Category: PM News

Five Nigerian women entrepreneurs have received a major boost for their businesses after emerging as beneficiaries of the Standard Chartered Foundation Women in Tech Accelerator programme, securing a combined $50,000 in funding.

The entrepreneurs emerged from the programme’s seventh cohort, which featured 11 women-led businesses developing technology-enabled solutions across various sectors.

Each of the five winners will receive $10,000 to support business expansion, strengthen operations and accelerate the development of their products and services.

The programme was implemented in partnership with Village Capital and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Pan-Atlantic University.

The five beneficiaries are Mariam Grey Pharmacy, founded by Jennifer Esiaba; Ahavaplan, founded by Christine Imoukhuede; Adaptive Atelier, founded by Toyosi Badejo-Okusanya; Proc360, founded by Fara Popoola; and Kidsthatcode, founded by Adejoke Haastrup.

The businesses are using technology to address challenges across healthcare, event management, digital accessibility, trade and education.

Mariam Grey Pharmacy leverages artificial intelligence to improve access to medication, pharmacist consultations and healthcare support through smartphones, basic mobile phones and USSD services.

Ahavaplan uses artificial intelligence to help event planners manage clients, communications and other aspects of their businesses, while Adaptive Atelier develops technology aimed at making digital platforms more accessible to people living with disabilities.

Proc360 focuses on strengthening business-to-business trade by providing services such as supplier verification, quality control and secure payment solutions.

Meanwhile, Kidsthatcode equips children and teenagers with coding and digital skills through classes, mentorship programmes, hackathons and hands-on projects.

The five businesses were selected after their founders presented their business models and growth strategies before a panel of judges during a pitching session.

Speaking on the initiative, Joke Adu, Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Nigeria, said women entrepreneurs could play a significant role in economic development when provided with access to funding, skills, mentorship and professional networks.

She said the support could help women-led businesses expand their operations, create employment opportunities and develop solutions to pressing social and economic challenges.

The Director of the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Dr Nneka Okekearu, also emphasised the importance of equipping women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks and resources required to build sustainable businesses.

The Federal Government has flagged off training for over 1,000 beneficiaries under Cohort 3 of its Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS-TVET) initiative in Kogi State.

The programme is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank, through accredited Training Service Providers (TSPs) nationwide with monitoring across the 774 LGAs.

The flag-off ceremony, which was held on Friday in Lokoja, featured 10 service providers operating from 10 skills acquisition centres across the state.

The providers include Leafnet Enterprise Ltd, Omniflow Power Ltd, Peemadi Ltd, Ugbo-Ugbo Enyo Nig Ltd, JB JennyB Venture Ltd, JEGOO Development Centre Ltd, USS Geo Consult and Jubilee 20 Park, among others.

The trainees in Kogi are being equipped with skills in Fashion Design and Garment Making, Solar PV Installation and Maintenance, Catering and Event Management, among others.

In her remarks, the National Project Coordinator, Mrs Blessing Ogwu, said the objective of the initiative is to equip Nigerians with industry-relevant vocational, technical and digital skills, reduce reliance on paper qualifications, and build a workforce for economic transformation.

Ogwu, who was represented by Dr Samaila Dogoyaro, Communication Officer, Benue State Project Implementation Unit, said skills development remains a powerful pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

She disclosed that the project has renovated and equipped workshops across technical colleges, strengthened TVET institutions and upskilled about 4,000 technical teachers and instructors.

‘Beyond institutional interventions, the IDEAS-TVET Initiative has taken skills development directly to about 80,000 Nigerians through Training Service Providers across the country,’ she said.

Ogwu listed occupational areas covered to include fashion design, ICT, agriculture, hospitality, construction, electrical installation, automotive trades, welding and fabrication, plumbing, solar installation and other market-relevant skills, with inclusion of women and other underrepresented groups.

‘Most importantly, take attendance seriously. You are expected to maintain at least 65 per cent attendance every month to be eligible for the N30,000 stipend promised by the Federal Government under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.

‘This requirement is not merely administrative. Regular attendance ensures you receive sufficient practical exposure and develop competence,’ she added.

