Category: PM News

English singer, Lola Young has cancelled her upcoming shows and performances after collapsing on a stage during a performance.

The incident which occurred in New York on Saturday, drew the attention of her fans towards her mental and physical health.

Lola, however spoke up after the fall, revealing that she was ok. She then announced on Tuesday, that she will be going away for a while.

While apologising to her fans for the inconvenience, Lola explained that they will be given a full refund for their tickets.

‘I’m going away for a while. It pains me to say I have to cancel everything for the foreseeable future. Thank you for all the love and support. I’m so sorry to let anyone down who has bought a ticket to see me, it hurts me more than you know. Obviously you will be entitled to a full refund. I really hope you’ll give me a second chance once I’ve had some time to work on myself and come back stronger. Love you all, Lola x,’ she wrote.

Lola also thanked her fans for their support, assuring them that she is doing ok.

Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, has broken new ground in her international career, becoming the first Nigerian female artist to sell over 10 million units in the United States.

The feat was confirmed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, by Chart Data on X, which announced that her Grammy-winning collaboration with Future and Drake, WAIT FOR U, had officially crossed the 10 million sales mark.

The record places Tems in rare company, further solidifying her influence on the global stage. She has also etched another first, recently becoming the first African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.

Her rise to global stardom began in 2020 after her breakout feature on Wizkid’s Essence, and she has since amassed a string of accolades while embarking on a world tour that spans Africa, South America, and the United States.

For perspective, Wizkid remains the first Nigerian male artist to achieve a similar feat, after Drake’s One Dance hit Diamond certification in 2022.

Ebonyi governor, Francis Nwifuru has said he was shocked over recent insinuations on the social media that he travelled abroad to attend to a health condition.

The rumours of the ill-health of the governor had caused palpable anxiety among some people in the state with many expressing worries over the governor’s wellbeing.

Speaking on Thursday, Nwifuru said he was shocked over the rumours his illness while on a recent official trip abroad.

The Governor spoke during the 65 Independence celebration and 29th year of Ebonyi’s creation in Abakaliki.

He said even his father was perturbed and called him to ask whether all was still well.

Contrary to the rumours, Nwifuru insisted that he was hale and hearty while on the foreign trip.

He attributed the rumours to what he described as the misrepresentation of his meekness to be weakness.

‘We have given people lots of privileges, but do not push a man to the wall.

‘I was, however, encouraged with the fact that if you are not important, no one will talk about you,’ he said.

Nwifuru counseled people especially youths not to take his calm, unique but resolute disposition for granted.

‘This does not mean that we cannot bite but I don’t want us to start biting.

‘When you see a man that is calm, be careful of him.

‘When I recall my rough road to where I am presently, I decide to take things easy,’ he said.

He reeled his administration’s achievements since assuming office in 2023, reiterating his determination to meet all objectives in his people’s charter of needs mantra.

‘Ebonyi has a lot to celebrate at 29 years and I thank our former governors and leaders of the state for keeping the state together since 1996,’ he said.

Former Governors of the state, Sen. Sam Egwu and Chief Martin Elechi in their remarks, thanked Nwifuru for effectively steering the state’s affairs in the people’s benefit.

The state All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha among other stakeholders also congratulated the governor, while pledging their unalloyed support to his administration.

The governor inspected a guard of honour to mark the celebration, presented staff of offices to new traditional rulers in the state among other engagements.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over the state of Nigeria as the country marks its 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a statement shared on social media, Atiku described the current situation as ‘tragic,’ highlighting widespread hunger, insecurity, and the plight of millions of Nigerians displaced within their own country.

‘Atiku noted that in a nation blessed with immense human and material resources, millions have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland,’ the statement read.

He criticised the current administration, saying it has ‘abandoned its people,’ leaving citizens vulnerable to starvation and violence from bandits and armed groups.

The former presidential candidate emphasised the power of democracy, reminding Nigerians that the ballot box remains a tool for change.

‘Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people,’ he said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s 65-year journey, Atiku described the country as a ‘giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay,’ attributing the nation’s slow progress to decades of poor leadership and mismanagement.

He nevertheless expressed optimism that with responsible governance, Nigeria could recover and reclaim its position among the leading nations of the world.

Concluding his message, Atiku extended Independence Day greetings to all Nigerians, wishing them a day of reflection and celebration despite the challenges.

‘We suspended the action in good faith to respect government. But the moment we detect any foul play or gimmicks, we will return to the trenches immediately,’ the President of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo said on Thursday while confirming the suspension of industrial action declared by the union of alleged sack of its members by Dangote Refinery.

He added that the union will resume strike action if Dangote Group defaults on the agreement it reached with it for suspending the industrial action.

Osifo stated this during a news conference at the end of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, on Wednesday to assess government’s intervention in the prolonged industrial dispute.

The strike was initially triggered by the reported mass sack of more than 800 Nigerian workers by Dangote Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Limited after they voluntarily subscribed to join PENGASSAN.

Osifo described the dismissals as an attack on workers’ constitutional rights and a violation of Nigeria’s obligations under International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions protecting freedom of association.

