Category: PM News

A passenger aboard a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi to Lagos died shortly before the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday night.

The incident occurred at about 9:20 p.m., roughly 20 minutes before the flight was due to land.

According to Kenya Airways, the passenger became unresponsive during the flight, prompting the crew to administer first aid and activate emergency procedures.

The aircraft eventually landed in Lagos at about 9:41 p.m., where medical personnel attended to the passenger and confirmed the death.

The identity of the deceased and the medical condition that led to the death have not been disclosed.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority said police have taken over investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the passenger had reportedly been picked up in Madagascar after being denied entry by customs authorities there.

He added that the passenger allegedly became restless during the flight and attempted to gain access to the cockpit.

According to Achimugu, the passenger later tried to open the aircraft’s rear door before being restrained.

He, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions about the cause of death while the police investigation remained ongoing.

Kenya Airways expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and said it was cooperating with the family, aviation regulators and relevant authorities.

The police investigation is expected to establish what happened in the final minutes before the passenger died.

Dar es Salaam. When Simba and Young Africans (Yanga) meet in the Kariakoo Derby on October 10, the spotlight will naturally fall on the players expected to carry the biggest threat.

But while the big names dominate the pre match discussions, the outcome could be decided by players operating outside the main spotlight.

Derbies are rarely won simply on reputation. They can be settled by one unexpected run, a well timed substitution, a moment of individual brilliance or a player finding space where the opponent least expects it.

That makes the so called hidden weapons particularly important as Simba and Yanga prepare for another high stakes encounter at Uhuru Stadium. For Yanga, Clement Mzize stands out as one player capable of changing the game.

Mzize returns to the squad after recovering from injury and will be eager to make an impact at a time when coach Manqoba Mngqithi needs different attacking options.

His ability to operate in different positions gives Mngqithi tactical flexibility. He can play centrally or from the flanks, allowing Yanga to change the direction of their attacks without necessarily altering their overall system.

His pace could be particularly useful against Simba’s defence. If Yanga win possession and quickly exploit space behind the defenders, Mzize’s acceleration could become a major weapon.

He also has a positive history against Simba, something that could give him added confidence in a match where mentality can be just as important as technical ability.

Selemani Mwalimu offers Yanga another option through his running and ability to press from the front. Mwalimu may not be the first name Simba defenders identify as their biggest threat, but that could work in his favour. His movement can force defenders into quick decisions and create openings for Yanga’s other attackers.

His influence could be greater if introduced in the second half. With defenders beginning to tire, his pace could become a significant advantage, allowing him either to attack spaces himself or create opportunities for teammates.

Mudathir Yahya provides a different threat.

The midfielder’s willingness to push forward means Simba cannot concentrate entirely on Yanga’s forwards. His ability to shoot from distance and make late runs into dangerous areas gives Yanga another route to goal.

For Simba, Keletso Makgalwa could be one player capable of disrupting Yanga’s defensive plans. The South African’s pace and experience could prove valuable if coach Steve Barker opts for a quick transition game. Makgalwa can stretch the defence by attacking spaces and forcing Yanga’s defenders to retreat.

Elie Mpanzu is another potential game changer. His physical strength and pace could become increasingly important as the match progresses. Introduced when the Yanga defence is tiring, Mpanzu could inject fresh energy into Simba’s attack and increase pressure in the closing stages.

Neo Maema, meanwhile, could provide the creativity Simba need in a game where chances may be difficult to create.

Tight derbies are often decided by small margins, and one accurate pass can unlock an organised defence. Maema’s ability to create opportunities and deliver the final ball could therefore make him a key figure.

The Kariakoo Derby will still be shaped by established stars, but both teams have players capable of producing something unexpected.

For Yanga, Mzize, Mwalimu and Mudathir could provide the difference, while Simba can look to Makgalwa, Mpanzu and Maema.

Dr Mary Idele, the National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said she has been appointed Director-General of the APC Women Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.

Idele, who disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said the announcement was made by the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, during the pre-inauguration of the Women Mobilisation Directorate.

She said the appointment had placed her at the forefront of the party’s women mobilisation efforts as the APC prepares for the 2027 presidential election and seeks to secure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.

‘As Director-General, I am expected to coordinate and provide strategic direction for the APC’s women-focused campaign structures across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

‘I will also lead efforts to mobilise women voters and party members at the grassroots, strengthen women’s participation in the campaign.