She charged trainees to see themselves not merely as beneficiaries but as future entrepreneurs, technicians and innovators, noting that success would be measured by employment, businesses established and incomes increased, not just enrolment figures.

The service providers said they are already three months into the six-month training and commended the level of supervision and commitment of trainees.

Mr Ajayi Olufemi, Centre Manager, Memorial Foundation Chateko Vocational Institute (LMF-CVI), Leafnet Enterprise Ltd, said 150 trainees are under his centre in fashion design and garment making.

‘We started in June this year. So far, so good. I tell my trainees, it is not about the N30,000.

‘Government does not want to give you fish to eat but wants to teach you how to catch fish.

‘Some of them made the dresses they are wearing today by themselves within three months,’ Olufemi said.

Another provider, Mr Anthony Achenaje, Training Programme Manager, Jubilee 20 Park, Lokoja, said his centre was awarded 100 trainees in catering and event management.

‘What we want for them is to master the trade and be self-sufficient and employable.

‘The majority heard about the programme and came on their own, not because of the stipend but because of passion,’ Achenaje said.

A trainee, Miss Josephine David, said her experience has been wonderful, noting that though she came as a novice but within three months can now pedal a machine and sew.

‘You can see what I am wearing, I made it myself. I have added value to myself thanks to IDEAS-TVET,’ she said.

Government officials urged beneficiaries to be diligent, saying certifications are recognised by professional bodies and the focus should be beyond the stipend to what they will take back after training.

They commended the Kogi coordinators and service providers for excellent performance and high attendance recorded across centres.

A funeral ceremony in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, reportedly turned tragic on Friday after a pastor collapsed and died while delivering a sermon on the certainty of death.

The cleric was identified as Deacon Steve Eyo, the Resident Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Aleto.

He was preaching before more than 300 mourners when he suddenly collapsed as he was concluding his message.

Eyo’s sermon was titled ‘The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond.’ According to eyewitness accounts cited by multiple local news outlets, he began preaching at about 1:10 p.m., speaking about the inevitability of death and urging those present to live their lives with the awareness that nobody knows when death will come.

In illustrating his message, the pastor reportedly compared life to going to the market, explaining that some people leave early while others remain until later, just as some people die young while others live longer.

About 15 minutes into the sermon, at approximately 1:25 p.m., Eyo reportedly collapsed while rounding off his message.

His sudden fall initially confused some mourners, with eyewitnesses saying some thought the pastor was demonstrating the suddenness of death as part of his sermon. The situation quickly became clear, however, as church ministers, choir members and others rushed to his aid.

People at the scene reportedly prayed for him while individuals with medical knowledge attempted to administer first aid. He was subsequently taken to a nearby medical facility in the same ambulance that had been hired to convey the remains of the deceased person whose burial was taking place.

He was reportedly confirmed dead at the hospital, after which his remains were taken to a mortuary.

The circumstances surrounding Eyo’s death have not been publicly established in the reports reviewed, and no specific medical cause of death was disclosed.

However, the timing of the incident has left mourners and members of the Aleto community deeply shocked because of the subject of his final sermon.

According to eyewitness accounts, Eyo had urged the congregation to ‘number your days and prepare, for it can happen anytime’ shortly before he collapsed.

The incident transformed what had begun as a solemn farewell for one deceased person into another moment of mourning, as attendees were confronted with the sudden death of the minister delivering the funeral sermon.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has blamed brake failure for the multiple crash that claimed the lives of 20 people along the Hawan Kibo-Jos route in Plateau.

Eighteen of the deceased persons were passengers in a Yankari Express Toyota Hummer Bus traveling to Abuja, adding that the two others were on a motorcycle.

The crash occurred after a Howo truck suffered brake failure and rammed into a Toyota hummer bus, Toyota Corolla and motorcycle, Mr Adelaja Ogungbemi, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Plateau State had said in a statement.

Also, FRSC Public Education Officer (CPEO), Mr Osondu Ohaeri, in a statement issued later on Friday evening in Abuja said the crash occurred at about 3:32 p.m. after Sopp Water Falls, with brake failure and loss of control identified as likely causes.