‘Let it be known clearly that if there is any slip or breach in implementing this agreement, we shall immediately resume our suspended nationwide industrial action,’ Osifo warned.

He said NEC decided to suspend the strike out of respect for institutions, in spite of serious concerns over loopholes in the government-brokered agreement reached with Dangote management.

‘Even with our doubts about Dangote’s sincerity, we have chosen the moral high ground. Nigerians must see PENGASSAN as patriotic, law-abiding and committed to sustaining national economic stability,’ he stated.

Osifo said the union’s main demand was full reinstatement of the affected workers, but government instead opted for redeployment within related companies owned by the Dangote Group.

‘Our position was simple: bring them back to their original jobs. Government proposed a middle ground instead, and that remains our greatest reservation with the settlement,’ Osifo explained.

He added that the union accepted the compromise reluctantly, noting that the most important thing now was to get the affected workers back to earning and feeding their families.

However, Osifo made it clear that PENGASSAN would not be misled by unfulfilled promises or prolonged delays.

‘We will not wait endlessly if nothing happens.

The Dangote/PENGASSAN Agreement

The Federal Government had in an earlier statement indicated that PENGASSAN had agreed to suspend its two days strike action against Dangote Refinery.

This followed a two-day meeting, held on Monday and Tuesday between the Federal Government, PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery.

The agreement for calling off the strike stipulates three key positions: Dangote Group would immediately start the reabsorption of sacked workers, and PENGASSAN would suspend the strike and end workers’ victimisation.

‘Reabsorption of Workers: The Dangote Group management will immediately start the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay,’ the communique read.

‘No Victimisation: Both sides agreed that ‘no worker will be victimised arising from their role in the impasse.’

PENGASSAN had while announcing the strike on Sunday directed its members to cut gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery.

Kogi State has been thrown into mourning after a tragic boat mishap on the River Niger claimed no fewer than 20 lives.

The ill-fated boat, packed with traders and community members from Onugwa in Ibaji Local Government Area, was heading to Ilushi Market in Edo State on Tuesday evening when it capsized midway.

Eyewitnesses said the passengers were travelling for the October 1 celebration and market day when the boat, overloaded with people and goods, went under.

Local farmer James Otoga, who witnessed the tragedy, said only five people were rescued alive. ‘So far, 20 bodies have been recovered, but more of our people are still trapped in the river,’ he said, his voice breaking.

Confirming the disaster, Ibaji council chairman Hon. Ugeh Emmanuel described it as ‘the most disastrous accident in the history of the local government.’

‘As I speak to you, nobody can say the exact number of casualties. We don’t even know how many boarded the boat. It happened around 4:30pm, and most of the victims were on their way for the October 1st celebration,’ he said.

The state government, through Commissioner for Information Kingsley Fanwo, called the tragedy ‘unfortunate’ and confirmed the rising death toll.

Governor Usman Ododo, in a condolence message, directed emergency agencies to support the victims’ families and promised tighter waterway safety measures in collaboration with federal authorities.

He also urged riverine communities to prioritise safety by avoiding overloading and always using life jackets.

Boat accidents have become a grim trend in Kogi and other riverine states. Last December, 19 passengers died when another overloaded wooden boat capsized on the River Niger while heading to Kacha Market in Niger State.

For the families of Ibaji, however, this latest tragedy has brought October 1 not as a day of celebration, but of tears.

The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has unveiled a bold initiative aimed at ending the recurring tragedy of building collapses in the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Badagry and Ese-Ofin, Engr. Olayinka Abdul, General Manager of LSMTL, urged artisans, block moulders, concrete mixers, and steel makers to join forces in a pioneering Certified Structural Integrated Programme (CSIP).

‘This alliance between LSMTL and you, the lifeblood of our construction industry, starts now. Without you, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every building is safe, sound, and secure,’ Abdul said.

The CSIP is structured as a comprehensive five-year assessment programme for standing buildings, combining pre-construction, construction, and post-construction monitoring. Artisans are tasked with producing quality materials, while LSMTL ensures certification through rigorous testing.

Abdul, represented by the Director of Admin and Human Resource, Mr Abayomi Adewunmi, emphasised, ‘Every single material used in construction must be certified fit-for-purpose. Many collapses are preventable-they often trace back to weak blocks, substandard concrete, or improperly sized steel. This ends today.’

She said key elements of the programme include mandatory sub-soil investigations before permits are issued, destructive testing of materials during construction, and advanced non-destructive testing post-construction using tools like the Pundit and Profoscope to assess structural integrity without causing damage.

The General Manager further highlighted the broader impact: ‘If a building fails a test, we can trace the failure to its source. Let us be the source of quality, not the source of failure.’

She also announced plans to create a directory of certified artisans and material producers, ensuring builders and developers have access to guaranteed quality services.

Abdul concluded with a powerful call to action: ‘The choice is simple: we can be part of the problem, or we can be the foundation of the solution. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance for a safer, stronger Lagos.’

