Category: PM News

Nollywood star Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has shared the frightening experience that led to her recent life-saving surgery, saying her body “finally broke down” after months of extreme work stress.

Speaking in an interview with Punch, the actress said the surgery may not seem life-threatening to some people, but it was the most serious medical challenge she had ever faced.

Omotola explained that she had been rushed to the emergency department several times before doctors confirmed she needed immediate surgery.

“I had never gone through anything that severe before. I had been working non-stop, editing my movies Mother’s Love and RR across two continents, barely sleeping two hours a day. My body was overworked,” she said.

She recalled being terrified when doctors told her the surgery could not wait.

“It was shocking and scary. My husband wasn’t around at the time, and my kids were frightened,” she added.

After the procedure, Omotola discovered a scar on her stomach. Doctors later told her the operation could not be done through keyhole surgery because her gallbladder was too enlarged.

“It was a lot to take in,” she said.

Omotola advised people to take sudden pains seriously.

“If you ever feel sharp pains in your chest or back, get a CT scan or MRI immediately. Don’t wait like I did,” she warned.

The actress said she decided to share her story publicly to encourage others to prioritise their health.

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Adamawa governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has disassociated himself from the expulsion of Nyesom Wike the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as announced at the ongoing national convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Fintiri, who was one of the PDP governors present at the convention where the decision to expel Wike and eight others were taken dissociated himself from the action few hours after it was announced in a post on his social media handles.

He said his opposition the expulsion of Wike was based on his desire for peace and reconciliation within the party.

The Adamawa State Governor said the decision to expel Wike is not in the best interest of the party and may lead to more crisis for PDP.

He added that he will not be part of any problem that will compound the problems of the PDP or lead to the disintegration of the party.

Fintiri, who is an associate of Wike also promised that he will continue to work for reconciliation and peace within the PDP.

He said “I, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Governor of Adamawa State, wish to categorically state that I dissociate myself from the position of expelling the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, @GovWike , from @OfficialPDPNig (PDP). I believe that this decision is not in the best interest of the party, and I will not be party to any attempt that could further plunge the PDP into unending crisis.

“As a faithful party member, my position is clear: I stand for the peace and stability of the PDP, and I will not support anything that could lead to its disintegration. I believe that peace and reconciliation are the only ways forward for our great party.

“I urge all stakeholders to work towards healing the divisions within the party and to strive for unity and cohesion. As a party man, I am committed to supporting efforts that promote peace, stability, and progress within the PDP.

“Let me reiterate that my position is guided by the desire for peace and reconciliation, and I will continue to work towards achieving this goal.

Aside Wike, the other PDP members expelled at the ongoing convention are Ayodele Fayose, Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Austin Iwachukwu, Umar Bature, Muhammad AbduRahman, Mao Ohuabunwa, Abraham Ama, George Turner, and Dan Obi.

Former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Bode George moved the motion for their expulsion over alleged anti-party activities.

He Wike and others had brought ridicule to the party.

George said that PDP members were bound by and must adhere to Section 40 of its Constitution as amended.

According to him, political parties are voluntary organisations and members may wish to join or not.

“These people above have committed various breaches of the constitution by holding parallel congresses, canvassing votes for other parties, and sponsoring litigations against the party, among others,” he said.

The motion was unanimously supported by party members present at the convention.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has distanced himself from the move to expel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, former National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and other top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement issued on Saturday night by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, Mutfwang said the matter was never discussed at the PDP Governors’ Forum or at the National Executive Committee, NEC, before it was presented, stressing that the proposal does not reflect his position.

Describing the expulsion move as ill-timed, the governor warned that taking such action at a delicate period would undermine efforts to stabilise the opposition party. He cautioned that expelling key figures could deepen internal divisions and derail the PDP’s rebuilding process.

Mutfwang said unity, dialogue and strategic engagement remain the most effective ways to resolve the issues confronting the party. He maintained that reconciliation, not confrontation, must be prioritised in addressing internal disagreements.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote peace, inclusiveness and reform within the PDP.

By Ramatu Garba

The Kano State government has approved the appointment of acting Chief Registrar of the state’s High Court of Justice and 30 new judges for its Shari’a court.

A statement issued on Friday in Kano by the spokesman of the Kano State Judiciary, Mr. Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, said the decisions were taken at the State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) 87th meeting.

