Category: PM News

Some indigenes of Ondo State have faulted Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the reappointment of Dr Taiwo Fasoranti as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), after he resigned to contest for senatorial seat in the state.

The indigenes under the auspices of Ondo Redemption Front (ORF) said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

The statement was jointly signed by the group’s Chairman, Dr Ologun Ayodeji; Co-Chairman, Mogbojuri Kayode; and Secretary, Adedotun Ajulo.

The group said that the decision exposed weak coordination and a lack of strategic thinking in the administration.

The civil advocacy group describing the office of the SSG as the engine room of policy coordination, said it should not be treated as a ceremonial or political position.

The group noted that after Fasoranti resigned to pursue his senatorial ambition, while the position was left vacant for months, creating what it described as an avoidable vacuum at the highest level of government.

‘A serious government does not leave such a critical office unattended for months.

‘A serious government understands that governance is a continuous process that cannot be suspended because one individual chooses to pursue political ambitions.

‘Now that the same individual has returned to occupy the position, the public is left wondering whether the office belongs to the institution of government or has become a political holding room to be vacated and reclaimed at will,’ the group said.

It stated that for several months it had raised concerns about the direction of governance in Ondo State, but recent events had reinforced what it called a cycle of indecision, and governance by reaction rather than vision.

The group also raised concerns over the Ministry of Finance, alleging that complaints about administrative bottlenecks, delayed approvals and interference in government processes were now coming from present and former aides, and supporters of the administration.

It urged the governor to investigate the allegations against the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowumi Isaac, and reassure the public that government business was not being held hostage by bureaucratic obstacles.

On infrastructure, it questioned the transparency of the newly commenced Akure flyover project.

It said there was insufficient public information on the total cost, procurement process, funding arrangements and contractor selection, noting that work has already commenced without full disclosure.

The group further decried the state of roads, healthcare and education, noting that public hospitals continue to struggle with inadequate personnel and equipment.

It also noted that institutions like Rufus Giwa Polytechnic faced administrative uncertainty and infrastructure deficits.

The indigenes also expressed concern over rising insecurity, particularly kidnapping and attacks in rural communities, and said farmers and residents felt abandoned.

It demanded that the governor strengthen institutional governance to prevent critical offices from remaining vacant for political reasons, conduct an administrative review to address bottlenecks, and publish full details of the Akure flyover project.

It also called for urgent reforms in health, education and security, and for the introduction of quarterly public accountability sessions.

They stated that the warning signs were becoming impossible to ignore, adding that’ the time for excuses has passed. The time to save the soul of Ondo State is now.’

When contacted, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, described the allegations, as baseless, noting that group was a familiar critic, that address the governor daily on social media without seeking genuine answers.

He insisted that they sought attention, not solutions for Ondo people.

On appointments, he defended the governor’s right to choose his cabinet, saying questioning the SSG appointment was political, not about capacity.

He noted project details, including the Akure flyover, were already public domain, urging the group to use the Freedom of Information Act for more data.

The Senate on Thursday moved closer to requiring global social media companies operating in Nigeria to establish physical offices in the country after stakeholders endorsed the proposal at a public hearing in Abuja.

The hearing, organised by the Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Cyber Security, also backed a bill seeking to establish an Artificial Intelligence Academy in Omuo-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The social media bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), seeks to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to make local offices mandatory for social media firms operating in Nigeria.

Defending the proposal, Nwoko dismissed fears that the legislation would discourage investment.

He said, ‘This Bill is neither punitive nor hostile to innovation. It is not designed to frustrate investment or discourage technology companies from operating in Nigeria.

‘On the contrary, it seeks to deepen their engagement with Nigeria by encouraging them to become true corporate citizens of our country.’

He argued that countries including the United Kingdom, India, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates had attracted global technology firms by encouraging them to establish local operations.

According to him, such offices support engineering, artificial intelligence research, customer service, regulatory compliance and product development while creating jobs and boosting tax revenue.

He added, ‘The question therefore is simple: if countries with significantly smaller populations and digital markets than Nigeria have secured these investments and benefits, why should Nigeria continue to stand on the sidelines? Why should Africa’s largest digital market not enjoy the same opportunities?’

The Senate committee will review stakeholders’ memoranda before submitting its report to the Senate for further legislative action.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) has advised motorists intending to use the Kara bridge section of Lagos -Ibadan expressway to seek alternative routes as a result of multiple road crashe that have rendered the section of the road impassable.

The FRSC said this as it revealed that its operatives and other agencies have been battling to clear gridlock at Kara bridge since the early hours of Friday.

The Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Sector Public Education Officer, SRC Elizabeth Jayeola.

He said that the first crash occurred at about 12:05 a.m. on the outbound carriageway towards Ibadan, and involved five articulated trucks and one Toyota Sienna.

‘Preliminary investigation indicates that the crash resulted from speed violation and loss of control.

‘A total of seven adult males were involved. One person died, one sustained injuries, while five others escaped unhurt,’ he added.

He noted that because of the position of one of the heavily loaded trucks, the body of the deceased was trapped underneath the vehicle, which necessitated deployment of heavy-duty recovery equipment before evacuation could be completed.

According to him, while rescue and recovery operations were ongoing, another crash occurred at about 3:15 a.m. on the inbound carriageway towards Lagos, involving a Mazda commercial bus.

‘The lone crash was caused by brake failure. The driver was seriously injured.

‘He was promptly rescued by the FRSC emergency response team and taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for treatment,’ he said

Hazmat said that the FRSC rescue team, LASEMA and other emergency responders, are working assiduously to evacuate the crashed vehicles, recover trapped victim, clear the obstruction and restore free flow of traffic.

He sympathised with families of the victims and urged motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic personnel at the scene.

‘Motorists are strongly advised to use alternative routes where possible, to avoid delays from the Kara – Ojodu-Berger corridor until recovery operations are concluded.

‘Motorists travelling out of Lagos towards Ibadan may divert through the Ikorodu-Sagamu route.

‘Those heading into Lagos are advised to consider alternative entry routes via the Lekki-Epe Expressway or the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway,’ he said.

He urged motorists, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles and commercial buses, to ensure their vehicles are mechanically sound before embarking on any journey.

‘Particular attention should be given to braking systems; Drivers are also strongly urged to avoid unnecessary night journeys, especially when visibility is poor due to darkness, rain, or fog,’ he said

The FRSC urged motorists to reduce speed limit where night travel is unavoidable, maintain safe distance, avoid dangerous overtaking, and stop to rest whenever tired.

According to him, poor visibility and fatigue significantly increase the risk of road crashes.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday urged Nigerian medical doctors and other healthcare professionals in the diaspora to return home and lend their expertise to the ongoing transformation of the nation’s healthcare sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

President Tinubu stated this when he received a delegation of Nigerian Diaspora Medical Associations Worldwide led by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as part of the 2026 National Diaspora Day Celebration at the State House, Abuja.

The event had in attendance the Minister of Information and National Orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, Minister of State for Health Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications Chief Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Health Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health Dr. Adanna Steinacker.

The President acknowledged that Nigeria needs the knowledge, innovation, experience and patriotism of its highly skilled professionals abroad to build a resilient and world-class healthcare system for all citizens.

‘It is a very great joy to see that you are coming back to facilitate your single motivation to help your country meet the needs of our people, the medical outreaches; seeing indivisible commitment to humanity is part of your singular oath and commitment in life. I thank all of you.

‘I have been through that journey, I’m home now and I can tell you there’s nowhere like home. Some people built the society where you are; they have their hands on their plough, their focus was to develop their nation and their continent.’

The President recounted how he came to Nigeria after his experiences with Deloitte and Touche and working with Mobil (company) and eventually came to Nigeria to contribute his quota to nation building.

He reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Agenda places healthcare at the centre of national development, stressing that the Federal Government is implementing far-reaching reforms to strengthen primary healthcare, expand access to quality medical services and encourage greater collaboration with Nigerian professionals in the diaspora.

He said this would be achieved through sustained investments in medical education, research, digital health infrastructure, improved welfare and policies to reverse the trend of brain drain.

‘So many of you have seen the hazard of the other side of the world. You have experienced the challenges and you have come back home to feel it and seal it. Poverty and lack of development is a challenge to Africa but what do you see as a Nigerian? This is the heart of Africa. And I have interacted with many of you, my friends who are still out there to try to attract them home.

Your Excellency, the visitors said having been trained in Nigeria and because they are Nigerians and succeeded abroad but they want to come back home and do something and that is why we have the diaspora commission encouraging them and working with them to ensure that they play a part in your Renewed Hope Agenda.

‘Mr. President, it is your leadership qualities that made them agree to come collectively and make this impact in the health sector. Mr President, some of our people are leaving, but they’re also coming back with knowledge, and expertise to make Nigeria a better place. So, what is your role in making Nigeria a better place? What is your role in the Renewed Hope Agenda? We are glad you are here, so welcome home,’ Abike to the visitors.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health Dr. Salako, said the commitment of the diaspora medical professionals has further validated the power and the reach of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the health sector.