‘I will communicate the administration’s policies, programmes and achievements to women across the country.’

Idele said the Women Presidential Campaign Council under her leadership would engage women’s groups, market associations, professional bodies, community organisations and other grassroots networks in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

She explained that the council would also work to counter misinformation, promote issue-based campaign messages and highlight policies of the administration considered beneficial to women, families and communities.

The APC National Women Leader said she had already been contributing to efforts to strengthen women’s participation in the party and promote greater inclusion of women in political activities.

She said the new assignment would therefore build on the existing women mobilisation structures of the APC and transform them into an effective grassroots campaign network ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‘The initiative is also expected to give women a central role in the APC’s campaign strategy, particularly in voter mobilisation, political sensitisation and community-level engagement,’ Idele said.

She said her emergence as Director-General would further consolidate the APC’s efforts to harness the numerical strength and organisational capacity of women,

She added that the campaign council would work with APC women leaders and stakeholders nationwide to mobilise support for Tinubu, strengthen grassroots party structures and encourage women to actively participate in the electoral process.

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to entrenching sustainable waste management practices in schools across Lagos State through practical knowledge to reduce, reuse, recover and properly manage waste.

The commitment was reiterated at the 2026 Environmental Bees Club Handlers’ Symposium, themed ‘Effective Waste Management Audit for Zero-Waste Schools: Waste Characterisation and Circular Economy.’

Speaking at the symposium, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji emphasised that effective waste management in schools must go beyond maintaining clean surroundings to understanding the nature, quantity and sources of waste generated.

Gaji, represented by the Director Environmental Education Unit, Mrs Monsurat Banire emphasised that effective waste management in schools must go beyond maintaining clean surroundings to understanding the nature, quantity and sources of waste generated.

He explained that audits and characterisation provide schools with the necessary evidence to identify materials that could be reused, recovered, recycled or appropriately disposed noting that such an approach would help schools develop practical and sustainable waste management systems.

According to him, the Environmental Bees Club has continued to serve as an important platform for inculcating sound environmental practices among students, recalling that teachers were exposed to practical urban, school and home gardening activities in 2024, while the 2025 edition focused on composting, waste-to-wealth initiatives and other productive uses of discarded materials.

The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that over 200 schools participated in the Lagos State Government-UNICEF plastic collection competition, through which Lagos State contributed more than one-third of Nigeria’s plastic recycling target.

He urged Environmental Bees Club handlers to transform waste management into an active learning experience for students by using waste audits to teach observation and data collection, waste characterisation to promote classification and analysis, and reuse and recovery initiatives to develop problem-solving skills.

Gaji stressed the importance of making the concept of circular economy practical and relatable to students, encouraging them to look beyond the disposal of waste and consider the value that could still be recovered from materials after their initial use.

‘Our responsibility is not merely to teach students where waste should be disposed of, but to encourage them to ask why the waste was generated in the first place, whether it could have been avoided, and what value can still be recovered from it.’ he said.

He further urged the handlers to take the lessons and knowledge acquired at the symposium back to their respective schools and strengthen environmental education through practical activities that would encourage responsible waste management among students.

The Permanent Secretary commended the facilitators and Environmental Bees Club handlers for their commitment to the programme saying that the vision of achieving zero-waste schools could only be realised through sustained practical learning.

He mentioned that such forum is effective in making responsible environmental decisions and habits that students would carry from their schools into their homes and communities.

He expressed confidence that continued collaboration among the government, schools, teachers and students would strengthen Lagos State’s efforts to promote a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment.

In his Lecture by the guest lecturer, Ambassador Phillips Obuesi, he emphasized that waste characterization is different from waste auditing, stressing the need for school waste handlers to understand where different categories of waste are generated within their schools.

He explained that proper characterization would enable handlers to identify the sources and types of waste generated at various locations, track waste effectively, and develop appropriate strategies for managing them.

Ambassador Obuesi also highlighted the importance of proper management of hazardous waste in schools, stressing that such waste must be handled carefully and, where necessary, appropriate authorities should be contacted for safe evacuation and disposal.

He advocated for waste separation at source, noting that students must be adequately educated on the different types of waste they generate and how to handle them responsibly.

