Category: PM News

The family of late AriseTV correspondent, Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, say her death has robbed Nigeria of a young woman who abandoned the comfort of the United Kingdom to help build a better society at home.

Sommie, 29, tragically died after jumping from a three-storey building in Abuja on Monday, September 29, while trying to escape armed robbers. She had already planned to wed before Easter 2026.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, her uncle, Engineer Obi Maduagwu, said the young journalist always believed Nigeria could work if good people returned home to contribute.

‘She told her father she was leaving the UK, where she earned more, because she wanted Nigeria to work. She believed in a better society,’ he recalled.

The family pieced together the events of her death from calls and photographs. Convincing her father, who was offshore with Shell, to return home required urgent arrangements, including a helicopter evacuation to Port Harcourt. Her uncle described Sommie as independent, strong-willed and passionate about politics, especially women’s empowerment. She once called for more Senate seats for women and believed journalism was the best platform for her voice.

Just days before her death, she posted a haunting message: ‘Let Nigeria not happen to you.’

Engineer Maduagwu blamed insecurity and poor emergency response for her death. ‘If police had arrived on time, this tragedy could have been prevented. In the UK, distress calls are answered in minutes,’ he lamented, adding that hospitals must stop demanding ID cards or police reports before saving lives.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also mourned Sommie, calling her ‘one of the shining stars Rivers State gave to Nigeria and the world.’ He described her death as ‘an unwholesome tragedy’ and assured that security agencies had been directed to ensure justice is served.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has made it clear that it will not remove Israel from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, despite pressure from some football leaders and fans, PM News has learnt.

The president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, said on Thursday that the world football body cannot fix political or geographical conflicts. Instead, FIFA’s main role is to encourage peace, unity, and the growth of football worldwide. Infantino explained this after a meeting of FIFA’s ruling council, where the situation with Israel was not on the official agenda.

This comes as calls have grown stronger in recent months for Israeli teams to be suspended, following the two-year conflict in Gaza.

However, those demands slowed down earlier this week after U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a peace proposal at the White House. ‘FIFA cannot solve geopolitical problems,’ Infantino said. ‘But it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian values.’

Israel is preparing to play its next World Cup qualifying matches in Europe. They will face Norway in Oslo on October 11 and then play against Italy in Udine on October 14.

This decision has drawn mixed reactions from football fans and officials.

Some argue that sports should remain separate from politics, while others believe FIFA should take stronger action against countries involved in conflicts.

For now, FIFA is standing firm on its position that football should continue as a tool for bringing people together, even in times of international crisis.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday flagged off the nationwide distribution of 370,000 sanitary pads worth ?2,550,297,150 for schoolgirls in rural communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The official launch, held at the State House, Alausa, Lagos, was part of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) project tagged ‘Flow with Confidence.’

The programme, which aims to promote menstrual health and empower adolescent girls, was launched simultaneously in Borno, Cross River, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos States, with other states expected to follow as supplies arrive.

Mrs. Tinubu, represented at the Lagos event by the State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the intervention was designed to address a critical barrier to girl-child education.

‘In today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of her inability to afford sanitary products,’ she said.

‘It is unacceptable that our girls still continue to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural communities, who miss school days every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads,’ she added.

She lamented that many girls resort to unsafe and unhygienic alternatives, while others withdraw from school altogether. ‘This trend must end, and this intervention, under the Education framework of the Renewed Hope Initiative, is aimed at doing just that,’ she stated.

According to her, each of the 36 states and the FCT will receive 10,000 packs of disposable pads, distributed through State First Ladies and RHI Coordinators. ‘We will be distributing a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities across the nation at the end of this programme,’ she announced.

Mrs. Tinubu stressed that the pads, procured from Uniglory Nigeria Limited in Ikorodu, Lagos, at a cost of ?2.55bn, must be given freely.

‘The pads are not to be sold under any circumstance,’ she warned, urging local government chairmen to take ownership of the initiative and ensure the products reach deserving girls.

She called on corporate organisations, agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative, while urging traditional, religious, and community leaders to help monitor the distribution.

The 2025 Crest Africa Awards have recognized Fredrick Oladipupo, a senior software engineer and tech entrepreneur, with the Tech Innovation for Social Impact Award.

Announcing the award, the organisers noted that it highlights Fredick’s groundbreaking work in creating technology that bridges everyday challenges with practical, people-focused solutions. The organisers noted that Fredrick is the founder of BabySteps, a parenting support app that enables families to track their children’s developmental milestones through personalized guidance, expert insights, and engaging activities.

The statements by organizers of 2025 Crest Africa Awards reads: ‘Already gaining traction in Africa and the United Kingdom, BabySteps is transforming how parents approach child development, fostering healthier parent-child relationships in the process.

‘Complementing this work, he also launched PlatformAdvisor, a research-driven software review and comparison platform. By simplifying the process of selecting digital tools, PlatformAdvisor empowers African entrepreneurs and organizations to adopt the right technologies and drive business growth with confidence.

