Category: PM News

With Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hanging in the balance, Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has urged his players to approach their must-win clash against Lesotho with absolute focus.

The match, scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time (6:00 p.m. local time), will take place at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa. It marks matchday nine in the African qualifiers, with Nigeria’s hopes of qualification hanging by a thread.

Chelle, addressing the media at a press conference on Thursday, emphasised the importance of beginning the game with aggression, urgency, and full concentration. ‘We need to start well-start with intensity and be aggressive,’ he said. ‘What we want is to achieve victory. We are 100 per cent focused on this game against Lesotho, who are a good team with a good coach.’

The coach warned of the unpredictability of football, citing factors such as weather conditions, refereeing decisions, and individual errors as potential game-changers. However, he maintained that the team’s mindset must remain fixed on securing all three points. ‘Everybody can’t go to the World Cup. In football, anything can happen. But we must stay focused on what we want to achieve,’ Chelle added.

A draw or loss against Lesotho would virtually end Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 tournament, increasing the pressure on the players to deliver a result. The Super Eagles are currently in camp in South Africa, with key players such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Wilfred Ndidi all expected to feature in Friday’s clash.

Operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the police have rescued Mrs. Ladi Abel, wife of a senior immigration officer, who was abducted along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

The 45-year-old was kidnapped on Monday while heading to the Trade Fair Complex in Ojoo, Lagos, to buy goods.

According to the NIS Public Relations Officer at the Seme Border Command, Isaac Elijah, Mrs. Abel was rescued around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday at No. 47, Ogunleye Street, a swampy area in Ibereko, Badagry.

He explained that the kidnappers escaped moments before security operatives closed in on them, after officers began a coordinated search from house to house in the area.

‘It took the efforts of about 20 immigration officers, 25 police officers, and some good people of the Ibereko community to rescue the victim,’ Elijah said.

‘The DPO of Badagry Police Station, CSP Folajimi Akosile, led the operation that busted the syndicate’s hideout. Unfortunately, none of the suspects was arrested as they fled before we arrived.’

The victim’s husband, CSI Abel Mada, revealed that he had already paid N2.5 million out of the N3 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers before his wife was freed. ‘They were shouting at my wife, so I first sent N500,000 and later N2 million that same evening. They insisted I must complete the balance of N500,000 before they release her.

‘I was still struggling to raise the balance when I got a call that she had been rescued by the police and immigration at Ibereko,’ he said.

Their daughter, Naomi Abel, recounted that her mother was abducted near the Torikoh bus stop in Badagry while travelling in a commercial bus.

‘The kidnappers were operating in two buses. They entered the vehicle, blew a white substance, and made everyone unconscious,’ Naomi said.

‘About 15 people were taken to their hideout in Ibereko. They released victims one by one after collecting ransom. My mother said some of those kidnapped were actually working with the gang.’

She expressed gratitude to the security operatives and members of the Ibereko community for their swift action in rescuing her mother.

Nigerian actress and filmmaker Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju has shared an emotional reflection on her journey through grief and motherhood, revealing that she welcomed her second child just weeks after losing her father.

In a post on Instagram, the award-winning actress described the period as a ‘bittersweet season’ that tested her emotional and physical strength.

‘Having a child and losing my daddy weeks apart was not something I hoped for, neither was I ready for it. But having a child is such a divine, selfless, high calling because another human being literally depends on you for their survival,’ she wrote. Akindoju expressed gratitude to her family, friends, and colleagues who supported her through the challenging phase, describing how they formed her ‘village’ and helped her stay grounded amid grief, career demands, and motherhood.

‘Navigating building a career, grief, and being a new mum, breastfeeding, travelling, and raising a 4-year-old is no joke. It has taken a village. For every member of my village who showed up, visited, helped me rest, carried him so I could work or pump milk – THIS 1st BIRTHDAY IS FOR ALL OF YOU TOO!’ she added. The actress celebrated her son, Adéiyèolú Monoyooritse Chioke Ayanfe, on his first birthday, expressing joy and gratitude for the gift of motherhood.

She also penned a loving note to her husband, celebrity chef OritseGbubemi Fregene (Chef Fregz), describing him as her ‘pillar of support’ and ‘most understanding partner’ who stood by her throughout her journey.

‘I’m also grateful for the most understanding baby – from being on set with me during pregnancy to hopping on planes at just four weeks old. Such a trooper,’ she wrote.

