Category: PM News

A mixture of fear, cautious optimism and normal activity prevailed across parts of Osun State on Friday, hours before residents vote in the governorship election.

While some residents expressed concern over threats of violence, others dismissed fears of trouble and predicted a peaceful election.

A P.M. NEWS tour of the state showed that movement remained free, with markets, shops, motor parks and garages operating normally.

Commercial activities continued without visible disruption, despite the anxiety generated by recent killings and violent incidents in other parts of the state.

However, an Obafemi Awolowo University student studying Medical Rehabilitation described the atmosphere as tense.

‘The atmosphere is tense, particularly because of the threats on the streets. Even my mother warned my brother and me not to go outside,’ she said.

‘When I was coming, some men were saying, ‘Tomorrow will be bloody.’ They said this market would be empty tomorrow.

‘I feel that if people do not vote for the opposition, there will be chaos. But definitely, after the election, there will be peace.’

A market woman, identified as Iya Alata, however, rejected fears that violence would break out in the community.

‘The community is peaceful. There is no problem, as you can see. Tomorrow, there will not be any problem or cause for concern,’ she said.

Her optimism was echoed by a supporter of one of the leading candidates, who dismissed fears of violence and expressed confidence in his candidate’s chances.

‘There is nothing to fear. The election will be peaceful, and we are confident that our candidate will secure 60 per cent of the votes. We know what we want, and we are not murderers either,’ he said.

Other Ile-Ife residents who spoke with P.M. NEWS expressed similar confidence, saying they did not expect the violence recorded elsewhere in Osun to spread to their community.

This comes against the backdrop of several deadly incidents in the state.

Three people were killed in a clash in Ilesa on Monday. Two APC supporters were also killed and two others critically injured in another attack in the town on Tuesday, which police said was suspected to be a reprisal.

P.M. NEWS reported that the victims were attacked as they gathered for the party’s final campaign rally.

In Esa-Oke, one person was killed on Wednesday night, while another victim was hospitalised with gunshot injuries.

Governor Ademola Adeleke subsequently ordered security agencies to intensify surveillance and investigate the attack. P.M. NEWS reported that property was also destroyed during the violence.

Despite the incidents, observations in Ile-Ife showed no mass closure of shops or disruption of public transportation on Friday.

In Osogbo, however, residents crowded motor parks as voters travelled to the communities where they registered.

Visits by PM News showed people arriving from other states, while some Osogbo residents left the state capital for their hometowns ahead of the poll.

One of the travellers, Mrs Mufiyat Kolawole, said she was travelling with her siblings and relatives to Ejigbo to vote.

Kolawole explained that her Permanent Voter Card was registered in Ejigbo and she had been unable to transfer her polling location to Osogbo.

‘We all pray for a peaceful election, and we urge the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a credible process and declare the winner in accordance with the law,’ she said.

She added that she would transfer her registration to Osogbo before the 2027 general elections.

At Okefia Motor Park, Mr Kazeem Abdullazeez said he had been voting in Iwo Local Government Area since 2013.

He said some of his relatives were travelling from Kwara, Oyo and Lagos states to participate in the election, while his brother, who resides in the United Kingdom, was also expected to return to Osun to vote.

Abdullazeez appealed to the candidates and their supporters to accept the outcome and avoid violence, harassment and intimidation.

Another traveller, Mrs Oluwatoyin Adebiyi, said she was returning early to Esa-Oke, where she registered, to avoid transportation difficulties.

‘I registered to vote in my community, and I want to be there early enough to exercise my franchise,’ she said.

‘I believe every voter should make an effort to participate in the election because the outcome will determine the direction of the state for the next four years.’

Beyond the motor parks, residents demanded adequate protection, credible accreditation and freedom from intimidation.

Mrs Beatrice Adeyemi, a retired teacher, urged security agencies to create a safe environment for voters and warned the electorate against selling their votes.

According to her, accepting money in exchange for votes amounts to surrendering the people’s rights and condemning them to four years of poverty and silence.

‘Give us the chance to vote for who we want. Make this election a peaceful, free and fair one,’ she said.

Mr Ademola Fasasi, a banker, also called on security agencies to protect voters during and after the election.

‘The political tension the election is generating is uncalled for. Political actors should not see the election as war but as a call to service. We desire peace,’ he said.