‘What we are seeing today further demonstrates that you are not only renewing the hope of Nigerians in Nigeria but, even Nigerians outside Nigeria are filling the agenda. And so, when your excellency declared in that renewed hope agenda document that the health of every Nigerian will be treated as a matter of urgent rights, our brothers and sisters abroad keyed into it.

‘Since I became the minister of state for health, I have had interface with virtually everybody physically online. And I can tell you, excellency, these are very motivated, very ready, very prepared Nigerians who want to give back to Nigeria,’ he said.

The Minister added that the Ministry of Health will henceforth make the collaboration with the Diaspora health professionals a yearly event in their calendar.

The delegation included Dr. Jide Menakaya, Dr. Kunle Akanbi, Dr. Uche Menakaya, Dr. Itua Iriogbe, Professor Afekhide Ernest Omoti, Dr. Cliff Ike, Dr. Gertie Anyanwoke.

Others are Professor Rotimi Jaiyesimi, Dr. Hamid Balogun, Dr. Sadiya Gumi, Dr. Benjamin Anyanwu, Dr. Emilia Iwu, Chike Nweke, Wendy Olayinka, Dr Timileyin Oluseye, Dr Charles Adekunle and Tayo Erogbogbo.

Six Liberians have been arrested in Lagos over alleged human trafficking, abduction and an international visa scam luring compatriots with fake relocation promises to Canada and the United Kingdom.

The suspects, comprising one woman and five men aged between 21 and 40, were apprehended at Gberigbe in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that the members of a syndicate allegedly specialises in defrauding unsuspecting victims of millions of naira with a promise of securing a visa for Canada and other countries.

Following the report, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Tijani, directed that the case be transferred from the Imota Police Division to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for comprehensive investigation.

A police source said the syndicate lured victims from Liberia to Nigeria with promises of securing visas, work permits and residency documents for Canada and the UK, collecting huge sums of money for travel arrangements that never materialised.

He said that the victims’ passports and other travel documents were seized upon arrival in Nigeria.

According to him, the victims are initially accommodated in a hotel for two or three days before being moved to a rented apartment in Ikorodu, where they are held and pressured to recruit more people into the scheme.

‘The victims were promised opportunities to relocate abroad. After paying the required fees and arriving in Nigeria, they discovered there was no travel arrangement.

‘Instead, they were introduced to a networking business and instructed to recruit others before they could regain their freedom,’ the source said.

He said that one of the victims, who realised she had been deceived after arriving in Lagos rather than processing her travel documents for Canada as promised, reported the case through a friend she met on her way to Nigeria.

‘Her passport was seized and she was compelled to participate in the recruitment scheme.

‘The victim eventually contacted a man she had met during her flight to Nigeria and shared her location with him.

‘The man alerted the police, leading to the rescue of the victim and the arrest of the suspects.

‘The investigation is being handled by the Delta Force Anti-Robbery Unit) of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Mr Dayo Akinbisehin,’ he said.

The source added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate, while the six suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has approved the appointment of a seven member caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the union in Osun State.

The decision follows the ongoing leadership crisis affecting the union in the state.

The announcement was made in a statement by the union’s Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Frank Uwcheara. He said the committee was set up to prevent a leadership vacuum and ensure the smooth running of the Osun State council.

Uwcheara explained that the union’s Deputy National President, Comrade Isa Ore, had made several attempts to resolve the crisis by sending official letters and invitations to the Osun State chairman and members of the state executive council.

According to him, those efforts did not receive any positive response.

He also said the National Headquarters received reports that the Osun State chairman was unavailable and had gone into hiding, making it difficult for the union to continue without active leadership.

He stressed that the union could not allow the activities of the Osun State council to stop because of the leadership crisis.

As a result, the National Executive approved a seven member caretaker committee led by Comrade Kazeem Oyewale.

Other members are Comrade Lukman Hammed, Comrade Sunday Bummi Oludare, Comrade Ayinde Mutiu Olakunle, Comrade Adebayo Tajudeen, Comrade Ismaila Raimi and Comrade Tajudeen Akeem.

The committee will oversee the daily administration of the union in Osun State, maintain peace among members and ensure the smooth operation of the council until a substantive leadership is appointed.

The union urged all NURTW members in Osun State to support the caretaker committee, remain peaceful and obey the union’s constitution.