According to the statement, the meeting chaired by the Chief Judge, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki approved the appointment of Hussein Hassan-Suleiman as the acting Chief Registrar of the state’s High Court of Justice.

The appointment followed the retirement of the substantive Chief Registrar, Hajara Garba Ahmed, who bowed out of service on Nov. 11, 2025.

The Secretary of the Commission, Amina Albasu, conveyed the approval, saying that Suleiman who was the Director, Public Prosecutions at the Ministry of Justice was appointed in recognition of his hard work, integrity, humility and dedication to duty.

The commission expressed confidence that the new appointee would discharge his responsibilities diligently and uphold judicial values.

The JSC also approved the appointment of 30 Sharia Court Judges who successfully participated in examinations and interviews and were adjudged qualified for appointment.

The commission also considered the transfer of service of Magistrate Dayyabu Haruna from Kaduna State.

His swearing-in and oath-taking were approved in line with constitutional provisions, and he was subsequently sworn in by the Chief Judge, Justice Aboki.

The commission further deliberated on the report of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission concerning an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, perjury and gratification against a judiciary staff, Ado Koki.

Koki was alleged to have collected 39,000 for the issuance of three plain affidavits used for the re-issuance of land documents.

In his response, he admitted receiving the money, claiming it was intended for Newspaper publication and for obtaining a Police report.

“Although the officer does not consistently remain at his duty post, he has not been found wanting in the discharge of his responsibilities,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.

He said, “However, the commission found his conduct inappropriate and placed him on half salary for three months, effective immediately, while issuing a strong warning against future misconduct.

“The JSC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline and reiterated its commitment to upholding integrity, accountability and professionalism within the judiciary.

“The commission remains dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of the judicial arm of government and ensuring that all officers uphold the trust reposed in them by the people of Kano State.” (NAN)

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Muhammed Abdulrahman led faction of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has warned its rival led by Umar Damagum against proceeding with the national convention of the party scheduled to hold today and tomorrow in Ibadan Oyo State.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Friday, members of the Abdulrahman faction of the party urged the Damagum leadership to adhere to court judgments stopping the convention.

They insisted that going ahead with the convention would be an exercise in futility.

The Abdulrahman faction loyal to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike said this as delegates from across the country have arrived Ibadan, the Oyo State capital city for the convention.

The delegates, who started arriving Ibadan since Thursday, are lodged in various hotels across the capital city.

But the Abdulrahman faction also relied on the report of a faction of the Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) Reconciliation Committee which advised that the convention should no go on because of the court orders stopping it.

The briefing was jointly addressed by the PDP South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah George; PDP Chairman, Abia State, Amah Abraham; and Imo State Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu

George, who spoke at the press briefing insisted that no PDP convention could hold.

He noted the only officers empowered to issue notices, the acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman, and the National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, had officially stated there will be no convention.

He also asserted that proceeding with the Saturday convention in spite an Abuja Federal High Court judgment and the BoT’s reconciliation committee’s recommendations would be an exercise in futility.

He added that the judgment of the Abuja High Court delivered by Justice James Omotosho on the convention was already before the Court of Appeal.

“Once a matter is before the appellate court, all parties must maintain the status quo. You cannot proceed with a convention.

“Furthermore, Justice Peter Lifu’s judgment on unlawful exclusion strengthens this. If they proceed, they will be acting in open violation of the law,” he said.

He added that his group had fully accepted the BoT committee’s recommendations that the convention should be placed on hold.

“If the other group rejects this golden opportunity for peace, we will proceed with the appeal. If they continue in defiance, the matter may go all the way to the Supreme Court. Eventually, the rule of law will prevail,” George said.

He questioned how a national convention could proceed while disenfranchising delegates from 14 states including the South-East zone.

“The court and the BoT have affirmed that the issues we raised were legitimate. Therefore, Nigerians must know the truth–who is on the side of the law, and who is on the side of impunity,” he asserted.

Also speaking, Imo PDP Chairman, Nwachukwu pointed to the ruling by Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday as another reason not to proceed.

Nwachukwu said that the court already held that it was wrong and unjust to deny former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, the right to participate in the convention and ordered that he must be allowed to purchase forms and participate in any future convention.

“The court also cautioned the PDP to stop acts of impunity,” Nwachukwu said.

Nwachukwu called on the faction’s BoT Chairman, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, and Abdulrahman to implement the BoT reconciliation committee report.

