Category: PM News

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday stirred excitement at the 2025 Imo State Economic Summit in Owerri after declaring that the United Kingdom may well have Nigeria to thank for one of its future national leaders, Conservative heavyweight, Kemi Badenoch.

Speaking before government officials, investors and development partners, Johnson praised the deepening ties between Nigeria and the UK, describing the movement of people between both countries as a “huge blessing” that continues to shape politics, commerce and culture on both sides.

Johnson, known for his flamboyant rhetoric, did not hold back in expressing admiration for Badenoch.

He said Nigeria should take pride in the fact that one of its own is now considered a future British prime minister.

“We send you former UK prime ministers,” Johnson quipped, “and you send us future UK prime minister in the form of Kemi Badenoch, who comes from Nigeria and is doing better and better these days.”

Johnson also praised the long-standing relationship between the two nations, saying the shared history, language and cultural exchanges make the partnership natural and mutually beneficial.

He said the real strength of UKNigeria relations lies not only in trade but in “the things we do together, the things we do in partnership.”

The Imo State Economic Summit, convened to attract investment and reposition the state’s economy, gained an unexpected diplomatic highlight with Johnson’s remarks.

By Bukola Olukemi-Odele

Nigeria is grappling with a rising tide of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. These illnesses are often closely tied to unhealthy diets, particularly the excessive consumption of processed and packaged foods high in sugar, sodium (salt), and saturated fats.

The widespread availability, affordability, and aggressive marketing of these ultra-processed products continue to push more people toward obesity, metabolic complications, and other diet-related conditions, contributing to the 29 percent of all deaths in Nigeria now linked to NCDs.

In this context, consumers need clearer and more accessible information at the point of purchase about the nutritional content and health risks of the foods they are buying. Front-of-Pack (FOP) labels provide exactly this by offering quick, visible guidance that helps people identify foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. These labels steer consumers away from high-risk products and support healthier choices in the face of an escalating public health crisis.

FOP labels use simple, easy-to-understand graphics, symbols, or text placed prominently on the front of packaged food and drink products. Unlike the detailed, often confusing “nutrition facts” tables found at the back of a product’s pack, FOP labels are designed for quick comprehension and bring the most important health information to where consumers actually look. They improve instant recognition of unhealthy products, even for consumers with low literacy levels or those shopping in a hurry.

Common examples around the world include warning labels such as black octagons stating, “HIGH IN SUGAR”, the Traffic Light System which uses red, amber, and green colours to show whether a product’s overall nutritional profile is poor, moderate, or healthier, and Nutri-Score which grades food from A to E using a colour coded scale.

This simplicity matters even more in places like Nigeria where shoppers are confronted with an overwhelming influx of foreign products, new brands, and aggressively marketed food ingredients competing for attention on already crowded shelves.

Presently, Nigeria relies on back-of-pack labelling, which is complex, small, and difficult for the average consumer to comprehend and interpret quickly. A clear and simple warning label, such as a bold black octagon that says, “HIGH IN SUGAR,” could make a decisive difference by cutting through marketing tactics and helping consumers immediately identify products that may harm their family’s health. This also strengthens the public’s right to make informed decisions about their food choices.

Beyond shifting consumer behaviour, FOP labels also push food manufacturers to reformulate their products. Companies often reduce sugar, salt, and saturated fat levels to avoid bearing a prominent “HIGH IN” warning on their packaging, which in turn contributes to a healthier national food supply.

Research consistently shows that consumers from lower socioeconomic and education backgrounds often face the greatest barriers to understanding complex nutrition information. Clear and visually striking front-of-package (FOP) labels can help close this gap and serve as a vital tool for promoting health equity across Nigeria. By presenting crucial health information in an accessible and easy-to-understand format, these labels empower all Nigerians–regardless of their educational levels or background–to make healthier decisions.

The Nigerian government, through agencies like the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMOHSW) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), must therefore prioritize an evidence-based policy on front-of-pack labelling, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to protect its population. It is time to move from complex back-of-pack data to simple, unmistakable warnings that protect consumers. A clear label on the front of every package is a powerful public health tool that can save lives, reduce pressure on our healthcare systems, and build a truly healthier Nigeria for generations to come.

