Category: PM News

A former minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

Obanikoro, in a statement on Wednesday, said the anniversary is a reminder of Nigeria’s remarkable journey as a nation built on sacrifice, resilience and the indomitable spirit of its people.

He recalled that 65 years ago, Nigeria’s founding fathers reclaimed the country’s sovereignty and laid the foundation of nationhood with uncommon courage and conviction.

‘Since then, our country has faced trials that would have broken lesser nations. Yet, Nigerians have consistently shown the capacity to rise above adversity, to endure and to hope.

‘It is this resilience that continues to define us as a people,’ he said.

The former minister noted that Nigeria had sustained 26 years of unbroken democracy, while its diversity and the global excellence of its citizens remained strong pillars of national pride.

‘At 65, we must reflect on how far we have come and reaffirm our collective determination to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

‘Our task is to transform challenges into stepping stones for renewal and to place the prosperity of our people above all else,’ he said.

Obanikoro commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as bold reforms and commitment to repositioning the economy, restoring global confidence and deepening hope among citizens.

‘While the path of renewal is never easy, I am confident that under his leadership, Nigeria is poised to reclaim her rightful place as the giant of Africa and a beacon of black excellence in the world,’ he added.

He urged Nigerians to embrace unity and shared responsibility in building the nation, stressing that tribe, faith or creed should not divide the people.

‘Our unity, resilience and shared optimism remain our greatest assets in the march to greatness.

‘May the almighty continue to guide our leaders, bless our people and preserve our nation for generations to come,’ Obanikoro said.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) pulled off a dramatic 2-1 away victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring in the 90th minute to silence the Camp Nou.

The game, overseen by English referee Michael Oliver, was a gripping contest that swung from Barcelona’s early dominance to PSG’s late heroics.

Barcelona struck first in the 19th minute when Marcus Rashford slipped a neat pass to Ferran Torres, who finished low into the corner to give Hansi Flick’s side the lead.

The Catalans looked in control for much of the first half, with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo creating chances, though wasteful finishing denied them a second goal.

PSG clawed back into the game in the 38th minute. Nuno Mendes carved open Barcelona’s defence with a clever through ball, releasing Senny Mayulu, who calmly slotted into the right side of the net to level the tie.

The second half saw end-to-end action. Barcelona pushed forward through Yamal, who narrowly missed the target in the 80th minute, while PSG’s Kang-In Lee rattled the post in the 83rd, as both sides hunted for a winner.

The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. Achraf Hakimi surged forward and found Ramos inside the box, the Portuguese forward coolly driving a low shot past Wojciech Szczesny to complete PSG’s comeback.

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence from British colonial rule, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to deliver a national address on Wednesday, October 1, at 7 a.m.

The broadcast by Tinubu is expected to offer a moment of reflection on the nation’s journey and its pressing challenges.

The broadcast, to be aired across all television, radio stations, and electronic media via the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, comes as the Federal Government declares the day a public holiday, underscoring a commitment to unity despite economic hardships and security concerns.

In a statement released late Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, announced the address, urging media outlets to join the nationwide network.

‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will broadcast to the nation on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 7 a.m., in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary,’ Onanuga stated, emphasizing the event’s role in fostering national pride.

The announcement arrives amid a scaled-back celebration. The Federal Government has canceled the traditional Independence Day military parade scheduled for the Eagle Square in Abuja, citing unspecified reasons but affirming that the decision ‘is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary.’

A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, signed by Director of Information Segun Imohiosen, added, ‘The government remains committed to celebrating Nigeria’s 65th year of independence with dignity and enthusiasm. Accordingly, all other programmes slated for the Independence Anniversary will remain in effect.’

This year’s theme, ‘Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,’ was unveiled earlier last week by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

It calls for collective action to support President Tinubu’s reform agenda, including economic stabilization and infrastructure development.

Celebrations kicked off on September 26 with Juma’at prayers and inter-denominational church services, followed by a world press conference on September 29.

Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a separate statement, felicitated with Nigerians, urging them to ‘continue to uphold the patriotic spirit, unity, and resilience that have sustained the nation since independence in 1960’ and to keep faith in the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of Tinubu’s administration.

Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960, marked the end of over a century of British rule, birthing a federation rich in diversity but plagued by ethnic tensions, military coups, and a devastating civil war from 1967 to 1970.

At 65, the country grapples with soaring inflation, naira depreciation, and insecurity in the north, where banditry and insurgency have displaced millions.

Tinubu’s address is anticipated to touch on these issues, building on last year’s speech where he pleaded for ‘patience’ amid reforms like fuel subsidy removal, which spiked living costs but, he argued, laid groundwork for sustainable growth.

The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, has called on Lagosians, particularly traditional rulers, to preserve the state’s cultural heritage and historical records for the benefit of future generations.

