Category: PM News

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has linked the lack of electricity in rural communities to early nights and increased population growth.

Fayose made the statement on Friday in Abuja after he was inaugurated as Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency board.

In a video shared by ARISE News on Saturday, Fayose said many people in rural communities had few recreational activities at night because of the lack of electricity.

According to him, most residents go to bed early because their communities become dark after 7pm.

He said, ‘Why don’t you address this issue of electricity? The people at that level have no alternative attraction. Nothing else matters to them. After 7 o’clock, it gets dark there.

‘Everybody is engaging their wives. And the population simply becomes double. The simple problem is because there is lack of electricity.’

Fayose said providing electricity in rural areas would give residents more options for entertainment and recreation outside their homes.

He added that improved electricity supply would encourage nightlife and allow people to spend more time outside their homes.

‘People go to bed early. Their mind is simply prepared that, well, if this is the only available recreation, let me remain here.

‘But when we address this electricity, there will be nightlife. There will be recreation outside your wife,’ he said.

Fayose spoke as he assumed leadership of the REA board, which is responsible for improving electricity access in communities that are not adequately served by the national power grid.

He was sworn in alongside other members of the REA governing board by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe.

Ahmadu Abubakar and Ilyasu Makinta were also inaugurated as board members, alongside three other non-executive directors.

Abba Aliyu was formally installed as the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of worsening Nigerians’ purchasing power, saying many households are increasingly struggling to afford homes, vehicles and basic assets.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said the latest Central Bank of Nigeria Household Expectations Survey showed that families were facing difficulties acquiring major household assets.

The former vice president described the survey as a reflection of the economic pressure faced by Nigerians, arguing that it contradicted claims of improved economic wellbeing.

According to the CBN survey cited by Atiku, buying conditions stood at 28.7 points for motor vehicles, 28.9 points for consumer durables and 30.0 points for buildings and landed property.

He said the figures showed that the economic challenges facing Nigerians had gone beyond food prices and were now affecting their ability to save, invest and acquire assets.

‘These are not figures manufactured by the opposition. They are the verdict of Nigerian households captured by the Central Bank under President Tinubu’s own government,’ Atiku said.

Atiku further linked the survey findings to rising food costs, citing the SBM Jollof Index, which estimated that preparing a pot of jollof rice for a family of five costs an average of ?29,578.

He argued that the cost represented a significant portion of the ?70,000 minimum wage, leaving many workers with limited resources for other essential needs.

‘What the figures tell us is simple: Nigerians are being priced out of decent living. A home is becoming a fantasy. A car is becoming a luxury. Household appliances are increasingly beyond reach,’ Atiku said.

The ADC presidential candidate also criticised the government’s focus on economic indicators such as GDP growth and foreign reserves, arguing that such figures must translate into improved living conditions for citizens.

However, the Federal Government has continued to defend its economic reforms, including petrol subsidy removal and foreign exchange market reforms, saying the measures are necessary to stabilise the economy, attract investment and create sustainable growth.

The administration has acknowledged the challenges caused by the transition period but maintained that the reforms are aimed at achieving long-term economic stability and improving opportunities for Nigerians.

Atiku maintained that the success of any economic policy should ultimately be measured by its impact on ordinary citizens and their ability to afford basic needs and improve their standard of living.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has said that President Bola Tinubu deserves praise for expanding infrastructure across the country.

Onanuga stated this during an inspection tour of the Makurdi-Otukpo-Obolo-Affor-Enugu dual carriageway by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team.

The team led by Onanuga is being conducted round completed and ongoing federal and state infrastructure projects across Benue State.

Speaking to newsmen along the corridor, Onanuga described the expressway as a landmark project that would strengthen connectivity, boost commerce and foster national integration.

‘From what we have seen so far, even though we have not even completed this road, it has shortened the travel time between Makurdi and Otukpo.

‘From what I gathered, the road was so bad that from Makurdi to Otukpo it used to take about three hours. But now, just about one and a half hours or so, we are in Otukpo.

‘So, this is a commendable project and I think President Bola Tinubu deserves a lot of applause for touching almost every part of Nigeria, giving them one road or bridge or one infrastructure or the other,’ he said.

