Category: PM News

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to attend the Nigeria-Ethiopia Nutrition Leadership Exchange Forum.

The Forum holds from Oct. 7 to 9.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, his media aide, in a statement on Tuesday, said that on arrival in Addis Ababa, Shettima was received by Amb. Nasir Aminu, Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union.

Also, on hand to receive him were the Minister in the Mission, Mr Nura Aliyu, Senior Counsellor, Mr Onovo Isaac, the Defense Attaché, Wing Commander Gabriel Batubo, and other senior Ethiopian government officials.

Nkwocha said Shettima was invited to the Pearl Exchange Forum by the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Temesgen Tiruneh, who is leading the country’s multi-sectoral approach to boosting nutrition.

Residents of Igbokoda in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday recounted their experience as a Nigerian Air Force aircraft plunged into a swampy area in the community on Monday.

The military aircraft marked NAF931 carrying 25 personnel on routine mission from Benin to Lagos crashed round 11:00 a.m.

The residents who spoke to in separate interviews on Tuesday in Igbokoda recounted hearing a sudden and deafening sound.

They said the loud bang of the crashed aircraft caused a lot of panic in the community with many running in different directions as they misinterpreted the bang to possible war or terrorists attack.

The residents said that most parents ran to their children’s schools to quickly pick them, whiles the incident temporarily crippled commercial activities as shops were closed and streets deserted.

Mr Adesina Alade, a resident said that the loud bang from the crash site caused panic among residents as many were running in different direction for safety.

‘When I heard the loud bang, I was scared, thinking that it was a war or terror attack since we have a Naval Base here.

‘It took long before I could get myself. I believed the loud bang had killed someone which I don’t know of,’ Alade said.

Mrs Mariam Oluyemi, a resident and market woman, said that the loud bang made her quickly closed her shop and rushed down to her children school to bring them home.

‘I closed my shop immediately like other market women too, and the streets were deserted.

‘I managed to get to my children school and by the time I got there, many parents were waiting to pick their children too before we later heard that it was a plane crash,’ she said.

Another resident, Ahmed Ayanwale, said he was sleeping when he heard the loud bang, saying that the it was like a thunder strike because it was raining.

He added that by time he rushed outside, the streets had been deserted as people were indoors due to fear with commercial activities brought to a halt.

‘I later heard it was a plane crash and I rushed down to the crash site to see things for myself,’ he said.

Also, Mrs Modesola Aladeyehun said that the incident disrupted commercial activities in Igbokoda and its environs, saying that after recovering from the initial shock, residents trooped to the crash site.

‘The sight of the crash site was horrible. I cried my heart out yesterday after hearing that 25 souls perished in the crash, I pray to God to cleanse our land,’ Aladeyehun said.

Troops operating in Zamfara State have rescued two people who came under attack by suspected terrorists along the Anka-Gadan Manya Road in Anka Local Government Area of the state.

The troops, serving under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, were on a routine patrol when they encountered armed men reportedly attacking the two victims, who were travelling on a motorcycle.

The soldiers reportedly engaged the attackers, forcing them to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.

The two rescued victims were subsequently taken to safety by the troops.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to curb terrorist and bandit activities and protect communities and travellers in Zamfara and other parts of the North-West.

Security forces have continued to intensify patrols and offensive operations across the region as they seek to disrupt criminal groups and prevent attacks on civilians.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on attaining 25 years in public service.

Tinubu described the milestone as historic, saying it reflected the enduring confidence the Indian people had placed in Modi.

The President conveyed the message in a congratulatory statement personally signed by him on Tuesday in Abuja.

Wednesday, Oct. 7, marks 25 years since Modi assumed office in 2001 as Head of Government and Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Tinubu noted that Modi served Gujarat for more than 12 years before becoming Prime Minister of India in 2014.

He said 25 years of continuous public service represented a significant milestone in any democracy.

He highlighted Modi’s focus on development, infrastructure, digital public goods, financial inclusion and innovation during his years in public office.

The President said Nigeria deeply valued its strategic partnership with India, recalling Modi’s State Visit to Abuja in November 2024.

He noted that Nigeria honoured Modi during the visit with the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.

According to Tinubu, the visit gave fresh impetus to cooperation between Nigeria and India in trade, investment, energy, defence, security, health, education and technology.

‘As fellow democracies and leading voices of the Global South, Nigeria and India share a common commitment to a fairer, more inclusive and representative international order,’ he said.