The charge was made on Tuesday at an event to mark the 2025 International Archives Day with the theme ‘A Greater Lagos Rising: Preserving Our Past, Inspiring Our Future’, organized by the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) at Magodo, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, LASRAB Director-General, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana, stressed that archives are not just documents but ‘living testaments of identity’ that safeguard history, culture, and government accountability.

‘This occasion is not only a global call to recognize the world of archives and to shape our society but also a moment for us in Lagos State to reflect on our history, our journey, and heritage. Our records are not only a job for archivists; it is for every one of us. When we are able to preserve our records, the future generations will meet them,’ she said.

Ogunlana revealed that the Bureau recently published a book to make Lagos history more accessible to the public, while praising archivists as ‘protectors of our heritage’ who ensure voices from the past are not lost.

In his goodwill message, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, the Oniru of Iruland, lauded the DG for repositioning LASRAB over the past two years. ‘LASRAB is always in the news, and the International Archives Day is a day I reckon with. A lot must be done to promote it,’ he said.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro, described the Bureau as ‘a compass to the future we are building,’ noting that archives play a vital role in accountability and governance.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, emphasized that LASRAB was established to counter false narratives about Lagos’ history. He argued that the notion of Lagos being ‘no man’s land’ can only be corrected by preserving and showcasing its cultural and historical heritage.

Dignitaries at the event included members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Governor’s Advisory Council, traditional rulers, and cultural leaders such as the Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, HRM Abiola Dosunmu, alongside White Cap Chiefs.

The International Archives Day, celebrated annually on September 30, is a global initiative to promote the preservation of archives, culture, and heritage.

The ongoing industrial row between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has led to a significant shortfall in gas supply.

This is according to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) which says this has led to the slashing off of the country’s power generation by more than 1,100 megawatts.

NISO is a critical division within the country’s power sector, responsible for managing and coordinating the operations of the national electricity grid.

According to a statement released by NISO on Tuesday, total generation on the National Grid dropped sharply from over 4,300MW in the early hours of Sunday, 28 September 2025, to just 3,200MW at its lowest point, raising serious concerns of a potential nationwide blackout.

‘These disruptions triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation and putting immense pressure on the grid,’ the statement said.

NISO said to stabilise the grid, it swiftly deployed emergency interventions, including ramping up output from Nigeria’s major hydropower stations, which contributed over 400MW to offset the shortfall from gas-fired plants.

According to the Operator, it took more measures which included: Real-time load adjustments to match generation with demand, frequency and voltage control to maintain system integrity, and selective load shedding, applied as a last resort to avoid a total system collapse.

‘These timely actions enabled the NISO National Control Centre (NCC) to minimise the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages and preserve power supply to critical infrastructure,’ the statement said.

Despite the crisis, NISO reaffirmed its commitment to ‘proactive grid management and operational excellence,’ pledging to uphold secure, stable electricity delivery across the country.

The power supply crisis follows a nationwide strike declared by PENGASSAN in protest over the reported dismissal of over 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The union ordered all members across companies, institutions, and agencies to withdraw services from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, 29 September, with field workers instructed to begin a round-the-clock prayer vigil starting Sunday morning.

The fallout has effectively paralysed operations in key oil and gas institutions, severely impacting gas distribution and regulatory oversight across the sector.

Attempts by the Federal Government to broker peace on Monday ended in a deadlock, with no resolution reached after extended dialogue sessions.

A 27-year-old carpenter identified as Toheeb Ahmed has been arrested for allegedly hacking his grandmother to death in Aiyegbami Street, Ore town, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State

The tragic incident which occurred on Tuesday threw residents of the community into panic.

An eyewitness and neighbour of the victim who preferred anonymity, said that what transpired between the suspect and the grandmother who has been living quietly in her residence, could not be ascertained.

‘The movement of suspect was suspicious and out of curiosity, I went to mama’s room while he was away and discovered she had been hacked to death.

‘When he returned, I noticed he was carrying a cutlass and was accompanied by a friend, probably to move the corpse, that was when I raised the alarm,’ the neighbour said.

Meanwhile, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who confirmed the incident to NAN said that the suspect has been arrested and in police custody.

He said that investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure justice.

‘Yes, I can confirm the incident. The suspect is in our custody and investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surround the incident for justice to take it’s course,’ Ayanlade said.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has threatened drag a company, Winhomes Global Services Ltd. to the EFCC over claims that Nigerians in the Diaspora invested $250 million in its estate affected by the realignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Umahi who made the threat during inspection of the highway on Monday also said he doubted the claim of Winhomes that it bought 12 hectares of land in the area for N50 million.

‘Winhoomes says it bought 12 hectares of land in 2022 for the sum of N50 million.

.

‘ I don’t know if the villagers have been terribly cheated, if the purchase went through the normal process for you to buy 12 hectares of land for N50 million in 2022 with all this development all around the place.

‘What we have done here, in passing the coastal highway, is that not more than four hectares have been taken; so, you still have eight hectares left,’ Umahi said.