He said 25 people were involved in the crash, comprising 23 males and two females.

According to him, five people, comprising three males and two females, sustained injuries, while 20 males died in the crash.

‘Four vehicles were involved in the crash, including a Howo Sino truck with registration number AGL 525 YN.

‘Others were a Toyota Corolla with registration number AB 129 M and a Toyota Bummer bus operated by Yankari Express.

‘The fourth vehicle was a motorcycle whose registration particulars were not available.

‘The injured victims were evacuated to Ryom General Hospital and Vom Christian Hospital, while the deceased were deposited at JUTH Mortuary.

‘FRSC rescue personnel also cleared the obstruction caused by the crash and restored the affected highway section to traffic,’ he said.

Reacting to the incident, FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, expressed sadness over the loss of lives.

He extended his condolences to the families, friends and associates of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Mohammed also wished the injured victims a speedy recovery and directed the crash investigation team to conduct a thorough investigation.

He said the investigation should establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the reported brake failure and loss of control.

The Corps Marshal urged motorists, especially commercial and heavy-duty vehicle operators, to prioritise roadworthiness, maintenance, speed management and responsible driving.

Mohammed further admonished drivers to exercise greater caution, stressing that the loss of 20 lives in one crash was not merely a statistic.

‘The loss of 20 lives in a single crash represents 20 families suddenly plunged into grief. Behind every number is a name, a home, a family and a future,’ he said.

Mohammed therefore urged all road users to take personal responsibility for safety, stressing that no journey was so urgent that it should end in death.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria is now moving from the era of difficult but necessary reforms to that of shared prosperity.

The President said this while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting civic space and partnering with Civil Society Organisations as strategic co-creators in governance at the 2026 National Civil Society Organisations Summit which held on Friday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Speaking at the event themed ‘Nigeria First and National Development’, the President described the gathering as a strategic reaffirmation of the social contract between the State and the people, coming on the heels of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume (CON), paid tribute to the evolution of civil society in Nigeria, noting that, for 66 years, it has remained the conscience of the nation, giving voice to the vulnerable and bridging policy with grassroots realities.

He particularly commended CSOs for their historic role in the return to democratic governance and their enduring pursuit of social justice, poverty eradication, human rights and anti-corruption.

Acknowledging the challenges of the past three years, the President said the inevitable reforms embarked upon in 2023 to stabilise the economy and reset wasteful policy regimes had thrown up difficulties for managers and citizens alike, but modestly assured Nigerians that progress is now evident.

‘Four years down the line, we wish to modestly assure Nigerians that Nigeria is moving from reform to prosperity,’ he declared, adding that the focus of the Renewed Hope Agenda is now to rebuild public trust, strengthen institutional accountability, and ensure growth translates into social inclusion.

The President stressed that government alone cannot deliver this prosperity agenda and called for robust multi-stakeholder partnership, citing Nigeria’s participation in the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) and Open Government Partnership as working models of state-civil society collaboration.

To institutionalise this partnership, President Tinubu announced four strategic commitments. First, he noted that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has been directed to establish a Quarterly Government-Civil Society Policy Dialogue Forum to ensure evidence-based advocacy and community insights inform policy design, implementation and evaluation.

Second, the government, he noted, will expand civic space for social accountability by working with accredited organisations to enhance public finance transparency, budget tracking and monitoring of humanitarian interventions.

Third, the President said government, in collaboration with the United Nations system, development partners and the private sector, will reposition civil society as key drivers for localizing the Sustainable Development Goals by supporting capacity strengthening and access to technical and financial resources aligned with national priorities in poverty reduction, youth and women empowerment, health, education, climate resilience and peacebuilding. Fourth, he explained that the government and civil society will jointly foster national cohesion and the sustainability of peace.

On the forthcoming 2027 general elections, President Tinubu charged civil society to remain the vanguard of democracy, educating voters, monitoring polls, advocating reforms and working with law enforcement, the judiciary and media to ensure credible elections.