Fasasi urged whoever emerges as governor to prioritise healthcare, education, job creation, accountability and the welfare of residents.

A trader, Oyindamola Alao, expressed concern over reports of vote-buying but urged residents not to allow fear or intimidation to prevent them from voting.

‘It is our civic right as citizens. Let us all come out to vote,’ she said.

Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organisations has asked INEC to ensure that Saturday’s election is free, fair, credible and transparent.

The coalition made the demand at a pre-election news conference in Osogbo themed, ‘2026 Osun State Governorship Election: Demanding Credibility, Peace and Accountability.’

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Uzoma Uchenna of the New Dimension Network for Peace Initiative urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to ensure that all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines were tested and protected against tampering.

Uchenna said trained officials should be available at polling units to resolve technical problems and prevent voters from being disenfranchised by equipment failure.

He also called on Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to ensure that officers deployed for the election remained neutral, professional and non-partisan.

The coalition warned security personnel against intimidating voters or interfering with their choices.

It also asked party agents to observe the process responsibly and refrain from inducement, disruption or unlawful interference.

Uchenna urged voters to monitor the counting of ballots and the upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing portal.

‘The 2026 Osun governorship election is not just about choosing a governor. It is a test of our democracy, our institutions and our collective resolve as a people,’ he said.

Voters across Osun’s 30 local government areas will cast their ballots on Saturday to elect a governor for the next four years.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to disqualify President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from contesting the 2027 presidential election, challenging his eligibility over claims surrounding an NYSC certificate and the name attached to it.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), personally appeared at the court registry on Friday to depose to an affidavit supporting the suit filed against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to a statement by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the action invokes provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act, 2026.

At the centre of the suit is Section 137(1)(j) of the Constitution, which provides that a person is not qualified for election as President if the person has presented a forged certificate to INEC.

Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to determine whether Tinubu and the APC should be disqualified from the 2027 election over their allegation that an NYSC discharge certificate submitted to INEC in connection with the presidential election bears a name different from that of the President.

In his affidavit, Atiku alleged that an NYSC discharge certificate submitted by Tinubu bears the name ‘Tinubu Bola Adekunle’, rather than ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu.’

He further alleged that the certificate was submitted in relation to the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections and questioned whether it was genuinely obtained by the President.

The plaintiffs have also asked INEC to produce Tinubu’s Form CF001 submitted for the 2023 and 2027 elections. Atiku said he had sought certified true copies of the relevant documents from the electoral commission before filing the suit but had not received a response when the court processes were prepared.

Explaining his decision to personally depose to the affidavit, Atiku said the case concerned fundamental constitutional questions and the integrity of the presidency.

‘I came here personally because the issues before the court go to the heart of our Constitution and the integrity of the office of President,’ he said.

Atiku maintained that the dispute should be resolved through evidence and judicial determination rather than political arguments, urging INEC to make the relevant records available and allowing the court to determine the facts.

The former vice president also challenged provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which he and the ADC contend restrict the ability to challenge a presidential candidate’s qualification before an election and limit qualification as a ground for questioning an election.

Their position, according to the statement, is that ordinary legislation cannot override an express constitutional provision and that the Constitution must prevail where there is a conflict between the two.

Atiku argued that the case therefore raises a broader constitutional question over whether legislation can restrict access to a constitutional remedy concerning the qualification of a presidential candidate.

The suit ultimately seeks an order disqualifying Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election if the plaintiffs establish the allegations contained in their case.

Atiku said the matter was not about personalities or political privilege but about applying the same constitutional standards to every person seeking the presidency.

‘Nobody is above the Constitution, not Atiku Abubakar, not Bola Tinubu, and certainly not the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ he said.

He also placed responsibility on INEC to maintain neutrality and produce the relevant electoral records, arguing that Nigerians should know whether candidates seeking the presidency meet the constitutional requirements before they cast their votes.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Edwin Inegedu, SAN, and Joseph Onu Silas, expressed confidence in the case. Silas Onu said the legal team had reviewed the relevant provisions and presented its arguments before the court, adding that it was prepared to respond to the defence once the defendants were served.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians living abroad to move beyond sending remittances and channel more of their capital, expertise, technology and global networks into productive investments in Nigeria.

Tinubu made the call on Friday while declaring open the three-day Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NIDEC) 2026 at the Apollo Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada.