He said that it was the Lagos State Government that had legal right over the land.

‘Our own is for Lagos State Government to give us the right of way where we need; so, it has revoked it, it has gazetted it. The matter has gone beyond the Federal Ministry of Works.’

He noted that Winhomes had taken the ministry to court over the matter.

‘The court has ruled that we are right.

‘Let me make it very clear that I never invited Win Homes for any negotiation, I never called it for any meeting. The matter is closed in court.

‘ I am going to be writing to EFCC to investigate; the woman (Winhomes chief executive officer) claimed that there was no MTN cable passing through the coastline that made us to divert.

‘We have the letters,’ he said.

The minister said that passing the road through the coastline would be more profitable for the ministry but it would mean destroying over 8,000 property.

‘The president directed me not to cut any cable of MTN or True Africa Network in the interest of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

He emphasised that Winhomes claimed that USD250 million was invested in Winhomes Estates located at Okun Ajah Town, Off Orchid Hotel Road in Lagos State.

‘Before infrastructure is developed in Lagos State, there must be proof of that – they have to stamp it.

‘Where are those approvals?

‘ Also, remittance from diaspora carries evidence through CBN. How did it pass?

‘Who and who paid this money? Can they publish those who paid and how much they paid?

‘If you are talking about 250 million U.S. dollars and we can’t locate where it is, we can’t locate those who paid it, we can’t locate the means by which they paid it, then, it is a fraud, to me.’

He demanded an apology from Winhomes within seven days if it would fail to provide relevant documents to support its claims.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its resolve to reposition micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the foundation of Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Fasua, gave the assurance at the 6th Annual Lecture of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) held in Abuja on Thursday.

Shettima noted that MSMEs account for more than 80 percent of national employment and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP, making them central to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘MSMEs are not peripheral actors; they are the lifeblood of our economy. As government provides policy clarity and enabling infrastructure, institutions such as DBN are vital in turning vision into action,’ he said.

The Vice President highlighted key reform measures of the administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies, foreign exchange unification, infrastructure renewal, human capital investment, and stronger global engagement-all designed to stimulate enterprise, attract investment, and widen opportunities for small businesses.

DBN Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Tony Okpanachi, described the bank as more than a financier. He said DBN had become ‘a convener of ideas, a builder of capacity, and a partner in national transformation,’ stressing that Nigerian entrepreneurs can rise stronger with access to finance, knowledge, and enabling policies.

SMEDAN Director-General, Charles Odii, announced fresh strategies to boost the global competitiveness of Nigerian SMEs. These include regulatory reforms to ease exports, shared infrastructure such as garment hubs, financial and non-financial support for expansion, and innovative logistics partnerships.

‘These small but significant steps are designed to make our SMEs not only visible globally but also competitive,’ Odii said, noting Nigeria’s recent ‘Best Pavilion’ award at the International Africa Trade Fair as evidence of growing potential.

Keynote speaker, Kenyan entrepreneur Flora Mutahi, urged African businesses to scale deliberately as a way to address youth unemployment across the continent. With 10-12 million youths entering the labour market annually but only 3-4 million formal jobs available, she said entrepreneurship must be backed by resilience and determination.

At the end of the session, stakeholders, including policymakers, financiers, and entrepreneurs, agreed that the success of Nigeria’s economy is inseparably tied to the growth and sustainability of its MSMEs.

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arraigned controversial Nigerian activist and politician Omoyele Sowore to Court.

The politician was arraigned to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, after making an alleged offending post against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sowore is being accused of making false posts about the President to cause a breakdown of law and order in the country.

‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!,’ he wrote on X.

The prosecution claims that the post is contrary to Section 24(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024.

Sowore, however at the time of this report has over 20 lawyers representing him in the trial.

US President Donald Trump has set a strict three-to-four-day deadline for Hamas to respond to his 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the 23-month war in Gaza.

Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, Trump said all other parties including Israel and Arab nations, have signed on, leaving Hamas as the last obstacle.

Trump warned that if Hamas rejects the proposal, ‘it’s going to be a very sad end,’ and pledged full US backing for Israel to act as it sees fit, without specifying the measures. ‘With Hamas, it’s very simple,’ he added. ‘We want the hostages back immediately and we want some good behaviour.’

The plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of hostages within 72 hours of an agreement, and a phased Israeli troop withdrawal. It also demands Hamas disarm-an element the group has previously rejected without guarantees of Palestinian statehood.

Qatar, which hosts the Hamas political bureau, said the group is studying the proposal responsibly, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apology for a recent strike on Qatari soil. Netanyahu, who supports the plan, has insisted Israeli forces will remain in most of Gaza.

The US-backed initiative faces internal challenges. Key Israeli ministers, including far-right hardliner Bezalel Smotrich, have criticised it, calling the plan a ‘resounding diplomatic failure.’ Meanwhile, Palestinians in the West Bank have urged action, highlighting the urgency of the conflict.