Category: PM News

Nigeria’s Super Falcons reignited their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia on Saturday night, overcoming the challenge of playing with 10 women for more than 50 minutes to keep their hopes of retaining the continental title alive.

The defending champions went into the Group C encounter under pressure after suffering a shock 3-2 defeat to tournament debutants Malawi in their opening match.

Needing a positive response, the Falcons made a dream start as six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala struck in the eighth minute to hand Nigeria an early lead.

Nigeria’s task became significantly more difficult in the 40th minute when defender Blessing Demehin was shown a straight red card, forcing the Super Falcons to play the remainder of the match with 10 players. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Nigerians produced a disciplined defensive display to frustrate the Copper Queens, who were unable to find an equaliser.

Coach Justin Madugu reshuffled his side in the second half, introducing fresh legs including Shukurat Oladipo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Halimatu Ayinde and Esther Okoronkwo as Zambia piled on the pressure. However, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and the Nigerian backline stood firm to preserve the narrow advantage until the final whistle.

The victory earned Nigeria their first three points of the tournament and breathed new life into their quest for another WAFCON crown after the disappointing opening-day defeat. Zambia, one of the tournament favourites, failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage despite dominating large spells of the second half.

With the crucial win, the Super Falcons remain firmly in contention for a place in the knockout stage as the race for the Group C qualification spots intensifies.

Chelsea have completed the signing of experienced striker Danny Welbeck from Brighton and Hove Albion on a two year contract that will keep him at the club until 2028.

The 35 year old England international will join Chelsea’s squad for their pre season tour under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Welbeck said he was excited to join the London club, describing the move as a great honour. He said Chelsea’s rich history and strong desire to compete for trophies made the decision easy.

‘I am really honoured to join a club of this size at such an exciting time. I already know some of the players and I have had great conversations with the manager. I still have the hunger to compete and I am ready to give everything for the club and its supporters,’ he said.

Welbeck arrives at Stamford Bridge with plenty of experience. He has made 400 Premier League appearances, played in the UEFA Champions League, and represented England at two FIFA World Cups.

He earned 42 caps for England, scored 16 goals, and also featured at Euro 2012.

He started his professional career at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, where he won the Premier League, two League Cups, the Community Shield, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

In 2014, Welbeck moved to Arsenal and scored 32 goals in 126 appearances while helping the club win the FA Cup and Community Shield.

He later had a spell with Watford before joining Brighton, where he made more than 200 appearances and scored 26 Premier League goals across the last two seasons.

Chelsea will hope the veteran forward’s experience and leadership will strengthen the squad as they prepare for the new season.

The Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State on Thursday inducted 63 graduate nurses at a grand 5th Induction Ceremony of Registered Nurses on the institution’s campus.

An elated Vice Chancellor of the Redeemer’s University, Prof. Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, announced this during his presentation at the occasion, adding that 36 of the students graduated with First Class Division.

Prof. Akindele praised the graduates for their ‘commitment, discipline, and resilience’ which he noted has culminated in the enviable academic excellence in their chosen professional.

He congratulated the inductees for what he described as incredible accomplishment, urging them to be transformative agents leading change in contemporary healthcare.

According to him, the healthcare environment is changing rapidly and nurses need to be skilled, innovative, caring and visionary.

‘You are skilled professionals trained to bring positive change at the highest level of expertise to the delivery of healthcare. Be graduates who are professionally competent, honest and upright in all your actions with complete trust. I believe that you will continue to manifest these qualities in your practice of the profession in Nigeria and beyond,’ the VC admonished the new registered nurses.

He urged them to continue to prove competent ability, remain committed to excellence and be worthy ambassadors of the Redeemer’s University wherever they go.

The Chairperson of the Faculty Induction Committee and Head of Department, Nursing Science of the Redeemer’s University, Dr (Mrs.) D.F Onisile, in her remarks, said the university’s hallmark was excellence. She disclosed that two alumni of the institution were already employed as lecturers at the school. This, she said, was a proof that Redeemer’s University trains competent, teachable and professional hands.

She also congratulated the inductees and admonished them to carry the grace of excellence with dignity and commitment to service, adding that graduation was not the end but the beginning of greater responsibility.