Dar es Salaam. Leading Tanzanian oil marketing company Afroil Investment Limited and SAS Logistics have hailed cyclist Boniface Ngwata after his third-place finish in the 2026 Vodacom Coastal Classic, describing the result as a sign of growing potential in Tanzanian cycling.

Ngwata, who rides for team Matambuu, was the only Tanzanian to finish on the podium in the men’s 109-kilometre race from Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam to Bagamoyo.

He finished behind Ugandan winner Charles Kagimu and Jordan Schleck, in a race that attracted cyclists from Tanzania and several other countries.

The result provided Ngwata with another opportunity to test himself against international competition and further demonstrated the potential of Tanzanian riders when given access to competitive events and sustained support.

For Afroil and SAS Logistics Matambuu, Ngwata’s performance was particularly significant as the companies have been supporting his development as part of their wider commitment to cycling and youth talent.

Afroil Managing Director Hilmy Ahmed said the company was proud of Ngwata’s performance, adding that his result showed Tanzanian cyclists could compete strongly against riders from other countries.

‘Afroil is proud of Boniface Ngwata and what he has achieved. His performance at the Coastal Classic shows that Tanzanian cyclists can compete strongly against riders from other countries when they receive the necessary support and opportunities,’ Ahmed said.

Ngwata’s Coastal Classic podium came shortly after another impressive performance at the Pedal Pursuit Training Race, where he won the men’s Elite and U23 category in 2:45:30.

The 102-kilometre race, organised by the Cycling Association of Tanzania, attracted 59 riders in the men’s category and has emerged as an important platform for identifying and developing local cycling talent.

More than 10 cyclists who have emerged through the program have gone on to represent Tanzania at the World Championships in Rwanda, underlining the importance of competitive grassroots events in developing the sport.

The two firms have also supported Ngwata during the national cycling championships in Dodoma as part of its continued involvement in his development.

Ahmed said the company’s support was not focused solely on individual results but was part of a broader effort to create opportunities for young people through sport.

‘We believe supporting sport is also supporting young people, talent development and communities. Our commitment is to continue working with cyclists such as Ngwata and supporting platforms that give Tanzanian athletes the opportunity to develop and compete at a higher level,’ he said.

Building a stronger cycling pathway

Afroil and SAS Logistics are also working to strengthen the development of cycling talent in Tanzania by supporting riders and exploring ways of creating a more structured pathway for young cyclists.

One of the long-term plans is to contribute to the establishment of a cycling training centre that would identify promising young riders and provide them with structured training and development opportunities.

Ahmed said the objective was to move beyond supporting individual cyclists and help establish a system capable of producing riders who can compete nationally and internationally.

‘The long-term goal is to ensure cycling development is supported by a proper system. We want talented young people to be identified early and given the opportunity to develop their abilities,’ he said.

The initiative will require wider private-sector involvement, with Afroil calling on banks, businesses and other stakeholders to support the development of cycling infrastructure and talent.

The companies believe stronger partnerships between the private sector, cycling authorities and other stakeholders could provide the financial and technical resources needed to build a sustainable development structure for the sport.

Afroil is also among the partners supporting the Nyerere Cycling Tour, which began in Dar es Salaam on October 5 and is scheduled to finish in Butiama on October 14 after covering about 1,500 kilometres.

The tour combines cycling with social initiatives in education, health, environmental conservation and community development, with more than 200 cyclists from Tanzania and other countries taking part.

For Afroil, the involvement reflects its broader commitment to using sport as a platform for community development while supporting athletes beyond individual competitions.

Ngwata’s Coastal Classic podium adds to a growing list of encouraging performances by Tanzanian cyclists and provides another indication of the opportunities available when local talent is backed by corporate partners.

Ahmed said the company would continue supporting Ngwata and other initiatives aimed at strengthening cycling in the country.

‘Afroil remains committed to supporting cycling and the people who are working hard to raise Tanzania’s profile through sport. With continued investment and cooperation among stakeholders, our cyclists can achieve even greater success internationally,’ he said.

A 27-year-old man indentified as Abbas Ibrahim has been arrested over the death of his older brother, Basiru Shuaibu, in a fire incident in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa state.

The suspect, who claimed to be of unsound mind, allegedly jumped into his elder brother’s residence, poured petrol inside his room and set it ablaze, the spokesperson for Jigawa Police Command, SP Lawan Shiisu said in a statement in Dutse on Tuesday.

