Category: PM News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for restraint in Tanzania amid deadly protests following the Oct. 29 general election, as the country remains under curfew and faces widespread internet restrictions.

uterres, in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric deplored the loss of life and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.

The secretary-general called for “a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive use of force.”

He urged Tanzanian authorities to uphold accountability and transparency in handling the post-election unrest.

ccording to the UN human rights office (OCHCR), credible reports indicate at least ten demonstrators were killed.

This resulted from security forces’ use of firearms and tear-gas against demonstrators in urban areas including the cities of Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga and Morogoro.

OHCHR also reported that a nationwide curfew is in effect while access to the internet appears to have been widely restricted since polling day.

The UN human rights office urged authorities in Tanzania to promptly reinstate internet service.

It also urged the government to facilitate citizens’ full enjoyment of their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

Protesters were also urged to demonstrate peacefully.

“Curtailment of communication will only further undermine public trust in the electoral process,” the office said.

The violent post-election scenes come in the aftermath of electoral campaigns marred by allegations of arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition figures, including the Chadema party leader and his deputy.

It follows reported enforced disappearances of dissenters, including the country’s former ambassador to Cuba.

“All those in arbitrary detention must be immediately and unconditionally released.

“Those held legally must be accorded full due process and fair trial rights,” OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango, briefing reporters in Geneva on Friday.

“We urge the authorities to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all cases of election-related violence, and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannew.ng)

CIA/YEN

The Federal Government has announced plans to release about N11.995 billion within the next 72 hours to pay outstanding allowances and arrears owed to doctors and other health workers across Nigeria.

This was revealed in a statement on Saturday by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director and Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

ccording to the statement, the payment is part of efforts to address the welfare complaints raised by the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and other unions. It also shows the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and reform in the health sector.

The assurance was given during a meeting led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, between top ministry officials and the leadership of NARD. The meeting followed the recent strike by resident doctors over unpaid benefits and poor working conditions.

The strike, which began on Saturday, involves about 11,000 resident doctors working in 91 hospitals across the country.

NARD President, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, had earlier stated that the government owes doctors and other health workers about N38 billion in accumulated allowances.

The Ministry’s statement emphasized that the government remains focused on improving the welfare, motivation, and stability of healthcare workers, describing them as the foundation of all health-related programmes.

The statement also explained that, working with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the government had started paying seven months’ arrears of the 25 35% salary increase approved under the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS). A total of N10 billion was paid in August 2025.

It further noted that after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the quick payment of outstanding arrears, an additional N21.3 billion was moved to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) account, and payments have already begun.

The statement added that N11.995 billion will be released within 72 hours to cover other arrears, including accoutrement allowance (for uniforms and related items).

The government also confirmed that N10.6 billion was paid in September 2025 to fund the 2025 Medical Residency Training Programme, benefitting resident doctors nationwide.

By Akeem Busari

The renewed hope agenda of the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been attracting positive vibes from across the different spheres of the Nigerian society.

One combustible sector of our national life is the education sector. And stakeholders, investors and the core players have been waxing lyrical about the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Speaking on this impressive initiative, the Personal Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on General Duties, Olawale Fadare, said he’s particularly elated with the impact the interests free loans for students of the tertiary is making in the lives of the students.

In a chat with the press, the youthful aide to President Tinubu, noted the importance of the educational loan to the aspirations of the many indigent students, who would feel the succour of the loans to better their lives.

“In line with his avowed Renewed Hope Agenda, the President is leaving no stone or sector of national life untouched.

“He truly understands the yearnings of Nigerians, particularly, the impressionable, but gifted youths of Nigeria.

“I make bold to state that there are better days ahead for this country, because, the ship is in capable hands,” he added.

He went ahead to admonish all Nigerians, particularly, the youths to support the several life-changing initiatives and programmes of the President Bola Tinubu’s government.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the appointment of Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, a seasoned security expert, as the new Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).

The appointment, announced in a circular issued and signed by the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, on Friday, takes immediate effect.

ccording to the circular, Ogunsan’s appointment aligns with the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s security architecture and enhancing its capacity to safeguard lives and property.

Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to the outgoing Executive Secretary, Dr Abdurrazaq Balogun, for his dedication and valuable contributions to the growth of the LSSTF.

“Mr Governor uses this medium to extend his sincere appreciation to Hon. Dr Abdurrazaq Balogun, the erstwhile Executive Secretary, for his formidable and invaluable contributions to the development and achievements of the Security Trust Fund, while wishing him success in his future endeavours,” Agoro stated.

In a related development, Sanwo-Olu also constituted a new Governing Council for the Lagos State University (LASU), reaffirming his administration’s commitment to raising the standards of academic excellence in the state-owned institution.

