Category: PM News

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.

The Police Command in Ondo State has arrested three suspected drug dealers during a routine patrol operation in Akure, the state capital.

DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s Spokesperson, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Akure, saying the arrest was part of the command’s ongoing campaign against illicit drug trafficking and other crimes.

Jimoh explained that the operation was carried out by operatives of the command’s anti-cultism squad.

‘This forms part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks whose activities are often linked to cultism, armed robbery, violent crimes and other threats to public safety. On July 24 at about 2:00 p.m., while on a strategic confidence-building patrol within Akure metropolis, operatives intercepted and arrested three suspects. The suspects identified as Fisayo Adedamola (Female), Adeola Oluwaseun (Male), and Adeogun Olumide (Male), were allegedly involved in the distribution and sale of illicit drugs.

‘A thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of various substances and pharmaceutical products suspected to be illicit or abused drugs. Items recovered include quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis, Tramadol capsules, Codeine syrup and Tutolin syrup,’ he said.

The police spokesperson said the suspects were immediately taken into custody, while the recovered exhibits have been secured as evidence.

He, therefore, said preliminary investigations were ongoing to determine the source of the drugs, identify possible accomplices and uncover any criminal network connected to their activities.

Jimoh, however, said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

‘The Commissioner of Police in the state, Felix Ohagwu, has urged parents, guardians, community leaders and members of the public to remain vigilant and support the police by providing timely and credible information. Your information will aid the identification and arrest of persons involved in drug trafficking and other criminal activities. The command assures residents that it remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment through proactive policing and intelligence-led operations and sustained collaboration with the public. Criminal elements are hereby warned to desist from all unlawful activities or face the full weight of the law,’ he said.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to concentrate on tackling Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship and insecurity instead of engaging in political battles with his opponents.

Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, made the remarks while responding to President Tinubu’s recent comments suggesting that opposition politicians were ‘crying wolf’ because they feared the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the President’s greatest challenge was not the opposition but the performance of his administration.

He maintained that millions of Nigerians were more concerned about soaring food prices, inflation, unemployment and persistent insecurity than political rhetoric.

According to Atiku, rather than directing his attention towards political rivals, the President should focus on easing the burden on citizens grappling with the rising cost of living and improving security across the country. He said those issues, not political contests, should occupy the government’s attention.

The former vice president also criticised what he described as combative language from the President during an engagement with leaders of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, saying the occasion called for reassurance and statesmanship.

Atiku said Nigerians expected practical solutions to the country’s pressing challenges, insisting that improving the economy and restoring security should take precedence over political exchanges.

The latest remarks add to the growing war of words between the Presidency and opposition figures as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.

Candidates of political parties contesting in the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election on Thursday in Osogbo signed a peace pact to ensure that Osun experiences a peaceful, free and fair poll as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, asked troublemakers to stay away.

The peace accord meeting was organised by the Hassan Kuka led peace advocating organisation in conjunction with INEC to ensure a peaceful election in Osun.

The political parties participating in the election and their candidates at the important meeting pledged to maintain peace conduct and signed the peace agreement.

At the event, INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, declared that since the Biometric verification via the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) remains the sole statutory mechanism for accreditation, there would be no manual accreditation.

Regarding the security incidents in Okuku (Odo-Otin LGA) and Ife Central involving the theft of uncollected PVCs, Amupitan reassured the public that stolen PVCs are functionally inert.

‘Without live biometric verification on the BVAS, a stolen card cannot accredit anyone. Serial numbers of all stolen cards may be blacklisted, law enforcement is closing in on the perpetrators, and affected voters are being issued replacement cards or authorised digital verification PVC download,’ the Chairman said.

He also informed that a total of 4,427 BVAS devices-including a 15% operational reserve (664 backup units) managed by RACTECH teams-have been customized for Osun State and that all polling unit result sheets (Form EC8A) would be scanned and uploaded directly to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as soon as voting closes.

He said that the Commission was deeply concerned by several reports of violence and threats. ‘We recognise that insecurity is a direct assault on the sanctity of the ballot, and it is a menace we are determined to overcome. As Chairman, it weighs heavily on me that the environment for this election must be one of peace, not intimidation. Let me be clear: we will not allow the democratic will of the people to be subverted by fear or force.

‘Consequently, INEC has recalibrated its security strategy, moving from reactive monitoring to proactive prevention. To combat this menace, we have activated a robust security synergy through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

‘We are not just monitoring threats; we are proactively deploying intelligence-led security measures to every polling unit and collation center. We are working closely with the Police and the Armed Forces to ensure that our staff, our materials, and most importantly, every single voter, are shielded from harm. We will meet any attempt to disrupt this election with the full, unyielding weight of the law,’ Amupitan vowed.

