Category: PM News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally accepted the departure of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), marking the end of his decade-long leadership of the electoral body.

Yakubu, first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission, served two consecutive five-year terms after his reappointment in 2020.

His tenure officially expired this month.

In a statement issued on Monday, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Yakubu’s ‘unwavering dedication and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy,’ acknowledging his role in organising credible elections and implementing key electoral reforms.

As a mark of national recognition, the President conferred on Yakubu the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for his meritorious service to the country.

President Tinubu also directed that the most senior national commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, should assume office as Acting Chairman of INEC pending the appointment of a substantive successor.

In his valedictory letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu expressed gratitude to the President for the trust and opportunity to serve, noting that his tenure was marked by significant progress in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Nigerian singer Omawumi has shared how the support she received from music producer Cobhams Asuquo, helped her career.

While speaking with Hip TV, Omawumi revealed that meeting Cobhams changed the course of her career for the better.

‘The first time we met, he just called. I knew we met on the show, and he said, ‘Omawumi, this is Cobhams Asuquo-you know he likes to funkify his name. There is a song I want you to do. It might not come out as anything for now, but let’s just go with it,” she said.

She added that she accepted the offer and it unexpectedly opened more doors for her. Omawumi also spoke about her work relationship with Cobhams, revealing that she learns so much from him as an artist.

‘I did the song, and then the agency picked it. I became the brand ambassador for that product for two years. Cobhams taught me a lot of nuances when it comes to delivery and posture,’ she added.

Borno governor, Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday inaugurated a 72-unit housing complex for teachers in Mafa Local Government Area of the state as part of efforts to improve welfare and revitalize the education sector.

The houses, in eight blocks of three-storey buildings, are equipped with basic amenities.

The housing project, comprising two- and three-bedroom apartments, is to address the shortage of accommodation for teachers, particularly in rural communities affected by insurgency.

Zulum said the welfare of teachers remained central to his administration’s drive to ensuring quality education across the state.

He added that ‘the provision of decent and secure housing is one of our key priorities, as we believe that teachers must be well-motivated and comfortable to deliver quality education.’

The governor then presented keys to selected beneficiaries and urged them to take proper care of the facilities provided.

Earlier, Alhaji Lawan Wakilbe, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, said the beneficiaries were drawn from primary and secondary schools within the local government area.

He commended Zulum ‘for his continued commitment to improving teachers’ welfare and upgrading learning conditions in the state.

Mr Adekunle Omoyele, the Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, narrowly escaped an assassination attempt following an ambush by gunmen in Osogbo on Monday.

This was revealed in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the corps, Mr Abass Yusuf, and made available to journalists on Tuesday in Osogbo.

Yusuf said the ambush occurred at about 10:05 p.m. on Monday, along Ikirun Road, opposite Charity Hotel, Osogbo.

He explained that the commander was driving home alone after official duties when gunmen opened fire on him, leaving his vehicle riddled with bullets.

‘It is deeply troubling that the Amotekun Commander could be targeted in such a coordinated and vicious manner.

Apart from the attack on the road, the same day, 15 unidentified armed men, all masked, reportedly stormed Omoyele’s private residence. Witnesses claimed the attackers arrived in a Hilux van and a Toyota Highlander SUV,’ Yusuf disclosed.

According to him, the attack on such a high-ranking security official raises concerns about the growing insecurity faced by those tasked with protecting the people of the state.

He added that the corps urged citizens to remain calm and to report any suspicious activities to local security agencies for prompt response and action.

‘The attack is not just an attack on one man, but on the symbol of a localised security structure,’ Yusuf stated.

He further revealed that the commander sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility under protective watch.

Yusuf confirmed that the incident has been reported to the Ota-Efun Police Division and that investigations are ongoing.

UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has dismissed a stinging comparison made by LBC host Nick Ferrari, who likened her leadership struggles to those of Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim.

Ferrari made the remark during a live interview on Tuesday, suggesting that Badenoch, like Amorim keeps ‘asking for more time’ while presiding over losses.

‘If this was football, Mrs Badenoch, you need to look across to Old Trafford. The manager of Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, keeps saying, ‘Give me time,’ and keeps losing matches. You’re losing councillors, you’re losing support, you’re losing members. You are the Ruben Amorim of politics,’ Ferrari said.

The comment came a day after Badenoch addressed the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, where she urged members to stay united despite mounting internal pressure and defections to Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

Rejecting the comparison, Badenoch said her leadership was focused on rebuilding the party after years of setbacks.

‘Well, that is certainly not the case,’ she replied. ‘What we are doing is shedding a lot of the baggage of the last 14 years. We need people in the party who are here for the right reasons.’

The Conservatives are currently polling at around 17 percent according to YouGov, one of their lowest ratings in decades, as frustration grows within party ranks.

Meanwhile, Amorim himself has been under intense scrutiny from Manchester United fans after 17 defeats in just 36 games. Football legends Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney have both questioned his tactics, with Scholes saying the manager is ‘getting too much time.’

Ferrari’s quip has since sparked debate online, with observers joking that both Badenoch and Amorim may be ‘leading struggling teams in need of a reset.’

American singer and song-writer, Taylor Swift, has broken her own album sales record with her newly released album.

The album, The Life of a Showgirl, which was released on Friday, has sold over 300,000 copies in just a span of five days.

This feat broke the record of UK first week sales which stood at 270,000 copies from her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department.

In the United States, Taylor Swift sold up to 2.7 million copies on Friday alone.

