Category: PM News

Super Eagles star and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has shared a heartwarming message to celebrate his daughter’s third birthday.

In a post on social media, Osimhen described his little girl as ‘the light that brightens my world and the sweetest blessing GOD has given me.’ He added: ‘Every smile you share melts my heart, every laugh you make fills me with joy, and every hug reminds me how lucky I am to be your parent.’

Reflecting on her growth over the past three years, the striker wrote: ‘Watching you grow these past 3 years has been the most magical journey of my life. You are smart, kind, playful, and full of love, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll do as you continue to grow.’

Osimhen also prayed for her protection and happiness, saying: ‘May your life always be filled with laughter, happiness, and endless love, GOD will continue to protect you from the eyes of the evil ones AMEN! Daddy/Mummy loves you more than words can ever explain. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE! (BIG 3) ‘

Fans quickly flooded the post with birthday wishes, celebrating both the milestone and Victor Osimhen’s heartfelt tribute.

The Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Olusegun Odumbaku, has pledged his full support for the Public Health Centre (PHC) Taskforce recently established by the Lagos State Government to drive a statewide vaccination campaign against preventable diseases.

Odumbaku also announced plans to constitute a local committee within Ojodu LCDA to collaborate with the taskforce in ensuring the success of the immunisation exercise at the grassroots level.

His decision followed the inaugural meeting of the taskforce held on Tuesday at the Office of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, with all 57 council chairmen in attendance.

The meeting focused on strengthening disease prevention mechanisms and expanding immunisation coverage across communities.

During the meeting, the Deputy Governor underscored the crucial role of council chairmen in achieving the state’s goal of eliminating diseases such as polio and measles through improved PHC operations. He urged them to prioritise healthcare in their budgets and work closely with the taskforce.

‘The council chairmen are pivotal to achieving our objective of preventing communicable diseases by ensuring effective primary health care delivery within their domains,’ Hamzat said.

‘You are the closest to the grassroots, and your commitment to this campaign will determine its success.’

In his remarks, Odumbaku reaffirmed Ojodu LCDA’s readiness to partner with the taskforce to ensure that every child within the council receives necessary vaccinations.

‘My administration in Ojodu LCDA is in line with this vaccination campaign by the state. We take seriously the health of our children who are the future generations,’ he said.

‘Our commitment to this vaccination campaign is unwavering. We are going to set up a committee that will work with the taskforce,’ he added.

He added that the council would intensify public enlightenment, engaging parents, school proprietors, and religious leaders on the importance of immunisation against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Highlighting his administration’s investment in healthcare, Odumbaku recalled that since assuming office, four PHCs in Apata, Akiode, Powerline, and Gbadamosi have been renovated or rebuilt.

‘The Oluwole health centre has been equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, and we are working toward equipping others. We have also employed qualified medical personnel,’ he said.

Before Odumbaku’s administration, health centres within Ojodu LCDA were reportedly in poor condition. However, since his first term, the council has witnessed a major turnaround – with over 50 health workers employed and more than 600 minor surgeries successfully conducted across facilities in Oluwole, Powerline, and Akiode.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returns to Abuja on Monday following a ten-day working visit to Lagos.

The President arrived in Lagos on Friday, September 26, after attending the coronation of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, in Ibadan.

While in the nation’s commercial capital, President Tinubu engaged with key investors, including Bayo Ogunlesi, Chief Executive Officer of Global Infrastructure Partners, and Keem Belo-Osagie, former Chairman of United Bank for Africa and Etisalat, and now Chairman of Metis Capital Partners.

Tinubu also received the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr Arsenio Dominguez, in the company of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola and other heads of agencies in the sector. During their meeting, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s maritime industry as a viable alternative to fossil energy.

On the eve of Nigeria’s 65th anniversary of independence, President Tinubu visited Imo State to commission projects undertaken by Governor Hope Uzodimma. The President also unveiled a book authored by the governor, chronicling 10 years of the APC governance in Nigeria.

He delivered the national broadcast from the State House, Dodan Barracks, on Independence Day. He later commissioned the renovated National Theatre – now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts – where he called on Nigerians to speak positively about their country.

On Saturday, October 4, President Tinubu visited Jos, Plateau State, to attend the burial of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, the mother of Professor Nantawe Yilwatda, the chairman of the APC.

At the funeral, the President paid tribute to Mama Yilwatda and assured Christian communities in Northern Nigeria of his administration’s unwavering commitment to fairness and equity among all religious groups in the country.

