devastated as chairman,” Roh said.

NEC Secretary-General Heo Cheol-hoon also offered to resign, Roh added.

The presidential office said it “takes seriously” the resignations and called for a comprehensive review of election management procedures to restore public trust.

Officials stressed the need for the NEC to provide a clear explanation and implement strict follow-up measures.

The NEC plans to establish an independent committee of outside experts to investigate the cause of the shortage and propose preventive steps.

Ballot paper shortages were reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul, including Songpa and Gangnam districts, causing temporary suspension of voting.

Some voters reportedly left without casting their ballots after waiting.

Protesters later gathered at a polling station in Jamsil, Songpa Ward, alleging election fraud and obstructing officials from transporting ballot boxes.

Police dispersed the crowd and transferred approximately 2,000 ballots to a counting centre.

(Yonhap/NAN)

By Grace Idachaba

The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has launched the “Kannywood AbbaCare Initiative” under Gov. Abba Yusuf’s First Healthcare Development Agenda to support Kannywood practitioners, particularly vulnerable members, in accessing healthcare services.

The Executive Secretary of KSCHMA, Dr Rahila Aliyu-Muktar, unveiled the programme during a sensitisation meeting held at the Kano State Censorship Board headquarters in Kano.

Aliyu-Muktar said the initiative was introduced improve access to quality healthcare for practitioners in the film industry.

She said the programme recognises the contributions of Kannywood practitioners to public enlightenment, cultural promotion, and social development.

According to her, the initiative provides a platform for vulnerable industry practitioners to benefit from healthcare support and other interventions offered by the agency.

“Kannywood practitioners play a vital role in shaping positive societal values.

“Through the Kannywood AbbaCare Initiative, we are extending healthcare support to members of the industry and ensuring that vulnerable practitioners receive the care and attention they deserve,” she said.

Aliyu-Muktar added that the initiative aligns with Gov. Yusuf’s vision to build an inclusive healthcare system that caters to all segments of society.

She, therefore, announced the immediate enrollment of eight seriously ill Kannywood members under the agency’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) for urgent medical assessment, treatment, and follow-up care.

“No individual should be denied healthcare because of financial constraints.

“We have therefore, approved the immediate enrollment of these vulnerable members to ensure they receive timely medical attention and necessary support,” she assured.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Kano State Censorship Board, Alhaji Abba Almustapha, commended KSCHMA for prioritising the welfare of Kannywood practitioners.

Almustapha described the initiative as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to the well-being of artists and other stakeholders in the entertainment industry.

He assured the agency of the board’s support in mobilising Kannywood associations to participate in the programme.

The censorship board chief also urged practitioners to embrace the initiative and take advantage of the healthcare opportunities provided through the partnership.

(NAN)

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The family of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi has paid glowing tribute to the late Lt.-Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, saying he offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.

Fajuyi was killed on July 29, 1966, alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi, during a military counter-coup in Ibadan.

Aguiyi-Ironsi family, in a remembrance letter to Fajuyi family seen on Friday described Fajuyi’s death as a supreme and heroic price for national unity.

The letter was signed by Amb. (Chief) Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, a former Minister of Defence and son of the late Head of State.

The family said July 29,2026 would be a solemn occasion to honour a soldier whose sacrifice continues to inspire generations of Nigerians.

“Lt.-Col. Francis Adekunle Fajuyi was a war hero who offered himself as a sacrificial lamb for the unity and integrity of the nation.

“His courage, loyalty and selflessness remain enduring virtues for all Nigerians.

“His sacrifice stands today as one of the most defining moments in our national history,” the family said.

The family recalled that Fajuyi was Military Governor of the Western Region when mutinous soldiers struck during the military counter-coup of July 1966.

According to them, he was abducted alongside Aguiyi-Ironsi in Ibadan.

The family said Fajuyi had an opportunity to save himself but chose instead to remain with his guest and superior officer.

“In a defining moment of conscience, he chose honour over personal safety.

“He refused to abandon his guest and superior officer in the face of grave danger.

“That decision reflected the highest ideals of loyalty, integrity and military brotherhood.” the family said.

