Category: PM News

The Onitsha Traditional Council, `Ime Obi Onicha’, has said the use of masquerades for political purposes is a blatant disregard for the traditions and customs of the people of Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State.

The Onitsha Traditional Council said this in a statement signed by Chief Osita Anionwu, Chief of Staff to Igwe Alfred Achebe, the traditional ruler of Onitsha while deploring the deployment of masquerade for campaign by some of the candidates in the Nov. 8 governorship election in Anambra.

As recently seen in Onitsha, Governor Chukwuma Soludo who is seeking second term of office is one of the candidates that have deployed masquerade for the campaign.

While reacting to the open display of support by Masqueraders for the governorship candidate, the Council said it is a blatant disregard for the traditions and customs of the people of Onitsha.

Anionwu said that Masquerades were sacred embodiments of the ancestors which played a vital role in the spiritual and communal life of the Onitsha people.

He warned that politicisation of cultural symbols could potentially lead to undesirable division and conflict among Onitsha people, while urging politicians and their supporters to respect the heritage of Onitsha and refrain from using sacred institutions for political gains.

‘The association of our cultural heritage with political movements or candidates undermines the spiritual authority and communal purpose for our cultural heritage. ‘The Traditional council views this development as a dangerous precedent that threatens the sanctity and neutrality of Onitsha’s cultural institutions.

‘For centuries, the people of Onitsha have successfully preserved their unique cultural heritage, embracing modernity while maintaining the integrity of their traditions.

‘In the light of this, Onitsha Traditional Council calls on the security agencies to collaborate with it to ensure that such incidents do not reoccur in the future,’ it said.

The Traditional Council said it noted with concern the increasing trend of external interference in Onitsha’s cultural practices, particularly the use of masquerades from outside Onitsha.

He said that the masquerades were alien to Onitsha and had no place in their cultural landscape.

He appealed to the people of Onitsha to remain united, strong, vigilant, and protect the integrity of our traditions.

‘The Onitsha Traditional Council is fully committed to continue to uphold and defend the cultural values that have always defined us as a people,’ he said.

Argentina overwhelmed the Flying Eagles of Nigeria with a ruthless 4-0 victory on Wednesday night, sealing a commanding win in their Under-20 World Cup round of 16 match to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The match at the Estadio Ciudad de la Plata in Chile.

The South American side showed composure, precision, and clinical finishing throughout, while the Flying Eagles struggled to find rhythm despite flashes of attacking promise.

The tone was set early when Alejo Sarco opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, tapping home from close range after a smart assist from Dylan Gorosito. The goal gave Argentina early control, leaving the Nigerian defence scrambling to regroup.

Their momentum continued in the 23rd minute, when Maher Carrizo curled in a sensational free-kick from just outside the box, doubling the lead and electrifying the crowd.

The Flying Eagles’ attempts to fight back were undone by poor finishing. Tahir Maigana, Daniel Daga, and Amos Ochoche all had opportunities, but their efforts were either blocked or sent off target. The closest came late in the first half when Daga’s header forced a brilliant save from Argentine goalkeeper Santino Barbi. Argentina, however, never looked troubled. The third goal arrived in the 53rd minute, as Carrizo once again showed composure, this time finishing coolly past Ebenezer Harcourt after a perfect through ball from Milton Delgado.

Mateo Silvetti sealed the rout in the 66th minute, firing low into the bottom corner after slipping past two defenders. The goal reflected Argentina’s dominance in possession and fluid attacking transitions.

Nigeria’s frustrations boiled over in the 77th minute when Emmanuel Ekele was booked for a reckless tackle, with VAR confirming only a yellow card after review. Despite late attempts by Kparobo Arierhi and Auwal Ibrahim, Nigeria couldn’t find a breakthrough.

The match closed with Argentina in complete control, dictating tempo and keeping the Flying Eagles pinned deep.

The final whistle from Italian referee Maurizio Mariani confirmed a resounding victory that underlined Argentina’s title ambitions and Nigeria’s need to rebuild.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the passing of renowned Nigerian statesman and corporate icon, Dr Christopher Kolade, describing him as ‘one of Nigeria’s intellectual treasures’ and ‘a representation of the true Nigerian – selfless and resilient.’

In an official statement from State House on Thursday, President Tinubu paid glowing tribute to Dr Kolade, who passed away at the age of 92. The President acknowledged Dr Kolade’s towering legacy as a broadcaster, diplomat, humanitarian, and corporate governance pioneer, praising his lifelong dedication to excellence, integrity, and national service. Dr Kolade’s illustrious career spanned several decades, with leadership roles across various sectors, including his tenure as Chief Executive and later Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, and his diplomatic service as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He was also a respected educationist and a key figure at Lagos Business School, where he championed corporate governance and ethical leadership. President Tinubu also highlighted Dr Kolade’s contributions to humanitarian causes, particularly through the Christopher Kolade Foundation, which supported sickle cell patients and other vulnerable groups.