Tinubu expressed confidence that the bonds of friendship between Nigeria and India would continue to strengthen under Modi’s leadership.

He wished the Indian Prime Minister continued strength and success in serving the people of India.

Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, one of the pilots of the Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, which crashed in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday, died two weeks after exchanging marital vows with Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle in an elaborate wedding ceremony in Abuja.

The couple got married in Abuja on September 19, 2026 Photographs and videos from the ceremony showed the two military officers celebrating their union surrounded by family, friends and colleagues.

The wedding ceremony was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, in Utako, Abuja, with the reception later taking place at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre in Asokoro.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed on Tuesday that all 25 people aboard the aircraft died after it crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers.

Man-Ugwueje was identified as the co-pilot of the ill-fated aircraft. The aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed near the naval base at Igbokoda.

His name appeared alongside those of the other crew members released by the Air Force, including the flight captain, another co-pilot and two aircraft technicians.

Pictures from Man-Ugwueje and Adekunle’s wedding captured the pair in their wedding attire, smiling and posing for photographs during the ceremony.

The crash has drawn nationwide mourning, with President Bola Tinubu declaring three days of national mourning for the military personnel who lost their lives and ordering flags to be flown at half-mast.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the accident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation, while assuring the bereaved families of the Service’s support.

The Air Force has also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor Segun Aina, has explained why the board plans to establish a Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, centre in Canada.

Aina said the decision was mainly to make it easier for Nigerians living in Canada and other parts of North America to take the examination.

He explained that the proposed centre in Ottawa would serve Nigerians who want to write the UTME and gain admission into Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions.

The JAMB registrar made this known in a post on X on Tuesday.

His explanation followed public questions over the decision to establish the centre, which is expected to begin operations from the 2027 UTME.

Aina said the move was not primarily about making money or the number of candidates expected to register for the examination.

According to him, JAMB currently conducts the UTME in about 10 countries as part of efforts to improve access to education.

He also noted that the board conducts examinations in correctional service centres for the same reason.

‘UTME is currently being written in about 10 countries as a service to enhance access to education. We also conduct the exams in correctional service centres for the same reason. So the number of candidates is not the main driving force,’ Aina said.

JAMB had on Monday announced plans to establish a UTME centre in Ottawa, Canada, from 2027.

The board said the centre would provide an opportunity for Nigerians in Canada and other parts of North America to sit for the examination without having to travel to Nigeria.

Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has digitised its registry operations, enabling alumni and other stakeholders to request academic transcripts, English proficiency letters, reference letters and other services online without travelling to the University.

The University’s Public Relations Officer, Ademola Adesoji, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the initiative was part of the institution’s efforts to simplify administrative processes, reduce delays and make its services more accessible to stakeholders, irrespective of their location.

Under the new system, alumni can initiate requests for academic transcripts and other Registry services from anywhere in the world through the university’s dedicated online platform.

The initiative is expected to save alumni the time and cost of travelling to the university, while reducing paperwork and improving the efficiency of registry operations.

Reacting to the development, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, said the initiative was consistent with his administration’s commitment to keeping the university connected to its stakeholders and responding promptly to their needs.

Professor Adebooye said, ‘This is in line with our mission of connecting the University with its stakeholders and responding promptly to their needs. Our alumni remain an important part of the UNIOSUN community, and we must make it possible for them to access legitimate University services conveniently, regardless of where they are.’

The vice-chancellor said the digitisation of the registry was another demonstration of the university’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve service delivery and institutional efficiency.

He added that alumni seeking transcripts and other official documents would no longer need to travel to the university or rely on personal contacts to initiate their requests.

Professor Adebooye said the digital platform would make the registry more responsive and provide alumni with a convenient channel to access essential university services.

He noted that the initiative would particularly benefit alumni living outside Osun State and Nigeria, who could now submit their requests remotely without making a physical trip to the university.

The vice-chancellor urged alumni and other stakeholders to take advantage of the platform and follow the instructions provided for each service.

Requests can be submitted through the university’s online Registry portal: https://transcript.uniosun.edu.ng/

‘The University would continue to expand its digital services as part of its commitment to improving stakeholder experience and strengthening its relationship with its growing alumni community,’ the statement added.

The Global Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on the Federal Government to begin a structured political dialogue with the people of the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group said there was a need for an open and honest discussion between the Federal Government and Ndigbo on political and developmental issues affecting the region.

The call was made in a statement issued on Tuesday by the factional Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and the Acting Secretary-General, Professor Chibuikeya Achoakawa.