‘Healthcare is changing rapidly, technology is advancing, systems are becoming more complex. This environment you are emerging from must lead change. Lead with competence, lead with courage, lead with compassion, and lead with integrity. Leadership begins with excellence in everything you do,’ Onisile told the inductees.

She added that if medicine, diagnosis and technology changed, the inducted nurses should remain teachable, humble and compassionate, asking them to ‘remember that caring is a moral imperative. As a graduate of Redeemer’s University, carry excellence, character and service with you wherever you go.’

The Induction Keynote Speaker and Professor of Nursing Science, Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Prof. Emmanuel Ejembi Anyebe, who explained the dynamics of the modern healthcare environment, congratulated the inductees and advised them to be prepared for the challenges of contemporary nursing practices.

Dignitaries at the event included the Medical Director, Osun State Teaching Hospital; Chairman, NANNM- National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Registrar and Secretary General of the Nursing and Midwives Council of Nigeria, and Director of Nursing Services at the Ministry of Health.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned four suspects before Justice F. N. Ogazi of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly helping to launder a total sum of $5,296,691.

Dele Oyewale EFCC Head of Media and Publicity said in a statement on Thursday that the defendants identified as Bamidele Ayodele Emmanuel, Abdullah Oriyomi, Garuba Fathiat Funmilayo and Gbenro Victor Ademola were arraigned separately on a two-count charge each bordering on money laundering, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Count One against Bamidele Ayodele Emmanuel reads: ‘That you, BAMIDELE AYODELE EMMANUEL, between 1 and 31st January, 2025, in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, directly retained the sum of $826,691 (Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety-One United States Dollars) in your account, No. 0126008755 domiciled in Wema Bank, which you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.’

They all pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, reviewed the facts of the cases before the court. She informed the court that investigations revealed that the defendants admitted surrendering their personal information to one Afeez Animashaun, who approached them at Mushin Market, Lagos, where they conducted their respective businesses.

Buhari further disclosed that investigations established that the defendants’ identities were used to incorporate these companies; College Compass Eduguide Nigeria Limited, Hortifresh Solutions Nigeria Limited, Eduboost Innovation Nigeria Limited, Fixit Hardware and Tools Nigeria Limited, and also open corporate bank accounts through which millions of dollars were received within January 2025.

According to the prosecution, the defendants’ actions provided anonymity for the actual operators of the company and facilitated the movement of suspicious funds through the Nigerian financial system.

She thereafter urged the court to convict the defendants as charged and impose appropriate sentences.

Justice Ogazi remanded the defendants in a Correctional facility and adjourned the matter till Tuesday, August 4, 2026, for judgment.

The Nigerian Army has unveiled a new command structure following the creation of additional divisions approved by President Bola Tinubu, a move aimed at strengthening military operations and improving security coverage nationwide.

The expansion is expected to improve command and control, speed up troop deployment and enhance the Army’s ability to respond to emerging security challenges.

As part of the restructuring, Maj Gen Yakubu Yahaya has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the newly created 9 Division in Ilorin, where he will also serve as Commander of Operation Savannah Shield.

Maj Gen Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife will head the 10 Division in Jalingo, while Maj Gen Moses Gara assumes responsibility for the 5 Division in Makurdi alongside his appointment as Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke. Maj Gen Auwalu Mahmuda has also been redeployed to lead the 2 Division in Ibadan.

The Army has equally established three new brigades to support the fresh formations. Brig Gen A.O. Odubiyi will command the 11 Brigade in Gboko, Brig Gen A.M. Haruna takes charge of the 29 Brigade in Kainji, while Brig Gen R.M. Aminu will lead the 10 Brigade in Lafia.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col Appolonia Anele, the Army said the new divisions would begin operations once they attain their Initial Operational Capability.

‘The newly established divisions will immediately commence operations in the respective locations on attainment of Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively attain Full Operational Capability.’

Congratulating the newly appointed commanders, Shaibu urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

‘Provide visionary leadership, sustain operational momentum and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and mission effectiveness in the discharge of their responsibilities.’