Non state actors operating along Kogi and Kwara States have been strongly warned to either change from their criminal lifestyle or face the wrath of the law as the zone would no longer condone their nefarious activities.

Assistant Inspector General, AIG, of Police Betty Isopkan Otimeyin gave the warning in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Thursday, 30 July, when she resumed duty as head of the Zone 8 Police Command, comprising of the two states.

In her maiden engagement as the 34th and first female AIG of the command, Otimeyin promised to build on the achievements of her predecessors while deliberately keeping an open-door policy in securing the zone. She called on members of the public to cooperate with the security agencies in keeping society free from crime.

She charged officers and men under her command to embrace discipline, diligence, and dedication to duty, stressing that only a highly professional and motivated police workforce can effectively secure lives and property across the two states.

The new Zonal Commander pledged to re-strategize security operations in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, with greater emphasis on community-based policing, intelligence-driven operations.

Otimeyin, an education graduate of the old Bendel State University, Abraka Campus, has held many command positions in the police spanning administration and operation. Among other positions, she served as Commissioner of Police in Edo, Rivers, and Taraba States. She vowed to make her new command uncomfortable to bandits, kidnappers, fraudsters, and other criminals.

There is a revolution happening in Nigeria and it is being fought in gyms, Spas, on running tracks, across yoga mats, and in the kitchens of a generation of Nigerians who have decided that their health is non-negotiable.

For years, that revolution had no formal stage. No annual moment where its leaders were recognised, its businesses celebrated, and its community gathered under one roof to trade, learn, connect, and push the industry forward together. That changed in July 2026.

The Nigerian Fitness Awards and Expo, known as NFAandE, held its inaugural edition to thunderous reception, bringing together over seven thousand fitness and wellness enthusiasts, professionals, entrepreneurs, and brands for what many attendees and exhibitors described as the most significant event in the history of Nigerian fitness and wellness culture.

Now, the organisers are back with an announcement that is already generating serious buzz across the industry. The 2027 edition is coming, it is bigger, and it is open for business.

A Night and a Weekend Nigeria’s Fitness World Will Not Forget

The 2026 edition was not merely an event. It was a statement.

Held at Landmark Event Center on Victoria Island, Lagos, the Nigerian Fitness Expo ran across two energetic days of exhibitions, activations, masterclasses, panel conversations, fitness challenges, and product showcases.

Brands from across the nutrition, supplement, activewear, equipment, wellness technology, and lifestyle sectors set up on the expo floor and engaged directly with thousands of health-conscious consumers who came not just to look, but to buy, to learn, and to connect.

When the evening of July 4 arrived and the doors of the Nigerian Fitness Awards Gala swung open, Nigeria’s fitness elite were waiting. The black-tie ceremony brought together gym owners, Spa owners, personal trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists, sports medicine professionals, wellness entrepreneurs, fitness influencers, and brand executives for an evening of recognition, celebration, and genuine industry pride. Confirmed names on the night included Folusho Ogunbowale, Maje Ayida, Sandra SoFit, Wale Ogunbiyi, Amara Kanu, , Ferdinand Esewe, Gbemi Giwa, Akin and Patricia Maja, Dr Paul Chima, and Bukky Major, among others.

Thirty-two award categories recognised excellence across every corner of the fitness and wellness ecosystem, from the gym floor to the consulting room, from the supplement shelf to the coaching session that changed someone’s life.

Brands that participated as exhibitors and sponsors reported outcomes that exceeded expectations. One senior executive at a confirmed partner brand described NFAandE 2026 as the single most impactful marketing investment their company made in the year.

Another exhibitor, returning for 2027, said that the quality of conversations on the expo floor in a single day outperformed months of conventional advertising.

The Industry Behind the Event Is Growing Fast

To understand why NFAandE 2026 landed the way it did, you have to understand what is happening in Nigeria’s fitness and wellness economy right now.

Nigeria is home to over 1,200 gyms and fitness studios, more than 8,000 certified personal trainers, over 2,000 active fitness influencers, and a rapidly growing ecosystem of supplement brands, sports medicine practitioners, nutrition entrepreneurs, wellness technology startups, and active lifestyle consumer brands.

The market is estimated to be one of the fastest growing consumer categories in sub-Saharan Africa, driven by an urban, educated, aspirational demographic between 25 and 45 that has made health a lifestyle priority rather than an occasional resolution.

What this market has lacked until now is the formal institutional infrastructure that defines mature industries. An awards platform that names the best. An expo that brings the commercial ecosystem together. A stage that tells the world that Nigeria’s fitness industry is not informal, not niche, and not going anywhere.

NFAandE is that infrastructure.

