Category: PM News

The Lagos State Government has disbursed a total of ?533,700,724.73 as insurance benefits to the families of 131 deceased public servants, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of workers even after death.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony held at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Rural Development, Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner, Bolaji Kayode Robert, said the gesture was a demonstration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s compassion for families of late employees who served the state diligently.

According to Robert, 80 deceased staff from the Local Government Service received ?288,753,779.40, while 51 deceased SUBEB employees’ families got ?245,946,945.20, bringing the total sum to over ?533.7 million. He described the disbursement as both a symbolic and humane gesture to honour those who died in active service, urging beneficiaries to use the funds wisely in sustaining their families’ welfare and preserving their loved ones’ legacies.

‘This initiative reflects our appreciation for the selfless service of our late heroes. It also assures their families that Lagos State stands with them in their moment of loss,’ he said.

Robert further advised serving officers to take advantage of the state’s health insurance and wellness programmes to ensure long, productive service. Representing the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Chairman, Mrs. Taibat Olusola Olona, Director of Pensions, said the insurance support was designed to ease the financial strain on bereaved families, urging them to process their pension entitlements without delay. Also speaking, Mr. Muyiwa Anwoju, representing the Managing Director of LASACO Assurance Plc., revealed that the company has disbursed over ?4 billion to families of deceased state employees since 2017, underscoring the administration’s long-term dedication to workers’ welfare. Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government and Conference 57, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for ensuring prompt payment of death benefits, citing the swift settlement of claims for four recently deceased female councillors just three months after their passing.

He lauded the collaboration between LASACO Assurance Plc., Haggai Assurance Plc., and the Ministry for sustaining the initiative, while advising families to manage their benefits prudently.

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Emiola Folorunsho Dauda expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for providing relief and hope at a difficult time.

The insurance payout is part of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s broader policy to prioritise workers’ welfare and ensure no family of a deceased employee is left unsupported.

The Police Command in Niger says it has arrested four suspects for criminal conspiracy and theft of motorcycles in Minna.

This is contained in a statement by the command`s Public Relations officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on Thursday in Minna. Abiodun explained that on Oct. 3, at about 9 pm, a direct complaint was received that Michael Isah, 23 years of BYJ area of Kwamba, ran away with his friend’s TBS motorcycle.

He explained further that the motorcycle’s registration. number is ABJ 402 MV valued over N1 million.

‘On receipt of this, Police operatives of Maje division swung into action and were on the lookout for the suspect with the motorcycle. Fortunately, on Oct. 4, at about 11:30 am, the said motorcycle was found with Abubakar Mutawakil of Kwamba, making efforts to get a buyer for the motorcycle. He was immediately arrested, and he confessed to the crime. He also led the operatives to arrest Michael Isah, who gave him the motorcycle for disposal,’ he said. In a related development, on Oct. 2, at about 4:30 pm, Police operatives of ‘A’ Division, Bida, intercepted and arrested Adamu Mohammed, 23 years of Masaba area of Bida. He was arrested with a TVS motorcycle bearing Reg. No. GWA 346 VZ suspected of being a stolen motorcycle.

‘During interrogation, he confessed that he stole the motorcycle from Ndasako village of Wushishi Local Government Area. The owner of the motorcycle was later contacted and confirmed the theft, while the suspect was charged to court for prosecution, ‘he said.

Similarly, on the same date, at about 8 am, Police operatives attached to Katcha Division also arrested Abubakar Mohammed, of Gudungu village via Agaie, with an unregistered Bajaj motorcycle without a key.

He said that the suspect confessed that he stole the motorcycle from Cheche village via Katcha, but he was arrested along the Agaie-Katcha road. Abiodun said that the suspect is under investigation.

Since the commencement of the ongoing immunization against measles and polio in Kogi State two days ago, more than 7,000 children have benefitted from the campaign in MopAmuro Local Government Area. The program, which has received wide acceptance across the state, targets over 32,000 children in the local government.

This was made known by the Local Government Immunization Officer, LIO, Mrs Comfort Ajagun, during a discussion with journalists. The flag off ceremony for the October 2025 Measles/Rubella integrated SIAs implementation took place on Monday 6/10/2025 at BHC Ileteju, Mopa. She said a total of 32 well equipped teams were on the ground covering all parts of the ten wards of the LGA, and expressed the hope that the campaign will help in keeping the two killer diseases at bay.