‘His passing is agonising, yet we must celebrate his life and legacy,’ Tinubu said. ‘He lived an exemplary life and immortalised himself in his uncommon service to our nation and humanity.’

The President concluded his tribute with a prayer, asking God to grant the late elder statesman eternal rest.

Dr Kolade leaves behind a legacy of excellence and moral leadership that will continue to inspire generations.

Manchester United co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has urged fans to be patient with manager Ruben Amorim, insisting the Portuguese tactician deserves at least three years to prove he’s the right man for the job.

Amorim, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon in November last year, has endured a turbulent spell at Old Trafford. United finished 15th in the Premier League last season, their worst campaign since 1974 when the club was relegated.

Despite spending over £200 million on new signings in the summer, the Red Devils have already suffered three league defeats this season and were embarrassingly knocked out of the EFL Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town. Rumours swirled last week that Amorim’s job was on the line, but Ratcliffe dismissed such claims, describing the coach as a ‘good guy’ who simply needs time.

‘He has not had the best of seasons,’ Ratcliffe said on The Business podcast by The Times.

‘Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be.’

The Ineos billionaire, who controls major football decisions at the club despite owning just under 30%, also took a swipe at the media for demanding instant success. ‘The press, sometimes I don’t understand,’ Ratcliffe said.

‘They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch you flick it and everything’s fine tomorrow. You can’t run Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions.’

Ratcliffe further defended the Glazer family, often criticised by fans, describing them as ‘passionate’ about the club.

When asked if the Glazers could force Amorim’s dismissal, he replied firmly:

‘That’s not going to happen.’

Amorim, 40, has faced heavy criticism for sticking to his 3-4-2-1 formation, but Ratcliffe appears determined to back his manager – at least for now.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has renewed its partnership with the judiciary in Gombe State to intensify the fight against corruption and financial crimes.

The agreement was reached when the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) A.S.M. Adache, paid courtesy visits to the Resident Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, and the Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Shamaki Mohammed.

During the visit, Justice Amina Mohammed reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening ties with the EFCC, stressing that a united front between the Commission and the judiciary would boost the nation’s anti-corruption drive.

Chief Judge Halima Mohammed, who received Adache and his team alongside Justices A.M. Yakubu and H.H. Kereng, lauded the EFCC for its efforts in sanitising Nigeria’s system.

‘The EFCC is one of the good things that has happened to this country. Without proper checks, crises would overwhelm society, but with collaboration, agencies can achieve their shared goal of ridding the system of corruption,’ she said.

Justices Yakubu and Kereng also pledged their support to the EFCC and promised continued cooperation in the dispensation of justice.

In a related development, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe State Chapter, Alhassan Muazu, also visited the EFCC zonal office, seeking closer collaboration in addressing professional misconduct among lawyers.

Responding, Adache assured the NBA and judicial stakeholders of the EFCC’s unwavering commitment to work with all relevant bodies in promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service.

A Nigerian man named Ikechukwu N. has been arrested in Argentina by INTERPOL for running several online romance scams that tricked thousands of people around the world.

According to INTERPOL’s statement on Tuesday, the arrest happened during Operation Jackal a major global operation targeting West African criminal groups involved in cyber fraud, money laundering, and other international crimes.

INTERPOL said on its official X (Twitter) account that this was Argentina’s first arrest of a suspect wanted under both a Red Notice (for fugitives) and a Silver Notice (for tracing stolen assets).

The statement read:

‘Argentine authorities have captured Nigerian national Ikechukwu N., marking the country’s first arrest of a #RedNotice fugitive who was also the subject of an INTERPOL Silver Notice.

The suspect is accused of running multiple romance scams that affected thousands of women and leading an international cybercrime network.’

The arrest was made by the Argentine Federal Police and Airport Security Police, with help from INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, Federal Intelligence Secretariat (FIS), and INTERPOL Brazil.

The Silver Notice project, started in January 2025, helps countries share information to find and recover money and assets gained from crime.

Although the number of victims and total amount of money lost have not been revealed, INTERPOL said the case is part of a larger global crackdown on West African cybercrime syndicates.

Nigeria has also been a focus of such investigations. In December 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 792 suspects, including foreigners, linked to a crypto-romance scam based in Lagos.

The group reportedly used social media and messaging apps to deceive victims with fake love and investment promises.

INTERPOL said investigations into Ikechukwu’s crimes are still ongoing, with cooperation expected between Argentina, Nigeria, and other international partners in Operation Jackal.

Meta Platforms Inc., the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to pay $32.8 million to Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission for breaking the country’s data privacy rules.

The fine, first issued in February 2025, accused Meta of using Nigerians’ data for ads without their clear permission, collecting data from people who don’t even use its platforms, failing to file required reports, and sending user data abroad without proper approval.