The President, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, described Nigerians in the diaspora as important ambassadors of the country whose achievements across different sectors had demonstrated the talent, resilience and ingenuity of Nigerians.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Thrive Abroad, Invest in Nigeria,’ Tinubu said his administration recognised the economic, intellectual and professional value of the Nigerian diaspora and was committed to creating an environment in which they could contribute more meaningfully to national development.

‘Nigeria sees you. Nigeria values you. Nigeria needs you,’ the President told hundreds of Nigerians and other stakeholders attending the conference.

He urged Nigerians abroad to consider Nigeria a prime investment destination and bring home not only their financial resources, but also knowledge, technology, international experience and business networks.

Tinubu said such contributions would help accelerate economic development and create opportunities for younger Nigerians.

He also encouraged diaspora investors to move away from isolated and personality-driven transactions towards professionally managed investment structures, including investment clubs, sector funds, co-investment vehicles and venture networks.

He advised prospective investors to pool capital, demand audited accounts, insist on sound corporate governance and conduct proper due diligence with credible professional advisers.

The President said the Federal Government, for its part, had a responsibility to provide predictable rules, transparent project pipelines, efficient consular services and stronger safeguards against fraud to encourage greater diaspora participation.

He identified the Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account, Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account and Non-Resident Bank Verification Number as practical measures aimed at making it easier for Nigerians abroad to participate in the domestic financial system.

Tinubu acknowledged the importance of diaspora remittances, which he said continue to support millions of Nigerian households through school fees, medical expenses and small businesses.

However, he argued that remittances should serve as only the starting point for diaspora engagement with Nigeria.

‘Remittances, though invaluable in sustaining millions of Nigerian households, must now become the floor of diaspora engagement rather than its ceiling,’ he said.

To strengthen his investment appeal, the President highlighted economic indicators which he said pointed to improving macroeconomic conditions.

He cited real Gross Domestic Product growth of 3.89 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, manufacturing growth of 3.29 per cent, inflation of 15.91 per cent and foreign reserves of $45.4 billion at the end of 2025.

Tinubu also cited an International Monetary Fund projection of 4.1 per cent economic growth for Nigeria in 2026, while noting that the World Bank had recognised progress in restoring macroeconomic stability and strengthening the country’s external and fiscal position.

He said the government’s reforms included a new tax architecture aimed at simplifying compliance and reducing the burden on low-income earners and small businesses.

The President further disclosed that the Bank of Industry recorded its highest annual financing volume in 2025, disbursing N636 billion to businesses across the country.

He listed ongoing government investments in roads, railways, ports, electricity, digital connectivity, healthcare, housing and agricultural value chains as areas offering opportunities for sustainable investment.

Tinubu also urged the diaspora to maintain unity ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that political competition should not be allowed to undermine Nigeria’s stability.

While commending Nigerians abroad for their contributions to the country’s image and economy, he said the government would continue working to improve the business environment and create opportunities for productive investment.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the conference offered an opportunity to deepen engagement with Nigerians abroad and harness their expertise for faster economic growth.

Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians in the diaspora to see Nigeria not only as their home but also as an investment destination, encouraging them to explore opportunities across sectors.

Tinubu also commended Dabiri-Erewa and the NiDCOM team for organising the first Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference.

The conference attracted some state governors, members of the Federal Executive Council and other senior government officials, alongside Nigerians and stakeholders from the diaspora.

The event marked a renewed push by the Federal Government to transform diaspora engagement from a predominantly remittance-based relationship into a broader partnership centred on investment, knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship and national development.

As Osun State voters prepare to elect their next governor, claims made by leading candidates during a pre-election town hall have come under scrutiny, with available records challenging some of the figures and assertions presented by the contenders.

The town hall, organised by Arise Television in collaboration with the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, brought together five governorship candidates ahead of Saturday’s election.

The candidates used the platform to outline their positions on education, security, infrastructure, governance, public finance and the state’s economy, while also highlighting their records in previous public offices.

Among the prominent contenders were incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Munirudeen Oyebamiji.

A review of official records, government data, legislative documents and other publicly available sources, however, shows that some of the claims made during the debate require clarification, while others do not align with the available evidence.

Adeleke’s Education Claim

Governor Adeleke, while defending his administration’s performance in education, claimed that Osun had dramatically improved its position in national examination rankings.