Onanuga added: ‘This road is linking the North Central and the South East for you.

‘If you are able to link all parts of Nigeria, it shows you that we are improving the connectivity across our states.

‘This will no doubt boost, not just passenger traffic, also business as people will be able to move goods across all the borders, all the state borders’.

Speaking on the project, the Federal Controller of Works, Benue State, Mukaila Danladi, said the 258-kilometre dual carriageway had been divided into five sections to facilitate construction.

He explained that the project traverses Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi and Enugu states, forming a strategic transport corridor linking major economic and commercial centres across the regions.

According to the controller, about 178 kilometres of the highway fall within Benue, while the section under

inspection covers 50 kilometres on each carriageway, totalling 100 kilometres.

Danladi said construction had progressed to about 86 kilometres of binder course on both carriageways, describing the achievement as significant in spite of prevailing weather-related challenges.

He attributed the slower pace of work to the rainy season, noting that some earthworks could not be undertaken under unfavourable weather conditions common during construction.

The controller, however, said work had not stopped, with contractors concentrating on hydraulic structures and drainage installations along the alignment pending improved weather conditions.

He reiterated the Federal Government’s assurance that the project would be delivered within the 48-month contract period, with completion expected by December 2027.

Danladi recalled that the highway is the second phase of the Abuja-Akwanga-Nasarawa-Makurdi corridor, extending the dualisation from Makurdi through Otukpo and Obollo-Afor to Enugu.

He said the project is funded through a combination of the China EXIM Bank loan and Federal Government counterpart funding, while China Harbour Engineering Company is executing the works.

The highway is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel time, ease movement of agricultural produce and strengthen trade and economic integration across the affected states.(NAN)

A 25-year-old Kano woman, Maimuna Idris, has been remanded in a correctional centre after she pleaded guilty to cutting off her boyfriend’s manhood.

The the victim is identified as Ashiru Sani.

Idris, who resides in Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa was arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano on Friday on a two-count charge of attempted culpable homicide and causing grievous harm.

The Prosecution Counsel, H.A. Sani-Buhari, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on July 27 at Badawa Quarters, Kano.

Sani-Buhari said that on the same date at about 12:50 p.m., the Badawa Police Division received a report from the management of Durbar Hotel, Badawa, Kano, that the defendant allegedly attacked her boyfriend with a sharp knife.

She said earlier, at about 11:00 a.m., the defendant allegedly severed her boyfriend’s manhood after discovering his intention to marry another woman.

‘The victim was immediately rushed to Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital, Kano, for medical treatment,’ she said.

The defendant, however, pleaded guilty to the charges.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 229 and 248 of the Penal Code.

The Judge, Magistrate Sadiya Usman, ordered the remand of the defendant in a correctional centre and adjourned the matter until September 9, for further mention. (NAN)

Police operatives have killed one Ojiogu Elumah Martin, alias ‘Acid’ a suspected gang kingpin who allegedly masterminded the murder of Barrister Paulinus Ekwueme, a traditional ruler and five others in Ohaji/Egbema community of Imo State.

Police operatives had earlier arrested four suspects over the killing of the traditional ruler who was the Ochia I of Ochia Kingdom, and five others.

‘Acid’ was arrested following actionable intelligence by operatives of the Special Tactics Squad, Force Intelligence Department (STS-FID), CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer said in a statement on Saturday.

He said the kidnap kingpin was arrested in a series of operations conducted between 2nd and 6th August, 2026, targeting members of the criminal syndicate linked to the incident by the operatives.

‘The operations culminated in the early hours of 6th August, 2026, when operatives located the hideout of a suspected gang kingpin, identified as Ojiogu Elumah Martin, alias ‘Acid’, in Ohaji/Egbema.

‘The suspect engaged the operatives in a gun duel and sustained injuries during the encounter, which subsequently led to his death. One AK-47 rifle, three magazines and 56 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered from the scene,’ Iniedu said.

