Category: PM News

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has warned Nigerians to ignore a fake recruitment advert circulating on social Media

In a statement released on Thursday, the Service said it is not conducting any recruitment through the advert and described it as a scam designed to deceive members of the public.

The NCS urged Nigerians to get recruitment information only from its official communication channels and not from social media posts or unofficial websites.

According to the Service, fraudsters often take advantage of people looking for government jobs by sharing fake recruitment adverts and demanding money from applicants.

The statement noted that security agencies and government institutions have repeatedly warned Nigerians to be careful and always verify recruitment information before acting on it.

The Customs Service advised the public to ignore the fake advert and rely only on official announcements for genuine updates on recruitment and other activities.

The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) will today commence its 53rd Annual General Meeting and Congress in Lagos, bringing together leaders across advertising, marketing, media, government, and the creative economy to examine the forces shaping the future of the industry.

The two-day event, which will take place at Providence Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, is themed ‘AdVolution: The End of Advertising as We Know It and How to Win What Comes Next.’ The theme explores how the advertising industry is adapting to rapid changes driven by technology, artificial intelligence, evolving consumer expectations, and emerging creative models.

The AGM/Congress will begin with AAAN’s business session, where members will receive updates on the Association’s activities, committee reports, and strategic priorities. The session will also provide an opportunity to reflect on the Association’s progress and discuss key issues shaping the industry.

The main conference, scheduled for Friday, will feature the official opening by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, alongside participation from government officials, regulators, and industry stakeholders, including the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, and the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Lekan Fadolapo.

A major highlight of the conference will be keynote sessions from Tomiwa Aladekomo, Chief Executive Officer of Big Cabal Media, and Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, Head of Brand and Communications at Fidelity Bank Plc, who will share perspectives on the evolving advertising landscape, brand building, and the role of communications in a rapidly changing marketplace.

According to AAAN President, Lanre Adisa, the theme of this year’s congress reflects the need for the industry to confront change while preserving the creativity and human connection that define effective advertising.

‘The theme is a wake-up call to the reality we are dealing with. Traditional advertising is not dead; it has evolved. The need to communicate will never change, it is only fast evolving. The question is how well we are embracing this challenge.’

Adisa noted that while technologies such as artificial intelligence are reshaping the industry, agencies remain central to developing ideas and solutions that connect with audiences, with technology serving as an enabler of human creativity rather than a replacement for it.

The congress will feature conversations around the evolving role of agencies, the creator economy, technology-driven innovation, and the need for businesses to demonstrate greater value in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

The event will conclude with a Gala and Awards Night, which will recognise outstanding individuals and celebrate achievements across Nigeria’s advertising industry.

Prominent pro-democracy and June 12 activist, Comrade Awa Bamiji, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu for urgent financial assistance and overseas medical treatment to address his deteriorating health.

Bamiji, who has been battling the aftermath of a stroke since November 12, 2024, made the plea in a letter dated July 15, 2026, from his residence in the Jinarere area off Iyana Church in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Recounting his nearly two-year medical journey, the activist expressed gratitude to Almighty God for preserving his life and acknowledged the remarkable care received at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

However, he noted that his recovery remains incomplete, leaving him in dire need of advanced specialised care.

According to him, he still requires intensive physiotherapy, speech therapy, and continuous medication, which have proven extremely costly.

He disclosed that he has yet to regain his normal speech, cannot walk long distances without difficulty, and continues to suffer from severe tremors that impair his ability to write or use electronic devices.

Reflecting on the financial burden of managing the ailment, Bamiji expressed deep appreciation to kind-hearted Nigerians, leaders, and friends who previously rallied to his support, exhausting donations on medical bills, accommodation, and daily living expenses.

Among those who previously extended financial lifelines to the ailing activist are Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who donated two million naira, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd.), who contributed one million naira.

Other prominent donors include former Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi, elder statesmen Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Tajudeen Olusi, and Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale, alongside retired Brigadier Tayo Koleoso, Dr Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, Chief Wale Oshun, and several other patriots.

Bamiji also revealed that he had to sell his personal Audi vehicle for one million naira to sustain his treatment.

Despite these interventions, Bamiji stated that the funds have been largely depleted, leaving him grappling with significant financial hardship and living in rented accommodation.

The Ibadan-based activist expressed hope that President Tinubu’s compassionate leadership would grant favourable consideration to his plea for specialised medical care abroad to achieve full recovery.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Osun State Council has condemned the spate of violence threatening to mar the forthcoming election in the state. The body also hailed the successful rescue of abducted school children in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

These positions of the council, amongst others, were contained in the communique issued and signed by the Communique Drafting Committee of the council at the end of the union’s July 2026 Congress held at its secretariat, Osogbo on Wednesday.

The congress was presided over by the council’s Chairman, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin.

The Congress thanked Governor Ademola Adeleke for approving permanent employment for 66 freelance staff of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, OSBC.

The Council acknowledged what it called ‘the crucial role played by the Senator representing Osun West and the Accord party campaign DG, Akogun Lere Oyewumi, on the absorption of the OSBC casual staff as full employees of Osun State Government.’

It enjoined the beneficiaries to reciprocate by re-dedicating themselves to their duties.

The congress condemned the spate of political violence ahead of the governorship election in the state and urged security agencies, most especially the police to be neutral, adding that ‘there is a need for the police to project their image positively to gain public trust.’