2027: Bigger Stage, Wider Reach, Global Ambition

The organisers of NFAandE are not resting on the momentum of 2026. They are building on it with considerable intent.

The Nigerian Fitness Expo 2027 will run across three full days from August 13 to 15 at Landmark Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. The Nigerian Fitness Awards Gala follows on August 21, 2027, at the same venue. Where the 2026 edition served seven thousand attendees across two days, the 2027 edition is targeting twenty thousand attendees across a three-day expo and a larger, more expansive gala evening.

The 2027 edition introduces several new dimensions that signal NFAandE’s evolution from a successful debut into a serious industry institution.

The International Pavilion will for the first time create a dedicated zone on the expo floor exclusively for foreign brands entering the Nigerian market. Working through established partnerships with international chambers of commerce including the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry Japan, NFAandE is actively bringing global brands from Japan, South Korea, China, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States into direct contact with Nigerian gym owners, wellness entrepreneurs, and lifestyle consumers. For international brands, NFAandE 2027 represents one of the most credible and commercially structured entry points into the Nigerian wellness economy available.

The Amazon, a Shark Tank-style live investment pitch platform, will give Nigeria’s most promising fitness and wellness startups the opportunity to pitch for funding, partnerships, and distribution in front of a live expo audience and a panel of serious investors.

The Mastery Lab, NFAandE’s new year-round digital learning and certification platform, will bring the expertise of the event’s speakers and practitioners to an online audience throughout the year.

Nnamdi Obioma, Chief Business Development Officer of NFAandE, describes the 2027 ambition in direct terms.

‘We proved in 2026 that Nigeria’s fitness industry would show up for a platform worthy of it. In 2027 we are building the platform that was always in our imagination. More brands. More countries. More investment. More recognition. We are opening NFAandE to the world and inviting the world to come to Lagos.’

Early Bird Opportunity: Sponsorship and Exhibition Sales Now Open

The organisation behind NFAandE has opened sponsorship and exhibition sales for the 2027 edition, with an early bird window running until June 30, 2027 that offers massive discounts across all packages.

For brands seeking exhibition space, booth options range from food court and standard configurations to premium positions and dedicated international brand slots. For companies seeking deeper association with the platform, sponsorship packages at the title, platinum, and gold tier across both the expo and the awards gala offer naming rights, category exclusivity, stage branding, media integration, influencer access, and a suite of commercial benefits designed to deliver measurable returns across brand equity, lead generation, and direct consumer engagement.

The organisers are clear that the most valuable positions, particularly headline naming rights and category-exclusive sponsorships, are strictly limited. Once taken, they cannot be shared, split, or replicated. The brand that moves first owns that space entirely.

The Platform Nigeria’s Wellness Economy Has Been Waiting For

There is a broader story being written here and NFAandE is the protagonist.

Nigeria’s fitness and wellness professionals have for too long operated without the formal recognition, commercial infrastructure, and institutional credibility that professionals in other industries take for granted. The trainer who has transformed hundreds of lives. The nutritionist who has built a practice on real science and real results. The gym owner who has survived recessions and a pandemic and kept their community healthy through it all. The supplement founder who refused to import mediocre products and built something better from scratch.

These people deserve a stage. They deserve an industry that celebrates them. They deserve a platform that amplifies their work and connects them with the partners, the capital, and the recognition that their contribution warrants.

NFAandE exists to give them exactly that. And in 2027, that mission gets significantly louder.

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Northwest, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have foiled multiple kidnap attempts and rescued the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, along with several other victims during separate operations in Zamfara State.

The military disclosed this in a statement issued on X on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.

The statement added that the first incident occurred in the early hours of July 28 when troops responded to a distress call reporting terrorist activity around Tsohon-Tasha Street in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

Danja said the attackers had invaded the residence of the rector, killed his private security guard and injured another resident before attempting to abduct Dr. Yusuf and members of his family.

He said, ‘Troops arrived promptly and engaged the terrorists with superior firepower, forcing them to flee and abandon their victims. The Rector and his family were rescued and unharmed.’

The military spokesman added that in another operation on the same day, troops on night patrol responded to a distress call from the Tungan Dorawa community in Barkeji Village, where terrorists were attempting to abduct residents.

He said despite difficult terrain that initially slowed their movement, the troops closed in on the fleeing suspects, engaged them, and foiled the abduction attempt.

Danja further disclosed that troops simultaneously engaged another group of terrorists in the same community who were attempting to kidnap a prominent businessman, identified as Alhaji Azaria.

He said, ‘Prompt intervention forced the terrorists to flee and abandon their mission. Alhaji Azaria, along with 21 other civilians abducted from neighbouring houses, were rescued.’

The statement also revealed that troops arrested a 45-year-old suspected terrorist informant, Falalu Yusuf, who is believed to have collaborated with the attackers.