The new LASU Governing Council will be chaired by Mr Babatunde Ogala (SAN), with the following members appointed to serve: Mr Oluseyi Badmus, Mr Bode Makanjuola, Mrs Mojisola Tolagbe Taiwo, Prof. Shaffudeen Amuwo, Alhaji Rafiu Adisa Ebiti,Ms Kofo Durosimi-Etti, Dr Farouk Gumel, Mrs Adenike Akanbi, Mr Biodun Hundeyin and Dr Remi Desalu.

The Head of Service noted that the constitution of the council reflects Governor Sanwo-Olu’s vision to ensure sound governance, accountability, and innovation in the administration of tertiary education in Lagos State.

US space agency NASA has dismissed claims by reality TV star Kim Kardashian that the 1969 Moon landing was staged.

Kardashian, in the latest episode of The Kardashians, said she believed the Apollo 11 mission that took astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the Moon “didn’t happen.”

“I think it was fake. I’ve seen videos of Buzz Aldrin talking about how it didn’t happen,” she told co-star Sarah Paulson, adding that she often “centres conspiracy theories.”

Reacting on X, NASA’s acting administrator, Sean Duffy, directly addressed Kardashian’s claim. “Yes, we’ve been to the Moon before six times!” he wrote, tagging the celebrity.

He also used the moment to promote NASA’s upcoming Artemis mission — part of America’s renewed effort to return to the Moon under President Donald Trump’s leadership.

“We won the last space race, and we will win this one too,” Duffy added.

Kardashian later responded by asking about a new interstellar object called 3I/Atlas, believed to be one of the oldest comets ever recorded.

Duffy then invited her to visit the Kennedy Space Center for the next Artemis launch.

For over 50 years, scientists have consistently debunked conspiracy theories that suggest the Apollo 11 mission was faked. According to the Institute of Physics, “Every single argument claiming NASA faked the Moon landings has been discredited.”

Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has once again made a controversial statement about the top Nigerian afrobeats artists.

Burna Boy ,while speaking on a livestream with Australian media personality Playboymax, claimed that he is the second best afrobeats artists.

The Grammy award winning singer claimed that late icon Fela Kuti is the only artist that is greater than him. He emphasised his bold claim, stating that Fela is the king of Afrobeats.

“He [Fala Kuti] is the king. He is the only one [African artist] who is greater than me. He is the only one,” he stated.

By Taiye Agbaje

Rep Abubakar Gummi, member of House of Representative representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State on Friday lost his seat for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of Federal High Court in Abuja declared Gummi’s seat vacant in a judgment he delivered on Thursday.

ummi defected from the PDP to APC in October 2024.

He said his defection was as a result of lingering internal and external crisis within the PDP.

He said the crisis had led to factionalisation in his constituency with two chairmen laying claim to the leadership of the party.

The announcement of his defection attracted applause from APC members at the plenary

However, the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda had opposed the defection.

Chinda had noted that the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stipulates that a lawmaker who defects from their party stands to lose their seat.

The monority leader therefore appealed to the Speaker to act in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution by declaring the seat of the lawmaker vacant.

He joined the APC barely two weeks after he was named Chairman of the House Committee on the newly created North West Development Commission.

‘Sack Gummi’

However, the PDP and its Chairman in Zamfara State, Jamilu Jibomagayaki had filed a suit as 1st and 2nd plaintiffs demanding the sack of the lawmaker over the defection.

The duo, in the originating summons dated Nov. 28 but filed Nov. 29, 2024, by Ibrahim Bawa, SAN, had sued Hon Abubakar Suleiman Gummi; Speaker of the House of Representatives and INEC as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

The plaintiffs had set out four questions for determination and sought nine reliefs for determination.

They asked whether having regard to the provision of Section 68 (1) (9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it was not unconstitutional for Gummies to retain his seat as member in the house.

They said he defected from PDP which sponsored him for the election to Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency to APC, when there was no division in the party, among other questions.

One of the reliefs sought was a declaration that it was unconstitutional for the speaker to refuse/fail to declare Gummi’s seat vacant.

ummi, in his response through his lawyer, filed a notice of preliminary objection and a counter affidavit.

The lawmaker, in his argument, argued that his decampment was due to the crisis within the PD..

He said contrary to the deposition of the plaintiffs, the lingering unresolved internal and external crisis both at the national level and in his constituency is the reason for his defection from the party to APC.

ummi said the crisis resulted into a state where he could no longer represent his constituents properly and ensure that they all benefit from shared distribution of the dividends of democracy within the bounds of law, and without undue interference from anyone or anything.

You’re SACKED

Delivering the judgment , Justice Egwuatu granted all the plaintiffs’ reliefs.

In the certified true copy of the judgment sighted on Friday, Justice Egwuatu restrained the Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from further recognising Gummi as member representing Gummi/ Bukkuyum Federal Constituency.

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct fresh election to fill the vacancy foR the constituency within 30 days from the day of the judgment.

The judge condemned the attitude of some politicians who see defection as a normal culture.