Also speaking, the Director of Soil and Geotechnics at LSMTL, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stated that ‘Genuine research has shown that materials which have been properly tested and certified for building construction possess a lifespan of at least 70 years and above.’

He further advised that ‘Builders should adopt mechanical innovations in the process of block moulding, as mechanically engineered moulds are far stronger and more durable than manually produced ones.’

Adebayo also emphasized the importance of conducting soil testing on every parcel of land, even those located in proximity, before the commencement of any construction project.

Additionally, the overall Chairman, Lagos State Bricklayers Association (LSBA), Mr Fashina Yusuf Aro, remarked that ‘We all know Lagos State is largely swampy, with predominantly loose soil, and such terrain requires specific materials to ensure solid foundations and stable buildings.’

He encouraged artisans across the construction value chain to collaborate sincerely with bricklayers, noting that bricklayers often face the greatest scrutiny whenever issues arise in building projects or when a collapse occurs.

He further advised that comprehensive material and soil testing should be conducted by LSMTL before bricklayers commence work on any site.

The discussions at the forum centred on the importance of material quality testing, adherence to engineering standards, and the need for continuous capacity development among construction professionals.

The participants reaffirmed their collective commitment to supporting the Lagos State Government’s vision of a resilient, sustainable, and collapse-free built environment.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has stirred heated controversy after accusing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, of having an affair with his ex-wife while they were still married.

In a viral video shared on his Instagram page, the outspoken monarch alleged that his former wife was introduced to him from Canada as part of a grand conspiracy to end his life and destabilize his reign.

‘My things are hidden. None of you can endure what these people have done to me. They packaged a woman for me. I didn’t know her from Canada. It was a setup. She was in my house for over three years, communicating with them and plotting my death,’ Oba Akanbi said.

He further claimed that the woman, who bore a child during their marriage, poisoned him twice and made multiple assassination attempts while secretly working with the Ooni of Ife and his allies.

‘She had a child, whom I don’t even know if he’s my child now. I have to confirm that through DNA,’ the monarch declared.

Oba Akanbi also alleged that after he sent the woman away, the Ooni arranged accommodation for her and the child and was allegedly with her at a hotel.

The monarch concluded by warning that his feud with the Ooni of Ife would ‘never end.’

The South East Good Governance Advocates (SEGGA) has described a social media report that an Abia High Court has sentenced former governor Okezie Ikpeazu to death for embezzling over N5 trillion as false and malicious.

The embezzled fund was purportedly meant for airport and light rail projects, according to the report

But SEGGA, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mark Onukwuwe and Anozie Madu, its coordinator and secretary urged those behind recent social media reports to focus on promoting good governance in Abia instead of peddling rumours.

The group also faulted the names associated with the alleged judgment.

‘For the sake of clarity, it is pertinent to note that there is no judicial officer by the name Emeka Nwogu serving in the Abia State judiciary.

‘This raises significant doubts about the authenticity of the alleged Court Judgment.

‘Furthermore, Nigerian jurisprudence does not classify corruption offenses as capital crimes warranting the death penalty.

‘This purported claim appears to be an egregious fabrication, likely propagated in social media seeking to besmirch the reputation of the esteemed Abia State Judiciary,’ it said.

The group said the report was not only entirely fabricated but also a blatant attempt to distract the public from what it described as failures of the current administration.

‘The people of Abia deserve transparency and accountability, not diversionary tactics,’ they said.

According to Onukwuwe, a simple arithmetic calculation reveals the absurdity of the claims against Ikpeazu.

‘If Abia State were to attract N4 billion monthly, that would amount to N48 billion annually, and N480 billion over 10 years.

‘Where is the evidence to support the claim of N5 trillion embezzlement?

‘This fictitious report is a clear example of reckless journalism and malicious prosecution,’ the group noted.

It urged the public to disregard the false report but demand accountability from their elected officials.

Nigerian singer Qdot has revealed a terrifying encounter with armed robbers who invaded his home in the early hours of Sunday, September 28.

The artiste, best known for hits such as Alagbe, disclosed that he and his official DJ, DJ FAYA, were attacked at about 2:00 a.m. by armed men who carted away all his valuables.

In an Instagram post, Qdot described the incident as the ‘most terrifying experience’ of his life, admitting he feared he would not survive the ordeal.

‘On the 28th of September, around 2:00 a.m., I was robbed at gunpoint in my own home, alongside my official DJ. It was the most terrifying experience of my life. At that moment, I genuinely didn’t know if I would make it out alive. But by the grace and mercy of God, I’m still here,’ he wrote.

Despite losing all his prized possessions, the singer said he remains grateful for life.

‘They took everything valuable I owned, down to the last pin. But they didn’t take my life, and that alone is a blessing I don’t take for granted.’

Qdot admitted he is still traumatised but reassured fans that he is safe and surrounded by love as he begins his healing journey.

He also expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support from his fans and colleagues.

‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the messages, calls, and outpouring of love. Your support means more than words can express. I love you all and I’ll be back, stronger and wiser.’