It also reaffirmed the commitment of the national leadership under MC Oluomo to maintaining peace, discipline and effective administration across all NURTW councils in the country.

The Budget Office of the Federation has defended the controversial N1.3bn appropriation made for the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC), as it insists that although funds were approved by the National Assembly, no money was ever released or spent.

In a detailed statement issued on Friday, Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, maintained that ‘not one kobo’ of the appropriated funds was drawn because the statutory conditions required before public money could be spent were never fulfilled.

Yakubu argued that public debate had wrongly equated appropriation with expenditure.

‘The National Assembly appropriated funds for the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, known as PEAC/PFIPC. That fact is not in dispute. The question is what happened next. Nothing did,’ he said.

He stressed that an appropriation merely provides legal authority for possible spending and does not amount to an automatic release of funds.

‘An appropriation is authority in law to make provision for an expenditure. It is not a cheque. It is not a warrant. It is not cash released from the Treasury. Before money can move, other conditions must be met.’

According to him, Nigeria’s public finance system deliberately distributes approval powers across several government institutions to prevent abuse.

‘The strength of the system lies in this division of labour. No single approval is enough. No single office can carry an appropriation from the statute book into a bank account.’

Yakubu explained that although the council requested ?3.85 billion for personnel costs, the Budget Office rejected that figure and independently calculated a personnel requirement of ?802.98 million based on approved staffing, salary structures and government methodology.

‘The calculation produced ?802,978,783.00. That was the amount placed in the Executive Budget proposal and later appropriated. It was not a compromise with the Council. It was not a reduced version of the Council’s request. It was an independent fiscal determination.’

He said the most critical requirement, Financial Clearance, was never granted because the legal and regulatory conditions remained incomplete.

‘The Budget Office did not issue Financial Clearance for PEAC/PFIPC because the required conditions were incomplete.’

He explained that the Appropriation Bill only became law after presidential assent on 31 March 2026, while the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had yet to confirm compliance with the approved remuneration framework.

‘The result followed at once. There was no Financial Clearance. There was no lawful recruitment. There was no payroll enrolment. There was no salary payment.’

On the personnel allocation, Yakubu insisted the money never became available for use.

‘Not one kobo of the personnel provision could lawfully have been drawn. Not one kobo was drawn. There is no personnel expenditure to recover because there was no personnel expenditure.’

He also dismissed suggestions that the ?200 million overhead allocation became available to the council.

According to him, when questions emerged over the council’s legal status in June 2026, the Budget Office instructed the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to halt every process that could lead to payment.

‘The figure in the Appropriation Act therefore remained a provision in law. It did not become money placed at the disposal of the Council.’

Yakubu further said the ?300 million capital allocation never reached the procurement stage because mandatory approvals under the Public Procurement Act were never obtained.

‘No procurement reached the point at which expenditure could arise. No Ministerial Tenders Board approved a transaction. No Certificate of No Objection was issued. No warrant followed. No Treasury cash backing followed.’

Summarising the sequence of events, he maintained that each layer of financial control successfully prevented any expenditure.

‘The personnel provision stopped at Financial Clearance. The overhead provision stopped before warranting and cash backing. The capital provision stopped before procurement approval and release. Each part met a different safeguard. Each safeguard held.’

Yakubu described the episode as evidence that Nigeria’s expenditure controls functioned as intended.

‘What has been described in some quarters as institutional weakness is better understood as institutional resilience. The controls did not discover a loss after the event. They prevented the event. They did not chase money after it had gone. They kept it from moving.’

He concluded that there was no public money to recover because none had been spent.

‘There is therefore no personnel expenditure to recover. The money never moved because the controls held.’

The Budget Office also pledged to cooperate with any lawful investigation into the matter, saying it would provide ‘the records, computations, correspondence and system evidence required to establish the facts.’

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has debunked an online publication alleging that corps members are being paid ?50,000 to influence the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

The disclaimer was made this morning (24 July) in a press statement signed by the scheme’s Public Relations Officer, Catherine Otemuyiwa, on behalf of the Osun State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Ekeng Ita Kubiangha.

According to the NYSC, ‘the allegation is false, misleading, and entirely without factual basis.

‘At no time did the Scheme authorise, coordinate, supervise, or have knowledge of any such payment for political or unlawful purposes.

‘As a non-partisan institution, the NYSC remains committed to national unity, discipline, and selfless service. Corps Members are consistently reminded to remain apolitical and to comply with the NYSC Act, Byelaws, and all electoral guidelines.