He said the state had moved from 33rd position to seventh in the country based on its performance in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

However, the available NECO ranking does not support the claim in the manner presented.

The 2024 NECO Internal Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination ranking referenced by the governor was based on the absolute number of candidates who obtained at least five credits, including Mathematics and English.

That is different from ranking states according to the percentage of candidates who achieved the required five credits.

For example, Lagos had 65,296 candidates who met the five-credit requirement and ranked first in the absolute-number ranking. However, only 73.48 per cent of its 88,858 candidates met the requirement, placing the state ninth when ranked by percentage.

Osun recorded 29,101 candidates who achieved the five-credit benchmark out of 41,264 candidates who sat for the examination.

That represented a pass rate of 70.52 per cent, which placed Osun 13th when states were ranked according to the proportion of successful candidates, rather than seventh.

The distinction is significant because a ranking based on the total number of successful candidates can favour states with larger populations and larger numbers of examination candidates.

Adeleke’s State Police Claim

The governor also spoke about state policing, recalling his time in the Senate and claiming that he was responsible for introducing state police legislation.

A review of legislative records shows that Adeleke did indeed make a legislative intervention on community and state policing during his time in the National Assembly, although his role was more specific than the claim suggests.

On February 6, 2018, Adeleke, then representing Osun West Senatorial District, sponsored a motion titled The Need to Post Junior Cadres of the Nigeria Police Force to Their States and Local Government to Enhance Community Policing in Nigeria.

In his presentation, he argued that the disconnect between the police and local communities contributed to security challenges and advocated greater deployment of junior police officers to their states and local governments.

The motion was adopted by the Senate, which resolved to invite the Inspector-General of Police to brief the chamber on how community policing could be implemented.

Adeleke also discussed state policing during his contribution.

However, the broader Senate move towards constitutional backing for state police was not solely his initiative.

Senator Jonah Jang had moved a motion on July 3, 2018, following security concerns in Plateau State, and the Senate subsequently mandated its Constitution Review Committee to begin work towards constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police forces.

The distinction therefore matters: Adeleke sponsored a motion relating to community policing and spoke in support of state policing, but the legislative process for creating state police involved wider Senate action.

Oyebamiji’s Revenue Figures Challenged

APC candidate Bola Munirudeen Oyebamiji also made a number of claims about Osun’s finances, particularly the revenue received by the state under previous APC administrations compared with the Adeleke administration.

Oyebamiji claimed that the APC administrations of Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola received only about N450 billion in federal allocations over 12 years, while Adeleke’s government had received N650 billion in approximately three and a half years.

Available Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) records tell a different story.

A review of the figures shows that the gross allocation to Osun during the 12 years of the Aregbesola and Oyetola administrations amounted to about N466.04 billion.

For the Adeleke administration, the gross allocation over the period reviewed was about N560.83 billion, while the net allocation stood at approximately N396.52 billion.

The figures therefore do not support Oyebamiji’s claim that the APC administrations received only N450 billion if gross allocations are being discussed.

The difference is important because gross allocations and net allocations are not the same. Gross figures represent allocations before deductions and other obligations, while net figures reflect what remains after such deductions.

World Bank Recognition Explained

Oyebamiji also cited World Bank recognition received by Osun under the administration of former Governor Oyetola.

He said the state had been recognised as the ‘best project manager’ by the World Bank and had also been named the best state for improving internally generated revenue.

Available records provide some support for the underlying claims, but not necessarily in the exact form presented by the APC candidate.

Osun did receive recognition for its performance in implementing World Bank-assisted projects.

However, the recognition was not formally titled ‘Best Project Manager’.

In the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP), Osun was recognised as the best-performing state among the participating states, including Niger, Adamawa and Enugu.

The claim concerning internally generated revenue also requires context.

In November 2022, Osun received a ‘TOP Performer Award’ in the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation category under the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme.

The SFTAS programme was supported by the World Bank and designed to strengthen fiscal transparency, accountability, sustainability and domestic revenue mobilisation among participating states.

Osun’s recognition was therefore specifically connected to its performance under the programme’s domestic revenue mobilisation indicators.

It was not an award declaring Osun the state with the highest internally generated revenue in Nigeria.

Indeed, available IGR data show that Osun generated N24.6 billion in 2022 and ranked 16th among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Lagos, for comparison, generated N651.1 billion in the same year.