‘Nigeria’s strength lies in its united people and their vigilance,’ he said, urging CSOs to be a stabilising force that counters misinformation, promotes interfaith dialogue and champions inclusive governance.

The President also called for introspection within the civic space, urging CSOs to collectively develop a code of conduct to reinforce ethics and public interest, noting that while his administration operates an open-door policy anchored on transparency and accountability, some past actions by a few actors had strained partnerships.

He restated the four points of alignment enunciated at the Southern Civil Society Summit in Lagos on July 9, 2026 – food security, poverty eradication through jobs and enterprise, improved governance, and human capital development – as valid nationwide.

Commending CSCHEI and the leadership of accredited civil society organisations for convening an inclusive summit, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression, association, assembly and press freedom as inalienable rights. He urged CSOs to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and mutual accountability, adding, ‘Let your legitimacy be matched by credibility and your advocacy by credible patriotism. Continue to believe in Nigeria, the only country we have with its beautiful diversity and resources.’

The Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN), UBTH Chapter, has charged public servants to remain diligent and professional despite rapid changes in the healthcare system.

The call was made at its maiden public lecture held at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

The lecture, themed ‘Still Diligent: The Mindset of the Public Servant in a Healthcare System in Flux,’ was held at the Oba Akenzua Hall and drew administrators, medical professionals, academics and top management staff of UBTH and other health institutions.

Declaring the event open, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, who was represented by the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (Clinicals), Dr. Philip Osho, said the theme speaks to the realities of modern healthcare administration.

She commended IHSAN for creating a platform that promotes knowledge sharing and professional growth and pledged the hospital’s support for such initiatives.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of IHSAN, UBTH Chapter, Uwaila Ilesammi Joshua, said the lecture marked a milestone for the chapter. He said health service administrators are central to healthcare delivery because they connect people, processes, policies and resources.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Guest Speaker, Ven. Engr. Osazee David Egbenusi, said public servants must cultivate a mindset of continuous learning, ethical stewardship, service and resilience.

Egbenusi noted that digital transformation, health insurance reforms, brain drain, rising patient expectations and limited resources are reshaping the sector and administrators must upgrade their competencies to remain relevant.

‘Behind every file and every referral is a patient. Administrative decisions affect how patients experience the hospital,’ he said, urging participants to uphold integrity.

Special Guest of Honour, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Aikefe Aigbavboa, also stressed professionalism and ethics in public service.

The lecture was well attended by management staff and stakeholders, including UBTH Director of Administration, Jim Uwadiae; Director of Nursing Services, Mrs. Grace Arheghan; former Director of Administration, Mr. M. O. Jimoh-Kadiri; former DCMAC, Dr. Fidelis Eki-Udoko; HOD Pharmacy, Dr. E. O. Yovwin; Prof. E. Enabudoso; Dr. Philomena Ogbogu and Dr. R. Okolie.

Others were Dr. Henry Egon of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Benin; UNIBEN lecturer, Mrs. Francisca Egbokhare; Mr. Joshua Esekhile of Lutron Medical Centre; Deputy Director of Administration, ISTH, Mr. G. Enaboifo and leaders of health unions.

Participants agreed that diligence, integrity and continuous capacity building remain critical to strengthening healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited the Indian captain of a flydubai flight that was heading to Tel Aviv to visit Israel as his guest of honour.

The invitation was extended to Captain Smit Machchhar during a telephone conversation after the pilot reportedly saved the aircraft following an attack in the cockpit.

In a video of the conversation released by Netanyahu’s office on Saturday, the Israeli prime minister described Machchhar as a hero of India, Israel and the world.

‘You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you are a hero of the entire world,’ Netanyahu told the pilot.

The invitation came after the United Arab Emirates Attorney General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said preliminary findings from an investigation showed that the co-pilot of the flydubai flight had allegedly attempted to carry out what he described as a terrorist act.

According to the UAE official news agency, WAM, Al Shamsi said the co-pilot allegedly used an emergency axe to attack the captain inside the cockpit before trying to take control of the aircraft.

‘The co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist act,’ WAM quoted the Attorney General as saying.