Akindoju and her husband, who got married in September 2018, welcomed their first child in 2021 and their second in 2024.

Hungarian author Laszlo Krasznahorkai has won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature. The literature award was announced by the Nobel Committee at the Swedish Academy on Thursday.

Krasznahorkai best known for his 1985 novel ‘Satantango’ was given the award ‘for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art.’

The writer will receive a 11 million-krona ($1.2 million) award, the Swedish Academy said in a statement.

Satantango, a haunting, intricately structured novel, portrays a group of destitute people living in a decaying Hungarian village, before the fall of Soviet rule in Hungary. The people are led by Irimiás, a charismatic man long presumed dead, who suddenly returns under mysterious circumstances.

The book was adapted into a seven-hour film by Hungarian director Bela Tarr in 1994, regarded as one of the best arthouse films of all time.

Krasznahorkai’s dystopian works have won numerous prizes, including the 2019 National Book award for translated literature and the 2015 Man Booker International prize. Several of his works, including his novels Satantango and The Melancholy of Resistance, have been adapted into feature films.

Last year’s laureate was South Korean author Han Kang whose ‘intense poetic prose’ engaged with themes of trauma and history, the Academy said. Recent winners include Svetlana Alexievich in 2015 for her novels that criticized political regimes in the Soviet Union and Belarus and author Toni Morrison in 1993 who wrote about difficult circumstances through the lens of American society.

In recent years, the academy has alternated between men and women in awarding the prize, with some notable female laureates including France’s Annie Ernaux, US’s Louise Glueck and Poland’s Olga Tokarczuk.

Annual prizes for achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace were established in the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite, who died in 1896. A prize in economic sciences was added by Sweden’s central bank in 1968.

The 2025 laureates are announced through Oct. 13 in Stockholm, with the exception of the Nobel Peace Prize, whose recipients are selected on Friday by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, former Chief Press Secretary to the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has dismissed claim the staff of the sang a dirge for his former boss on departure.

Rather, Oyekanmi said staff of the commission sang a farewell praise for his Yakubu to show their love to the former chairman at the commission’s headquarters as he was departing.

Oyekanmi, who has left office with Yakubu said this in a statement in Abuja while debunking the narrative by a section of the media describing visible show of appreciation by INEC staff as a ‘funeral song.’

He described the reports as a false, deliberate piece of disinformation conjured by a set of haters masquerading as journalists.

Oyekanmi said it was quite a shame that a news platform would report the direct opposite of an event even when the evidence was clear.

‘The visible show of love and respect displayed by the appreciative INEC staff at the commission’s headquarters yesterday as the departing former INEC Chairman, Yakubu walks to his car is now been intentionally mis-interpreted and misrepresented as a ‘funeral song.

‘This deliberate piece of disinformation can only be conjured by a set of haters masquerading as journalists at Sahara Reporters. But they have failed and will continue to fail,’ he said.

Oyekanmi said that contrary to the misleading report, majority of the INEC Staff openly talked about Yakubu’s transformative policies that had, over the last 10 years, led to senior and junior staff promotions, more allowances and capacity development initiatives.

He said that the INEC Staff members always demonstrated love towards Yakubu at every given opportunity throughout his tenure. ‘Journalism is about facts, accuracy and truthfulness, not a vehicle to be misused by pseudo-journalists to embark on a campaign of calumny against individuals.

‘It is high time the management of Sahara Reporters cautioned persons using its platform to spread lies about individuals, institutions and events, which will be detrimental to the newspaper’s reputation in the long run.

‘Prof. Yakubu’s place in history is assured, no matter the lies being spread by familiar forces,’ he said.

Yakubu on Tuesday bowed out as INEC Chairman and handed over to Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner, as the acting Chairman, pending the appointment of a new chairman.

Yakubu was appointed INEC chairman by former President Muhammadu Buhari on Oct. 21, 2015 and re-appointed in December 2020.

The former INEC Chairman while speaking during the handover ceremony, said that his decision to bow out was to pave way for the appointment of a new chairman.

Yakubu said that his bowing out would also enable the person taking over to quickly settle down to the task of conducting elections and electoral activities.

While Agbamuche-Mbu in her brief remarks commended Yakubu for setting high record during his tenure, some staff members of the commission also sang song to cheer him as he walked to his car after group photography with them.

