Category: PM News

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State has expressed confidence that the party will secure another victory in the 2027 general elections, urging members to remain united ahead of the polls.

The acting State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Augie, said the APC remained strong and had commenced preparations to consolidate its position in the state.

Augie stated this on Saturday while responding to the State Special Adviser to Governor Nasir Idris on Political Matters and Power, Alhaji Kabir Sani-Giant, during a meeting with members of the party’s State Executive Committee at the APC secretariat in Birnin Kebbi.

He said the party’s focus remained on strengthening internal unity and ensuring members worked together towards another electoral victory.

‘We are confident that the APC will record another resounding victory in the 2027 General Elections, by the grace of Almighty Allah,’ Augie said.

The acting chairman disclosed that the party had completed a tour of all 21 local government areas of the state as part of efforts to deepen grassroots engagement and strengthen its structure.

Earlier, Sani-Giant urged APC members to prioritise unity, reconciliation and mutual understanding as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.

He appealed to members who lost in previous party primaries to accept the outcomes and reconcile with other stakeholders, warning that internal divisions could affect the party’s progress.

‘Unity remains the bedrock of our continued success as a party,’ Sani-Giant said.

He called on aggrieved members to forgive one another and work collectively for the stability and development of the party and the state.

Sani-Giant also commended Augie and members of the State Executive Committee for their efforts in maintaining cohesion within the APC in Kebbi.

The University of Ibadan has offered qualified candidates who could not secure admission into its regular programmes an opportunity to study through its Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL) programme.

The university said the initiative was created to help candidates who took part in its Post-UTME screening but were unable to gain admission into the conventional on-campus programmes because of limited spaces and admission quotas.

The Director of the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Olufade Onifade, announced this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday.

According to him, the special application window for the 2025/2026 academic session will close on August 15, 2026, while classes for the special group are expected to begin on August 17.

Onifade said candidates who participated in the 2026 UI Post-UTME can change from the regular on-campus programme to the ODeL programme without paying any fee.

He said the ODeL programme offers flexible virtual classes, mobile learning, interactive learning materials and physical revision sessions.

He added that the courses are taught by the same lecturers handling the university’s regular programmes, and successful students would graduate with University of Ibadan degrees.

The university offers several first-degree programmes through the ODeL platform. They include B.Sc. Computer Science, B.Sc. Statistics, B.Sc. Psychology, B.Sc. Economics, B.Sc. Political Science, B.Sc. Sociology, B.A. English, B.A.

Communication and Language Arts, B.Ed. Educational Management and B.Sw. Social Work, among others.

Onifade explained that candidates who took the 2026 UI Post-UTME are eligible for the free change-of-mode offer.

He urged eligible candidates to visit the university’s official change-of-mode application portal to switch from the conventional on-campus programme to the ODeL programme.

He also said other interested candidates who meet the requirements could apply directly for the special cohort.

With the August 15 deadline approaching, the university advised qualified candidates to apply early because available spaces are expected to fill quickly.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Sunday evening officially unveiled the names of his newborn princess at a colourful traditional naming ceremony held at the ancient Emese Court within the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The ceremony, which marked the formal traditional naming ceremony of the royal Princess into the revered House of Oduduwa, brought together traditional rulers, palace chiefs, custodians of Yoruba culture and tradition, family members, dignitaries and well-wishers from across the country.

The event was held exactly one week after the safe delivery of the royal Baby girl by the Ooni’s wife, Queen Oluwatosin Ogunwusi.

In a statement issued by the Senior Media Officer, Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, the ceremony was described as a significant moment of joy and thanksgiving for the royal household and the people of Ile-Ife.

The colourful ceremony featured rich displays of Yoruba culture and tradition, prayers, royal blessings and symbolic rites performed in accordance with the customs of the ancient Ile-Ife kingdom, regarded as the spiritual cradle of the Yoruba race.

Among those who played prominent roles at the ceremony were the custodians of various deities, traditionally known as Oba Isoro, alongside Obas and distinguished Ife High Chiefs.