Hollywood actor and model Keith Powers, has announced his engagement to fellow American actress and singer, Ryan Destiny.

The Duo, made their engagement known with a joint Instagram post on Sunday, with a series of romantic pictures.

‘Engaged to the love of my life,’ they wrote.

The couple started dating in 2018, and have openly declared their love for each other on countless occasions.

Ryan in an interview with People in February, stated that Keith is her biggest cheerleader.

‘I just love him so much and I just appreciate him every step of the way. He’s such a cheerleader for me, as I am for him. It just means everything,’ she said.

Keith also expressed his admiration and love for his partner, stating that he learns a lot from her.

‘It’s just like we’re so locked in and we just get each other’s jokes and it’s just easy. We just flow honestly. And she teaches me a lot. I don’t know if I teach her stuff, but she teaches me so much. She’s made me a better artist, so it’s been great,’ he said.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to immediately reduce the cost of the 2026 Hajj fares recently announced.

The Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after a meeting with NAHCON officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAHCON, after due consultations with relevant stakeholders, announced the 2026 Hajj fares as follows:

Maiduguri-Yola Zone (Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba): ?8,318,336.67

Northern States: ?8,244,813.67

Southern States: ?8,561,013.67

However, Hadejia said President Tinubu saw the need for the commission to explore the possibility of reducing the Hajj fare.

He stated:

‘This meeting was essentially called at the instance of His Excellency, the Vice-President, to look at the possibility of reducing the Hajj fare for the 2026 pilgrimage.

‘As you know, the Hajj fare component is about 95 to 96 per cent foreign exchange-based.

‘The fares announced by NAHCON were based on a very pessimistic exchange rate of ?1,550 to the dollar.

‘However, the rates have continued to improve steadily, with the naira appreciating due to the economic reforms being implemented by the government.’

Hadejia noted that during the last Hajj pilgrimage, pilgrims paid between ?8.5 million and ?8.6 million due to the high exchange rate. Now that the exchange rate has improved, the benefits should be passed on to intending pilgrims.

He added:

‘All the officers of the Hajj Commission are here, and they have been told to immediately re-evaluate using a more realistic exchange rate.

‘If they apply the improved rate, we should be able to bring the Hajj fare down to between ?7.6 million and ?7.7 million.

‘The final figure will be announced in the next two days.’

He stressed the importance of quick remittance by State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards:

‘The faster the pilgrims pay their Hajj fares and the funds are remitted to NAHCON, the quicker the Commission can forward it to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to purchase dollars.

‘If that is achieved, we foresee a significant reduction in the Hajj fares this year.’

On his part, the Chairman of the Kebbi State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Alhaji Faruk Yaro, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima for their timely intervention.

‘We are very happy that the President and Vice-President have intervened.

‘We thank God for what they have done, which is expected to bring down the cost of the Hajj fare.’

Also speaking, the Secretary of NAHCON, Dr Mustapha Mohammad, described the development as welcome news.

‘The lower the Hajj fare, the more Muslims will have the opportunity to perform the pilgrimage.

‘As directed by the Vice-President, we will work tirelessly between today and tomorrow to reduce the fare to an affordable rate so that every Muslim can have the opportunity to fulfil this important pillar of Islam.’

President Bola Tinubu warmly felicitates his long-time ally and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake, on his 69th birthday anniversary.

President Tinubu describes Alake as a dependable ally, a consummate strategist, an outstanding journalist, and an accomplished public servant whose commitment to national development and good governance has remained unwavering over the decades.

The President recalls his long years of friendship and partnership with the celebrant, noting his exceptional public communication and national development service.

President Tinubu commends the Minister’s ongoing efforts to reposition the Solid Minerals sector as a significant revenue earner for Nigeria through policy innovation, investment promotion, and integration of artisanal miners into the formal economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘On this special day, I pray that Almighty God will continue to bless Dele with good health, wisdom, and strength.

‘He has remained a committed, loyal, and outstanding ally for several decades. His steadfastness and unyielding commitment to national development and progress stand him out as a patriot.

The president said, ‘I wish him a long life and more years of service to our nation and humanity.’

The 10th Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has passed over 50 bills into law in just over two years, according to Kenny Okolugbo, Consultant, Communications and Strategy Office of the Senate President.

Okolugbo, who shared the update on his official Facebook page, described the legislative achievements as ‘uncommon,’ noting that the Senate has been active in shaping national policies despite fiscal and operational challenges.

‘The 10th Senate has not only passed more than fifty bills, but it has also ensured critical laws like the Tax Reform Bill, NELFUND Act, and the establishment of five regional development commissions were signed into law,’ Okolugbo said. ‘These measures have directly impacted education, social welfare, and local development across the country.’

He further highlighted the Senate’s commitment to oversight and policy intervention, noting that it had extended capital projects for 2024 and 2025 budgets and convened summits to address national security challenges.

Okolugbo also praised Akpabio’s leadership style, describing him as a ‘man in a hurry to achieve results,’ drawing a parallel with his tenure as Akwa Ibom governor from 2007 to 2015, which he said ‘set the tone for the developmental pace now visible in the Senate.’

According to the aide, town hall engagements are planned across the six geopolitical zones to brief the public, especially youths, on the gains of the 10th Senate and to solicit feedback on issues still affecting Nigerians.

‘The Senate remains focused on delivering results, and under the leadership of President Akpabio, Nigerians are being kept informed of the progress being made,’ he concluded.