Category: PM News

Nigeria and Argentina will, once again, set the global football stage alight as the Round of 16 of this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals commence in Chile on Wednesday evening.

Both countries have fought memorable battles in the FIFA World Cup finals, FIFA U20 World Cup finals and at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, but the most recent remains Nigeria’s spectacular 2-0 defeat of the Albiceleste in a Round of 16 encounter when Argentina hosted the FIFA U20 World Cup finals two years ago.

Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki got the goals that stunned the hosts and upturned the prediction of most pundits, with the Flying Eagles marching ahead to the quarter-finals where they lost in extra time to the Republic of Korea.

Two decades ago, the Flying Eagles narrowly lost 1-2 to the Argies in the FIFA U20 World Cup Final in The Netherlands, both Argentine goals coming through penalty kicks converted by Lionel Messi, while Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi scored a brilliant goal for Nigeria.

Argentina have won the FIFA U20 World Cup six times, while Nigeria have finished with the silver medals twice (1989 and 2005) and the bronze once (1985), but there will be no inferiority complex on the part of the seven-time African champions when they take the pitch of the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago from 8.30pm Nigeria time on Wednesday.

Self-belief, sense of purpose and pride, and resilience got the wards of Aliyu Zubair through the group stage, with four points off Saudi Arabia and Colombia, and the Colombians are unlikely to forget how the West Africans dominated a game they (Colombia) were tipped to easily win.

Thrice, the Flying Eagles struck the bar in the encounter at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, and earned a deserved point at the end when captain Daniel Bameyi cooly converted a penalty kick conceded in desperation by the South Americans as the tireless Nigerian attack went on the rampage once more.

Coach Zubair must pick a new man to team up with Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi in the fore, with Suleman Sani suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in the group stage.

The Flying Eagles arrived in Santiago from Talca on Monday evening, and will conduct a training session on Tuesday evening ahead of the clash with the Argies.

The vibrant city of Lagos came alive once again as Evergreen Musical Company Limited hosted the 2025 edition of Ariya Eko an annual celebration honouring the legends of Nigerian music and arts.

This year’s edition was specially designed to coincide with Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, serving as both a tribute to the nation’s journey and to the men and women whose creative brilliance helped define its cultural identity.

Held under the radiant Lagos skyline, the event recognised 65 distinguished personalities who have made lasting contributions to music and the arts.

Among the honourees were Stella Monye, Dele Abiodun, Jossy Friday, Queen Salawa Abeni (Waka Queen), Tee Mac, a former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye, Evangelist J.A., and Baba Ajibiewe, among many others who helped shape the sound and soul of Nigeria.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, graced the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour. In his brief but inspiring address, the governor commended the initiative and personally presented awards to three recipients, applauding Evergreen Music for its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s musical heritage.

According to her, this year’s Independence Edition underscores the enduring value of indigenous creativity to Nigeria’s national story, amplifying voices that represent strength, pride, and resilience.

‘At its heart, Ariya Eko is a bridge – between the young and the old, between the local and the global, between memory and innovation.

It is a celebration of Lagos, of Nigeria, and of the unyielding power of music to inspire, connect, and transform,’ she added.

Esho also announced that Ariya Eko would continue as an annual tradition, with future honourees to be carefully selected from the country’s rich pool of artistic talent.

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism for their unwavering support before and during the event.

Concluding her remarks, she appealed to fans and supporters to keep showing love and encouragement, noting that their support serves as a strong motivation to sustain the project.

With soulful performances, emotional tributes, and a spirit of unity, Ariya Eko 2025 once again reaffirmed that Nigeria’s music is not just entertainment it is history, identity, and a timeless rhythm that tells the story of a resilient people.

Winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10, Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, has revealed her deep love for award-winning filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele, describing her as her number one mentor and dream collaborator.

The 23-year-old reality TV star made this known during an interview with journalists shortly after receiving her ?150 million grand prize and an SUV at the prize presentation ceremony held in Lagos on Tuesday.

Imisi, who won the hearts of fans nationwide with her lively personality and acting flair during the show, said her time in the Big Brother house reignited her passion for film and storytelling.

‘I think people saw a lot of my acting side while I was in the house. Even my fellow housemates said I’m a natural actress. I’m ready to do more,’ she said.

Speaking further, Imisi expressed her admiration for top Nollywood stars who continue to inspire her.

‘Funke Akindele is my number one mentor. I really hope to work with her one day. I also admire Bimbo Ademoye and Bolaji Ogunmola-they inspire me a lot,’ she added.

Describing her victory as ‘overwhelming,’ Imisi said she is still processing the massive love and support she has received from fans across the country.

When asked about claims that ethnic loyalty influenced her win, she responded candidly:

‘Maybe. Yoruba people are very supportive of their own, so that might’ve played a role. But honestly, I believe people connected with my realness and vulnerability.’

Imisi also thanked her Celestial Church community for their prayers and support throughout the show, adding that she intends to build a lasting career in entertainment.

‘Fame is new to me, but I’m ready to learn and grow. I’ll seek mentorship and be intentional about my next steps,’ she concluded.