In the course of the traditional rites, prayers were offered for the newborn princess using several symbolic items associated with Yoruba traditional blessings and prayers, including sugarcane, Aadun, honey, dried fish, money, pen, bitter kola, kola nuts, alligator pepper, snails, schnapps, water, palm oil, doves and other sacred and culturally significant items.

The items, according to the traditional custodians, symbolised wishes for sweetness, prosperity, wisdom, longevity, abundance, peace, knowledge, fertility, divine protection and a life of honour for the royal children.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Lowa Adimula of Ife, Oba Ademola Adeyeye, formally announced the traditional names of the newborn princess with the approval of the Ooni.

The princess was named Adelewa, Adeyele, Adeshikemi and Ayoade, Omo Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

Lowa Adimula offered prayers for the royal baby girl, asking Almighty Olodumare to grant her wisdom, sound health, strength, grace and long life, while also praying that she would grow into worthy representative of the royal dynasty and ambassador of the Yoruba race.

He expressed gratitude to Olodumare for the successful delivery of the royal princess, describing her arrival as a momentous occasion for the Ooni’s Palace, the ancient city of Ile-Ife and the wider Yoruba race.

The Lowa Adimula also congratulated the Ooni and Queen Oluwatosin on the historic addition to the royal household, praying that the arrival of the princess would usher in greater peace, prosperity, unity and progress for the kingdom.

In his remarks, the Ooni, who is also the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), expressed profound gratitude to Almighty Olodumare for what he described as a precious gift of new life and a divine blessing to the House of Oduduwa.

The Ooni attributed the safe delivery of the royal babies to the unfailing grace and faithfulness of Olodumare, expressing appreciation to God for preserving the mother and baby throughout the period of pregnancy and delivery.

The Ooni said the birth of the princess was not only a source of immense happiness to the royal family but also a blessing that would be celebrated by the people of Ile-Ife and the entire Yoruba race.

He prayed that the newborn princess would flourish in wisdom, grace, honour, sound health and divine favour, and that their lives would be defined by purpose, service, excellence and a strong connection to the rich heritage of the Yoruba people.

The Ooni further prayed for the continued preservation of the royal household and the House of Oduduwa, asking Olodumare to grant the ancient kingdom enduring peace, unity, prosperity and progress.

He also expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, palace chiefs, family members, friends and well-wishers who joined the royal household in celebrating the arrival of the princesses and for their prayers and goodwill.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a special passport intervention exercise for Nigerians living in the United Kingdom, aimed at clearing backlogs and making passport services more accessible.

The initiative, ordered by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, will see a dedicated Passport Intervention Team deployed from the NIS headquarters in Abuja to work with the Nigerian High Commission in the UK.

According to the NIS, Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, has directed the team to commence the exercise on August 10, 2026.

The team will process pending applications, handle new applications and assist Nigerians seeking to renew passports with less than one year remaining before expiry. It will also visit selected cities across the UK to conduct enrolment and passport processing.

Applicants are expected to come with their completed application forms and proof of payment.

The NIS said details of the cities, venues, dates and enrolment times would be released separately, warning applicants not to visit any location until the official schedule is announced.

‘Applicants are therefore advised not to proceed to any location until the relevant schedule has been officially communicated,’ the service said.

Nigerians in the UK were advised to follow the official communication channels of the Nigerian High Commission for updates.

The NIS also said its digital passport services, including the Contactless Passport Application System, would continue throughout the intervention, while home delivery would remain available.

‘The Nigeria Immigration Service remains committed to efficient, transparent and responsive passport Service Delivery to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora,’ the service added.

The Anambra State-owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka, says the unfortunate death of a pregnant woman, Mrs Amarachi Uche-Chukwudokwe, in its facility was caused by nephrotic syndrome.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the hospital, Ms Henrietta Agbai, disclosed this in a statement issued in Awka and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

Agbai was reacting to a recent social media report alleging that the woman, who passed on March 26, died of cold and catarrh, rather than a severe medical condition.

The statement read in part, ‘COOUTH, Amaku, Awka, has noted with concern the misleading narratives circulating on social media, regarding the unfortunate demise of Mrs. Uche-Chukwudokwe Amarachi.