They described Fajuyi as a national martyr whose legacy continues to promote unity, courage and selfless service.

The Aguiyi-Ironsi family also expressed sympathy with the late soldier’s family over the enduring pain of the loss.

The family prayed for continued strength, comfort and peace for the descendants of the late military governor.

“We remain deeply grateful for his life and sacrifice.

“We also appreciate Nigerians, institutions and well-meaning individuals who continue to honour his memory.

“Their support demonstrates that the sacrifice of a true patriot is never forgotten.”

The family called on government institutions and military authorities to sustain efforts to preserve Fajuyi’s memory.

They urged custodians of national history to ensure continued recognition and support for the Fajuyi family.

“He did not run. He did not hide. He chose to stand.

“In that sacrificial decision lay the essence of his greatness.

“His legacy challenges all Nigerians to uphold unity, courage, honour and selfless service,” the letter further read.

(NAN)

A survey by the Federal Ministry of Communication Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) has revealed that four in five Nigerians support some form of social media regulation for children.

Bosun Tijani, the Minister, Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, released the results of the 2024 poll titled: “Proposed Social Media Age Regulation in Nigeria,” at a roundtable on Protection of Children Online held in Lagos on Thursday.

The roundtable was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

Presenting the survey findings, the Senior Special Adviser to the Minister, Kasim Sodangi, said that the comprehensive public consultation survey captured the views of 585 Nigerians on the regulation of children’s access to social media platforms.

He said that the survey covered risks, legal frameworks, enforcement, and the path forward.

Quoting the survey document, Sodangi said that Australia recently implemented a total ban on social media for children under 16, and a clear majority (83.4 per cent) of the respondents of the poll in Nigeria also supported regulation of children’s social media use.

He said that of this majority, 64.8 per cent supported outright regulation of children’s social media use, while18.6 per cent supported regulation but preferred a different minimum age threshold.

The survey showed that 64.5 per cent of respondents favoured a minimum social media age of 16 years or 17 years, above the widely adopted global threshold of 13.

“Of the 583 respondents who answered this question, 98.6 per cent identified as Nigerian, with only 1.4 per cent identifying as Non-Nigerian.

“This near-total Nigerian representation ensures that the survey results authentically reflect the perspectives of those most directly affected by any proposed social media age regulation in Nigeria.

“The findings of this poll are grounded in the lived experiences and concerns of Nigerian citizens, making the data highly relevant for domestic policy formulation,” the minister’s side said.

He noted that an overwhelming majority (93.5 per cent) expressed high or extreme concern about the safety of children (under 18) on social media platforms in Nigeria

Sodangi said that of the 93.5 per cent respondents, 405 respondents (69.2 per cent) expressed extreme concern, while 142 respondents (24.3 per cent) are highly concerned.

The special adviser said that the survey showed that the most prevalent online risks for Nigerian children was exposure to harmful or inappropriate content (90.9%), followed closely by digital addiction (83.6%) and online grooming (82.4%).

The survey, he said, signalled an urgent need for protective regulation, adding that 74.5 per cent believed children and parents lacked adequate awareness of legal implications associated with cyber offences.

The survey further revealed overwhelming support for a duty-of-care framework, with 97.6 per cent backing proactive measures by platforms to prevent harm.

Speaking, the Minister, Bosun Tijani, said the fast-changing digital ecosystem demanded constant adaptation of laws, policies and safeguards to address emerging threats facing children online.

According to him, while social media offers learning and innovation opportunities, children must be protected from harmful content, exploitation and other digital risks.

The minister said: “The debate should focus on implementing age restrictions effectively rather than questioning the need for such safeguards.

” Nigeria can deploy digital identity infrastructure and existing platform verification systems to strengthen enforcement of age-based social media regulations.

“The fact that some people may bypass regulations is not a reason for safeguards not to exist.”

He added that protecting children online required coordinated efforts by government, parents, digital platforms and other stakeholders.

Also, the NDPC National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji, warned that children faced increasing threats across digital platforms and online environments.

He identified cyberbullying, cyberstalking, harmful content exposure and mental health concerns as some of the major risks confronting children online.