The flight, which was travelling to Israel, was diverted on Wednesday following the incident.

A passenger on board had earlier claimed that one of the pilots attacked the other and attempted to crash the aircraft, putting the lives of everyone on board at risk.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

A joint operation involving the Nigerian Navy and the Federal Government Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Theft has uncovered a 40,000-litre-capacity illegal refinery concealed in the creeks of Bonny Island, Rivers State.

The facility was discovered following intelligence coordinated through the Joint Intelligence Monitoring Team, which comprises personnel from various security and intelligence agencies.

Speaking to journalists in Bonny on Friday, the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Bonny, Captain Stanley Umeh, described the discovery as the biggest made by his team since he assumed command in March 2026.

According to him, naval gunboats transported the operatives into the creeks, after which they trekked through thick vegetation before reaching the hidden refinery.

‘This discovery here is a product of long-time synergy between the base and other security agencies within the island and outside. It has been a product of actionable intelligence over time,’ he stated.

Umeh said the facility was yet to commence full operations, unlike several illegal refineries previously discovered with crude oil already stored or processed.

‘Most times we go, we see illegal refineries with pits and crude deposited inside. Some have already cooked, and some are yet to be cooked. But this discovery is like nipping the act in the bud.

‘This is their preparatory stage. You could see from the build-up and the set-up of the illegal refinery, it’s meant to be a very big one that would see the siphoning or stealing of crude and brought here for cooking in large quantity,’ he said.

He described the operation as a significant step in the Federal Government’s efforts to curb crude oil theft and boost production.

‘This discovery is a plus to the fight against crude oil theft in Nigeria, towards increasing the production or crude sales production in the country,’ Umeh said.

The commander vowed that the Navy would sustain its surveillance of Bonny’s waterways and difficult-to-access areas to prevent oil thieves from establishing illegal facilities.

‘It’s been a zero tolerance for us, both in and out of the waters. It’s been zero tolerance for this kind of illegalities within Bonny Local Government Area generally,’ he said.

‘We will continue to raid and make sure they have no hiding places. It is a zero tolerance,’ Umeh added, noting that the operation was in line with the Chief of Naval Staff’s directive on crude oil theft.

Also speaking, the Head of Investigation of the Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Theft, Omar John Sini, said the discovery demonstrated the importance of collaboration among intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies.

Sini said the task force, inaugurated by the Federal Government on March 1, 2025, had secured at least 137 convictions in connection with illicit activities in the hydrocarbon sector.

‘Since inception to now, we’ve been able to secure at least 137 convictions, and that is largely responsible for the drop in the illicit activities in the hydrocarbon sector,’ Sini said.

He said intelligence from the Joint Intelligence Monitoring Team, led by Major General A.A. Idris under the supervision of the Chief of Defence Staff, was instrumental to the operation.

Sini explained that while the intelligence team was responsible for gathering and tracking information, the Special Prosecution Team handled investigation and prosecution.

‘It is this sync that gave rise to this identity. As we were working as a team with them, by sheer providence, the commander, my elder brother here beside me, was also working.

‘So you can imagine that when we put these two teams together, without no time, we deploy relevant technology, identify and track this location.’

He said the agencies were focused on preventing oil theft before criminal operations became fully established.

‘The primary purpose of law enforcement is to detect crime. We don’t even want it to occur so that we don’t be reactive, we want to be preventive,’ he explained.

Sini disclosed that three suspects allegedly linked to the financing of the illegal refinery were already in custody.

‘We’ve been able to detect, we allowed them to invest their money, their hard-earned resources, and they’ve built this refinery with an amount that would be running into millions of Naira.

‘What we will do after now is that we are going to treat this place in accordance with extant laws, afterwards face and prosecute the culprits because we already have three suspects in custody that are associated with the financing of this typology of crime in this axis.

‘We have already approached the court of law to apply for relevant order,’ Sini stated.

He also called for tougher sentencing provisions for petroleum theft offences, arguing that existing penalties may not provide enough deterrence.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has invited young Nigerian innovators between the ages of 18 and 28 to submit innovative ideas capable of driving growth and transformation in Nigeria’s blue economy.