“The report did not come from us; it came from the BoT, the conscience of our party.

“We urge the leadership to quickly implement the recommendations, which will address our concerns and restore order,” he said.

He noted that the Federal High Court had ordered the PDP to put its house in order, stressing that anyone who loves the PDP must obey that order.

“We are ready to sit with anyone who respects the law. Political situations involve give-and-take. When we reach that bridge, we will cross it,” Nwachukwu he said.

On his part, Abraham, the Abia PDP chairman, stressed the need to implement the recommendations of the BoT reconciliation committee, which he noted was made up of six eminent Nigerians representing the six geopolitical zones.

“Implementing their recommendations will restore sanity amidst the ongoing crisis,” Abraham said.

Meanwhile, the Adolphus Wabara-led BoT has dissociated itself from the purported report of the BoT Reconciliation Committee being circulated in some section of the media.

Wabara in a statement on Saturday said that the content of the said report was not and did not represent the official position of the board.

He said that having not been considered or adopted by the BoT, the report could not in any form or guise whatsoever be regarded as the position of the BoT.

Wabara said that the BoT was unwavering in its endorsement of the conduct of the elective National Convention as scheduled on Saturday in Ibadan for the purpose of electing new set of leaders to pilot the affairs of the party in the next four years.

“This position is guided by the Judgment of the Supreme Court which reaffirmed the supremacy of a political party in the conduct of its internal affairs.

“In that regard, the BoT rejects any suggestion for a Caretaker Committee for the Party.

“Such idea cannot be contemplated as the Board and, of course the PDP, have irreversibly decided for an elective national convention which is within the scope of the internal affairs of the party to which the courts have no jurisdiction.

“The BoT therefore urges Party members to remain committed and focused on the success of the Elective National Convention,” Wabara said.(NAN)

By Peter Okolie

Two armed robbery and car snatching suspects have been arrested by in “a swift overnight operation” in by the police in Owerri, Imo State.

Two locally made firearms, five live cartridges, and a stolen white Hijet Shuttle bus, with the Reg. No. MMA 919 XA were recovered from the suspects caught in the early hours of Thursday, Imo Police command’s Spokesman, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed in a statement issued in Owerri on Friday.

He stated: “The incident took place around 0200hrs, when officers of the Owerri Urban Divisional Headquarters, who were on a routine visibility patrol, acted on “credible intelligence”.

According to him, intelligence gathered was that criminal elements were operating around Emmanuel College/Wetheral Junction by West End.

Okoye further stated that there was a brief chase after the suspects spotted the police team.

“On sighting the patrol team, the suspects attempted to escape but were given a hot chase. While two were successfully apprehended, two others managed to flee the scene.

“A search conducted on the suspects yielded significant evidence, with the recovery of two locally made firearms, five live cartridges, and a stolen white Hijet Shuttle bus, with the Reg. No. MMA 919 XA,” he stated.

Okoye also stated that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects as well as the manufacturers of the locally fabricated firearms.

He restated the Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma’s stern warning to those involved in criminal acts and reassured law-abiding citizens of their safety.

“The CP affirmed the command’s commitment to residents’ safety, warning criminals to refrain or face the law.

“The CP also urged the public to remain security-conscious,” the statement added.

He urged the public to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or use the command’s emergency line: 08034773600.

Okoye said that the suspects would be charged to court, upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.

(NAN)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke said the Federal Government’s acquisition of modern aircraft, advanced weaponry and improved training had placed heavy responsibility on the NAF to deliver decisive results.

Aneke said this during an operational visit to the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) Sector II at the 213 Forward Operating Base in Katsina State.

He therefore said NAF personnel must continue with relentless pursuits of insurgents, terrorists and bandits who are threatening in the country.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Friday in Abuja.

“We will not rest until every threat to our sovereignty is neutralised.

“Wherever they hide, forests, valleys or remote settlements, our forces will find them and strike with precision. Our mission is clear: hunt them down and protect our people,” he said.

The CAS charged personnel to intensify operations in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to eliminate all security threats.

He noted that the nation’s evolving security challenges demand precision, innovation and relentless pursuit of criminals.

Aneke commended the troops for their professionalism for sustaining operational pressures across the theatre.

He urged them to sustain momentum and honour the sacrifices of fallen colleagues by remaining disciplined and mission-focused.