The Lagos State Government has honoured 750 public servants, including six permanent secretaries, for their unwavering commitment and decades of meritorious service to the state.

The recognition took place on Tuesday, 7 October, 2025, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, during the Year 2025 Long Service Merit Award Ceremony, one of the major events marking the Public Service Week Celebration.

Delivering his address at the ceremony, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, said the initiative, which has been sustained for over two decades, is designed to recognise and reward diligence, loyalty and commitment among Lagos State public servants.

‘This programme, which has been consistently organised for over twenty years, is aimed at consciously recognising and rewarding diligence, commitment and loyalty amongst public servants in Lagos State.

‘Public servants deserve to be celebrated and appreciated for their long-term dedication to supporting good governance,’ he stated.

He said the long service awards not only honour those who have served for over 30 years but also motivate other officers to remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence and efficient service delivery.

‘While congratulating the proud recipients of today’s awards, I urge you not to rest on your oars. Continue to exhibit the high sense of responsibility, commitment to duty and loyalty that earned you this recognition,’ he said.

Agoro encouraged all public officers to embrace technological advancement and continuous learning in order to meet the evolving demands of governance.

‘The changing nature of public policy and technological innovations require higher levels of skills and competences. As you remain dedicated to your duties, also focus on personal development and take advantage of the latest ICT tools to improve yourselves,’ he advised.

He assured that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to improving staff welfare and providing a conducive environment for optimal performance.

‘Government will continue to prioritise staff welfare and create the right atmosphere for the attainment of public policy objectives,’ he affirmed.

Agoro urged awardees and other officers to continue upholding the values of dedication, integrity, and professionalism that define the Lagos State Public Service.

‘Let us celebrate in moderation and continue to uphold the spirit of excellence that defines the Lagos State Public Service,’ he added.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, on Tuesday promised that there will be no more budget extensions in the Nigerian fiscal space going forward.

The Minister who spoke during plenary session on ‘The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria By 2030’ at ongoing 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31) in Abuja, on Tuesday confessed that extensions of budget into the next year which has created so much confusion in the system.

‘No more extensions of budget into the next year which has created so much confusion in the system.

‘We have talked to the National Assembly and we have agreed to restore normalcy in that space,’ he said.

The minister also said that the government would make a greater use of sukuk, green bonds and diaspora bonds instead of eurobonds.

He said that there was greater transparency saying it took until Aug. 1 for the Federal Government to have visibility of its accounts with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He said that the Federal Government had implemented a federal billing system, that enables it to track exact payments for goods and services.

‘We are determined to bring all Federal Government funds into visibility.

‘There is a lot of Federal Government money lying outside of CBN,’ he said.

Edun said that the fight against inflation started with the fiscal authorities and that the Federal Government would prioritise its spending, focusing on productivity-enhancing sectors.

He said that two reforms, foreign exchange unification and fuel subsidy removal, had freed five per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) into the Federation Account distribution to the three tiers of government.

The minister said that the federation funds allocation to states have increased by about 111 per cent.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has warned that Nigeria’s greatest future wars may not be fought with bullets, but with lies, fake images, and AI-generated videos.

Oluyede sounded the alarm on Tuesday in Abuja during the Directorate of Army Public Relations’ quarterly seminar, saying fake news and deepfakes now pose a major threat to national security and the success of military operations.

Represented by Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, Commander of the Army Cyber Warfare Command, the COAS said misinformation has become a digital weapon capable of dividing the country faster than any insurgent attack.

‘With the rise of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, fake news, manipulated images, and deepfakes now pose real threats to national cohesion and operational integrity,’ he said.

He added that modern conflicts are now fought both on the ground and online, where false narratives can weaken public trust and morale.

‘Victory today is not won solely on the battlefield. Increasingly, it is fought in the information domain – where narratives, perceptions, and public confidence are decisive,’ he warned.

Oluyede called on journalists and military information officers to work together to combat misinformation, emphasizing that truth is now a critical tool for national defense.

‘While weapons win battles, truth and trust win wars,’ he added.

Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Appolonia Anele, echoed the warning, saying fake news and deepfakes now carry as much danger as enemy propaganda in active war zones.

She stressed that only verified, fact-checked reporting can protect the country from manipulation and panic.

The Army’s warning comes as artificial intelligence continues to blur the line between reality and fiction – allowing fake videos and audio to mislead the public, distort facts, and endanger national stability.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Mr Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following allegations reportedly levelled against him.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, tendered his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation.

In his letter, the former minister claimed he had become the target of ‘persistent blackmail and political attacks’ orchestrated by opponents seeking to tarnish his reputation.

‘I thank Your Excellency for the privilege to serve and contribute to the administration’s vision of a more innovative and technologically advanced Nigeria,’ Nnaji reportedly stated in his letter.

President Tinubu, while acknowledging the resignation, commended Nnaji for his service to the country and wished him success in his future pursuits.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dated 7 October 2025.

The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has said about 98 per cent of Nigerian workers will be exempted from paying Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax under the new tax laws scheduled to take effect from January 2026.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele said this at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the reforms were designed to protect low-income earners and those living around the poverty line, while ensuring fairness and efficiency in Nigeria’s tax administration.