Claim That Adeleke Held No Executive Council Meeting

Oyebamiji also alleged that Adeleke’s administration had not held a single State Executive Council meeting.

‘I have not seen a single Executive Council meeting,’ he was quoted as saying.

Available records directly contradict the claim.

The Osun State Government documented a State Executive Council meeting chaired by Adeleke on September 15, 2023.

The meeting, described by the government as the maiden sitting of the State Executive Council under the administration, was attended by commissioners and special advisers of cabinet rank.

At the meeting, Adeleke issued directives on performance monitoring and the council agreed to hold weekly meetings on Wednesdays.

Subsequent records also document additional Executive Council meetings.

In October 2023, the council met to consider proposals relating to the 2024 budget and other government matters.

Another meeting was documented in January 2024, while further council meetings took place later that year.

At a meeting in March 2024, for instance, the council approved the appointment of a new Aare of Iree.

The state government also reported another Executive Council meeting in August 2024, where revised information and communications technology policies and other government matters were considered.

Records from September 2025 similarly indicate that Adeleke chaired a State Executive Council meeting at which government policies were reviewed and implementation directives issued.

What the Claims Reveal

The competing claims provide an insight into the issues likely to shape Saturday’s governorship election.

Adeleke is seeking to defend his record after almost four years in office, while Oyebamiji is presenting himself as a candidate with experience in public finance and administration.

For voters, however, the numbers and claims being presented by the candidates require careful examination, particularly where they concern public funds, education performance and government activities.

The election will determine who takes control of Osun State for the next four years, with the outcome likely to shape the state’s political direction ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

With the campaign now reaching its climax, the ability of voters to distinguish between political claims and verifiable records could prove just as important as the promises being made on the campaign trail.

The Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development (IHSD) is set to host its 16th Annual Humanitarian Public Lecture, Graduation and Induction Ceremony on August 22, 2026, in Abuja, with prominent academics, humanitarian experts and development professionals expected to attend.

The event, themed ‘Resilience in Action: Strengthening Ethical Leadership, Inclusivity and Humanitarian Values in Nigeria,’ is expected to provide a platform for discussions on ethical leadership, inclusivity, resilience and the promotion of humanitarian values in Nigeria.

A major highlight of the ceremony will be the keynote address by Professor Uwaoma Kalu Uche, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State.

Professor Uche is expected to bring his wealth of academic and administrative experience to the gathering, with his keynote address providing important perspectives on the need to strengthen ethical leadership, inclusivity and humanitarian values in Nigeria.

Beyond delivering the keynote address, Professor Uche will also be inducted as a Distinguished Humanitarian Fellow during the ceremony.

His participation as both the keynote speaker and one of the personalities to be inducted is expected to make him one of the central figures at the event, while further highlighting the institute’s recognition of his contributions to education, leadership and social development.

Another major attraction of the programme will be the official launch of a new scholarly book titled Materialism and Humanitarianism, authored by Professor of Humanitarianism, Ambassador Prince Francis Origa, PhD.

The book launch is expected to add an intellectual dimension to the gathering, bringing scholars, academics and humanitarian practitioners together to examine issues surrounding materialism and humanitarian principles in contemporary society.

The event is being organised by the Institute for Humanitarian Studies and Social Development in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and CIFAL Nigeria.

The programme will be held under the distinguished chairmanship of His Excellency, Dr. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Dallatun Zazzau, former Governor of Kaduna State.

The ceremony will also feature the graduation of participants who have completed various programmes at the institute, alongside the induction of distinguished personalities into the humanitarian fellowship.

The organisers said the annual gathering is designed to promote knowledge, leadership and humanitarian values while creating a platform for stakeholders to discuss solutions to social and humanitarian challenges confronting Nigeria.

The 16th Annual Humanitarian Public Lecture, Graduation and Induction Ceremony is scheduled for August 22, 2026, at Haris Hotel, Plot 313, Cadastral Zone B03, Wuye, Abuja.

The programme is expected to commence at 10:00 a.m. prompt.

With Professor Uche delivering the keynote address and being inducted as a Distinguished Humanitarian Fellow, alongside the unveiling of Materialism and Humanitarianism, the event is expected to attract significant attention from Nigeria’s academic, humanitarian and development communities.