Olukemi-Odele, a food scientist, is the Programme Officer (Cardiovascular Health, Food Policy Program) at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Magistrate identified as Mohammed Suleiman Kumo has been arraigned before Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe High Court sitting in Gombe for allegedly receiving N1.4 bribes.

Kumo was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on December 3, 2025 three count- charges bordering on extortion and bribery.

In the charges filed against him, EFCC alleged that the Magistrate received the N1.4 million bribe in two instalments.

The anti-graft agency said Kumo used the Zenith Bank account of the Registrar of his court identified as Adamu Ahmed to receive the bribes.

Count one of the charges reads: “That you Mohammed Suleiman Kumo being a Magistrate at Chief Magistrate Court did receive for yourself monetary benefits of One Million Naira through Zenith Bank Account Number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed ,a Registrar in your court thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Count 3 of the charges reads: “That you Mohammed Suleiman Kumo being a Magistrate at Chief Magistrate Court Pantami, in such capacity, on or about the 11th day of November 2024 in Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court ,did receive for yourself monetary benefit of Four hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000) through your Zenith Bank Account Number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed , a Registrar in your court thereby committed an offence contrary to an punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

However, Magistrate Kumo pleaded not guilty to the charges.

This prompted the prosecution counsel , Abubakar Aliyu to ask the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in Gombe State Correctional Centre.

But counsel to the defendant, Adamu Bawa moved a motion for bail which was vehemently opposed by the prosecution on point of law.

Justice Kereng, having heard both prosecution and defence counsel said, “having recognized that the defendant was granted administrative bail by the EFCC and came to court from home and based on that, I grant the defendant bail in the interim pending the ruling on his bail application”.

The judge therefore adjourned the case to January 13 and 14, 2026 for ruling on bail application and hearing of the case.

The draw for the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup will take place on Friday, ahead of the tournament scheduled for June 11 to July 19, 2026, in North America. Here is how the draw and tournament format will work:

Top Seeds Will Not Meet Early

Teams are divided into four pots of 12 teams based on their current FIFA rankings. Each of the 12 groups will contain one team from each pot.

For the first time, FIFA will conduct the draw in a way that ensures the four highest-ranked teams–Spain, Argentina, France and England–cannot face each other until the semi-finals, provided they finish top of their groups.

Confederation Rules

No group can have more than one team from the same continent, except Europe. Since Europe has 16 qualified teams, four groups will have two European teams.

Hosts Already Assigned

The three host nations already have their group positions:

USA will be in Group D, playing two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

Mexico will be in Group A, playing two matches in Mexico City, including the opening match on June 11, and one in Guadalajara.

Canada will be in Group B, playing once in Toronto and twice in Vancouver.

More Matches and a New Knockout Round

Because the number of teams has increased from 32 to 48, the tournament will have more matches.

There will be 72 group-stage games.

Only 16 teams will be eliminated in the group phase.

After the groups, the competition moves into a Round of 32, before continuing to the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.

Teams by Seeding Pots

Pot 1: USA, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany

Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia

Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa

Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, 4 UEFA play-off winners, 2 intercontinental play-off winners

UEFA Play-Off Paths

Each path contains four teams; winners qualify:

Path A: Wales/Bosnia vs Italy/Northern Ireland

Path B: Ukraine/Sweden vs Poland/Albania

Path C: Slovakia/Kosovo vs Turkey/Romania

Path D: Czech Republic/Ireland vs Denmark/North Macedonia

Matches:

Semi-finals — March 26

Finals — March 31

Intercontinental Play-Offs

Winner from each path qualifies; games in Mexico:

New Caledonia or Jamaica vs DR Congo

Bolivia or Suriname vs Iraq

Semi-finals: March 26

Finals: March 31

U.S. President Donald Trump has called Somalia “barely a country” and described Somali immigrants as “garbage,” saying he did not want them in the United States.

Speaking at the end of a Cabinet meeting, Trump said some might consider his remarks politically incorrect, but he did not care.

“I don’t want them in our country. We’re going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country,” he said.

Earlier, Trump said refugees were a main cause of social problems in the U.S. and cited Minnesota as an example, saying the state had been taken over by “hundreds of thousands of refugees from Somalia.”

He also announced the end of a Somali protection programme in Minnesota, which current statistics suggest affects only a few hundred people.

On Tuesday, Trump targeted Somali-born Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from Minnesota, calling her and her friends “garbage.”