‘The Osun State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Ekeng Ita Kubiangha, has also been sensitising Corps Members to remain neutral, reject inducements, safeguard electoral materials, and discharge their duties in accordance with the Electoral Act and INEC regulations.

‘The Scheme is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safety and welfare of Corps Members before, during, and after the election.’

It urged the public to disregard the report and called on media organisations to verify information with the appropriate authorities before publication.

The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal, has urged members of the India business community to identify opportunities to expand their businesses, establish new ventures, share expertise and develop partnerships with Iru Kingdom, assuring them of a warm welcome at the Palace.

The Oniru made the call in Lagos when he hosted a delegation of the India Business Community in Nigeria under the auspices of the NRI Social and Cultural Association Nigeria (NRCAN) Business Forum.

‘The doors of this Palace will remain open to those who come in good faith, with ideas worth sharing and a genuine desire to build something of lasting value. History teaches us that great cities are not built by government alone, nor by business alone. They are built by people who choose to trust one another. Let us build a future defined not only by commerce, but by trust, collaboration and shared prosperity,’ Oba Lawal opined.

To drive the collaboration, he announced the establishment of the Iru Business Network to serve as a meeting point for ideas, enterprise and partnerships as well as provide opportunities for business leaders, professionals, innovators and public institutions to meet, exchange knowledge and explore practical collaborations.

The Monarch further explained that the Network was inspired by the philosophy that the combination of networking, relationships, trust, and collaboration would ultimately drive growth in a community.

‘Lasting partnerships are rarely built in boardrooms alone. They are built through conversations such as this, through mutual respect, shared experiences and the trust that develops over time. To bring together people of goodwill. To create an atmosphere in which trust can flourish, because once trust exists, opportunity usually follows.

‘Networking creates relationships, relationships build trust, trust creates collaboration and collaboration ultimately drives growth. Those four ideas capture the spirit of why we are gathered here. It is precisely this philosophy that inspired the establishment of the Iru Business Network’, he noted.

Oba Lawal reiterated that the role of the traditional institution was to build relationships, bring together people of goodwill and create an atmosphere in which trust could flourish because once trust exists, opportunity would follow.

The Oniru also asserted that the Palace would gladly use its convening role to introduce the right people, encourage meaningful dialogue and support relationships that contribute to the prosperity of Iru Kingdom, Lagos State and Nigeria.

Oba Lawal stated that the establishment of the Iru Business Network reflected the Palace’s commitment to cultural and economic diplomacy and its belief that great cities are built by people who choose to trust one another, asserting that the Network would further strengthen partnerships that advance trust, collaboration and shared prosperity for Iru Kingdom, Lagos State and Nigeria.

The Oba emphasised that the gathering was about more than hospitality; it was about friendship, partnership and building bridges between peoples that will outlive the present generation and benefit generations to come.

In a message obviously directed at former vice president Atiku Abubakar and the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC in the 2027 election, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has urged opposition politicians to refrain from actions capable of inciting Nigerians against President Tinubu’s constitutionally elected government.

Matawalle said this in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Kaduna by Ahmad Dan-Wudil, his Personal Assistant on Media.

Matawalle described as unfortunate, reports from a Atiku that he had engaged a foreign lobbying firm to circulate decades-old documents relating to President Tinubu in the United States.

According to the minister, such actions neither strengthen Nigeria’s democracy nor address the country’s pressing challenges.

Matawalle described the Presidency as a national institution and symbol of Nigeria’s sovereignty that deserves respect regardless of political differences.

He said no foreign government or lobbying firm could determine Nigeria’s democratic choices or overturn the mandate freely given by Nigerians.

The minister stressed that political disagreements should never be pursued at the expense of Nigeria’s image, unity and collective interest.

He noted that U.S. President Donald Trump recently commended President Tinubu’s leadership and acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in strengthening security cooperation and combating terrorism.

According to him, the recognition reflects growing international confidence in Nigeria’s efforts and should encourage citizens to promote unity instead of divisive narratives abroad.

Matawalle said propaganda and hatred against the government would neither weaken its progress nor survival but would instead politically and morally discredit those behind such campaigns.

He maintained that falsehood and mischief would not bring down the Tinubu administration because Nigerians freely entrusted it with the mandate to govern.

The minister called on opposition politicians to embrace constructive engagement by offering credible alternatives and supporting efforts to combat insecurity, promote peaceful coexistence and accelerate national development.

He also urged political actors to avoid actions capable of overheating the polity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Matawalle said every political actor had a responsibility to protect Nigeria’s unity, stability and international reputation.