The Niger State Police Command has detained 147 suspects in a series of operations carried out against suspected thugs and criminal elements in different parts of the state.

The command said the largest of the operations took place in Suleja and surrounding communities, where 139 suspects were arrested following reports of an ‘unlawful assembly and violent rally’.

According to a crime bulletin issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, the police moved in after reports emerged that suspected miscreants had gathered with dangerous weapons and were allegedly attacking and robbing residents.

Following the reports, the Commissioner of Police, Adam Elleman, deployed the Command’s Vigilance, Community Relations and Intelligence Unit, headed by CSP Hassan Gimba, to Suleja on August 4.

The unit subsequently carried out sting operations based on what the police described as ‘actionable intelligence’.

The raids covered several locations identified by the command as criminal blackspots, including Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu and Chaza.

‘During the raid operations, a total number of one hundred and thirty-nine suspects were arrested at different locations mentioned above,’ the statement said.

The suspects were screened after their arrest, with the police alleging that 64 of them were found with suspected cannabis and various weapons.

Items reportedly recovered included scissors, knives, cutlasses and four live cartridges.

The 64 suspects were subsequently brought before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja.

The police said they faced allegations including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, aiding and abetting, harbouring suspected criminals, supplying information to miscreants, causing the disappearance of evidence, mischief and possession of dangerous weapons.

‘All suspects were remanded in correctional centre,’ the command said.

Meanwhile, eight other suspects were arrested in separate raids on suspected criminal hideouts in Minna.

The command said operatives of the surveillance team attached to Tudun-Wada Division raided the Talakawa area of Tunga at about 4:30am on August 11.

Three suspects identified as Ashiru Sirajo, 19, Aminu Mahmud, 17, and Dadi Suleiman, 14, were arrested during the operation.

Police said a search of their residence resulted in the recovery of a long flexible cutlass, two large clubs locally known as ‘gora’ and a shovel.

The operation was subsequently extended to Sauka-Kahuta, where another suspected thug, Jibrin Muhammad, 18, was arrested.

According to the command, Muhammad was allegedly found with two sharp daggers, an ‘ice bunker’, six lighters and suspected cannabis.

In another operation, four suspects were arrested during a raid on suspected criminal hideouts in Maitumbi.

The operation, carried out at about 2:45am on August 9, involved operatives of the Maitumbi Division and local vigilantes.

The suspects were identified as Buhari Aliyu, 25, Shaabal Muhammed, 20, Mubarak Ahmad, 24, and Saifullah Muhammad, 21, all residents of Challenge Junction, Maitumbi.

The police alleged that illicit substances and shisha pots were recovered from them.

‘Investigation is in progress and they will be charged to court immediately after the investigation,’ the command said.

The Niger Police Command said the operations formed part of its wider strategy to disrupt criminal networks, apprehend suspected offenders and strengthen security across the state.

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun said he will constitute an Independent Commission of Inquiry after Saturday’s governorship election to investigate all reported killings and acts of violence connected with the electioneering.

Adeleke said this while addressing a news conference on Friday in Osogbo.

The Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, addressed the news conference on behalf of the governor.

Adeleke said the commission would establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents and recommend appropriate actions to ensure that everyone responsible was brought to justice, regardless of political affiliation, position or influence.

‘The government under my watch wishes to assure the people of Osun State that next Monday, immediately after the election, an Independent Commission of Inquiry will be constituted to investigate all reported killings and acts of violence connected with this election period.

‘The commission will establish the circumstances surrounding these incidents and recommend appropriate actions to ensure that everyone responsible is brought to justice, regardless of political affiliation, position or influence,’ he said.

Adeleke also said his administration would put in place a framework to support and compensate the families of those who lost their lives.

‘The memories of all victims will be appropriately honoured.

‘The election will come and go, but we will remain one people.

‘We owe the dead justice, their families compassion, and the people of Osun a peaceful future.

‘Every life lost is an Osun life. Politics should never cost anyone his or her life, irrespective of political affiliation.

‘May the souls of all those who lost their lives rest in peace,’ the governor said.

The Mountain Top Chorale of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has returned home after emerging Champion of the 2026 World Choir Games in the Spiritual Category of the competition in Sweden.

The Nigerian choir won gold in the Spiritual Category with 87.38 points before emerging champion of the Champions Competition, according to information from the World Choir Games and MFM.