The LIO who commended the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, KGHCDA, UNICEF, and other partners for sponsoring the campaign, however, complained about the security situation which she said hampered access to some children, especially of nomadic parents.

‘The program has been well received by our people. One is satisfied with the level of turnout and participation. The only problem is accessing some people living in the forest. They are not coming out and our members can not risk going into their base in the forest.’ At the flag-off of the campaign in Lokoja on Monday, the Executive Director KGPHCDA, Dr. Musa Muazu Omeiza noted that the campaign against Measles Rubella (MR), including novel Oral Polio Virus (nOPV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination, and Routine Immunization (RI) is specifically targeted at One Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty-eight Thousand, Three Hundred and Seventy -one (1,988,371) children.

The campaign runs from the 6th to the 15th of October and enjoys support from the UNICEF. The exercise is tailored towards providing access and increasing vaccine availability and use by children. It is also a major step to the protection of young girls against cervical cancer through the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

While inaugurating the campaign in the office of the KSPHCDA at Old Market, Lokoja, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo commended the development partners and urged traditional and religious leaders not to relent in mobilising women and children to participate in the program.

He pledged his administration’s commitment to health care delivery.

‘Routine immunisation is a powerful tool to end avoidable ailments and to preserve our state. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child is reached.’

The representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Ishola Abdulrazaq, in a goodwill message, praised Kogi State for achieving 100 per cent coverage in previous immunization rounds. He called for the recruitment of more hands in the health sector.

About 20 operatives of the Amotekun Corps in Osun State have been arrested by a squad of the Nigeria Police Force in connection with the killings that occurred in Akinlalu, a community in Ife North Local Government Area, last week.

The operatives were reportedly picked up on Wednesday by a police team said to have been deployed from Abuja.

They were arrested at the Amotekun Operation Base in Oke Fia, Osogbo, and the Ife Central Division in Ile-Ife. Sources said the police sealed off both locations after making the arrests. However, when journalists visited the Corps’ headquarters in the Powerline area of Osogbo around 7:40 p.m., the premises remained open.

Confirming the arrests, Osun Amotekun spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu, said the police stormed two of their operational bases and took away several officers.

‘Some policemen came, but they didn’t seal our headquarters. They raided our Oke-Fia base and the Ife Central Command. They also arrested about 20 of our operatives. The policemen said it was in connection with the Akinlalu incident, but we don’t know where they took them,’ Idowu stated.

Efforts to reach Osun Police Command spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, for confirmation were unsuccessful as his phone lines were unreachable at press time. The arrests come days after the alleged assassination attempt on the Osun State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Mr. Isaac Omoyele. According to Amotekun officials, Omoyele was attacked by gunmen along Ikirun Road in Osogbo on Monday night.

Omoyele said he narrowly escaped after gunmen opened fire on his vehicle around 10:05 p.m., riddling it with bullets. The attack was reported at the Ota-Efun Police Division.

Ojelabi, however, said the police had yet to begin an investigation, insisting that Omoyele must provide his bullet-riddled vehicle and other evidence before an inquiry could commence.

The latest development follows the Akinlalu incident, where Amotekun operatives were accused of killing three residents – Ibrahim Oyebamiji (26), Sefiu Oyebamiji, and Abiola Olutayo – during a raid on the community. Others injured in the attack were identified as Adeagbo Kadijat (22), Oke-Ila Oyebamiji (60), and Fayomi Toheeb (19).

Although Amotekun authorities admitted their operatives killed three people, they claimed it happened during a gun battle with hoodlums who had earlier seized two rifles from their officers.

Following public outrage, the Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Oyewusi, led a delegation to the Alakinla of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, assuring the community that justice would be served.

‘We appeal to the youths to remain calm and allow the investigation to take its course. The state government and the police have already begun an inquiry, and justice will be delivered,’ he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has spoken up on why he appointed Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new INEC Chairman.

Tinubu, in a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that Amupitan is apolitical and the first person from his state, Kogi state, to occupy the position. ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025. President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical,’ the statement reads in part.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that Nigeria lost an estimated $10 billion over the past decade to the prolonged conflict in the North-East.

UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, disclosed this in Maiduguri on Wednesday during the launch of a socio-economic reintegration programme for children affected by armed conflict.