The Army chief reiterated the service’s commitment to national security.

‘Safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria, protecting the lives and property of all law-abiding citizens and supporting the attainment of enduring national peace and security.’

Shaibu also thanked President Tinubu for approving the expansion, describing it as a major step in the Army’s ongoing transformation.

He said the establishment of the additional divisions represented ‘a historic milestone in the transformation of the Nigerian Army’, adding that it demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to reinforce the country’s defence architecture.

According to him, the enlarged force structure will ‘significantly enhance command and control, improve operational coordination, strengthen border security, facilitate faster deployment of troops and resources and increase the Nigerian Army’s capacity to respond decisively to emerging and evolving security threats across the country.’

He expressed optimism that the new formations would deepen collaboration with other security agencies, promote national stability and support efforts to restore lasting peace across Nigeria.

Under the revised structure, the 5 Division in Makurdi will oversee military operations in Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states, while the 9 Division in Ilorin will cover Kwara and Niger states. The 10 Division in Jalingo will be responsible for Taraba and Adamawa states.

The Army also announced that the 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, will become operational later this year with responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

Existing divisions have also been assigned new operational jurisdictions. The 1 Division, Kaduna, will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while the 2 Division, Ibadan, will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo. The 3 Division, Jos, will supervise Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe.

Similarly, the 6 Division, Port Harcourt, will oversee Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River, while the 7 Division, Maiduguri, retains responsibility for Borno and Yobe. The 8 Division, Sokoto, will cover Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara, the 81 Division, Lagos, will oversee Lagos and Ogun, and the 82 Division, Enugu, will continue to supervise Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man suspected of involvement in armed robbery during a routine patrol in the Igando area, recovering a locally made firearm and charms believed to be linked to criminal activity.

The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.

According to her, officers on patrol became suspicious after spotting three men riding on a motorcycle in a manner that raised concern.

On noticing the approaching patrol team, the trio reportedly attempted to escape. While two of the suspects managed to flee, one was captured by the officers, leaving behind the motorcycle used in the failed getaway.

A search conducted after the arrest led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol as well as assorted charms.

Adebisi said the arrested suspect remains in police custody, while efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the two fleeing accomplices.

She added that detectives have commenced investigations to determine the full circumstances surrounding the case and the suspect’s alleged criminal activities.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Tijani, praised the officers involved in the operation for what he described as their alertness and professionalism.

He reiterated the command’s resolve to combat violent crime across the state and appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the police with useful intelligence.

Tijani urged residents to ‘continue provide timely and credible information to assist the police in preventing crime and apprehending criminal elements.’

He also encouraged the public to promptly report suspicious movements or activities through the command’s emergency lines to ensure swift police intervention.

The emergency numbers are: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, 08080193432 (Marine), and 09168630929.

Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, a distinguished elder statesman and Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, has passed away. His death was announced officially by his family on Thursday.

The former minister served as the Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1991 under the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

He was also the Minister of State for Budget and Planning in 1988, and later served as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The late elder statesman was known for being a thoroughbred administrator. His career spanned several high-profile positions across the public civil service.

The Nigeria Customs Service has begun enforcing the Federal Government’s 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments following approval by President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant shift in Nigeria’s trade and revenue framework.

Announcing the development in Abuja on Wednesday, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the revised measures are intended to improve the country’s economic competitiveness, strengthen revenue generation and bring Nigeria’s tariff structure in line with regional and international commitments.

He explained that the policy changes would also enhance the administration of fiscal regulations while encouraging lawful trade across the country.

The implementation follows recent remarks by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, during the defence of the Service’s 2026 budget proposal before the National Assembly. Adeniyi had stated that the updated import duty structure formed part of the Federal Government’s wider fiscal agenda for 2026 and would help stimulate economic growth.

Maiwada said the latest amendments were designed to encourage local industrial expansion, simplify legitimate trade activities and improve the management of customs and fiscal policies.

‘The approved amendments include the Revised Import Adjustment Tax List for the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (2022-2027),’ he said.

He disclosed that the package also comprises the Revised National List under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff framework, the Revised Import Prohibition List (Trade), the Revised List of Goods Liable to Excise Duty, the Green Tax Surcharge on vehicles above 2000cc and the Revised Export Prohibition List.