Dr Daniel Olukoya, General Overseer of MFM, celebrated the achievement in a social media post, describing the victory as a glorious moment for Mountain Top Chorale and for Nigeria.

He wrote: ‘A CHAMPION’S SOUND! GOLD FOR MOUNTAIN TOP CHORALE!’

‘What a glorious moment for Mountain Top Chorale of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries!’

Olukoya commended the choristers, conductor, leadership and others whose sacrifice and commitment contributed to the achievement, describing it as a demonstration of discipline, excellence, dedication and teamwork.

According to Olukoya, the achievement has brought honour and pride to Nigeria and the MFM family, while celebrating the choir for raising the country’s flag through its performance on the global stage.

‘This is more than a musical achievement; it is a testament to discipline, excellence, dedication, teamwork and the power of using our gifts to glorify God’.

He added: ‘From Nigeria to the world, Mountain Top Chorale has raised the banner high!’

The MFM choir, conducted by Oluwasegun Okedunmola, represented Nigeria at the 14th World Choir Games, which brought together choirs from different countries for international choral competitions.

The feat further highlights Nigeria’s musical talent and cultural heritage, showcasing the country’s ability to compete successfully and gain recognition at major international cultural events.

The 2026 World Choir Games is the world’s largest international choir competition slated to hold from August 6 to 16 in Helsingborg, Sweden.

It featured over 160 choirs and 8,500 participants from more than 40 countries, including the Champions Competition, where experienced choirs competed at the highest level of international choral singing.

GlowPulse 2.0, the flagship Emotional Intelligence Bootcamp for children aged 8-15, opened on 6 August 2026 with a powerful blend of practical skills, awareness sessions and inspiring real-life stories.

Hosted at Omedel Luxury Hotel, Enugu, the four-day programme is designed to equip young participants with knowledge, confidence and emotional tools that go far beyond the traditional classroom.

Day one set a high standard. Mrs. Ebere Nwafor, Disaster Management Officer and First Aid Trainer with the Nigerian Red Cross, Enugu, led a fully hands-on CPR session that kept the children actively involved. Officials from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) addressed the critical issue of child trafficking, teaching participants how to recognise risks and protect themselves. Professor Theresa Nwagha, CEO of the UNTH Foundation, spoke on cancer awareness, while Hon. Patrick Nwabueze Uburu, Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, guided the children on making informed career choices. The day’s sessions were beautifully moderated by Ambassador and Correct FM Enugu OAP Ophilia Alete (Lolo).

The standout moment belonged to Ambassador Isioma Idika, who travelled from Abakaliki to paint live before the audience. Living with cerebral palsy and unable to use her limbs, Isioma held a brush in her mouth and created striking artwork with speed, accuracy and no preliminary pencil sketches. Her brother stood beside her, cleaning brushes, preparing paints and steadying the canvas, while her family has reshaped their lives to support her gift-running her social media and providing constant encouragement. Her performance delivered a profound message: disability does not erase ability, dreams or potential. With the right support system, extraordinary achievement becomes possible.

The theme of support resonated deeply. Organisers noted that nearly one in six people worldwide experience loneliness, a condition linked by the WHO Commission on Social Connection to an estimated 871,000 deaths annually-roughly 100 every hour-and an impact on premature death comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Lonely individuals are also twice as likely to experience depression. True support, they emphasised, means standing in the gap when others cannot stand for themselves-holding the canvas when hands fail.

Day two, held on 11 August 2026 at Hotel Presidential Enugu (by Amber), focused on leadership, digital responsibility and self-awareness. Mr. Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, Founder of Lead Network Africa and CEO, opened with a compelling address on purposeful leadership. He stressed that true leadership is not defined by titles but by the ability to influence, support and empower others, and that children must never lie to their parents-honesty being a foundational pillar of character and trust.

Mr. Onyedikachi Bernard Asadu (popularly known as The King of Boys) followed with a timely session on digital responsibility. He underscored the need for intentionality and safety online, clearly instructing children never to talk to strangers on digital platforms while upholding strong morals and values.

Coach Uzoamaka Nwachukwu, Co-founder of Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation and COLI Mental Health Academy, guided participants through self-awareness as the cornerstone of emotional intelligence. She helped the children explore their emotions, triggers, strengths, areas for growth, beliefs, values and personal standards. Fun games and structured group activities reinforced teamwork, collaboration and mutual support. The children actively participated, asked thoughtful questions and shared their perspectives throughout.

