Category: PM News

The White House has reacted angrily after Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was named the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, beating U.S. President Donald Trump, who had been widely tipped for the honour.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the Nobel Committee had ‘put politics over peace,’ insisting that President Trump would continue to pursue peace deals around the world.

‘President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will,’ Cheung said.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Machado as the 2025 laureate on Friday in Oslo, praising her ‘tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela’ and her ‘struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.’

Trump, whose name had been heavily promoted in the run-up to the award, was passed over despite his Gaza peace plan, which helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after two years of fighting.

The U.S. leader had repeatedly described himself as a ‘peacemaker’ and long claimed he deserved the prize, citing his efforts to end global conflicts.

The Nobel announcement came just hours after Israel confirmed that a Gaza ceasefire was in effect following a cabinet vote adopting the first phase of Trump’s proposal, which includes the release of hostages and a pause in hostilities.

Singer Teni has sparked reactions online after revealing the unusual reason she avoids giving out money on Fridays.

In a viral video, the ‘Billionaire’ crooner said she never parts with cash on Fridays because, according to her, people often use the money to buy pepper soup instead of doing something meaningful with it.

‘Me I no dey give anybody money on Friday. If you give person money that day, them go use am chop pepper soup,’ Teni said in Pidgin English.

She recounted how someone once begged her for money to start a business but ended up spending it on a big bowl of catfish pepper soup.

The singer advised that if anyone wants to give money, it should be on a Monday, when people are still focused on their plans for the week.

Her statement has since gone viral, drawing mixed reactions from fans who found her logic both funny and relatable.

University of Jos Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has explained the rationale for its proposed industrial action.

The meeting, held on Friday in Jos, was convened by the union’s Students Relations Committee.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, Chairperson of the union, thanked student leaders for providing ASUU the opportunity to engage with them.

He said the meeting was aimed at drawing the attention of key stakeholders to the Federal Government’s continued failure to address the union’s demands.

Molwus added that the session was also meant to inform students about the union’s efforts toward achieving a more functional and sustainable university system in Nigeria.

‘Let me remind the general public that ASUU is worried that it may no longer be able to guarantee the industrial harmony that has been enjoyed over the last two years.

‘No doubt, the federal government is proud of ASUU for sustaining such tempo. But that has been achieved at the detriment of the welfare and wellbeing of our ever resilient members who have suffered persistent denial of their due entitlements.

‘We have issued a 14-day ultimatum, which elapses on Oct. 13, and if government fails to satisfactorily address our demands, without further notice, we will proceed on a two-week warning strike,’ he stated.

Molwus explained that the the decision to embark on the strike stemmed out of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sept. 28 in Abuja.

The chairperson said that ASUU’s demands were not personal, but one aimed at strengthening the quality of university education in the country.

‘Some of these demands are the immediate release of the revitalization fund as captured in the budget and signing and implementation of the 2009 agreement reached with the government.

‘Our demands also include, payment of promotion arrears of responsibility allowance held by the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and reinstatement of our victimized members in some state and federal universities.

‘Other demands are payment of 23/35 per cent wage awards to members, payment of withheld three months salaries of members, among others,’ he added.

Speaking, Miss Jane Pwajok, the President, Student Union Government (SUG) of the university, commended ASUU for conveying the meeting with the students.

She explained that the meeting served as an eye opener, adding that it gave the students a better perspective on lingering issues between ASUU and the government.

The president further commended ASUU for its longstanding struggle to improve and ensure quality in Nigeria’s university system.

She, however, called on the union to seek alternative means of pressing home its demand aside from the planned industrial action.

Nigerian video director, Praise Onyeagwalam, also known as Director Pink, has opened up on why she quit pursuing a career as an actress.

The cinematographer revealed in an interview with Hip TV, that she quit because of the humiliation that came along with being an aspiring actress.

Director pink further revealed that she was being asked to offer her body for roles which did not sit well with her.

‘I wanted to be an actress but the humiliation was too much. Long queues, shady ‘come to this location’ calls. I said ‘No.’ That’s when I chose to be my own boss,’ she said.