‘He has been handed over to relevant authorities for investigation and further necessary action,’ Danja said.

Commending the troops for the successful operations, Danja said Operation FANSAN YAMMA remained committed to restoring peace and security in Zamfara State and the wider North-West region.

He stated, ‘Operation FANSAN YAMMA commends the vigilance, courage, and professionalism of the troops and reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to restoring peace and security in Zamfara State and the larger North-West region.’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it will not depend entirely on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protect its votes during the 2027 general election.

The party said it has already made plans to ensure that every vote cast for its candidates is protected.

ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made this known on Wednesday in Ilorin, Kwara State, while speaking to journalists during a road walk organised to create awareness about the party and its preparations for the 2027 elections.

Abdullahi said that although there are honest officials within INEC, elections should not be based on trust alone.

He explained that the party lost confidence in the electoral body after the 2023 general election.

‘We know what INEC is capable of. We trusted the commission during the 2023 general election, but the outcome left us disappointed. We will not make the same mistake again by relying only on trust,’ he said.

He added that the ADC is determined to protect its votes across the country and will not leave the outcome of the election to chance.

Abdullahi also expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would lose the 2027 election, saying the party would ensure that every valid vote for its candidates counts.

While he did not reveal the party’s strategy, he said the ADC has a clear plan to defend its votes during the election.

Gov. Hyacinth Alia has vowed that he will do everything legitimately possible to ensure that people of Benue state are protected and their land is secured.

Alia said this while expressing deep sadness over attack by some yet to be identified gunmen on Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

Scores of residents were reportedly killed, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries after the attackers invaded the community in the early hours of Tuesday.

‘Our people are peaceful and hardworking. I was elected to protect them, and I must do everything legitimately possible to ensure my people are protected and our land is secured,’ Alia said while describing the attack as unfortunate.

He also vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice, according to a statement issued Tuesday in Makurdi by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula.

Alia also commended the Benue Police Command for its swift response to the incident.

He said the police neutralised two suspected armed bandits believed to have participated in the attack while pursuing the fleeing assailants.

Police operatives were immediately deployed after receiving reports of the attack to track down those responsible.

The operatives engaged the fleeing suspects in a gun battle, killing two who allegedly provided cover for others attempting to escape.

Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies in eliminating criminal elements and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

He warned that those seeking to displace Benue residents and occupy their ancestral lands would not succeed.

The governor said: ‘Benue land is for Benue people. Those who think they can come, push people away, and take over should think twice.

The latest attack comes less than a week after Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu announced a special 14-day security operation to flush out criminal elements from identified flashpoints across Benue.

Disu made the declaration last Thursday during a town hall meeting on security in Makurdi, attended by Alia, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, religious leaders, traditional rulers, security chiefs and other stakeholders.

Disu described the security situation in Benue as a source of ‘sleepless nights’ for both residents and security agencies.

He decried that the state, once renowned for peace and hospitality, had become engulfed by violence.

According to him, the crisis has evolved beyond farmer-herder clashes, with kidnappers, armed gangs and political interests aggravating the insecurity.

Disu urged youths not to allow themselves to be recruited by influential individuals to perpetrate violence, particularly during elections.

‘The youth are usually not the ones who start wars, but they are the ones who fight them. Parents must caution their children against being used as cannon fodder,’ he said.

IGP condemned the cycle of attacks and reprisals across the state, saying it must come to an end.

He conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that insecurity in Benue would no longer be tolerated and warned that only authorised security personnel were permitted to bear arms.

The police chief vowed to intensify efforts to recover illegal firearms and said officers had been directed to act decisively in line with Force Order 237 whenever confronted by armed criminals.

He acknowledged concerns over police misconduct, admitting the force was not perfect but assuring residents that every complaint against officers would be investigated and appropriate action taken.

Disu directed the Benue Commissioner of Police to publicly display his contact details to encourage residents to report crimes and police misconduct, stressing that policing could only succeed through community partnership.

‘The Nigerian police belong to the people. We are here to serve you, not to be your masters,’ he said.

The Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of police in charge of mobile police, Francis Iduh, disclosed that the force had identified 14 major security flashpoints across Benue for targeted operations.

He listed the vulnerable areas to include Gbajimba, Agasha, Kwande, Agatu, Naka, Otukpo, Makurdi, Apa and other communities mapped for intensive surveillance.

Iduh said the planned 14-day operation would involve stability and clearance patrols aimed at reclaiming forests, farmlands and criminal hideouts.

He explained that the exercise would target armed herders, bandits and other criminal elements without victimising innocent residents.

‘If communities partner with us and provide credible intelligence, we will deal with criminals without criminalising law-abiding citizens,’ he said.