“Before I take my fingers off the key board, let me just add, that politicians should respect the wishes of the electorates that elected them into office.

“A situation where the electorates have made their choices between different political parties and their candidates based on the manifestos and marketability of such a political party, it is legally and morally wrong for such a politician to abandon the party under which platform he or she was elected into office and move to a rival party without relinquishing the mandate of his or her former party.

“If a person must decamp, don’t decamp with the mandate of the electorates.

“Don’t transfer the votes garnered on the platform of one party to another party.

“A politician has no such rights to transfer votes of a political party to another political party.

“The law must punish such moves by taking away the benefits bestowed upon the decampee politician by the electorates.

“And that is what Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution has done.

“Political prostitution must not be rewarded.

“In total, I resolve all the issues in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants,” Justice Egwuatu said.

The judge, therefore, ordered that Gummi , having defected from PDP to APC “before the expiration of the period the house was elected, automatically loses his seat as member of the House of Representatives.

He made an order restraining Gummi from further receiving monies as salaries, allowances or howsoever called in his capacity as member representing the constituency.

He also made an order directing the lawmaker to refund to the Federal Government all monies collected as salaries, allowances or howsoever called as member representing the constituency from Oct. 30, 2024 to the date of judgment.

“An order is made directing that the evidence of the refund of all monies collected as salaries, allowances or howsoever called be filed in the registry of this court within 30 days of the judgment of this court,” he said.

Justice Egwuatu consequently awarded a fine of N500, 000 in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants.

(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

American music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has officially begun serving his 50-month prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fort Dix, a low-security facility located within a military base in New Jersey.

Diddy was convicted in July 2025 on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, was transferred early Thursday morning, October 30, from the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where he had been held since his September 2024 arrest.

ccording to People Magazine, the transfer came days after a near-death scare inside the MDC, where an inmate allegedly broke into Diddy’s cell and held a knife to his throat.

close associate, Charlucci Finney, described the incident to the Daily Mail as “a warning” rather than a murder attempt.

Following the incident, Diddy’s lawyers reportedly requested an urgent transfer, citing safety concerns and the harsh conditions at the Brooklyn facility. They requested Fort Dix due to its rehabilitation programs, family access, and lower security risks.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Diddy’s 13 months already served will count toward his sentence. His projected release date is May 8, 2028, though he may be released earlier with good behaviour and participation in rehabilitation programmes.

Fort Dix, which has previously housed public figures like Real Housewives of New Jersey star Joe Giudice, offers inmates basic privileges, including access to vocational classes and a commissary that sells snacks like tuna, rice cakes, and Pop-Tarts.

The 55-year-old’s legal team is appealing his conviction, while reports confirm that President Donald Trump has received his request for a presidential pardon, though no decision has been made.

The transfer marks a major turning point in Diddy’s ongoing legal saga, one now shadowed by alleged prison threats, safety fears, and a growing public debate over his fall from grace.

The daughter of Pastor Mrs. Nkechi Chinyere Ene has broken her silence following the death of her mother, the presiding pastor of The Carpenter’s Church, who passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

In an emotional social media post, she wrote: “My beautiful mother went home to be with Jesus yesterday. It’s hard to describe how I feel in all honesty but I’m committed to taking it a day at a time. Pastor Nkechi Ene is the fiercest woman of faith I have ever known and her legacy lives on. Mommy, I love you.”

The Carpenter’s Church had earlier announced Pastor Ene’s death, describing it as a “great loss to the church and the body of Christ.” According to the church, she experienced a sudden health crisis shortly after returning from an extensive ministry trip marked by “miracles and testimonies.”

Pastor Sola Akinwale, speaking on behalf of the church, described Pastor Ene as “one of the great generals of God in our generation — one who lived and taught the undiluted Word of God, danced with the Holy Spirit, and by precept and example taught us to do the same.”

The church continues to call for prayers and support for her family, which includes her husband, Brother Emeka Ene, her daughters Zoe, Chloe, Tracy, and Osi, as well as her mother, Ma Mercy Chijioke, and siblings.

Despite the deep sense of loss, the church said Pastor Ene’s legacy will continue to inspire the congregation and believers around the world.

The management of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has rusticated a 200-level student, Ezi Ugoma, for four semesters after she filmed a dying colleague at the university’s health centre and shared the video on TikTok.

ccording to a letter dated October 21, 2025, and signed by the institution’s Principal Assistant Registrar, Ughwumiakpor A, Ugoma appeared before the school’s Students’ Disciplinary Committee in August to answer charges of gross misconduct and breach of matriculation oath.

The university said the action was a violation of the institution’s ethics, describing it as “inappropriate filming of a dying student.”

Following deliberations held on August 21, 22, and 25, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel O. Asagba, approved the committee’s recommendation that Ugoma be suspended for four semesters, with effect from the 2025/2026 academic session.

She is expected to resume her studies in the 2027/2028 session.