At GlowPulse, organisers believe that preparing children for the future requires far more than academic knowledge. Emotional awareness, leadership skills and digital responsibility are essential for navigating the world with confidence and integrity. ‘This is precisely what we are building-one meaningful conversation at a time,’ the team stated.

Two days remain. On Tuesday, 18 August 2026, participants will gather at De Angelo Event Centre, Golf Estate, Enugu, for Games, Play Therapy and Resilience. The programme culminates on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, with a Closing and Celebration at The Andover Hotel, Enugu. The final day will also feature a vocational activity alongside teachings on self-regulation, bullying and cyberbullying-equipping the children with practical skills and strategies to manage their emotions, stand up to harmful behaviour and stay safe both offline and online-before the celebrations begin.

GlowPulse 2.0 continues to raise a generation of confident, values-driven young leaders-reminding every child, and every adult watching, that with knowledge, support and opportunity, there is truly no excuse not to reach full potential.

The Renewed Hope Labourers Network (RHOLAN) has faulted the latest United States assessment of Nigeria’s fiscal transparency, saying the report failed to sufficiently account for verifiable reforms and publicly available fiscal information in assessing the country’s financial management.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Director General, John Ali Ude,Esq, the group said the United States Department of State’s 2026 Fiscal Transparency Report should not be treated as a complete assessment of Nigeria’s fiscal performance, as some of its conclusions did not adequately reflect the measures already in place to improve budget disclosure, financial management and public access to fiscal information.

‘The US report, released on Tuesday, said Nigeria failed to meet the minimum requirements for fiscal transparency for the second consecutive year and made no significant progress in improving its financial management in 2025’

RHOLAN, however, said the assessment appeared to give insufficient weight to evidence of reforms and fiscal information already being published by Nigerian institutions.

The report cannot be viewed in isolation from the actual fiscal reforms and information that are publicly available in Nigeria. While there are legitimate areas for improvement, the conclusion that Nigeria made no significant progress does not adequately reflect the reforms, disclosures and institutional measures that have been introduced to strengthen public financial management, Ude said.

The group pointed to the Budget Office of the Federation, which publishes appropriation documents and budget implementation reports, including the second-quarter 2025 budget implementation report released in December.

It also cited the government’s continued use of digital public finance systems, including the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System and the Open Treasury Portal, which the Federal Ministry of Finance has identified as tools for strengthening financial control and transparency.

According to RHOLAN, the US assessment itself acknowledged some of these gains, including Nigeria’s publication of its enacted budget and end of year report online, as well as the availability of information on debt obligations and major state owned enterprise debt.

These are measurable developments that can be independently verified. ‘The fact that the report acknowledges the publication of the enacted budget, end of year report and debt information demonstrates that there are functioning transparency mechanisms within the system,’ the group said.

RHOLAN also drew attention to Nigeria’s participation in the Open Government Partnership, which includes commitments on fiscal transparency, open budgeting, public procurement and citizens’ participation in the budget cycle, noting that the country’s current action plan specifically identifies fiscal transparency and the strengthening of the federal audit framework among its reform priorities.

The group was quick to add, though, that recognising these reforms did not mean Nigeria’s fiscal system was without weaknesses.

‘We are not arguing that Nigeria has achieved perfection in fiscal transparency. There are gaps that must be addressed, particularly around procurement disclosure, audit effectiveness and the timely publication of some fiscal documents. Our concern is that these shortcomings should be assessed alongside the reforms and verifiable progress already recorded,’ Ude said.

The World Bank’s assessment of Nigeria’s wider fiscal-governance reforms has similarly documented improvements in areas including biometric verification of public workers, procurement reforms and debt reporting, although it noted that sustaining these reforms and translating transparency into accountability remained ongoing challenges.

RHOLAN therefore urged the Federal Government to continue strengthening budget implementation reporting, procurement disclosure and audit institutions, while calling on international assessors of Nigeria’s fiscal management to rely on transparent methodologies and evidence that can be independently verified.

‘Fiscal transparency is too important to be reduced to a single verdict. What Nigerians need is continuous improvement, measurable accountability and access to reliable information on how public resources are raised and spent,’ Ude declared.