‘Contrary to claims that the patient presented to our hospital at 14 weeks of pregnancy with ‘cold and catarrh’, hospital records show that she was presented to our facility after having been managed at a private hospital for generalised body swelling and difficulty in breathing.

‘Further investigations conducted at our hospital revealed significant anaemia, with a Packed Cell Volume of 20 per cent, proteinuria of 3+ (+++), haematuria of 3+ (+++), and pleural effusion.

‘Based on these clinical findings and investigations, a diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome was made.

‘Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder, defined by high protein in the urine, low blood protein, and body swelling.

‘It is caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste.’

The PRO, who acknowledged the public interest generated by the incident, urged individuals and social media users to ‘refrain from circulating unverified and misleading information’.

According to her, such information could cause unnecessary public anxiety or damage the reputation of healthcare professionals and institutions committed to saving lives.

‘COOUTH remains committed to ethical, evidence-based medical practice and will continue to provide quality healthcare services, in accordance with the highest professional standards,’ she added.

The hospital also reaffirmed its commitment to respecting patient confidentiality, while providing appropriate medical care to patients entrusted to the institution.

It maintained that the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death should be understood within the context of her documented medical condition and the treatment provided at the facility, ‘rather than through unverified accounts circulating on social media’.

The Chief Medical Director of the facility, Dr Maureen Umeakuewulu, said part of what led to the unfortunate incident was ‘when the woman and her husband refused expert advice to terminate the pregnancy to save her life’.

Umeakuewulu said that when the couple agreed to the advice, it was already late, as the medical team tried their best without success.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated the Grand Khalifa of Tijaniyya for Lagos State, Sheikh Aminullah Abd’Salam Akoshile, on his 77th birthday.

He described Sheikh Akoshile, a member of the Nigeria Council for Islamic Affairs and the Amir-ul-Muslim of Oro, Kwara State as a spiritual father and mentor to millions of Islamic faithful.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, praised the Chief Imam of the Sheikh AbdusSalam Akoshile Central Mosque, Okepopo, Lagos Island, for continuing his father’s legacy of scholarship, spiritual leadership and community development in Lagos and beyond.

The Governor also commended Sheikh Akoshile for connecting a global Sufi heritage to local community leadership, governance, and national harmony, serving millions of adherents across Lagos State.

He said: ‘On behalf of my family, the government and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate the Grand Khalifa of Tijaniyya for Lagos State, Sheikh Aminullah Abd’Salam Akoshile, on his 77th birthday.

‘Sheikh Aminullah Abd’Salam Akoshile is worth celebrating at 77. He is providing spiritual leadership to about seven million Tijaniyya adherents in Lagos State.

‘He is a leading voice on unity, patience and governance. He teaches that national hardship is not only human but a test from Allah requiring prayer for leaders and the country. He advocates dialogue, peaceful coexistence, discipline, probity and accountability in public office.

‘Sheikh Aminullah Abd’Salam Akoshile is a spiritual father and mentor to the citizens whose mandate is to bring the people nearer to the government and at the same time bring the government nearer to the people.

‘As Sheikh Aminullah Abd’Salam Akoshile celebrates his 77th birthday today, I pray that he is surrounded by good health, happiness and continued success.’

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has challenged the 19 presidential candidates cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 election to publish details of their assets and liabilities and publicly reject vote-buying.

SERAP also urged the candidates to disclose the assets and liabilities of their spouses and, where applicable, unmarried children under 18, as well as the legitimate sources of their significant assets.

The organisation made the demand in an open letter dated August 8, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

Among those listed by SERAP are President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Seyi Makinde of the Accord Party Movement (APM).

Others are Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Chukwu Anita Zugwai of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Rufai Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance (AA), Adenuga Sunday of the Boot Party, Memeh Samuel of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Okereke Sunday Chibuzor of the Labour Party (LP), Okereke Iken Esther of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Abbas-Bin Aliyu of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

SERAP urged the candidates to go beyond what is legally required and voluntarily adopt higher standards of transparency, accountability and integrity in their quest for Nigeria’s highest elected office.

The organisation argued that candidates seeking power over public finances, natural resources, appointments and security institutions should be prepared to subject their personal financial affairs to reasonable public scrutiny before asking Nigerians for their votes.