‘Fredrick’s contributions go beyond product innovation. As a volunteer and mentor with CodeYourFuture (CYF UK), a nonprofit dedicated to training refugees and disadvantaged individuals in software development, he equips aspiring developers with the skills, resilience, and confidence to build meaningful careers in tech. His mentorship underscores a deep commitment to using technology as a force for inclusion and empowerment.

‘For Fredrick, the purpose of technology is clear: ‘Technology is most powerful when it solves everyday problems and makes life better for people,’ he emphasizes. This philosophy fuels both his entrepreneurial ventures and his advocacy for accessible, socially impactful innovation.

‘As he accepts the Crest Africa Award, Fredrick remains focused on expanding BabySteps to reach more families globally, mentoring the next generation of developers, and advancing inclusive solutions that address pressing challenges across Africa and beyond.

‘The recognition of Fredrick Oladipupo at the 2025 Crest Africa Awards is not just a celebration of individual achievement-it is a testament to how innovation, when grounded in empathy and social responsibility, can reshape communities and improve lives across continents.’

President Bola Tinubu congratulates the management and staff of Kresta Laurel Limited on the 35th anniversary of the leading indigenous elevator company.

Kresta Laurel Limited is a major player in elevators and escalators, with headquarters in Lagos, branches in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and a zonal office in Ibadan.

The company is a recipient of the African Order of Merit in Cranes, Escalators, and Elevator Technology.

President Tinubu commends Kresta Laurel for its enterprise discipline, noting that its longevity could only have come from resilience, effective management, and sound business practices. The President recalls the space support provided by the company to him and his transition team in 1999, when he put together his technocratic cabinet, which took charge of Lagos affairs from May 1999.

President Tinubu thanks Kresta Laurel for its support and unwavering belief in the Nigerian market.

The President congratulates Senator Gbenga Daniel, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kresta Laurel Limited, and wishes the business more success and many remarkable anniversaries.

The Kaduna and Edo Police Commands have announced that their operatives will begin the enforcement of vehicle tinted glass permit regulations on Thursday.

In Kaduna, the spokesperson for the police command, DSP Mansir Hassan, Hassan said: ‘The command wishes to notify the public, particularly motorists, of the commencement of the enforcement of Vehicle Tinted Glass Permit Regulations, in line with extant laws and directives.

‘This enforcement exercise will take effect from Thursday.’

According to him, all vehicle owners and drivers whose vehicles are fitted with either factory-fitted or non-factory-fitted tinted glasses are advised to ensure compliance by registering and obtaining the requisite permit to avoid inconvenience with law enforcement officers.

He said the registration process included an online registration, urging the public to visit https://possap.gov.ng.

He said for the physical verification, they should proceed to the Kaduna command headquarters with the following documents; vehicle particulars, proof of ownership and tinted glass specifications

He urged the public to cooperate fully with the directive as the exercise was aimed at enhancing public safety and security across the state.

‘Non-compliance will attract necessary sanctions as provided by law,’Hassan warned.

The spokesperson said Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, has assured all law-abiding citizens of the command’s commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment while soliciting continuous support and cooperation from all the stakeholders.

In Edo, the police also said they will begin strict enforcement of tinted glass permits across the state from Thursday in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.

Mr Monday Agbonika, the Commissioner of Police in the Edo disclosed this via a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu.

Agbonika said the move was part of measures to enhance public safety and curb crimes perpetrated with unregistered or unauthorised vehicles.

‘From Thursday, our officers will stop and impound vehicles with factory-fitted and non-factory fitted tinted glasses without a valid permit issued by the Nigeria Police Force,’ the commissioner said.

The police chief stressed that motorists must obtain the required permits through the official online portal.

He gave the address as (https://www.possap.gov.ng) or by visiting the State Intelligence Department (SID) office at the command headquarters in Benin.

Reiterating the ban on SPY number plates, the commissioner warned that vehicles without registered number plates, those with covered plates, or with fake/unapproved numbers would be seized and their owners prosecuted.

‘This measure is to improve safety and security across Edo State, as unregistered and unauthorised vehicles are often used by criminals to perpetrate evil,’ he said.

He, however, urged the motoring public to comply with the directive and avoid unnecessary embarrassment.

Agbonika assured that the enforcement would be conducted in the interest of the public.

‘We appeal for maximum cooperation from members of the public. This exercise is for the overall safety of everyone,’ he added.

He also advised citizens to report suspicious activities and professional misconduct by officers.

Lagos State Government has begun the demolition of illegal buildings in Ebute Metta to solve problems associated with poor drainage.

The exercise which commenced on Thursday, was announced by the Lagos state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

Wahab on his X handle, revealed that the illegal structures that were demolished were one of the major reasons behind flooding in the area. ‘Our enforcement team has removed illegal structures erected along the Jebba/Kano collector, Ebute Metta. These encroachments hinder the free passage of stormwater and are a major factor behind flooding in this area,’ Wahab stated.

Wahab also urged residents not to block drainages with waste or extensions that could affect the drainage system.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, has dismissed the suit filed against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers state,

The suit which was filed on the 18th of March, was dismissed on Thursday, by Justice James Omotosho in the Country’s capital. The Federal Court, while ruling in favor of President Tinubu, stated that the state of emergency was declared to prevent a breakdown of law and order. Justice Omotosho also explained that the claims made against the president were frivolous and baseless.