Represented by Shah Mohammad Khan, UNICEF’s Child Protection Manager, Saeed said the insurgency had crippled economic growth, destroyed livelihoods, and pushed thousands of families into poverty.

‘According to a 2024 study commissioned by UNICEF, the economic cost of conflict in North-East Nigeria has cost the country a staggering $10 billion over the last 10 years,’ she said.

She lamented that years of violence had not only devastated communities but also robbed children-especially girls-of education, skills, and opportunities to build meaningful futures.

‘Conflict has weakened the national economy and crippled the income and earning potential of families and young people. Many have been denied the opportunity to learn a skill or pursue their dreams,’ Saeed added.

The UNICEF representative noted that the new reintegration programme aims to equip conflict-affected children with vocational and life skills, helping them rebuild their lives and regain dignity. Currently, 1,033 children – including 567 boys and 466 girls – are receiving training in tailoring, ICT, automobile repair, shoemaking, and carpentry across Maiduguri, Bama, Biu, Damboa, and Konduga.

‘These vocational centres restore not just learning but also hope, dignity, and opportunity for conflict-affected adolescents and their families,’ she said.

Saeed added that the initiative also provides psychosocial support, life skills, and formal certification, with plans to reach over a thousand new beneficiaries each year.

‘Graduates will not only build brighter futures for themselves but also contribute to peace, recovery, and resilience in their communities,’ she said.

Borno State Commissioner for Education, Abba Wakilbe, commended UNICEF and its partner agencies – UNDP, IOM, and UNODC – for their continued support.

‘Let me particularly thank UNICEF for coming to our aid in many of our difficult situations,’ Wakilbe stated.

The University of Ibadan (UI) has reclaimed its crown as Nigeria’s best university, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 released on Thursday.

UI, located in Oyo State, jumped from fourth position last year to lead the 2026 table, dethroning Covenant University, which had dominated the rankings in 2024 and 2025.

The latest report placed UI between 801-1,000 globally, ahead of other top contenders, including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Bayero University Kano (BUK), and Covenant University (CU) – ranked second, third, and fourth in Nigeria, respectively. The 2026 ranking evaluated 2,191 institutions across 115 countries, using 18 performance indicators grouped into five key areas – teaching, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

BUK stood out for its international outlook, while Covenant retained its edge in industry connections. UNILAG also made a mark as the best Nigerian university in research quality, with a score of 66.7.

According to THE, the 2026 edition drew on over 174.9 million citations from 18.7 million research publications, alongside survey responses from more than 108,000 scholars worldwide – signalling a major shift in global higher education competitiveness.

Out of 51 Nigerian universities ranked, only UI and UNILAG made it to the 801-1000 band.

BUK, Covenant, and Landmark University followed within the 1001-1200 range.

Five other schools – Ahmadu Bello University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Ilorin, University of Jos, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka – appeared in the 1201-1500 global category.

Meanwhile, 14 Nigerian universities were ranked above 1501, while 27 others failed to make the cut.

Nigeria’s 2026 Top Varsities at a Glance

University of Ibadan (801-1000)

University of Lagos (801-1000) Bayero University (1001-1200)

Covenant University (1001-1200)

Landmark University (1001-1200)

Ahmadu Bello University (1201-1500)

Federal University of Technology, Minna (1201-1500)

University of Ilorin (1201-1500)

University of Jos (1201-1500)

University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1201-1500)

Others ranked above 1501 include Babcock, LASU, OAU, UNIBEN, UNICAL, and UNIPORT.

THE, a globally respected authority on higher education data, clarified that only universities meeting its research and teaching benchmarks were considered – including a minimum of 1,000 publications between 2020 and 2024.

The Nigerian Senate has dismissed the claims of a ‘Christian genocide’ made by US Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher.

The senate on Thursday, stated that the claims are false, emphasising the need to correct such misconceptions about the country.

The Lawmakers also debated a motion which was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), titled ‘Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities’.

Senator Magatakarda Wamakko also supported the motion, stating that the narrative is aimed at destroying the country. ‘This misinformation cannot continue like this. We must take decisive steps to address this issue,’ he said.

Senator Sumaila Kawu also spoke on how such claims and allegations could affect Nigeria’s international relations in a negative way.