The director stated that although being a video director can be challenging, she is willing to make sacrifices.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned against any attempt to sabotage the recently inaugurated ‘Light Up Abuja’ project.

Wike gave the warning on Thursday, during the inauguration of the construction of Collector Road CN2 (Emmanuel I. Ogala Street), from Arterial N16 (Yemi Osinbajo Way) to N20 (Wole Soyinka Way), including Road ILS 5 within Katampe District, Abuja.

He explained that the warning was triggered by a recent incident where street lights on the Airport Road failed while President Bola Tinubu was returning to the capital city.

The minister said he had already summoned the contractor, CCECC, for an explanation and had been briefed on their efforts.

He urged all parties involved not to relent, emphasising his administration’s resolve not to be distracted.

‘I Know that all those things are just to distract us and weaken us, but I can assure you that my team and I are very determined.

‘If there is one project we must achieve, it is the ‘Light Up Abuja’ project,’ he said.

Wike also explained that the road project was part of a major infrastructure overhaul planned to commemorate President Tinubu’s third year anniversary in office as well as the FCT’s 50th in 2026.

He revealed that the new road was essential to give functional meaning to the recently commissioned Gishiri-Maitama road and interchange.

‘Recollect that sometime in July this year, Mr President came and commissioned that interchange. So when we came, we found that without this road being linked up, it will not make sense,’ Wike said.

He commended the contractor, China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC), for commencing work based on trust before the formal contract award, highlighting their confidence in the President’s government.

While painting a vivid picture of the project’s immediate economic impact, Wike predicted a dramatic surge in property values.

‘If a property here was worth 200 or 300 million, within the next one month, its value will go to 700 million or 1 billion Naira. That is what good administration is; that is what the real essence of making the economy thrive is,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new Collector Road is expected to significantly decongest traffic in the Katampe and Gishiri Districts.

The Nigerian Army says its troops have apprehended a high profile terror suspect and recovered cache of arms and surrender of terrorists in recent operations across theatres.

A source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the successes were recorded between Oct. 7 and Oct. 9.

He said that troops of 2 Brigade, in collaboration with Department of State Services operatives, raided a kidnappers’ hideout at Eket, Akwa Ibom, and apprehended a notorious kidnap kingpin, Emmanuel Akpan.

According to him, Akpan, known for kidnappings along the Oron/Ibaka axis, was apprehended during a joint operation on Oct. 7 and is currently in DSS custody for further investigation.

The source added that troops of 196 Amphibious Battalion nabbed an ISWAP/JAS terrorist at Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno, while attempting to infiltrate the town on Oct. 8.

He said that preliminary investigation had revealed the suspect served as logistics and intelligence courier between terrorist enclaves in Chad and Niger Republic, posing as a surrendering fighter.

‘In Kaduna State, troops of 4 Demonstration Battalion intercepted two suspects conveying 1,307 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition along the Lere-Saminaka-Kaduna Road.

‘The suspects were arrested with four mobile phones and ?27,000 cash. The ammunition was being transported from Barakin Ladi, Plateau State, to Zamfara.

‘Meanwhile, three ISWAP/JAS terrorists, including a female, surrendered to 68 Battalion troops at Bosso, Niger State, citing intense military pressure and hardship in their camps.

‘The surrendered terrorists, from Konduga and Jabilam, are currently being profiled for further debriefing by security operatives,’ he said.

The source also revealed that troops of 222 at Bazamri Village, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, engaged terrorists in a fierce firefight.

He added that the troops recovered two RPG bombs and a belt containing 150 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition after the encounter.

‘Across other regions, troops intensified anti-oil theft operations in Rivers, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi and Plateau States, arresting suspects and dismantling illegal refining sites.

‘During the operations, troops recovered 6,650 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, seized boats and vehicles used for transporting illicit petroleum products, and destroyed several refining ovens.

‘The Nigerian Army remains resolute in protecting citizens, denying terrorists freedom of action and creating safe conditions for peace and economic development,’ he added.

American singer and songwriter David Anthony Burke, popularly known as D4vd, has transferred the deeds of his landed properties to his mother.

According to TMZ, the transfer was implemented on the 18th of September and the 22nd of September 2025.

