Category: PM News

The Kano State Strategic Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday, congratulated Brig.-Gen Buba Marwa (rtd) on his reappointment as Chairman of the agency.

This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Kano, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari.

The state commander, Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, described Marwa’s reappointment as being well deserved, adding that the decision reflected the President’s confidence in his leadership

He said that the renewed mandate is a testament to the chairman’s unwavering commitment and transformative reforms, particularly in improving staff welfare, logistics and operational capacity across the agency.

“Under Buba-Marwa’s leadership, the agency has recorded unprecedented achievements.

“His focus on personnel welfare and modernisation of logistics, has contributed to more effective operations and positive outcomes in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse,” he said

The commander reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for drug-related crimes, and urged those involved in drug trafficking and peddling in the state, to desist and embrace legitimate means of livelihood.

“Anyone who continues to traffic in or peddle illicit substances will be subject to investigation, arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law,” he said

He assured the chairman and the public, of the command’s commitment to combating substance abuse, and sustaining collaborative efforts with communities and security agencies to ensure a drug-free state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Marwa was first appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021, after serving as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse from 2018 to December 2020.

(NAN)

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has issued firm instructions on how he wants his burial to be handled and his wishes are strikingly precise.

In a video published to YouTube by City Edge TV, timed with his 65th birthday, Fayose laid out his posthumous plan, declaring that his body “belongs to the Ekiti State Government.”

He went further, saying he wants his remains buried within four weeks of his death, giving the state government a narrow but manageable window to organise the rites.

Fayose emphasised that his children must “obey whatever instructions the government issues at the time” of his funeral.

In his own words: “My children should wear their own clothes and follow government directives.”

On his final resting place, the former governor was equally clear: “My grandmother’s home, the mother of my father, I’ve made the garden there. I should be laid to rest there.”

After he’s buried, Fayose directed, “nobody must come there again, allow me to go.”

Fayose also urged that if people want to show him love, they should do it now, while he’s still alive

“If you want to show me love, do so now.”

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the loss of four personnel after troops of the 25 Task Force Brigade came under a deadly ambush by terrorists in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack occurred while the troops, led by the Commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General M. Uba, were returning from a routine patrol around communities in Wajiroko, within the AzirMulte axis bordering the Sambisa Forest.

The patrol team, which included soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), encountered a sudden burst of heavy gunfire from insurgents.

Despite the intensity of the ambush, the troops fought back gallantly with superior firepower, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray and abandon their mission.

Sadly,two soldiers and two members of the CJTF paid the supreme price during the encounter.

While commending the troops for their bravery, the Nigerian Army extended its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the fallen heroes, describing their sacrifice as a profound contribution to the peace and security of the nation.

The Army Headquarters also dismissed online reports claiming that the Brigade Commander was abducted during the attack, urging the public to disregard such misinformation.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army Medal, paid tribute to the courage and resilience of the troops serving in one of the country’s most challenging theatres of operation.

He noted that their unwavering commitment, even in the face of grave danger, underscores the daily sacrifices made by Nigeria’s gallant servicemen and women.

Afrobeats singer, Spyro, has blamed the decline in value-driven music for contributing to rising moral decay in society.

Speaking on the Adesope Live show, the singer criticised the current music landscape for prioritising “vibes” over meaningful messaging. He said earlier generations of artistes made music that evoked emotions and carried depth, but the industry has now drifted towards superficial content.

Spyro warned that the shift has worsened societal decadence, urging artistes to return to message-driven music and prioritise impact over profit.

“In the past, artists were passing meaningful messages regardless of whatever genre they were doing. But now, music is just vibes. We are just vibing,” he said.

“In as much as vibes are cool, I feel like music has lost its intrinsic value. Back then, you would get goosebumps listening to music. Vibes are cool. But how can we infuse messages, values into vibes?”

He added that the obsession with money over meaning has damaged the industry’s influence on society.

“A lot of the decadence that we have in the society today can be traced to the fact that music has lost its value. We are now just singing for money. A lot of us are into the business for money, not to make impact,” he said.

Nollywood actress Adesua Etomi has once again melted hearts with a public display of affection for her husband, singer, and politician Banky W, declaring that their life together is her greatest joy.

In a new Instagram post that quickly went viral, the film star shared intimate photos of the couple, captioning them with the heartwarming declaration: “One of my favourite things to do is grow old with you.”

The post drew an immediate and emotional reaction from Banky W, who playfully commented, “Kuku kill me with this love. Love you, Shuga. Dunno what I did to deserve this love, but God, please tell me so I can do it again.”

The couple, who famously married in 2017, have become a benchmark for celebrity relationships, particularly since expanding their family. They welcomed their first son, Hazaiah, in 2021, and their second child arrived in October 2024.

The affectionate tribute garnered high praise from fellow celebrities and fans alike. Actress Shaffy Bello lauded their “strong aura,” while others, including Bisola Aiyeola, described the caption as “heavenly stamped.”