Earlier on Monday at an event organised by INEC to commemorate the 2025 Customer Service Week, the commission presented Yakubu with an ‘Excellence Service Delivery Award’.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has declared that its 16 years of unbroken governance, spanning 1999 2015 was the glorious era in development and hope in Nigeria.

The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said this while addressing newsmen on the preparations for party’s national convention scheduled to take place from Nov. 15 to Nov.16.

Ologunagba, who is also the Secretary, National convention Publicity Sub-committee, said this was why Nigerians across the board had shown interest in the party’s convention and demonstrated their love and belief in the PDP.

‘Under the PDP rule, our debts were paid. We had double-digit GDP growth. We had inflation contained. We had policies that are invested in people in their human capital development.

‘We had an economy that was number one in Africa and by the time the PDP left government in 2015, we had over a $600 billion economy.

‘Nigeria was then the number one destination for foreign capital investment,’ he said.

‘Nigerians are eager to know what the PDP is doing to put itself together as a party, because they see the party’s vibrancy as the only way to guarantee the sustenance of democracy in the country.

‘The forth coming national elective convention is critical to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria and that explains the enthusiasm, the interest that Nigerians across board have in our party. ‘We had 16 years of unbroken governance by the PDP. Nigerians believe that to be the glorious era in development and hope in this country.

‘Under the PDP rule, our debts were paid. We had double-digit GDP growth. We had inflation contained. We had policies that are invested in people in their human capital development.

‘We had an economy that was number one in Africa and by the time the PDP left government in 2015, we had over a $600 billion economy.

‘Nigeria was then the number one destination for foreign capital investment,’ he said.

Ologunagba said that party members were already keying into the 15 broad-based sub-committees of the convention to make it inclusive and successful.

Fielding questions on the speculations that one of the PDP governors would soon defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress, Ologunagba said that PDP is more than an individual, adding that it can’t affect the convention.

Ologunagba also maintained that the PDP had concluded its Congress in Edo.

He said that the state congress was held on Sept. 27 by a committee that was properly constituted by the party leadership, while the appeal panel was also set up to take care of any concern from the Congress.

He added that perhaps the purported congress was just a public show to justify the pay master of those behind the illegality.

Vigilantes operatives have arrested two suspects, Abayo David and David Bori, both from Itedo-Ijowa, Isanlu, Yagba East LGA of Kogi State allegedly for providing logistics and supplying food to bandits terrorizing their community and environs.

This was confirmed in a Facebook post by the Chief Press Secretary to the Yagba West LGA Chairman, Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday on Wednesday. The suspects were arrested in the early hours of Wednesday at about 4:00 a.m. during a routine patrol conducted by members of the Local Government Hunters and Vigilantes.

The operation marks a crucial breakthrough in the local authorities’ efforts to combat those facilitating and supporting criminal activities within the community.

The timely intervention of the security forces has been hailed as a proactive measure in the fight against banditry and related crimes that have plagued the area. Babarinde Sunday, stated, ‘This arrest is a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against those aiding and abetting insecurity in our communities..

‘We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities and will continue to take decisive action against those who threaten our peace.’

The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to uncover further details about their operations and any potential connections to larger criminal networks.

It was gathered that in addition to the arrest of the two suspects, their parents were summoned to the palace of the Aro of Itedo Ijowa for interrogations by the traditional council.

The National Council of State has given unanimous approval for the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PM News can confirm.

President Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, made the development known in a statement issued from the State House on Thursday, confirming the Council’s unanimous endorsement and highlighting the President’s confidence in Professor Amupitan’s capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Professor Amupitan’s nomination during the council’s meeting on Thursday, following the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who had led the electoral body from 2015 until October 2025. President Tinubu described the nominee as an accomplished academic and legal expert, noting that he is the first individual from Kogi State in the North-Central region to be nominated for the position.

The President also emphasized Amupitan’s non-partisan disposition, describing him as ’eminently qualified and apolitical.’

Members of the Council of State unanimously endorsed the nomination. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State praised Professor Amupitan as ‘a man of integrity and proven professionalism.’

In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward the nominee’s name to the Senate for confirmation. Born on April 25, 1967, Professor Amupitan hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. He currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he is also a Professor of Law.

Additionally, he is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State. An alumnus of the University of Jos, Amupitan holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree obtained in 1987, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the same institution in 1993, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law earned in 2007.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after attending the Nigerian Law School.

His academic career began in 1989, shortly after completing his National Youth Service with the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation.