Nigerian music video director and filmmaker Buari Olalekan Oluwasegun, popularly known as Unlimited L.A, has opened up on why he transitioned into filmmaking.

While speaking at a panel session at the Africa Magic Showcase screening, Unlimited L.A revealed that he got tired of directing music videos.

He also stated that his transition into filmmaking was inspired by his hunger for a new challenge. He added that he had shot over 1,000 music videos and he needed something different.

‘I’ve shot over 1,000 music videos and I got tired, so I asked myself if I could just transition into filmmaking. Everybody on that set happened to be my friend. I reached out to everybody and I got a lot of ‘nos,’ but the ones that told me ‘yes’ are the people who made Rise Again possible,’ he stated.

Israel has deported climate activist Greta Thunberg along with 171 others after intercepting a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.

The move comes after authorities stopped around 470 people aboard more than 40 civilian boats last week.

This marks the second time Thunberg has been turned away trying to reach Gaza by sea. Israel’s foreign ministry called the flotilla a ‘PR stunt,’ insisting all detainees were treated according to the law, while activists have alleged harsh conditions during detention.

The deported group included citizens from countries such as Greece, Italy, France, Ireland, Sweden, and the United States, sent back to Greece and Slovakia. The flotilla drew global attention amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Lagos Lagoon glistened in shades of blue and gold as electric powerboats sliced through the water, cheered on by an ecstatic crowd that lined Victoria Island’s waterfront from Saturday, 3 October to Sunday, 5 October. For two unforgettable days, Lagos became Africa’s capital of clean energy, glamour, and innovation, all powered by First Bank of Nigeria, the sponsor of the continent’s first-ever E1 Lagos Grand Prix.

From the rhythmic sounds of Afrobeats echoing across the Marina to the sight of sleek, futuristic boats gliding silently on water, the E1 Lagos GP was more than a race, it was a celebration of Lagos’ vibrant spirit and Nigeria’s march towards sustainability.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a goodwill message, hailed the event as a bold statement of intent by Nigeria and Lagos, praising Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, First Bank, and other partners for delivering a world-class spectacle.

‘The E1 Powerboat series combines world-class entertainment with clean energy innovation. This championship is not just a thrilling spectacle on water but a commitment to a greener and more sustainable future,’ the president had said at the opening ceremony of the great event on Friday, 3 October.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu presenting the trophy to winner of the E1 Lagos GP championship – Team Brazil during the grand finale in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, 5 October 2025.

He described Lagos as ‘a gateway to innovation, technology, and global sporting excellence,’ affirming the nation’s readiness to lead Africa’s transition to clean energy.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who led the regatta that opened the event, described the championship as a proud moment for Lagos and a reflection of its global potential.

‘E1 Lagos GP is more than a race; it is a celebration of Lagos’ dynamism, the Spirit of Lagos,’ the governor said, adding that ‘It shows our capacity to host world-class events and underscores our commitment to sustainability.’

Crowds thronged the Lagos Lagoon and fan zones, having fun, snapping selfies, and soaking in the festive atmosphere. International sports icons, investors, and fans came from across the world, including former Chelsea and Ivory Coast football legend Didier Drogba, co-owner of Team Drogba Global Africa, who added a touch of celebrity magic to the weekend.

For First Bank of Nigeria, the event was not just about sports, it was about making history. Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Olayinka Ijabiyi, said sponsoring the E1 Lagos GP reflected the bank’s heritage of innovation and renewal. ‘Innovation, sustainability, excitement, speed, we are a heritage bank that has been around for 131 years, and for every one of those years, we have constantly renewed ourselves,’ Ijabiyi said, saying that ‘When this opportunity came, who else could bring the first E1 GP to Nigeria but First Bank? We are proud to have presented Lagos and Nigeria to the world.’

At the First Bank Pavilion, visitors enjoyed interactive experiences, lifestyle engagements, and product showcases, while music, fashion, and food added a distinctly Lagos flavour. Families and young professionals mingled with entrepreneurs, all celebrating a fusion of technology, culture, and sustainability, hallmarks of the bank’s brand identity.

‘This race is a net-zero emitter,’ Ijabiyi added. ‘We are strong on sustaining the environment and supporting a cleaner, greener future. It’s innovation meeting responsibility.’