Olatunji said internet access remained essential for education and development but must be balanced with effective safeguards protecting children from harm.

He described child online safety as a shared responsibility involving government agencies, parents, schools, communities and digital platform operators.

According to him, any changes to age-related regulations should follow broad stakeholder consultations and established legislative processes.

Participants called for stronger digital literacy programmes, improved age-verification systems, enhanced parental guidance and greater accountability from digital platforms.

Veteran actor James Handy, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, was fatally stabbed at his home in Tarzana, California, on Wednesday, June 3.

According to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Handy, 81, was discovered in the front yard of his residence suffering from a stab wound to the chest. He was transported by paramedics to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police identified Michael Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy’s girlfriend, as the prime suspect. Authorities said Gledhill called 911 to confess to the killing before law enforcement arrived at the scene. In the call, Gledhill reportedly told dispatchers, “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”

Gledhill was arrested and charged with one count of murder. He is being held at Van Nuys Jail with bail set at $2 million. Law enforcement also carried out door-to-door inquiries in the neighbourhood following the incident.

Handy, a native of New York City, had a career spanning decades, with supporting roles in blockbuster films and popular television series. His credits include Jumanji, Arachnophobia, Unbreakable, Logan, NYPD Blue, Rizzoli and Isles, Alias, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Criminal Minds. His final on-screen appearance was in Top Gun: Maverick in 2023.

The LAPD continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing. Neighbours described the area as quiet and were reportedly shocked by the violent incident.

By Kayode Adebiyi

At every FIFA World Cup, one of the eagerly anticipated subjects has been the design of the official football.

From the Telstar at the FIFA 2018 in Russia to the Brazuca at the 2014 edition in Brazil, the official ball has always been a talking point.

Who will forget the famous Jabulani when South Africa hosted the tournament in 2010? It was despised by goalkeepers but loved by attackers, especially Uruguay’s Diego Forlan!

It was at the Qatar tournament in 2022 that the official ball assumed even more curiosity, with Al Rihla becoming the first World Cup ball infused with semi-AI performance functions.

If football enthusiasts think that Al Rihla (meaning the journey in Arabic) impressed with offside technology, life data sharing, etc, then, they are in for a surprise at the performance of the 2026 World Cup ball.

Designed by Adidas, Trionda is a high-tech masterpiece which stakeholders have described as more than just sporting equipment.

During its unveiling, Adidas said Trionda “is a connected piece of engineering designed to handle the unique physics of North American altitudes while celebrating a historic three-nation host union”.

The name was derived from a linguistic blend into the prefix “tri” to represent the three host nations of Canada, Mexico and the U.S. and “onda”, the Spanish word for wave.

Thus, Trionda, or Three Waves, symbolises the fluid unity of the host countries and the three coastline (Atlantic, Pacific and the Gulf) framing the tournament.

Unlike the balls used previously, Trionda has fewer and lighter panels but remains stable with its aerodynamic features.

Its four panels are the fewest ever used on a World Cup match ball. This reduces the number of seams, making the ball’s surface more consistent.

It also features intentionally deep seams that act like the dimples on a golf ball, ensuring stable air drag and a predictable flight path, with a surface embossed with subtle iconography of the three host nations.

However, Trionda’s most mind-blowing feature is that it requires a charging station! A full 90-minute-charged ball runs for up to six hours.

Its motion sensor, suspended at the centre of the ball, tracks every touch, kick and deflection in real-time, sending data 500 times per second to the VAR centre!

FIFA said the technology allows for Semi-Automated Offside Technology, identifying the exact point of kick with millisecond precision to resolve tight offside calls in seconds rather than minutes.

Trionda also has some symbolic and aesthetic features, such as each host country having its unique ball colour; Canada (red), Mexico (green) and the U.S. (blue).

It is also made entirely with water-based glues and inks for sustainability, featuring a maple leaf, golden eagle and five-pointed star.

Finished with gold embellishments that pay homage to the FIFA World Cup Trophy itself, Adidas said it is their most visually playful ball yet, designed with both infield and broadcast visual considerations. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

KIA/JPE

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