In recent months, the couple has been open about the balance and challenges of family life. Banky W previously shared a video highlighting his increased domestic duties; cooking, cleaning, and assisting with homework, following the birth of their second child.

Adesua has consistently praised her husband’s support, recently describing him as her “safe place” and using her platform to urge singles to prioritize marrying a kind partner.

The couple has also shared their struggles and triumphs, emphasizing faith and resilience. Banky W has been vocal about his successful battle with a serious health challenge after undergoing skin cancer surgery in 2017.

Similarly, Adesua has raised awareness by sharing her personal experience with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe pregnancy condition.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

In a celebration that blended elegance with intimacy, Babatunde Olumide Sanwo-Olu, son of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, tied the knot with his heartthrob, Ajibola Oluwatoyosi, in a radiant white wedding on Saturday.

Oluwatoyosi, daughter of Prince Bamidele Obadina and Hon. Justice Morenike Obadina of the Federal High Court, looked every inch the bride as the couple exchanged vows at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ The Lord Central Parish, Lekki Phase I, Lagos Province 20 Headquarters.

The intimate ceremony united family and close friends in a celebration of love and commitment.

Following the service, the couple hosted a reception at the State House, Marina, keeping the affair strictly by invitation. Even the press were respectfully excluded, as the governor preferred a low-key, family-focused celebration.

The event was graced by prominent guests, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who chaired the occasion and offered words of counsel to the newlyweds. Several other governors were also in attendance, adding to the understated glamour of the day.

The highlight of the evening was the couple’s first dance, which delighted attendees and set the tone for a joyous celebration.

The wedding followed a traditional ceremony held the previous Wednesday at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, which, like the white wedding, was an exclusive, invitation-only affair.

Babatunde and Oluwatoyosi’s union combines two prominent Lagos families in a stylish and heartfelt celebration of love, marking a new chapter in their lives together.

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A faction of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to keep off the proposed congress of a faction of the party loyal to the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The NNPP faction which is loyal to the party’s Founder and Chairman Board of Trustees, Dr Boniface Aniebonam warned INEC that the proposed national convention-was an affront to the FCT High Court judgment delivered on April 3.

The NNPP faction said this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Oginni Sunday, the National Secretary, of the the NNPP faction loyal who addressed the conference said the proposed convention letter was signed on-behalf of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso-led movement, which he described as a pressure group within the party.

He said that drawing from the recent High Court judgment on suit No. FCT/HC/CV/5518/2024, the two signatories to the letter, Dr Ahmed Ajuji and Dipo Olayoku, were “meddlesome interloper s” on NNPP matter.

He said that the judgment of the FCT High Court had long settled the issue of the proposed convention.

“Permit me to use this medium to make it known to Nigerians and the international community that Ajuji and his factional group instituted a case in the High Court of FCT on Dec. 16, 2024, to stop the lawful Congress and convention of NNPP initiated by Aniebonam led NNPP BoT.

“This judgment of stopping the lawful convention was delivered by the Abia State High Court on Nov. 1, 2024, with Suit No. HUZ/11/2024.

“It is also a statement of fact that the FCT High Court in a judgment delivered by His Lordship, Justice M.A.Hassan on April 3 dismissed the case instituted by the Ajuji-led faction group of Kwankwaso against Aniebonam-led NNPP.

“Consequently, the Ajuji-led group by the effect of the FCT Court judgment of the April 3 are the judgment’s debtors while Chief Aniebonam led NNPP becomes the judgment’s creditors,” Sunday said.

He stated that it was therefore shocking and unbelievable that despite the fact that the judgment was never appealed against, Ajuji and Olayoku had the effrontery to write INEC to conduct an illegal fresh convention and congress.

Sunday described the action as total defiance to the December 2024 and January 2025 valid congress and convention of Aniebonam led executives of NNPP who were the judgment’s creditors.

He said that a letter had been submitted to INEC to distance itself from the Congress, hoping that the commission would act swiftly.

On April 3, Justice Hassan dismissed a suit filed by a faction loyal to Kwankwaso, which sought to challenge the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership under Aniebonam and National Chairman, Dr Agbo Major.

The case, filed by Ajuji and 20 others, aimed to invalidate the authority of the NNPP’s Board of Trustees and its executive leadership, including NNPP factional National Secretary, Oginni Olaposi; Deputy National Chairman, Chief Felix Chukwurah; and legal practitioner, Tony Obioha.

The claimants had asked the court to restrain these officials from convening meetings, conducting congresses, or presiding over the party’s national convention, arguing that they had been expelled from the NNPP.

However, Justice Hassan ruled that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, affirming that internal party disputes–such as leadership and membership issues–are beyond judicial intervention.

(NAN)

As the world marks World Diabetes Day , Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has backed the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) in urging the federal government to declare a national emergency on diabetes care and upwardly revise the sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax, amongst other life-saving healthy food policies.

In a statement on Friday, CAPPA described as “alarming” a recent disclosure by the association’s president that no fewer than an estimated 30,000 Nigerians die yearly from diabetes, while as many as 11.4 million others are currently living with the debilitating disease, aAccording to a media report.