The E1 partnership also connects with the bank’s #FirstBankDecemberIssaVybe series, an annual celebration of entertainment and lifestyle that lights up Nigeria’s festive season. ‘December is the Vybe,’ Ijabiyi teased. ‘This is just a taste of what’s to come-fun, fashion, food, and amazing experiences.’

The finale on Sunday was nothing short of electrifying as Team Brazil claimed victory, with pilots Timmy Hansen and Leva Millere-Hagin steering their electric boat to glory, beating Team Blue Rising and Team Drogba to the podium.

As the sun set over the Lagoon, the waterfront transformed into a sea of lights and cheers, a moment that captured the heart of Lagos: energetic, ambitious, and always ready to lead.

With its sponsorship of the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, First Bank once again proved that it is more than a financial institution, it is a lifestyle brand championing innovation, sustainability, and national pride.

In the words of Latoya Johnson, a Lagosian who attended the event: ‘I grew up knowing First Bank as the reliable one. Seeing them behind something this big makes me proud. They’re not just banking our money, they’re banking our future.’

From clean energy to cultural celebration, from racing boats to smiling faces, the E1 Lagos GP was a powerful reminder that when innovation meets tradition, the result is pure magic.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi, has expressed serious concern over the rising cases of thuggery in the state and called for an urgent action to tackle the menace.

The party disclosed this while addressing a press briefing shortly after its stakeholders’ meeting held in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.

Speaking on behalf of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed-Mera, Chiroman Kabi, said the essence of the meeting was to discuss the prevailing insecurity and the emerging culture of political thuggery in the state.

Mohammed-Mera recalled a recent scenario in Argungu where people gathered for a wedding Fatiha in a Mosque but some thugs allegedly attacked them, lamenting that it was unbecoming for a political leader to support, encourage or finance such ugly trends.

According to him, the ADC, therefore, condemned the act in its totality and called for peace to reign in the state.

The party chieftain alleged that ‘Kebbi was no longer safe’, adding,’ because recently a Nigerian soldier, who gave his life to protect the nation was killed in Sakaba.

‘ADC notes with serious concern the alarming rise in insecurity within Kebbi and its adjoining communities.

‘Cases of banditry, kidnapping, and other form of criminality have continued unabated, leaving the citizens traumatised, farmlands deserted, and economic activities in decline.

‘This regrettable situation, if left unchecked, threaten the very fabric of our society and the pence that Kebbi has long been known for.’

The ADC stalwart called on both the State and Federal Governments as well as the security agencies to take immediate, coordinated, and intelligence-driven actions to restore law and order.

‘The safety and welfare of the people must remain paramount.

‘The ADC stands firmly with the people of Kebbi in demanding a more visible and effective security response that goes beyond rhetoric and focuses on tangible results,’ he said.

While described ADC as a ‘growing and expanding party that operates within the ambit democratic rules and regulations.’

Mohammed-Mera observed that the resorts to intimidation, blackmail and physical aggression by some political actors was undermining the democratic norms and ethics which cast a dark shadow over the integrity of the nation’s political process.

He reaffirmed the commitment of ADC to constructive dialogue, preparatory democracy, and continues engagement with citizens to build a more secure and inclusive Kebbi.

The party chieftain appealed to other political parties to come and join hands with ADC to ‘dislodge the incumbent at both state and national levels’ towards not only rekindling hope for Nigerians but also building a brighter future for Nigerians.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved Monday, October 6, 2025, as a work-free day for teachers in the state to celebrate this year’s World Teachers’ Day.

The governor made the announcement on Sunday at the 2025 Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta. According to the state’s Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Odufowokan, the decision reflects Governor Abiodun’s appreciation of the vital role teachers play in nation-building.

Abiodun also announced plans to construct 12 blocks of 900 smart classrooms across four schools in each of the state’s education zones.

The benefiting schools include Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi-Aba; Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; Remo Secondary School, Sagamu; and Yewa College, Ilaro.

The governor further disclosed that 1,000 OgunTeach interns have been absorbed into the State Teaching Service Commission, bringing the total number of absorbed interns to 5,000 since the inception of his administration.

To improve special education, Abiodun approved the renovation of all special schools and an increase in the feeding allowance for pupils in those institutions.

He also promised to pay transport allowances to all public school teachers, in place of the work-free days already granted to other state workers.

Highlighting other education initiatives, the governor mentioned the establishment of the Ogun State Education Intervention Fund, the successful conduct of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) using Optical Mark Reader (OMR) sheets, and the installation of ICT facilities ahead of the Nigeria Learning Passport e-content rollout.