The remarks came amid a high-profile Minnesota welfare fraud case, in which several dozen Somali residents allegedly defrauded the state’s system of hundreds of millions of dollars under Gov. Tim Walz.

Omar said on X, Trump’s “obsession” with her was “creepy” and she hoped he would get “the help he desperately needs.”

U.S. media have speculated about impending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting Somali migrants in the cities of Minneapolis and St Paul in Minnesota.

The New York Times reported that the operation targets hundreds of Somalis without proper residency papers.

Minnesota is home to more than 60,000 people of Somali origin, most of them legally residing in the state, making it the largest Somali community in the United States.

(/NAN)

Afrobeats superstar, Burna Boy, has reportedly pledged to cover the funeral expenses of the four young people killed in a shooting at a children’s birthday party in Stockton, California.

The tragedy occurred on Saturday, November 29, at Monkey Space, a banquet hall in San Joaquin County, where children and teenagers had gathered to celebrate. The victims, aged between 8 and 21, were fatally shot, and eleven others were wounded in what investigators believe was a targeted attack.

According to TMZ, Burna Boy said he first learned about the shooting while listening to “The Breakfast Club” radio show, and the news hit him hard.

“When I heard about the children murdered in Stockton, my heart broke,” he said. “No family should ever face this kind of pain alone. I wanted to do whatever I could to support these parents as they begin the long process of healing.”

After reaching out to music executive Wack 100, Burna Boy was connected with Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee, who confirmed the singer’s promise to assist the grieving families by paying for funeral costs.

The Grammy winner was particularly moved by the story of 14-year-old Amari Peterson, described on a GoFundMe page as an active football and basketball player who had begun planning for college.

Vice Mayor Lee praised Burna Boy’s generosity, saying it should inspire others to support the community during this painful time.

As of Tuesday, December 2, no arrests have been made. The incident has drawn national attention and reignited discussions about gun violence in the United States.

Burna Boy’s gesture comes days after a viral moment in Colorado, where he paused a performance to call out a couple who appeared to be asleep in the front row.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has expressed deep grief over a fatal road accident at Ilubirin, inward Simpson on Lagos Island, which claimed the lives of a police officer and a scavenger in the early hours of Wednesday.

According to preliminary findings, the crash occurred when the driver of a Toyota Camry (registration number MUS 885 JA) reportedly sped dangerously, lost control, and veered off his lane.

The vehicle struck a scavenger and a police officer who was riding a motorcycle. Both victims died on the spot from the force of the impact.

LASTMA officers stationed near the corridor responded immediately, securing the accident scene and managing traffic to avoid further danger.

Officials also arrested the driver as he attempted to escape and handed him over to officers at the Adeniji Adele Police Division for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The badly damaged vehicle was removed from the road by LASTMA personnel to prevent additional accidents and restore traffic flow.

eneral Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who visited the site, described the incident as heartbreaking. In a sombre tone, he condoled with the families of the victims and lamented the “needless and devastating loss of life” caused by reckless driving.

He warned that over-speeding remains one of the most common causes of deadly road crashes in Lagos, stressing that motorists must obey speed limits and embrace responsible driving habits.

Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to ongoing public sensitisation on road safety, urging all road users–especially drivers, to prioritise caution, discipline, and compliance with traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies.

By Ayorinde Oluokun with agency report

Mr Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has faulted media reports in which he was quoted as apologising for poor show at the maiden edition of Nigeria International Airshow (NIA) held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Tuesday.

Keyamo, in a post on his X handle faulted the newspaper reports, describing the headline as ‘warped.’

The Minister said his description of the performance of the air show as ‘modest’ effort should not be taken as an apology.

According to him, contrary to the media reports, the feedback received by the Ministry and the aviation agencies is that the Airshow exceeded expectations on the first day.

“We respectfully urge that next time, as journalists, they should learn to differentiate between a ‘modest statement’ and an ‘apology’.

“However, the feedback we have all received at the Ministry and the aviation agencies is that the Airshow exceeded expectations on the first day”.

Meanwhile, speaking during the International Airshow, Keyamo said the Federal Government is intensifying efforts toward making Nigeria Africa aviation hub.

He said the Federal Government is growing momentum toward an African Aviation hub by the implementation of policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

He added that efforts are being deepened by engaging with regional airlines, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and global partners to deepen connectivity.