The police spokesperson said that Acid was identified as the leader of the criminal syndicate linked to the attack of 10th April, 2026, in which the monarch and five others were killed along the Asa/Awara Road, Ohaji/Egbema, while returning to Owerri.

‘Four suspects had earlier been arrested in connection with the incident, while two others reportedly died during previous encounters with the Police,’ he said.

Iniedu added that efforts have been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and establish the full extent of their involvement and recover further operational intelligence and exhibits.

‘The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring that all persons found to be connected with the crime are brought to justice and that every effort is made to bring the investigation to a logical conclusion,’ Iniedu concluded.

The High Court sitting in Ifo, Ogun State, has ordered accelerated hearing in a suit arising from a disputed transaction involving the proposed acquisition of assets of Dolphin Steels Nigeria Limited, a company currently under receivership.

The suit, marked HCF/146/2026, was instituted by Prodigy Finance Limited against Zenith Bank Plc and Mr. Olugbenga Ajala, Receiver/Manager of Dolphin Steels Limited.

Justice Ogunfowora gave the order on Monday, August 3, 2026, while delivering a ruling in the matter.

The court noted that although the claimant had stated in its pleadings that the principal contractual sum paid by it had been refunded, its claims for damages arising from the alleged breach of the agreement would have to be established during trial.

Consequently, the court declined an application for an injunction but ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive case in the interest of justice.

The judge abridged the time within which the defendants are to file their respective defences to 21 days, while the claimant was given seven days to respond to the defences, if any.

The matter was adjourned to September 7, 2026, for commencement of pre-trial conference.

The disputed transaction

The case followed an agreement concerning the proposed sale of assets belonging to Dolphin Steels Nigeria Limited, which is under receivership.

Prodigy Finance Limited had approached the parties with an interest in acquiring the company’s assets, including its land, buildings, plant, machinery and scrap materials.

According to documents filed in court, a letter dated May 13, 2026, stated that upon payment of 75 per cent of the agreed purchase price, possession of the property would be handed over within 48 hours, while title documents would be released upon full payment.

The total purchase price was put at ?2.25 billion.

The claimant said it subsequently paid ?1.7 billion, representing about 75.6 per cent of the purchase price, into the designated receivership account on May 25, 2026.

However, according to the claimant, possession was not handed over within the period contemplated in the agreement.

The claimant also alleged that an executed copy of the Contract of Sale was not returned to it despite the document having been signed and forwarded by its solicitor.

In a letter dated June 10, 2026, Prodigy Finance requested clarification on the status of the transaction and sought confirmation of when possession of the assets would be handed over.

Transaction terminated

The dispute took a different turn when the Receiver/Manager subsequently communicated the termination of the transaction and proposed a refund of the ?1.7 billion paid by Prodigy Finance.

The Receiver/Manager stated that the decision was taken on the instruction of the bank in its capacity as creditor controlling the receivership estate, and that the payment had been made contrary to an earlier agreed payment structure.

Prodigy Finance, however, rejected the termination and the proposed refund, insisting that the payment was made pursuant to the understanding reached by the parties.

The claimant subsequently wrote to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, stating that it did not accept the refund and maintained that the transaction should be completed.

The company also demanded specific performance of what it described as the contractual obligations arising from the transaction.

Following the disagreement, Prodigy Finance commenced the present proceedings, claiming, among other reliefs, damages for alleged breach of contract, misrepresentation, recovery of funds, interest and costs.

The defendants are yet to present their respective defences, following the court’s order abridging the time for filing their responses.

The substantive issues in dispute are therefore expected to be determined during the hearing of the case.

Three more suspects allegedly linked to recent abduction of Professor Samuel Avengbe Okunsebor, a lecturer at Nasarawa State University have been arrested by operatives of Department of State Services, DSS.

Professor Okunsebor, who is the dean of Faculty of Agriculture of the University was rescued early Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Mile Uku, a border community between Lafia and Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, two days after he was abducted by DSS operatives.

A lady and a man were arrested by the DSS during the rescue.