The Oyo State Government has partnered with acclaimed filmmaker Kunle Afolayan’s KAP Film Academy on a 10-day intensive filmmaking residency programme, scheduled for 6 to 15 October 2025.

The residency, announced by Afolayan, will take place at the iconic KAP Film Village and Resort in Igbojaye, Oyo State – the production location of the Netflix blockbuster Aníkúlápó.

Themed ‘Emerging Stories’, the programme is designed to equip aspiring filmmakers from across Oyo State with comprehensive, hands-on training. Participants will be mentored by an A-list group of Nigerian cinema legends, including Kunle Afolayan, Tunde Kelani, and Joke Silva.

The curriculum will cover the entire filmmaking pipeline – from screenwriting and directing to cinematography, editing, and the business of film.

‘This residency is about more than just technical skills; it’s about instilling the passion and discipline required to become a successful storyteller,’ said Afolayan.

He added that ‘Emerging Stories’ are the heartbeat of African cinema’s future, and that his Academy’s mission is to provide the tools for new voices to be heard globally.

Speaking on the initiative, which has received the endorsement of the Oyo State Government as part of its strategy to foster talent and grow the creative economy, Governor Oluseyi Makinde said:

‘The programme reflects our commitment to empowering youth and positioning Oyo State as a premier hub for creativity and innovation.

A strategic partnership with KAP Academy will significantly boost our efforts towards creating meaningful opportunities for our young people and for the cultural economy of our state.’ Governor Makinde officially unveiled the KAP Film Village and Resort in April and has since committed to the reconstruction of the road leading to the world-class tourism destination.

The residency programme involves young participants from across the 33 local government areas of the state.

Commenting on local-level preparations, the Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Honourable Ademola Ojo, confirmed the excitement and readiness of selected participants from across the state.

Since its inception in 2021, the KAP Film and Television Academy has trained over 40,000 students across Africa, establishing itself as a leading institution for practical, world-class film education. About KAP Film and Television Academy

Founded in 2021 by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, the KAP Film and Television Academy is dedicated to equipping a new generation of African filmmakers with practical, industry-standard skills.

Through courses, masterclasses, and residency programmes, the Academy has partnered with major global brands and diplomatic missions to train over 40,000 students, fostering talent and elevating standards in film and television production across the continent.

The Academy’s home – the KAP Film Village and Resort in Igbojaye, Oyo State – serves as a serene and inspiring hub for learning and production.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has demanded a written retraction, public apology, and the sum of ?100 billion as compensation from Hon. Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, also known as Iyierioba Chikamnayo, over what he described as a series of defamatory publications on Facebook.

In a letter dated October 2, 2025, and signed by his counsel, Dr. Sonny Ajala (SAN) of Deeplaw Associates, Governor Otti said the publications were ‘defamatory and malicious.’

The governor accused Chikamnayo of consistently making ‘unjustified and malicious online defamatory statements’ against him on his Facebook account titled Iyierioba Chikamnayo. ‘Sabbath Message’ (September 13, 2025)

‘Alex Otthief is a confirmed criminal and congenital liar = looting governor!’ (August 15, 2025).

Ajala stressed that the governor’s identity was unmistakable, noting:

‘Our client is the only Governor and Chief Executive of a State within the 36 States of Nigeria who bears the name Alex Chioma Otti. Thus, no effort is required by members of the public to link your spiteful, false, and defamatory attacks to him, whether by direct name-calling or through caricature, pun, simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, or metonymy.’ The senior advocate defended Otti’s reputation, describing him as a man of ‘unimpeachable integrity,’ highlighting his distinguished career in the banking sector where he rose to become Managing Director/Chief Executive of Diamond Bank Plc before transitioning into politics.

The letter also noted that Otti became aware of the publications on September 29, 2025, while in Abuja for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on the state’s Attorney-General. At that time, his attention was drawn to what was described as ‘a cocktail of disparaging publications calculated to instigate public hatred against him.’

Ajala stated that the governor ‘unequivocally denies in their entirety the malicious defamatory materials published online,’ insisting that Otti ‘has no criminal indictment or conviction by any court of law,’ and therefore the posts amounted to ‘blatant falsehood.’

The counsel further argued that the publications inflicted ‘unquantifiable mental torture, depression, denigration, and a brutal destruction of his reputation built over decades,’ leaving Otti ‘utterly disfigured and diminished in the eyes of right-thinking members of society.’

Governor Otti’s demands include:

A written retraction of all defamatory posts to be published both on the same Facebook wall and in four national newspapers.

A written apology published on the same platforms.

Payment of ?100 billion as compensation for reputational damage.

An undertaking to desist from any further defamatory publications.

Ajala concluded the letter with a stern warning:

‘Take very careful notice that should you fail, refuse, and/or ignore to comply with our demands within seven (7) days of receiving this letter, we shall, without further recourse to you, seek legal redress and pursue appropriate remedies for your malicious online libel against our client.’