NIMASA made the appeal while announcing that the opening of the application portal for its Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP) will take place on Monday, October 5, 2026.

NIMASA, in a statement by Osagie Edward, its Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations, said the initiative, which includes a National Innovation Hackathon and a 12-week accelerator programme, is designed to identify, nurture and support young talents with innovative solutions that can unlock the vast economic opportunities in Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sectors.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated that the programme reflects the Agency’s commitment to positioning young Nigerians as active participants in the development of the nation’s blue economy through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.

According to him, Nigeria’s maritime sector holds enormous potential for economic growth, job creation and national development, but unlocking this potential requires fresh ideas, technological innovation and the active participation of young people.

‘The future of Nigeria’s blue economy will be built on ideas, innovation, enterprise and collaboration. Through NIMASA-BEAP, we are creating a platform for young Nigerians to develop practical solutions, transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our maritime sector,’ Mobereola stated.

The application portal will remain open from October 5 to November 13, 2026, after which submitted applications will undergo evaluation and due diligence from November 16 to December 2, 2026.

Successful applicants will proceed to the National Innovation Hackathon scheduled for December 8-10, 2026, where innovative ideas will be further developed and assessed as part of the programme’s selection process.

The selected innovators will subsequently participate in a 12-week accelerator programme in the first quarter of 2027, culminating in a National Demo Day in the second quarter of the year. The Demo Day will provide a platform for participants to showcase their solutions, demonstrate their progress and explore opportunities for collaboration and enterprise development.

NIMASA therefore encouraged eligible young Nigerians with innovative ideas and solutions relevant to the maritime and blue economy sectors to take advantage of the opportunity by submitting their applications through the programme portal once it opens.

The Agency also reiterated its commitment to fostering innovation, empowering the next generation of maritime entrepreneurs and supporting solutions that will strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global blue economy.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over what he described as worsening insecurity across the country.

Ajadi also urged Tinubu to abandon his 2027 re-election bid, arguing that the President should relinquish office if his administration could not adequately address the security challenges confronting Nigerians.

He made the call while reacting to the reported abduction of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to their orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The prospective corps members were reportedly abducted when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, on Thursday.

Ajadi described the incident as unacceptable, particularly because the victims were young Nigerians travelling to serve their country under the NYSC scheme.

‘It is ridiculous and unreasonable that corps members who are travelling to serve their motherland should be kidnapped. These are young Nigerians who have completed their education and are being deployed to contribute to the development of their country,’ he said.

The APM candidate urged President Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue the abducted corps members, stressing that their safe return should be treated as a matter of national urgency.

‘Mr President must make the immediate rescue of these corps members a priority. It is the responsibility of the government to protect Nigerians, particularly young people who are travelling across the country in the service of their nation,’ Ajadi said.

He expressed concern over reports that the abductors were demanding N50 million for each of the 19 victims, which would amount to N950 million, saying such a demand would place the affected families under severe financial and emotional pressure.

Ajadi called on the government to take decisive action to secure the victims’ release while strengthening security arrangements along major highways used by prospective corps members and other Nigerians travelling between states.

He said the persistent security challenges across the country showed that the Federal Government needed to adopt more decisive measures to protect lives and property.

‘If these corps members are unable to be rescued, then Mr President should resign. It is barbaric for the father of the nation to continue his duty as President while some of his children are in the den of kidnappers,’ Ajadi said.

He further urged Tinubu not to seek re-election in 2027 if his administration could not find effective solutions to the country’s security challenges.

According to Ajadi, the President should instead resign and allow another administration to take responsibility for addressing the insecurity confronting Nigerians.

‘Tinubu should resign because he has not been able to meet the responsibility of solving the insecurity in the nation. He should not bother to contest in the 2027 general election. He should rather resign now,’ he said.

Ajadi urged security agencies to sustain their search-and-rescue operations until all the abducted prospective corps members are safely reunited with their families.

He also appealed to Nigerians to remain vigilant and provide useful information to security agencies that could assist in rescuing the victims and preventing further attacks on people travelling across the country.