Addressing concerns over the unaccessed 2020 UBEC funds, Abiodun explained that his administration had cleared the backlog from 2014 to 2017 and accessed those funds after paying the required counterpart contributions.

He said the state is currently implementing projects under the 2018 and 2019 UBEC allocations.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving teachers’ welfare and fostering collaboration among educators nationwide.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made this known during the grand finale of the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration and the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards held in Abuja.

Themed ‘Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession,’ the event underscored the importance of teamwork and peer learning in enhancing teaching quality and learning outcomes.

Alausa emphasized that supporting teachers through peer mentoring, co-teaching, and digital collaboration improves classroom results and professional growth.

He noted that the government is implementing key reforms, including the National Teacher Policy, to strengthen the teaching profession.

He highlighted the roles of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), the National Teachers Institute (NTI), and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in ensuring continuous professional development and adherence to standards.

According to Alausa, ‘Teaching is no longer an individual task but a shared responsibility.

The future of education depends on collaboration, trust, and collective accountability.’

Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, added that several initiatives, such as the National Teacher Development Policy (2022), the Digital Literacy and Skills Framework, and the establishment of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), are being implemented to promote innovation and cooperation among teachers.

She stressed that while many educators have worked in isolation, modern teaching requires collaboration to address challenges such as large class sizes, curriculum changes, and digital learning demands.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Audu Amba, also emphasized the importance of collaboration in improving education quality.

However, he expressed concern over the slow implementation of incentive packages earlier approved for teachers under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Amba urged both federal and state governments to ensure full implementation of these benefits, stressing that teachers’ welfare is central to attracting and retaining qualified educators.

He further called on the Federal Government to revisit the decision to delist the TRCN from public funding, noting that adequate financing is essential for effective regulation and professional development in the teaching sector.

World Teachers’ Day, celebrated annually on October 5, provides an opportunity to honour teachers’ contributions and reflect on the challenges facing the profession, with renewed calls for greater support and investment in education.

The Round of 16 fixtures for the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup have now been officially confirmed following the completion of the group stage matches played in the early hours of Monday morning.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked their place in the knockout stage after holding Colombia to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their final group game.

The result ensured that the Nigerian side finished the group phase with four points from three matches, enough to secure a spot among the top 16 teams in the tournament.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s boys showed great determination throughout the group stage, combining solid defending with flashes of attacking brilliance.

Their resilience against Colombia, one of the tournament’s strongest teams so far, has further boosted the team’s confidence ahead of a tough test against Argentina in the next round.

In another group fixture, Norway also sealed qualification to the Round of 16 after a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia, a result that saw them progress on goal difference.

According to FIFA, the Round of 16 matches will be played from Tuesday to Friday, as the competition enters a crucial stage where every game is a potential decider.

Below is the full list of confirmed Round of 16 fixtures:

Ukraine vs Spain

Chile vs Mexico

Colombia vs South Africa

Argentina vs Nigeria

Paraguay vs Norway

Japan vs France

USA vs Italy

Morocco vs South Korea

Fans around the world are eagerly looking forward to these matchups, with several heavyweight clashes expected to produce thrilling moments as teams battle for a place in the quarterfinals.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles advanced to the Round of 16 at the ongoing 24th FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile after a spirited 1-1 draw against Colombia in the early hours of Monday.

The seven-time African champions put up a determined display at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, with goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt pulling off crucial saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep the game level.

Despite Colombia’s early pressure, the Nigerians were the more enterprising side, with Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi, and Suleman Sani constantly troubling the South American defence and striking the upright on several occasions.

Colombia broke the deadlock in the 51st minute through Kener Gonzalez, who converted from Neyser Villareal’s assist.

Undeterred, the Flying Eagles piled on relentless pressure, and defender Odinaka Okoro came close with a header in the 76th minute.

Nigeria’s persistence paid off in the 86th minute when captain Daniel Bameyi calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after a Colombian defender handled Maigana’s goal-bound effort.

The Nigerians nearly clinched a late winner, but Arierhi’s shot in the 89th minute was blocked inside the area.

The result means Nigeria will now face Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago on Wednesday a repeat of the quarter-final clash from the last U20 World Cup hosted by Argentina, where the Flying Eagles triumphed 2-0 in San Juan.

Elsewhere, Colombia will meet South Africa, while Norway takes on Paraguay in other Round of 16 fixtures.