Oyedele said that the Federal Government generated good revenue from tax in 2024, even as plans were ongoing to reduce the corporate income tax rate from 30 per cent to 25 per cent as part of the broader fiscal reform agenda.

‘The more inequality you create, the more time-bomb you have. These reforms are designed to strengthen governance around revenue generation, improve accountability, and ensure that tax revenues are effectively utilised,’ he said.

Oyedele said that the reforms would help enhance the country’s sovereign credit rating, lower borrowing costs for both government, businesses, and stimulate private-sector investment.

The chairman said that the reform process had been inclusive, with engagements across all sectors of the economy, including persons with disabilities, farmers, and Nigerians in the diaspora.

‘No one was left out. We worked with every state, consulted widely with stakeholders, and co-created solutions to the challenges identified in the fiscal system,’ he said.

Oyedele commended President Bola Tinubu for adopting an implementation-focused approach, which allows the committee not only to design reforms but also to work directly with government institutions to execute them.

‘Our Committee is unique because we are not just submitting a report, we are part of the implementation process.

‘ The goal now is to ensure public understanding, capacity building, and effective rollout of these laws,’ he said.

According to Oyedele, the reforms are expected to broaden Nigeria’s tax base, improve compliance, and make the system more equitable, ensuring that those with the ability to pay contribute fairly, while protecting those most vulnerable.

Nigeria is rolling out one of the largest integrated vaccination campaigns in its history, aiming to protect around 106 million children against measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

According to a statement by WHO on Monday, the nationwide initiative will combine multiple vaccines and child health services in a single drive, ensuring efficient delivery to children across the country.

The campaign targets children aged 0-14 years for measles and rubella, and 0-59 months for polio.

It will be implemented in two phases: Phase One, launching today, covers 20 high-risk northern states and Oyo State in the southwest. Phase Two, beginning in January 2026, will expand to the remaining southern states.

To reach every community, health workers will deliver services through fixed posts, temporary outreach points, and house-to-house ‘sweep teams,’ ensuring that even children in the most remote and underserved areas are reached.

In addition to measles-rubella and polio vaccines, the campaign integrates routine immunisation and other essential child health services, including treatment for neglected tropical diseases and seasonal malaria chemoprevention in high-risk areas.

This holistic approach supports Nigeria’s ‘Primary Health Care Under One Roof’ strategy and advances the Health Campaign Effectiveness agenda towards universal health coverage.

The initiative responds to persistent outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) as well as measles and rubella outbreaks in Nigeria and across the Lake Chad Basin.

Nigeria is coordinating with Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger through a cross-border action plan to stop active outbreaks by the end of 2025 and eliminate remaining risks by the end of 2026.

‘On behalf of the Government, I want to express our deep respect and gratitude to Nigeria’s frontline health workers for their unwavering dedication.

‘I urge you to approach this campaign with the same resilience and commitment you have shown over the years.

‘As a parent myself, I know that no parent would ever refuse something that protects their child. Vaccines are safe, and they save lives,’ said Dr Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

This campaign builds on the success of two recent ‘In-between Round Activities’ in 11 northern states (August-September 2025), which reached over 3.1 million children with vaccines, provided nutrition supplements to 500,000 malnourished children, and delivered anti-malaria interventions to 150,000 children.

‘Nigeria’s integrated approach sets a strong example for the Region.

‘By uniting efforts against measles, rubella, and polio, and by working hand-in-hand with communities and partners, we are moving closer to the day when no African child suffers or dies from these preventable diseases,’ said Dr Mohammed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

In preparation for this nationwide rollout, Nigeria has also strengthened systems to ensure smooth implementation.

Trainers have been mobilised across states, payment processes for frontline workers have been redesigned for greater efficiency, and campaign systems have been upgraded to integrate data more effectively and safeguard integrity.

These investments will ensure that every health worker is supported and every child vaccinated is recorded accurately, bolstering accountability and trust in the programme.

Nigeria is also introducing a new combined measles-rubella vaccine to replace the measles-only vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease, particularly for malnourished children, while rubella can cause severe birth defects (Congenital Rubella Syndrome) if contracted during pregnancy.

The campaign is led by the Nigerian government, with support from the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi – the Vaccine Alliance, Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious leaders.

Robust coordination mechanisms are in place for financing, social mobilisation, training, vaccines, and logistics to ensure success.

Nigerian medical doctor Egemba Chinonso Fidelis, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has warned Nigerians about their health and a possibility of a ‘stroke pandemic’.

While speaking about blood pressure and hypertension on his X page, Aproko Doctor urged Nigerians to take their health seriously. He also advised that young people go for checkups regularly.

‘There’s a silent pandemic of high blood pressure among young Nigerians. We think we’re too young for a stroke, but it’s happening,’ he wrote.

He also opened up on the possible signs of the medical emergency, urging Nigerians not to play with their health.

‘One sign people miss: Aphasia. Suddenly being unable to form words, even when your thoughts are clear. Please it is not something to joke with; it’s a medical emergency. Know your numbers. Abeg,’ he added.