“This moment is historic. For the first time, Nigeria joins the global community of nations that host world-class airshows–platform where aviation innovation, investment, technology, policy, and partnerships converge.

“For decades, the question has been asked: When will Nigeria take its rightful place in the global aviation showcase circuit? Today, with this inaugural Airshow, we provide a clear and confident answer.

“This is our first attempt. It will not be perfect. We are taking baby steps, but we are taking them with courage, conviction, and clarity of purpose.

“We will learn from this experience and we will build upon it until the Nigeria International Airshow becomes a permanent fixture on the global aviation calendar–standing shoulder to shoulder with Paris, Dubai, Farnborough, and Singapore.”

The minister said NIA represented more than an event but a statement of intent.

According to him, NIA is a bold declaration that Nigeria is ready to lead, innovate, and compete on the global stage as a platform for discovery, investment, and collaboration.

“Here, global manufacturers, investors, regulators, airlines, innovators, and aviation enthusiasts will gather to explore opportunities, display cutting-edge technology, and shape the future of flight.

“It is also a platform for young Nigerians to see what is possible–to be inspired by aerospace engineering, aviation technology, defence systems, drones, and the limitless universe of opportunities within the sector.

“I ask that we remain patient, collaborative, and ambitious. It may not be perfect, but it is our beginning. With each edition, we will refine, expand, and elevate this Airshow until it becomes a global benchmark.”

Keyamo, who said that NIA would grow to become a global brand and a symbol of the nation’s ambition, added that the future of Nigerian aviation would be bright.

He reiterated that the NIA was anchored on the vision of President Bola Tinubu, for a modern, safe, secure, globally competitive aviation industry.

“The President’s vision drives economic growth, strengthens national security, supports tourism, and positions Nigeria as Africa’s aviation hub.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, aviation has emerged as one of the fastest-advancing sectors, with transformative milestones that are reshaping Nigeria’s status as a regional powerhouse,” he said.

The 3-day event is aimed at stimulating Aviation as a positive tool for economic development in Africa spanning sectors such as Avionics, Cargo, Defence, Medical, Tourism, Aerospace, Trade, Transport, amongst others.

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Accord Party has said it is ready to offer its platform for Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to actualise his second-term ambition.

Adeleke, who is seeking a second tenure in the 2026 off-cycle governorship election had dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the platform on which he was elected into office.

The Governor who dumped PDP because of the crisis rocking the party is believed to shopping for another platform to seek re-election.

The Lagos State Chairman of the party, Mr Dele Oladeji said the Accord Party remained the most viable and organised platform for Adeleke to pursue his re-election bid.

He said the party has no factions and no godfathers.

“We are waiting for his declaration. That is what we can say for now. We are waiting for when he will declare for Accord.

“In Accord, we are ready for him. Whenever he decides to step in, we are set to receive him,” Oladejo said.

He said Adeleke should consider joining Accord as it had no internal wrangling, godfather interference, or structural ambiguity.

“Accord is a very stable and sanitised political platform. We have no factions and no godfathers.

“Any candidate who joins us between now and 2027 is sure of a peaceful and dependable structure,” he added.

According to him, Accord is presently the best political platform for any serious politician seeking office

“If he decides to step in, we will be ready to work with him and ensure his success,” Oladeji said.

(NAN)

By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo State House of Assembly Service Commission has annulled the employment of 324 workers, declaring their appointment letters illegal and unauthorized in a statement issued on 1 December 2025.

The announcement, jointly signed by the Commission’s Chairman, Hon. Ezehi Igbas, and Secretary, Mrs Isoken Nehi-Olotu, marked a dramatic reversal of what many of the affected individuals believed to be legitimate job placements within the Assembly structure.

In the brief statement, the Commission stated that the issuance of the employment letters did not follow lawful procedures and therefore could not stand.

It described the entire recruitment as “unauthorised, illegal and unlawful”, stressing that the letters were “null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”

lthough the Commission did not provide details of how the irregular employment occurred or who authorised it, it apologised to all 324 individuals for the confusion and distress caused.

It wrote: The Edo State House of Assembly Service Commission hereby tenders an unreserved apology to all recipients of the unauthorized and unlawful employment letters and deeply regrets all inconveniences caused to all persons affected by its actions.

The development raises questions about internal processes within the Commission and may prompt further scrutiny over recruitment transparency in the state legislative bureaucracy.