Ohanaeze said Ndigbo had the right to know what the Federal Government was offering the South-East before the 2027 elections.

The organisation said the people of the region should not be expected to enter another election based on assumptions, political statements or promises that had not been clearly defined.

It said Ndigbo had important political, economic, infrastructure and constitutional interests that required clear answers from the Federal Government.

Ohanaeze said its demand was not for political favour but for clarity, accountability and meaningful discussions.

The group said the issues that should be discussed include fair political representation, the creation of additional states, rail connectivity, maritime development, economic integration, national reconciliation and the future of the South-East in Nigeria.

It also asked the Federal Government to clearly state its position on the creation of an additional state in the South-East.

According to Ohanaeze, political engagement can only be meaningful when both sides understand what is being offered, what is being requested and what can realistically be achieved.

The organisation maintained that the issue of fair political and administrative representation remained a legitimate national matter that required continued constitutional discussions.

Ohanaeze urged the Federal Government to engage the South-East openly and address the region’s concerns before the 2027 general elections.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has taken fresh shots at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi while defending President Bola Tinubu’s economic record, declaring that ‘facts are stubborn.’

Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made the remarks in separate posts on X while reacting to figures on Nigeria’s public debt and investments in gas infrastructure.

In the first post, he responded to a ranking of African countries by public debt as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product, which placed Nigeria well below several heavily indebted economies.

‘Another stubborn fact for those whose stock in trade is to denigrate Nigeria and the Tinubu presidency and raise baseless alarms about our sovereign debt,’ Onanuga wrote.

‘Our country is not among Africa’s most indebted countries. Unlike the countries listed here, our debt burden is about 35 per cent of our GDP.

‘Kudos to PBAT and the economic team for responsible leadership.’

The IMF’s April 2026 Fiscal Monitor puts Nigeria’s gross public debt at about 35.5 per cent of GDP for 2026.

Onanuga later returned to X after Nairametrics highlighted investments being driven through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund.

The report said the MDGIF had attracted about ?1.6 trillion in investment across 31 projects involving 205 infrastructure assets.

It also highlighted the expansion of compressed natural gas infrastructure as part of efforts to deepen domestic gas utilisation.

Nairametrics separately reported that the fund had supported 31 projects and more than 200 infrastructure assets, with further CNG facilities expected to come on stream before the end of 2026.

Reacting, Onanuga turned the development into a direct attack on Tinubu’s leading political opponents.

‘Facts are stubborn, resilient like the old VW Beetle,’ he wrote.

‘President Tinubu has achieved much, contrary to the jaundiced view of Atiku Abubakar and the underachieving former governor, Peter Obi!’

The remarks come as exchanges between the Presidency and opposition figures intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku and Obi have repeatedly criticised aspects of the Tinubu administration’s economic record, while presidential aides have pushed back by pointing to government reforms and investment figures.

A woman identified as Sumaiya Abubakar, on Tuesday admitted before Federal High Court, to rendering support to members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nasarawa State.

Sumaiya, who was arraigned pleaded guilty to count two of the charge preferred against her by the Federal Government.

The Federal Government filed the charge against Sumaiya, the sole defendant in the case.

Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/418/2026, accused the defendant of terrorism-related offences.

In count two where she pleaded guilty, Sumaiya who hails from Shuwari village, Kukawa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno, was alleged to have committed the offence, sometime in 2024, at Shinge area, Lafiya LGA of Nasarawa State.

She was alleged to have knowingly rendered support to members of the ISWAP by helping to keep arms and ammunition.

The offence, the prosecution said, is contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

When the case was called, M.A. Oladunjoye, who appeared for the Federal Government, informed the court presided over by Justice Salim Ibrahim that the matter was scheduled for Sumaiya’s arraignment.

E.G. Itodo, the defence lawyer, did not object.

When the counts were read to Sumaiya, she pleaded not guilty to count one but pleaded guilty to count two.

Oladunjoye then prayed the court to convict the defendant in the count she had pleaded guilty.

The lawyer then applied to withdraw count one where the defendant pleaded not guilty to.

Itodo did not oppose the application for withdrawal and Justice Ibrahim struck out count one from the charge.

But the judge observed that there was need for the prosecuting counsel to review the facts before the defendant is convicted.

Justice Ibrahim therefore adjourned the matter until Oct. 14 for review of facts on count two which Sumaiya pleaded guilty to.

He equally ordered that the defendant should be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending the next adjourned date.