However, a security source disclosed on Saturday that three more suspects linked to the abduction of the Don were arrested on Friday night at a local brothel on the Mararraban Akunza, Lafia – Makurdi highway

The source identified the suspects as 25-year-old Yakubu Abubakar (aka Black/Starboy), of the Doemak tribe in Plateau State; 37-year-old Usman Abubakar Mairiga, and 27-year-old Sale Babauro Abubakar.

Mairiga and Abubakar are Hausa and Fulani respectively.

The source added that the suspects are being held at Nasarawa Command of DSS disclosed for further, investigations.

According to the source, a valid detention warrant has been obtained from a magistrate’s court to enable the DSS to keep the suspects for its investigation.

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has inspected preparations for his fifth coronation anniversary in Okere, Warri, Delta State.

The monarch carried out the inspection during his morning fitness routine, riding an electric scooter through the area with members of his security team.

A video of the inspection was shared on his Facebook page on Saturday.

The post said the monarch conducted an on-the-spot assessment of preparations for his upcoming fifth coronation anniversary as part of his fitness routine.

Residents and other people who saw the monarch during the inspection cheered and hailed him as he moved around the community.

His public appearance also attracted several reactions on Facebook, with users praising his accessibility and friendly manner.

One user, Iniobong Esen, described the monarch’s approach to leadership as commendable, saying leaders should be able to move freely among their people and understand their living conditions.

Another user, Avwerosuo Amos Govina, described Atuwatse as a king with ‘class and charisma,’ while Enujeke Prosper called him ‘the Digital King with a difference.’

The Olu of Warri is expected to mark his fifth year on the throne with a series of activities.

The monarch has previously attracted attention for using an electric scooter during public appearances instead of a traditional motorcade.

In March 2025, he rode a scooter through his ancestral home, Ode-Itsekiri, where residents welcomed and cheered him.

In December 2025, he also rode an electric scooter while inspecting a newly completed road in Delta State.

Nigerian military has listed rescue of two women and two children abducted from Gwoza local government area of Borno State since 2023.

The four kidnapped victims made up of two women and two children were 361 abductees rescued by troops in various operations across the country in the past one week.

Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations said on Friday while providing weekly updates on ongoing military operations across the country.

According to Onoja, the two women and the two children were discovered on Aug. 1 at a terrorist enclave near Amuda Bridge in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

‘The four victims had reportedly been held captive since the 2023 farming season before their recovery and subsequent handover to the community leadership’

Onoja listed the rescue of the 259 other victims, arrest of scores of terrorists, informants, logistics suppliers and other criminal suspects among the achievements of the troops in the nationwide operations.

He added that the operations also resulted in the neutralisation of terrorists, recovery of arms and ammunition, disruption of logistics networks and dismantling of illegal oil refining facilities,

Giving further details of the operations, Onoja said in the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued 35 victims, including women and children, while arresting suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers during clearance and interdiction operations.

He also revealed that on July 31, troops rescued 31 persons after foiling an attempted abduction along the Buratai-Kamuya Road in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

The victims, according to him, comprise of 22 adult males, five adult females and four children, who were rescued after troops pursued fleeing terrorists towards Mangari-Dora.

‘Between Aug. 2 and Aug. 4, several family members of suspected terrorists surrendered to troops in Gwoza, Konduga and Bama Local Government Areas.

’20 other suspected terrorists surrendered to troops at Kwuari in Konduga, while troops arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and recovered foodstuffs destined for terrorist elements,’ he said.

Onoja further disclosed that troops also rescued 18-year-old Blessing Tuggur, who was abducted in November 2025 at Dogoba Kopre axis in Askira Uba, Borno.

In the North West, he said the troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, apprehended 21 persons attempting to cross into Birnin Kebbi, with five subsequently identified as terrorists and handed over to the Department of State Services.

According to him, four other suspects were arrested at Darusa Village Market in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto, where six rustled cattle, mobile phones and N165,000 were recovered.

Onoja said the Air Component of the operation also conducted a precision strike on terrorists gathered with about 15 motorcycles at Kampani Bobi and Beri Settlement in Mariga, Niger.

‘In the North Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops rescued nine kidnapped victims and arrested suspected criminals, including a suspected gun runner.