He reiterated that personnel welfare would remain a top priority under his leadership, stressing that “a force that fights hard must also live well,” while assuring continued investment in modern capabilities, intelligence systems and technology-driven operations.

“You represent the pride of our nation. Every flight must count, guided by actionable intelligence to support the overall campaign plan,” he added.

Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Special Operations Command, AVM Ahmed Idris, assured the CAS of the troops’ commitment to his strategic vision.

A detailed operational brief was later presented by the Air Component Commander, Air Commodore C.E Illoh, highlighting recent gains and evolving strategies.

The CAS also inspected operational, engineering, logistics and welfare facilities before holding an interactive durbar where he encouraged personnel to renew their resolve.

The visit reinforced NAF’s resolve to sustain intelligence-driven, precision-led operations to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)OYS/SH

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has started developing a new curriculum for Nupe and Tiv language programmes in Nigerian universities.

According to the NUC, its Executive Secretary, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, has approved a team of experts from different universities to create the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for the Bachelor of Arts degrees in Tiv and Nupe.

The commission shared this information in a publication on its website. The curriculum development meeting was held at the NUC Secretariat from October 21 to 24, 2025.

Professors from several universities worked together for four days to design the academic standards.

The Acting Director of Academic Planning, Mallam Abubakar Girei represented by Deputy Director Dr. Esther Mmeka led the experts to visit the Executive Secretary.

During the visit, Professor Ribadu formally launched the curriculum development process for both programmes.

He praised the experts for accepting the assignment and encouraged them to carry it out with seriousness and excellence.

Ribadu also expressed happiness that the NUC is expanding efforts to develop curricula for more Nigerian languages.

He said the initiative will strengthen the study and research of indigenous languages and cultural heritage.

Speaking on behalf of the development teams, Professors Mary Adebayo and Rebecca K. D., who lead the Tiv and Nupe units, promised to produce a strong academic framework that will improve teaching and research in both languages. Members of the Tiv curriculum panel include Professors Muhammad Alkali and Musa Bawa, with Florence Onuoha and Chinenye Augustine representing the NUC.

The Nupe panel includes Professors John Akosu Adeiyongo and Nguton Sambe, while Kate Omotayo Onaiyekan and Hadiza Kalla serve as representatives of the Commission.

Serenity Royale Hospital in Abuja has denied issuing a medical report circulating online that claims actress Regina Daniels is struggling with serious substance abuse.

The viral document alleged that Daniels was diagnosed with a substance use disorder and placed on a home detox programme on September 24, 2025. The report carried the name of the hospital’s Managing Director, Adekunle Adesina.

But in a statement on Thursday, the hospital dismissed the document, saying it did not come from them. “Our attention has been drawn to a post on an alleged home detox report being circulated online in the name of Serenity Royale Hospital with respect to Nwoko Regina. We clearly state that the publication did not emanate from us and ask the public to disregard it,” the hospital said.

The controversy comes amid renewed tension in the Nwoko family. Earlier in the week, one of Ned Nwoko’s wives, Laila Charani, accused Regina Daniels on Instagram of introducing her to drugs and alcohol, claiming it almost ruined her marriage six years ago. She said Nwoko has always opposed substance use and wanted Daniels to seek help.

“My husband hates alcohol, drugs, and smoking. He has always said he would never accept any wife who engages in them. The only reason you are fighting him is because he wants you to stop. His quick intervention saved me from that dark path,” Charani said.

Before the allegations, Charani had been sharing photos and videos of her family spending time with Nwoko, including a vacation clip captioned, “Too busy building my peace, life, and family, no time for anything else.”

Meanwhile, Regina Daniels has continued to respond online, insisting her marriage was strong during its early years. She wrote, “My ex-man never slept outside for one day in our seven years of marriage because, as a Delta babe, I held him well in the other room.”

More than 150 Palestinians including a woman who is almost due to give birth arrived unexpectedly in South Africa without proper exit stamps from Israel.

They landed at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Thursday. No one knew how long they planned to stay.

Because their travel papers were not clear, the group was kept inside their chartered plane for about 12 hours. A pastor who was allowed to visit them said the plane was very hot and that children were crying for help.

After the long delay, South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs stepped in. A local charity organization, Gift of the Givers, agreed to provide shelter for the passengers.

The Border Management Authority said that 23 of the travelers have already moved on to other countries, leaving 130 still in South Africa.

Officials are now investigating how the passengers got to South Africa without proper travel records.