Over the years, he has held several key positions at the University of Jos, including Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014), Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014), and Head of the Department of Public Law (2006-2008).

Outside academia, Amupitan has contributed significantly to national development through various governance and corporate roles. He has served on the boards of Integrated Dairies Limited, the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and the Council of Legal Education.

He was also a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja, between 1996 and 2004.

A respected scholar and author, Professor Amupitan has written several influential legal texts, including Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008), Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008), Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013), Principles of Company Law (2013), and An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).

Professor Amupitan, who became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014, is married and blessed with four children.

Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) has emerged as a historic figure following his nomination as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

A distinguished legal scholar and reform-driven academic, Amupitan’s career spans over three decades of teaching, research, and legal advocacy. From his humble beginnings in Kogi State to his rise as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, his story is one of intellect, integrity, and quiet revolution in Nigerian law. Here are 23 astonishing facts about the man set to steer Nigeria’s electoral future.

1. Amupitan is the first person from Kogi State ever nominated to lead INEC, breaking a regional precedent in Nigeria’s electoral history.

2. He holds all his degrees-LL.B, LL.M, and Ph.D from the same university, the University of Jos, where he was a Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

3. Amupitan began teaching at age 22 and rose from Assistant Lecturer to full Professor of Law in less than 20 years. 4. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014, joining the elite league of Nigeria’s most distinguished legal minds.

5. He’s an academic who’s also a top legal practitioner, merging the courtroom with the classroom, a rare balance in Nigerian academia.

6. Amupitan has trained and mentored more than 40 postgraduate law scholars, including 13 PhDs, many of whom now teach across Nigeria and beyond.

7. His research has shaped national policy, influencing reforms in electoral law, corporate governance, and privatisation.

8. He’s a walking legal library, with over 50 publications and five major law textbooks studied in universities and used by practising lawyers.

9. He was a double university leader, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Jos and Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council at Joseph Ayo Babalola University. 10. He believes ‘safety and integrity’ are the soul of law, a philosophy reflected in his leadership style and writings. 11. Amupitan once chaired both the Committee of Deans and the Faculty of Law at UNIJOS, guiding two of the university’s most powerful academic organs.

12. His academic rise was meteoric, from lecturer to Reader in 14 years, to Professor by 2008.

14. He started his professional journey in Bauchi, serving at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation during his NYSC year (1988-1989).

15. Amupitan has redefined legal education in northern Nigeria, helping modernise law curricula and supervision standards.

16. He’s a respected voice in the Nigerian Bar Association, where his work on corporate governance earned him national recognition.

17. He’s not just a law professor but a reformer, championing the legal framework for privatisation, petroleum law, and election reform in Nigeria.

18. Amupitan is one of few SANs to have built his entire career in the university system, rather than the courtroom. 19. He’s a homegrown intellectual powerhouse, with every degree and promotion earned within Nigeria-no foreign study, no shortcuts.

20. He was appointed Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in 2023, marking a rare dual leadership between two major institutions.

21. He’s deeply family-oriented, often crediting his wife, Dr (Mrs) Yemisi Amupitan, for his success; together they’re raising four children.

22. At 58, he remains one of Nigeria’s youngest professors to hold the SAN title, combining academic depth with courtroom prestige.

23. He’s from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA, a small Kogi town now on Nigeria’s electoral map thanks to his INEC nomination.

The Nigerian government has released a statement to debunk the poverty report released by the World Bank.

The report which was detailed in the latest economy World Bank report stated that about 139 million Nigerian citizens are currently living in the state of poverty. Sunday Dare, the Special Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, rejected this report, while explaining that the figures must be properly contextualised.

‘While Nigeria values its partnership with the World Bank and appreciates its contributions to policy analysis, the figure quoted must be properly contextualised. It is unrealistic. If converted nominally, that figure equals about $64.5 per month, or nearly N100,000 at today’s exchange rate, well above Nigeria’s new minimum wage of N70,000. Clearly, the measure is an analytical construct, not a direct reflection of local income realities. Poverty assessment under PPP methodology uses historical consumption data (Nigeria’s last major survey was in 2018/19) and often overlooks the informal and subsistence economies that sustain millions of households. The government, therefore, regards the figure as a modelled global estimate, not an empirical representation of conditions in 2025. What truly matters is the trajectory, and Nigeria’s is now one of recovery and inclusive reform,’ the statement reads.