The Customs spokesman urged importers, exporters, manufacturers, licensed customs agents and other stakeholders to study the revised schedules carefully and comply fully with all applicable fiscal and regulatory requirements.

‘To facilitate seamless implementation and promote transparency, the service has made the complete 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments available for download,’ he said.

According to him, the documents can be obtained from the Nigeria Customs Service’s official website, where stakeholders are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the new provisions to ensure smooth compliance.

Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, Maiwada said:

‘The service remains committed to supporting government policies while fulfilling its mandate of trade facilitation, revenue collection and border security.’

He added that effective implementation of the reforms would depend on active collaboration between the Service and stakeholders, describing such cooperation as essential to building a more competitive, transparent and sustainable economy.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has criticised the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for giving priority to the construction of new roads while many existing federal highways across the country remain in a poor and dangerous condition.

Speaking during plenary at the Senate on Wednesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should first focus on rehabilitating major roads that have become difficult for motorists to use before embarking on fresh road projects.

The former Edo State governor expressed concern over the state of federal roads linking Edo State with neighbouring Delta State and other parts of the country.

According to him, several of these highways have been neglected for years despite repeated appeals by lawmakers and residents.

Oshiomhole argued that the recent approval of about 20 new road projects by the Federal Government raises questions when many existing roads that serve thousands of commuters daily have not been repaired.

He specifically mentioned the roads connecting Benin to Warri, Asaba, Auchi and Okene, describing them as being in a deplorable condition.

He said the poor state of the highways has continued to affect the movement of people, goods and services, while also increasing travel time and transportation costs.

The senator alleged that the Minister of Works has not been fair in the allocation of road projects, claiming that some parts of the country have received more attention than others.

He urged the Senate leadership to intervene and encourage the minister to ensure that road projects are distributed fairly across the country.

According to Oshiomhole, the Senate had previously drawn the minister’s attention to the condition of the affected roads through a motion, but little has been done to address the problem.

He said part of the road project is only receiving attention because President Bola Tinubu approved the use of the tax credit scheme to fund the rehabilitation of some sections.

Oshiomhole maintained that federal infrastructure projects should reflect national interest rather than favouring certain areas. He stressed that every region deserves equal access to quality roads because they are essential for economic growth, trade, security and the daily movement of citizens.

He called on the Minister of Works to adopt a more balanced and inclusive approach in planning and implementing road projects, insisting that repairing existing highways should be treated as a priority alongside the construction of new ones.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 3,867,997 Nigerians successfully completed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by the end of Phase III, Week Eleven, which ended on July 26, 2026.

The commission said more than 10.18 million people have completed the registration process across the three phases of the exercise.

Phase I recorded 2,572,054 registrations, while Phase II added 3,748,704. When combined with the 3,867,997 registered in Phase III, the total stands at 10,188,755.

Nigeria currently has more than 93 million registered voters. INEC said it will carry out a de-duplication process on the over 10 million new registrations to remove duplicate entries before updating the National Register of Voters.

According to figures released by the commission, 2,697,863 people completed their registration at physical centres, while 1,170,134 registered online after meeting the required conditions.

This means nearly 70 per cent of the registrations were completed through physical registration centres, making them the preferred option for most Nigerians.

A breakdown by states shows that Kano State recorded the highest number of completed registrations with 330,906, representing 8.55 per cent of the national total. Lagos followed with 181,254, while Delta recorded 166,895.

Other states with high registration figures include Edo (156,150), Ebonyi (146,507), Sokoto (145,160), Taraba (141,649), Ogun (136,921), Bauchi (128,753), Jigawa (125,155) and Oyo (125,144).

At the lower end, Ekiti State recorded 2,276 completed registrations, Ondo had 23,824, Plateau recorded 41,993, while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had 56,285.

INEC explained that Osun State recorded no registrations during the period because the Continuous Voter Registration exercise was suspended ahead of the state’s governorship election, in line with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The commission said the figures cover both online and physical registrations nationwide as it continues efforts to expand voter participation ahead of future elections.