‘Shuaibu and his wife, suffered serious burns and were subsequently taken by their relatives to a traditional medicine practitioner for treatment.

‘Unfortunately, Shuaibu succumbed to his injuries and died while receiving treatment,’ he said.

The spokesperson added that the case is still being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Dutse.

Shiisu also said that a 20-year-old suspect, was also detained by the police on Oct. 1 after he allegedly stabbed a 25-year-old man over a ?500 balance from the purchase of a mobile phone.

The Commissioner of Police in Jigawa state, Mr Tijjani Murtala, urged members of the public to avoid taking the laws into their hands and promptly report suspicious activities, threats and disputes to the police or other relevant security agencies.

He assured residents of the state of continued commitment of the command to taking firm action against offenders.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has ordered all workers in the FCT Administration, including those in the private sector, to commence an indefinite strike from Wednesday.

The ???????????directive followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, over unresolved labour disputes and policy grievances affecting teachers.

The council Chairman, Mr Knabayi Adalo, disclosed this in a communique issued at the end of an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.

Adalo explained that the industrial action became necessary after the FCT Administration failed to meet the workers’ demands.

He identified one of the demands as the abolition of the vacancy precondition for teachers’ promotions, which he described as the primary cause of career stagnation and demoralisation.

He also demanded the immediate withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to directors in agencies under the Education Secretariat who were beneficiaries of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.

‘There was also the demand for the reconsideration of 2025 eligible teachers to sit for their promotion examination alongside the 2026 batch.

‘The union also demanded the dissolution and reinstatement of the management teams at the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB) and the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB),’ he said.

Adalo expressed dissatisfaction with the position of the FCT Administration in addressing the disputes, describing its response as neither positive, clear nor genuine, and therefore dismissive and unacceptable.

It would be recalled that the Head of the Civil Service, FCTA, Mrs Nancy Nathan, in a letter dated Sept. 29, informed the union that Wike had directed a stay of action over the concerns raised.

Nathan added that the minister further directed that the issues raised should be stepped down forthwith, while the FCT Civil Service Commission should reschedule the 2025 promotion examination for the affected education officers.

She also expressed the minister’s commitment to addressing other outstanding matters.

The labour leader, however, said the response completely ignored the illegal redeployment of senior directors and offered no meaningful solution to the controversial vacancy clause.

‘The council will no longer tolerate the continued dehumanisation of FCT teachers through obnoxious policies alien to the teaching profession,’ Adalo said.

The chairman directed that all schools, hospitals, offices and government establishments across the FCTA remain closed until all the union’s demands are met.

He also directed all affiliate industrial unions in both the public and private sectors to ensure total compliance among their members.

Adalo added that special enforcement committees were being established across sectors to monitor compliance with the strike directive.

He called on all FCT workers to remain resolute and assured them that no individual would face victimisation for participating in the legitimate industrial action.

Arusha. Speaker of the UK House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle has praised Tanzania’s role in parliamentary diplomacy and efforts to strengthen economic development and international cooperation.

Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Arusha, Sir Lindsay described Tanzania as an important economy in East Africa, citing its young population, tourism potential, natural gas resources and expanding electricity generation capacity.

He said stronger trade and economic ties between Tanzania and the United Kingdom could help both countries make better use of their economic potential while building on their longstanding historical relations.

Sir Lindsay also highlighted Tanzania’s progress in women’s political participation, pointing to the country’s election of its first woman President and the representation of women in Parliament.

He said Tanzania’s experience could contribute to wider discussions on increasing women’s participation in political decision-making.

The 153rd IPU Assembly has brought together parliamentarians from across the world in Arusha to discuss issues including parliamentary diplomacy, peace, development and international cooperation.

Institutional Reforms Advocate and President/Founder of SIAF, Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink, has urged members of the Abacha family and the developer engaged under a Joint Venture (JV) Agreement for their property at No. 68, Molade Okoya Thomas Street, off Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, to respect the court process and return to arbitration.

Awosanya, in a statement, said he had followed with growing concern the trajectory of the civil dispute between members of the Abacha family and the developer over the property.

He said the JV arrangement began in 2021, while the developer moved to site in 2022, adding that, from his understanding of the record, the project had faced obstacles from the outset.

According to him, the property carried encumbrances, including years of unpaid land use charge and sitting tenants who resisted eviction.