The singer, D4vd, is currently being investigated after the body of Celeste Rivas was found in an automobile registered under his name.

The singer has since then, cancelled his scheduled appearances and tour.

Nigerian singer and songwriter, Adekunle Gold, has opened up on his priorities as a musician, a father and a husband.

Gold, in an interview with NotJustOk, revealed that although he can afford to fail as a musician, he cannot fail as a father and husband.

Gold added that his family is the center of his life.

‘All I wanted to be is to do more for my own daughter because I can’t afford to bring her to the kind of life that I grow up living. It has to be way better. And that’s why I’m working hard. My family is my centre. I don’t joke with my family. I can afford to be a failed musician, not a failed father or a man. That’s not negotiable for me,’ he expressed

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Mr. Abubakar Bawa Makuku, Sole Administrator and Caretaker Chairman of Sakaba Local Government Area in Kebbi State, and Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, Director of Finance and Supply of the same Local Government, for contract fraud and abuse of office involving the sum of N54 million.

The duo was arraigned before Honourable Justice E. Gakko of the Federal High Court sitting in Birnin-Kebbi on multiple counts bordering on abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and financial misconduct.

During the trial, prosecution counsel, Mr. Hamza Sani, presented evidence showing that Mr. Fakai unlawfully withdrew a total of N54 million from the coffers of Sakaba Local Government in six tranches of N9 million each, in a deliberate attempt to evade financial reporting protocols.

The court also heard how Mr. Makuku corruptly awarded contracts without following due process and personally benefited from the diversion of N10 million earmarked for official engagements of the local government.

One of the charges reads:

‘That you, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, in June 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while serving as Director of Finance and Supply, withdrew a total of N54,000,000.00 (Fifty-Four Million Naira) from the Sakaba Local Government bank account at First Bank Nigeria Plc in six tranches of N9,000,000.00 each, with the intent to avoid the legal duty of reporting the said sum, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 19(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.’

Another charge against the Sole Administrator reads:

‘That you, Abubakar Bawa Makuku, in May 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while serving as Sole Administrator, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself by receiving N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) in cash from the Finance and Supply office of Sakaba Local Government. The funds were designated for official government activities but were not utilized for their intended purpose, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.’

The defendants had pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them. However, in his judgment, Justice Gakko found them guilty as charged and convicted them accordingly.

Mr. Fakai was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of N2.5 million, while Mr. Makuku received a four-year jail term or a fine of N1 million as compensation to Sakaba Local Government, in addition to another N1.5 million fine.

The judgment underscores ICPC’s resolve to ensure that public officers who betray the trust of their offices for personal gain are brought to justice in accordance with the law.

Anambra governor Chukwuma Soludo has joined the league of governors who have banned graduation ceremonies and Christmas parties in their schools to reduce the financial burden on parents and guardians.

Speaking during a campaign rally organised by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Friday at Awka North, Soludo frowned at the practice of organising ‘graduation ceremonies’ for pupils moving from one class to another, which often require parents to pay for gowns or uniforms.

He also expressed concern over what he described as unnecessary expenses imposed on parents through school-related activities.

Soludo said the ban on such activities was part of his administration’s effort to make education more affordable and equitable for all families.

‘This is to owners and administrators of government, private and mission schools in Anambra. We have set out some basic standards to ensure that the poor are not made to spend so much just because their children are in school.

‘One of the measures includes discontinuing the use of textbooks designed for students to write in. This practice forces parents to buy new textbooks annually.

‘Once a child finishes a class, he should be able to pass on his textbooks to his younger siblings,’ he said.

He described such activities as unnecessary and exploitative.

‘Even Christmas parties, parents should not be made to pay for such. These are too many expenses on poor parents,’ the governor said.

Soludo warned that the state government would begin strict enforcement of the new directives, adding that any school found violating them would be sealed.

‘These activities will end in Anambra schools because we will begin enforcement and any school that fails to comply or violates these standards will be closed.

‘I will personally see to that. And when we seal your school, you can go to court. We will meet there,’ he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting quality, accessible and affordable education for every child in the state.