‘It is very common knowledge to us that nobody is supporting any act of terrorism in Nigeria. The government is doing its best to make sure we are living in a conducive atmosphere. Some of the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria in my own state are members of the security council and traditional institutions. If they pass the bill in the US, it will be dangerous to us, both Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. I am seriously worried that the US Congress or a ranking US senator will come up with a very uninformed position. As a parliament, we must join hands with our government to inform the US government and the US parliament that the position they are taking is not in tandem with what is going on,’ he said.

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has said that the choice of who would succeed him in 2027 rests solely with the people of the state, not with political godfathers or entitlement claims.

Makinde said this on Thursday in Ibadan while flagging off the zonal stakeholders’ consultative forum and engagement meeting on the 2026 Budget.

According to the governor, the decision of who becomes the next governor of Oyo state rest on all eligible voters in the state. ‘Oyo State has gone beyond the era of politics based on entitlement or propaganda.

Rather, the people of the state are now more politically enlightened and they will only support leaders who present credible plans and demonstrate capacity for development,’ he said.

Makinde, while reflecting on his own experience before coming into office in 2019, noted that leadership must be about accountability and not entitlement.

He recalled that many people doubted his capability when he first sought the governorship position, because he had not held any political office. ‘In 2018, when I was consulting to become governor, there was no yardstick to measure me. I had never been a councillor or a local government chairman, but l asked the people to trust me and judge me by my actions’, he said.

The governor urged political leaders to focus on policies and projects that directly impact the lives of citizens rather than engaging in political theatrics. He said his administration’s approach to challenges has been to present a clear roadmap for Oyo State’s development, ‘one that people can read, evaluate, and hold us accountable to.’

Makinde expressed optimism that the people of the state would continue to support leaders who prioritise progress, inclusivity, and the wellbeing of citizens over personal ambition.

Speaking on the 7th Stakeholders Consultative Forum, the governor said that his administration would continue to consult and engage with residents of the state on the making of the state’s annual budgets, with a view to knowing their aspirations and prioritising their needs.

He maintained that the stakeholders’ engagement was to enable his government to serve the residents of the state better through a bottom-up approach to development, noting that his administration began the tradition in 2019.

According to him, his government first separated the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning from the Ministry of Finance in order to ensure a better management of the state’s resources and to avoid discrepancies. He stated that the stakeholders’ engagement had resulted into better budget performances and economic development of the state.

Makinde reiterated that his government would continue to serve the interests of the people of the state by putting in place institutions that would ensure that the environment was safe and ready to attract investments.

He added that the state was growing rapidly and that this development had stopped rural-urban migration, with the constructions of Moniya-Iseyin Road, Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road, Oyo-Iseyin Road, among other infrastructural projects, which have opened rural communities.

The Federal Government lost about 13.5 million barrels of crude oil, worth $3.3 billion, to theft and pipeline vandalism between 2023 and 2024, according to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, revealed this on

Thursday during the 2025 Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) conference in Lagos. He criticized the lack of transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, saying openness and innovation are key to improving the industry.

Speaking on the theme ‘Nigeria’s Energy Future: Exploring Opportunities and Addressing Risks for Sustainable Growth,’ Orji said the lost revenue could have funded the country’s entire health budget for a year or provided electricity to millions of homes.

He added that NEITI’s 2021-2022 Oil and Gas Industry Reports showed Nigeria earned $23.04 billion in 2021 and $23.05 billion in 2022 from the sector. However, some companies and government agencies still owe the Federation about ?1.5 trillion, which could have been used to improve energy and healthcare services. Dr. Orji stressed that transparency is not optional but necessary for a sustainable energy future.

He said NEITI is working to ensure every barrel of crude oil produced is properly accounted for, noting that secrecy in the value chain remains a serious issue.

According to him, reliable data is essential because ‘data build trust, trust drives investment, investment generates revenue, and revenue delivers results.’

He explained that NEITI has grown from being just an auditing agency to a full governance reform body.

The organization now conducts regular audits of the oil, gas, and solid minerals sectors, tracks production and payments, and exposes the real owners of over 4,800 extractive assets through its Beneficial Ownership Register.

NEITI has also partnered with agencies like NUPRC, NMDPRA, and NCDMB to promote transparency in licensing, metering, and community trust management.

Additionally, it introduced the Just Energy Transition and Climate Accountability Framework to ensure Nigeria’s shift to cleaner energy is fair and transparent.