According to Segalink, the developer absorbed the liabilities, including the cost of clearing all accrued taxes owed by Mrs Mariam Abacha to the Lagos State Government on the land and securing vacant possession, as additional investment and liabilities.

Awosanya said the land had been on sale in the property market for five years before the JV agreement, adding that the landowners also required a premium of N100 million to conclude the agreement.

He alleged that the Abachas marketed the land to Zenith Bank even after the joint venture partner had commenced construction and that the certificate of occupancy was subsequently reported missing.

According to him, the development forced the family to grant the developer power of attorney, which he said the Abachas subsequently obstructed from being registered at the Lagos State Land Bureau.

‘All these intrigues were documented,’ he said.

Awosanya said the land was valued at approximately N400 million at the time of the agreement, which represented the landowners’ contribution.

Since then, he said in his finding, the developer had reportedly invested over N17 billion, a figure he attributed in part to the economic changes that followed the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023.

He added that, by the same estimates, the landowners’ stake in the completed development was worth a projected N9 billion in potential earnings.

Awosanya noted that the matter was before a competent court and that arbitration had been recommended.

He, however, expressed concern over an ex parte order which, according to him, did not disclose material facts to the court and resulted in the appointment of a receiver/manager over the development.

‘Respectfully, I believe the order was made on an incomplete picture and should be set aside,’ he said.

He argued that obtaining such orders without full disclosure was inconsistent with the duty of candour owed to the court and amounted to an abuse of court process.

Awosanya also said earlier efforts to halt work on the site, including through the deployment of security agencies, were found to lack legal basis.

He further expressed concern over what he described as a growing volume of publicity celebrating the ex parte order, saying he would address the issue in the coming week.

He called on all parties to respect the court process, return to the arbitration route and protect the investment, which he said was already delivering substantial value to all sides, including the landowners.

Pensioners in Kaduna have described Governor Uba Sani as a friendly governor who had wiped away members’ tears through prompt payment of their entitlements since he assumed office.

The pensioners, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) said this while announcing that they have endorsed Gov. Uba Sani for a second term on Tuesday.

The pensioners who presented an award to the governor during a courtesy visit on Tuesday, lauded his administration for its interventions in the sector.

The state secretary of NUP, Alhassan Musa, said the administration had released more than N21 billion for outstanding gratuities and death benefits.

Musa said the payment was unprecedented in Kaduna’s history, noting that the previous administration paid slightly above N37 billion over eight years.

He said the amount paid by Sani’s administration within three years represented about 60 per cent of what the previous government paid in eight years.

According to him, pensioners now receive their entitlements promptly, unlike previously when local government pensioners sometimes waited two to three weeks.

‘Sometimes, pensioners receive their entitlements before civil servants get their salaries. This is a welcome development which we really appreciate,’ he said.

Musa assured the governor of the union’s continued support, saying pensioners across the state were fully behind his second-term ambition.

‘Kaduna State pensioners are 100 per cent behind you, sir,’ he said.

Also speaking, the NUP Deputy National Chairman, Abdullahi Onuh, said the union had about 16,000 pensioners in Kaduna State.

Onuh urged the pensioners to support Sani’s re-election, saying their collective votes could contribute significantly to his victory.

He also appealed to other aspirants to reconsider their ambitions in view of the governor’s achievements in pensioners’ welfare.

Responding, Sani said the Kaduna Government respected and valued senior citizens who contributed significantly to the development of the state.

He said every worker would eventually retire, stressing that a functional civil service remained critical to effective governance and development.

‘Without your hard work, all of us sitting here wouldn’t have been here,’ the governor said.

Sani said prompt payment of living pensions would motivate serving workers to remain committed to their duties.

He attributed his administration’s pensioner-friendly disposition to his long-standing advocacy for workers, the underprivileged and vulnerable members of society.

The governor said his administration had earlier increased the pension of permanent secretaries by 200 per cent.

He, however, promised to consider the union’s request for further review of pension entitlements in line with prevailing economic realities.

Sani said he would establish a committee to review monthly pension entitlements and recommend appropriate adjustments.

He said Kaduna’s pension reforms could influence other states to improve retirees’ welfare, adding that many states looked up to Kaduna for policy direction.

The governor also approved the union’s request for a bus for members and promised to allocate land to NUP within Kaduna metropolis.