It said this was even worse than the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimate, which reports a prevalence of roughly 3.0 per cent in Nigeria, with approximately 2.99 million adults living with diabetes.

The non-governmental organisation expressed dismay that the average monthly cost of diabetes management “now stands at between N100,000 and N120,000”, aAccording to the media report. CAPPA said this had made proper management of the disease not only impossible for most patients but could spell a death sentence for many Nigerians impoverished by the poor economy.

“This is yet another troubling statistic on the state of Nigeria’s noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) burden, and the country’s public health system,” CAPPA stated. “It is no wonder that Nigeria’s life expectancy is the lowest globally, aAccording to the latest United Nations’ (UN) global health report.”

The group said the alarming rise in diabetes cases, combined with the poor life expectancy, underscores the urgency for sweeping policy measures targeting unhealthy diets, particularly the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and other diabetes risk factors.

“In this context, we at CAPPA fully support the call by the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on diabetes care, and to significantly raise the sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) tax, with all proceeds channelled into strengthening the health sector,” said Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director, CAPPA.

CAPPA’s support, he explained, is hinged on the facts that unhealthy diets and sugary drinks drive NCDs risk, while the aggressive marketing and wide availability of sugary drinks and highly processed foods are changing dietary environments across Nigeria.

He warned that without decisive policy intervention, the country risks generations developing lifelong dependence on high-sugar drinks, leading to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and early mortality.

The statement argued that an effective SSB tax, sodium reduction targets, front-of-pack labelling (FOPL), restriction of ultra-processed foods marketing to kids, among other sound healthy-food policies, are proven tools to lower Nigeria’s NCDs burden. It added, however, that even the strongest prevention policies require a health system capable of supporting the millions already living with diabetes and other NCDs.

“This is why the Federal Government’s ongoing effort to channel revenues from taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful products into health financing is significant,” Oluwafemi said. “Dedicating these revenues to initiatives such as NCD prevention and management would provide the predictable funding Nigeria urgently needs, especially as the costs of treating diseases like diabetes continue to push families deeper into poverty.”

CAPPA noted that its ongoing campaigns for an SSB tax of at least N130 per litre and mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling align with international evidence. It emphasised that higher taxes reduce SSB consumption, encourage product reformulation, and generate revenue for health-sector investment, while front-of-pack labels empower consumers to make informed choices. Together, these measures shape healthier food environments and can shield Nigerians from the aggressive tactics of the big food industry.

This year’s World Health Organisation’s (WHO) World Diabetes Day is themed “Diabetes across life stages,” which highlights that diabetes can affect people at every moment of life, including during pregnancy.

Nigerian actress Biola Adebayo has spoken out against the growing trend of outfit-shaming, especially targeted at celebrities who choose to repeat clothing items.

Adebayo, in a recent statement, questioned the societal pressure placed on public figures to constantly appear in new outfits at every event. She stressed that the expectation is unrealistic and unnecessary.

“Who made the law that it’s a crime to repeat my clothes? If I do not repeat them, how will you know I own them?” she queried, expressing frustration over the judgment celebrities face online for re-wearing outfits.

The award-winning actress emphasized that traditional outfits like Iro and Buba, as well as regular dresses, shoes, and bags, should be worn multiple times without attracting negative comments. She criticized the culture of vanity fueled by social media, adding that many online opinions are far removed from real-life experiences.

“Social media is not your reality,” Adebayo reminded critics.

She further revealed that although she is not naturally a party-lover, she attends numerous events out of respect and professional responsibility. She urged the public to be more considerate and mindful of the pressures associated with celebrity life.

Adebayo encouraged her fans to support her upcoming projects, including her next movie, and insisted she would continue wearing clothes she bought with her own money–regardless of public opinion

Some supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan have carried the campaign that he should contest the 2027 presidency to the venue of the ongoing Convention of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The supporters were seen on parade at the Lekan Salami Stadium venue of the convention.

They carried banners and posters with the picture of the former President and Bauchi governor Bala Mohammed while dressed in T-Shirts with GEJBAM project.

This is to indicate their support for a ticket that will have Good Jonathan as the presidential candidate and the Bauchi governor as his deputy in the 2027 presidential election.

Some PDP chieftains, including former Information Minister, Jerry Gana had repeatedly asserted that former President Jonathan will contest on the party’s platform in the 2027 presidential election. However, Jonathan himself has not confirmed if he will join the race.

However, some analysts have said Jonathan may not be qualified constitutionally to seek election again haven taken oath of office for the presidency two times in the past. On his part, the Governor of Bauchi State has also indicated that he will only run for the presidency in 2027 if the former President declined to yield to pressures on him to join the race.

Also noticeable at the venue of the PDP Convention were banners and posters indicating that the host governor, Seyi Makinde will contest in the 2027 general election.

The banners bearing Makinde’s image were displayed across the entrance to the Adamasingba venue of the convention.