‘Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its citizens. Votes must not be bought. Public office must not be treated as private property,’ SERAP said.

It added that Nigerians should be able to choose their next president based on ‘policies, competence, integrity, character and their vision for Nigeria,’ rather than on which candidate could spend the most money.

According to the organisation, voluntary pre-election asset disclosure would help voters identify potential conflicts of interest and significant sources of wealth, while providing a baseline for monitoring changes in a candidate’s assets if elected.

SERAP maintained that although the 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not expressly compel presidential candidates to publicly release their asset declarations before an election, its broader provisions embody principles of transparency, accountability and integrity in public office.

It noted that the Constitution already requires elected public officers, including the President, to declare their assets and liabilities.

The organisation cited Paragraph 11 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule, which requires public officers to submit declarations of their properties, assets and liabilities, including those of unmarried children below 18.

It also referred to Section 140(1), which requires a person elected President to make the prescribed declaration before assuming the functions of office.

SERAP further invoked Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, arguing that citizens cannot meaningfully exercise their right to participate in public affairs and vote in genuine elections if they lack relevant information about those seeking to govern them.

The organisation also raised concerns over the continued use of money, gifts and other inducements to influence voters ahead of elections.

‘An election in which citizens’ votes are purchased, coerced or otherwise financially induced cannot genuinely reflect the free political will of the Nigerian people,’ it said.

SERAP cited Section 14(2)(a) of the Constitution, which provides that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, and Section 125 of the Electoral Act 2026, which criminalises bribery and related conduct intended to procure the return of a candidate or the vote of an elector.

It warned that vote-buying is particularly damaging in an environment of poverty and economic hardship because it exploits voters’ economic vulnerability and risks turning a constitutional political right into a financial transaction.

The organisation therefore urged all 19 presidential candidates to publish their assets and liabilities before the election, disclose the legitimate sources of significant assets and commit to updating their declarations if elected.

It also asked the candidates to publicly reject vote-buying and electoral bribery, including activities carried out through their campaign organisations, agents, supporters and political associates.

SERAP further called on the candidates to instruct their campaign teams and associates not to distribute money, gifts, food, transportation benefits or other material inducements in exchange for votes.

The organisation urged candidates to report credible cases of vote-buying involving their campaign organisations to the appropriate authorities and sign a public integrity pledge committing themselves, their parties and campaign organisations to peaceful, transparent, accountable and corruption-free elections.

‘The choice before Nigerians in 2027 should be a choice based on ideas, policies, competence and integrity, not on who can spend the most money or conceal the most wealth,’ SERAP said.

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has resolved more than 5,000 pending complaints within five days, in a bid to improve service delivery to candidates.

ýThis is disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocol, JAMB, Fabian Benjamin.

ýBenjamin said the development followed Aina’s decision to strengthen the Board’s Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) Unit to ensure the prompt resolution of outstanding complaints.

ýHe said the Registrar had relocated his seat to the SERVICOM Unit to gain first-hand knowledge of the nature of services being sought by candidates and other clients and to facilitate the resolution of pending cases.

ýAccording to him, the move is in line with the Registrar’s Five Enduring Pillars, particularly the second pillar, ‘Service at Heart’.

He added that the Registrar’s move was to ensure his commitment to leveraging strategic communication to reposition the Board and deliver services commensurate with the fees paid by candidates.

ýHe noted that Aina had directed SERVICOM Desk Officers to address complaints holistically and promptly.

ýBenjamin said the directive had already begun to yield positive results, with more than 5,000 pending and unresolved complaints addressed within five days.

ýHe said the complaints covered a wide range of issues, including difficulties in creating profile codes by candidates who had previously registered with telephone numbers to which they no longer had access.

ýHe added that biometric verification challenges were also addressed, including genuine cases of biometric failures encountered during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration or examination.

ýHe further said that the Registrar also scrutinised the operations of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), where issues relating to lost phones and SIM cards, candidates who converted from Direct Entry (DE) to UTME, and candidates omitted from the National Matriculation List after graduation were identified and addressed.