‘Seven victims abducted along the Wukari-Zaki-Biam Road were rescued in Ukum, Benue, while two others were rescued during a separate kidnap incident at Oke Ere in Yagba West, Kogi.

‘Troops also arrested suspected associates of wanted terrorist leader, Mathew, popularly known as ‘Full Fire’, after destroying his hideout at Sabongida Leke in Ukum,’ he added.

The defence spokesman said the troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded the largest single rescue operation during the period, freeing 308 abducted persons in Kainji Lake National Park, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger.

He said the victims comprised 163 indigenes of Woro in Kwara State and 145 persons from Niger State, with women and children constituting the majority.

According to him, troops also arrested a suspected terrorist informant in Nuku community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara, during the ongoing operations.

In the South South, Onoja said the troops of Operation DELTA SAFE rescued 11 kidnapped victims along the Lagos-Benin Road in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo.

He added that the troops also sustained operations against crude oil theft, dismantling illegal refining sites and recovering large quantities of suspected stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products.

‘In the South East, Operation UDO KA troops arrested several suspects linked to an ambush on soldiers and recovered weapons and ammunition from camps in Rivers, Delta and Imo.

‘The operation also led to the arrest of five suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra following an attack on Fulani herders in Enugu.

‘Troops recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns, ammunition and an Improvised Explosive Device during follow-up operations,’ he said.

The defence spokesman said the operations demonstrated the Armed Forces’ sustained commitment to rescuing victims, disrupting criminal networks and denying terrorists freedom of action.

He added that the military would sustain collaboration with other security agencies, local security groups and communities to enhance intelligence gathering and improve security nationwide.

According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their discipline and commitment, urging Nigerians to continue providing useful information to security agencies.

‘He also assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain the current tempo of operations until peace and stability were fully restored across the country,’ he added. (NAN)

Social media platform X has announced the end of its Revenue Sharing programme, replacing it with a new reward system designed to pay creators for producing original content.

The company disclosed the changes on Friday through its X Creators account, saying the new Original Content Rewards Programme would focus on rewarding users who contribute original ideas, reporting, analysis, creativity and meaningful conversations on the platform.

‘Today, we’re introducing the Original Content Rewards Program, a new way to reward creators who bring original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity, and commentary to X,’ the company said.

As part of the transition, X said it had stopped accepting new enrolments into the Revenue Sharing programme with immediate effect.

Existing participants, however, will continue earning under the current system until September 7, 2026.

According to the company, creators already enrolled in Revenue Sharing will receive three final payouts, with payments scheduled for August 14, August 28 and a final settlement around September 11 for earnings accrued through September 7.

From September 8, eligible Revenue Sharing creators will be allowed to apply for the new Original Content Rewards Programme.

The first payout under the new scheme is expected on August 28, while creators joining from the old programme will receive their first payment on September 25.

Under the new model, creators will earn based on qualified impressions generated by their original content, with payments made every two weeks.

X said qualified impressions refer to unique views from Premium users on the Home Timeline where at least half of a post is visible.

The platform added that repeated views from the same account, paid or promoted impressions, artificially generated traffic and fraudulent views would not count towards earnings.

To qualify for the programme, creators must be at least 18 years old, reside in a supported country, maintain an account in good standing and subscribe to X Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business.

Applicants must also have at least 500 verified followers and generate a minimum of 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within the previous 90 days.

The company said creators would also be required to publish original content regularly to remain eligible.

X explained that qualifying content includes original threads, videos, memes, graphics, illustrations, reporting, commentary, analysis and creative reactions that add value to conversations on the platform.

It warned that simply reposting another person’s content or making minor edits such as cropping, adding filters, borders, watermarks or simple text overlays would not qualify for rewards.

The company also said copied content, automated posts, misinformation and content uploaded without the necessary rights or permissions would be excluded from the programme.

X added that creators who violate the programme’s rules could face temporary or permanent removal from the rewards scheme.

‘Original content is content you personally create that reflects your own voice, perspective, expertise, or creativity,’ the company said.

It added that the new programme was designed to reward creators who drive conversations and make meaningful contributions to the platform.