After months of legal battles, Meta decided to settle the case out of court.

The agreement is expected to be completed by the end of October 2025.

This move shows Meta’s willingness to follow Nigeria’s stricter data protection laws.

The Data Protection Commission has now ordered Meta to update its privacy policy, carry out local reviews of how it uses data, and always get user consent before using personal data for targeted advertising.

Experts say this case could influence how big tech companies handle user data across Africa as more countries introduce stronger privacy laws.

A commission official said the case shows how important it is for companies to respect people’s privacy and follow local data rules.

The settlement highlights Nigeria’s growing confidence in regulating global tech giants and its push for stronger control over how citizens’ digital information is used.

Contrary to speculations in the media, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) committee set up to assess the health status of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has not concluded its work

Consequently, the NMA team is seeking for for more time to complete the report, the Department of State Services (DSS)’s lawyer, Suraj Sa’ada, SAN, told Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday

Sa’ada informed that the medical panel was yet to conclude its assignment.

He said the panel planned to do a thorough job and should be given adequate time.

He suggested that the committee be given another one week to enable it conclude its task.

Kanu’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, did not object to the one week adjournment sought by Sa’ada, and Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Oct. 16.

The judge had, in a ruling on Sept. 26, ordered the NMA President to among others, constitute a team of medical experts to examine Kanu and ascertain whether or not he is still fit to undergo his on going terrorism trial.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives will this week debate a motion seeking urgent medical intervention for the detained IPOB leader, according to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Speaker, on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, issued on Tuesday.

The decision according to Orizu followed an intervention during Tuesday’s plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu.

Kalu has reacted to a point of order raised on the subject matter by the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Rep. Obi Aguocha.

Aguocha had raised a point of order, (order 6 rule 2 on matters of privilege) during the plenary.

He stated that he was yet to get a response to the letter he wrote to House Leadership and FG for urgent medical intervention for Nnamdi Kanu whose health is reportedly deteriorating.

The Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, urged Aguocha to step it down and present the matter properly another legislative day, as he came under the wrong House rules.

Corroborating, the Deputy Speaker while noting that the subject matter presented is important, assured the

Speaker that the motion will be presented properly before the house in the course of the week.

‘Mr Speaker, I’m also from Abia State. On the issue that is being raised by my colleague, we will present it before the house properly in the course of the week.

‘We will come properly before the house so that proper hearing will be given to it. I beg that you will give us the audience maybe tomorrow or next tomorrow,’ Kalu said.

Responding, Speaker Abbas said, ‘No problem, it’s just the procedure that I was challenging not the substance of the issue. We will be willing and ready to give you all the time to present.’

Nigerian singer Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr. P has urged Nigerians to go after what they want without fear of being perceived in a certain way.

The singer on his X page, stated that wealthy people seize opportunities and stay rich. Peter then urged Nigerians to chase opportunities without shame.

Peter further explained that success lies at the other side of shame, emphasising the need to be shameless.

‘Ever seen a rich man with shame? Never. Shame keeps the broke broke. The rich don’t care how they look, chasing opportunity; they just go for it. Everything you dream of sits on the far side of shame. Be shameless and go get it. On tour at the moment shamelessly shaming my shame,’ he said.

A dramatic scene unfolded at the Lagos State High Court premises on Tuesday when a lawyer, Mr. Obinna Okereke, Principal Partner of High Refuge Attorneys, allegedly assaulted a judicial officer, Mrs Temilola Ossai, after hitting her with his vehicle.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred near the court entrance when Okereke, who was driving an champagne gold-coloured Toyota Sienna bus, reportedly struck Mrs Ossai, a staff of the Lagos State Judiciary, by the roadside.

Sources said the victim, who was on her way to the courthouse, approached the lawyer to demand an apology for the minor collision. Instead of apologizing, Okereke allegedly became aggressive, verbally insulted her, and then descended on her with several blows to the face.

The impact of the assault reportedly caused blood to gush from Mrs Ossai’s nose and mouth, prompting alarm among onlookers.

Passersby and court users quickly intervened to prevent further attack before security personnel attached to the Lagos State Judiciary arrived and arrested the lawyer at the scene.

An eyewitness who preferred anonymity said, ‘The lady only asked him to say sorry after he hit her with the car. But he suddenly flared up, shouting at her, and before we knew it, he punched her severally in the face. It was terrible – blood started coming out of her nose and mouth.’

The incident disrupted normal court activities as concerned staff and security officers gathered at the scene.

Reports indicate that the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State Judiciary has directed that a formal complaint be lodged against Mr. Okereke at the Area F Command of the Nigeria Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

As of press time, efforts to reach Mr. Okereke for his comment were unsuccessful, while Mrs Ossai was said to have received first aid treatment following the assault.

The Lagos State Judiciary has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.