ýHe also noted that some previously unresolved payment-related issues were swiftly resolved, alongside complaints concerning inappropriate examination venues, e-PINs, technical challenges and difficulties with the uploading of documents.

ýAccording to him, other recurring complaints relating to changes of name, date of birth, state and local government of origin were also addressed.

ýThe acting director said the initiative underscored the Registrar’s commitment to placing candidates and other clients at the centre of the Board’s operations.

ýHe said JAMB would continue to strengthen its complaint-resolution mechanisms to ensure that candidates received timely and efficient services.ý

Nigeria basketball star Jordan Nwora has married his heartthrob in a beautiful ceremony held in the picturesque coastal town of Sitges, Barcelona, Spain.

The wedding, which took place on August 3, 2026, brought together family, friends and distinguished guests from different walks of life at an exquisite venue overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Among the guests were former Nigerian basketball figures and personalities, including the President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Retired Colonel Sam Ahmedu and his wife, Fatima Ahmedu, who were part of the gathering to celebrate the union.

The occasion was particularly special for the couple, who were also celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

Nwora, one of Nigeria’s most accomplished basketball players of his generation, has carved a significant place for himself in the history of the national team.

He is D’Tigers’ all-time leading scorer and has represented Nigeria with distinction on the international stage.

The forward also etched his name in NBA history as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks team that won the 2021 NBA Championship.

Away from the basketball court, Nwora’s wedding marked a new chapter in his life as he exchanged vows with his partner in the serene surroundings of Sitges, with the Mediterranean providing a spectacular backdrop to the celebration.

The gathering reflected the strong connections Nwora has built across basketball and beyond, with prominent guests joining the couple to celebrate their special day.

The wedding festivities provided an opportunity for guests to celebrate not only Nwora’s personal milestone but also the remarkable journey of a player who has continued to make his mark in Nigerian and international basketball.

Warm wishes and congratulations have since poured in for Mr and Mrs Jordan Nwora as they begin their married life together.

The scenic town of Sitges, renowned for its Mediterranean coastline, added an unforgettable touch to an already memorable occasion.

The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Osun State Coordinator, Mr Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, has inaugurated the Camp Court and appointed three Corps Camp Directors for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Orientation Course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede.

The inauguration took place on Saturday as part of activities aimed at strengthening discipline, effective communication and orderly conduct among corps members during the three-week orientation course.

Speaking at the ceremony, Kubiangha explained that the Camp Court was established to maintain discipline and address cases of misconduct whenever necessary, stressing that all corps members were expected to comply with the rules and regulations of the NYSC.

He said the court would be activated when necessary to check excesses and ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures were taken against corps members who violated camp regulations.

‘We have introduced the officers of your platoons to you, and we work as a team. You are all a family here. You have your officers, Man O’ War and military personnel. If you misbehave, the Camp Court will sit, and any decision it takes will be enforced,’ he warned.

The State Coordinator urged corps members to work closely with their platoon officers and other camp officials, while remaining vigilant and avoiding actions that could expose them to disciplinary proceedings.

The Camp Court comprises the camp director, camp commandant, head of police, head of Man O’ War, head of platoon, a legal practitioner and a platoon leader.

Kubiangha also explained that the appointment of Corps Camp directors was an initiative designed to strengthen communication between camp management and corps members.

According to him, the Corps Camp directors would serve as a bridge between the management and corps members, participate in kitchen activities, management meetings and lectures, and monitor activities in the corps members’ hostels.

‘They are your leaders. If you have any issues and you cannot meet with the management of the camp, you can confide in them,’ he said.

The newly appointed Corps Camp directors are Ganiyu Alimat Olanike (OS/26B/2908), a graduate of English Education from Ekiti State University; Ajakaiye Babatunde (LA/26B/17210), a graduate of Quantity Surveying from the University of Ilorin; and Oluoladele Jesudunsin (OS/26B/2132), a graduate of International Relations from Caleb University.

The State Coordinator charged the newly appointed corps camp directors to discharge their responsibilities diligently, maintain cordial relationships with their colleagues and uphold the rules and regulations governing the NYSC Orientation Camp.