It charged politicians to play by the rules and rein in their supporters, adding that election should not be a do or die affair.

On the August 15 election, the NUJ urged registered voters to collect their PVCs at the INEC designated centers and also charged everyone to reject fear and ensure they vote on Election Day.

It called on the security operatives to guarantee the safety of Journalists in the state, before, during, and after the governorship election.

The Congress commended the Federal Government on the rescue of abducted children and teachers in Orire local government area of Oyo State and urged the Osun State Government to improve on security in schools and boundary areas in the state.

The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has disowned a viral letter questioning Isah Ashiru’s nomination as the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Kaduna State.

The letter, titled Urgent Message and dated July 14, 2026, was purportedly signed by El-Rufai and addressed to the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the family described the document as a ‘shabby fake’ written in ‘horrible English’ and ‘horrendous handwriting.’

‘The spurious letter, purportedly dated July 14, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, should be disregarded as the shabby fake that it is,’ the statement said.

‘Neither the poor content nor the handwriting has anything to do with Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.’

The disputed letter reportedly questioned Ashiru’s eligibility for the ADC governorship ticket, alleging that he failed to complete the party’s online membership registration before the April 30, 2026 deadline.

It claimed that Ashiru’s nomination had created tension within the party and urged the ADC’s national and Kaduna State leadership to intervene and review the matter.

El-Rufai’s family accused those behind the document of attempting to create confusion and division within the party.

‘The fake letter shows another resort to desperation by Mallam’s traducers who seek to sow confusion and division,’ the family said.

‘Their attempt at politics by fakery should be dismissed and condemned. It is an instance of the most primitive politics, and its sponsors should be ashamed of themselves.’

The statement was signed on behalf of the family by El-Rufai’s son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai.

Businesswoman Aisha Achimugu has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of instigating the revocation of her United States visa and putting her life, children and investments in danger.

Achimugu, founder of Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, denied being a criminal and alleged that the anti-graft agency had subjected her to oppression, intimidation and character assassination.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, she claimed the EFCC had deliberately damaged her reputation and dissipated property she lawfully acquired.

She said misleading information allegedly circulated by the commission had cost her several financial opportunities and created setbacks for her businesses.

Her allegations followed a July 16 ruling by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo ordering the final forfeiture of assets linked to her.

The forfeited assets included jewellery valued at about ?4.65 billion, 11 luxury vehicles worth ?4.293 billion, $50,000 and ?30 million in cash.

In March, a Federal High Court in Abuja also ordered the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to Achimugu and Oceangate.

The order followed an EFCC suit alleging that the money was connected to unlawful activities.

Achimugu, however, maintained that the $13 million formed part of a $20 million payment made by her company to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission for two oil blocks.

She said $2 million was paid through a South African bank for PPL 3007, while another $5 million was paid for PPL 302.

According to her, the $13 million represented the balance of the combined payment for PPL 302-DO and PPL 3007.

‘Having failed to sustain that particular allegation, the EFCC turned its attention to the remainder of the same NUPRC payment that my company submitted,’ she said.

Achimugu said she had appealed the forfeiture order and was awaiting the outcome.

The businesswoman also alleged that the EFCC declared her wanted despite knowing her whereabouts and exchanging correspondence with her.

She claimed that about 30 EFCC officers subsequently invaded her home, frightened members of her family and removed jewellery, safes and cash.

Achimugu further alleged that her mother, who had recently returned from spinal surgery abroad, was made to sit for hours without consideration for her age or health.

She was arrested by the EFCC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on April 29, 2025, after being declared wanted over money-laundering allegations.

Aisha Achimugu alleged that EFCC operatives raided her home again on January 20, 2026, and removed every vehicle found on the premises using cranes and flatbed trucks.

She claimed the officers failed to consider the ownership of the vehicles or protect them from damage.

‘When I sought the court’s intervention for the return of all my vehicles, after six months, and other seized personal items for almost two years, the EFCC, rather than defend that suit at the Federal High Court, instead again obtained a further ex-parte order of forfeiture from the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory,’ she said.

Achimugu also blamed the commission for the revocation of her US visa, claiming she received notification of the decision on April 4, 2025, seven days after the EFCC declared her wanted.

She alleged that information supplied by the commission also affected an attempt to obtain a US visa with her Grenadian passport through the American Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados.

According to her, the visa was required to attend an executive programme at Harvard University for which she had already made arrangements.

‘I discovered the most devastating information when I could not proceed with an application for a visa on my Grenada passport which was to enable me to attend my already booked and scheduled Harvard executive programme,’ she said.

Achimugu insisted that the EFCC’s actions had endangered her family and damaged her standing locally and internationally.

‘I have never been known to be a troublemaker. I am not a criminal and I have never been convicted of any offence that I did not own up to,’ she stated.

Police operatives have commenced investigation into circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a 60-year-old man (name withheld) shortly after checking into a hotel room with a lady in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital.

The deceased, who checked into the facility in company of a 20-year-old lady (name withheld) suddenly developed a medical emergency after requesting for a meal, Spokesperson for Jigawa police command, SP Lawan Shiisu, said in a statement on Wednesday in Dutse.

According to the statement, the incident occurred on Tuesday.

He explained that on receipt of the distress report, police officers attached to the Yalwawa Division, moved to the scene and immediately evacuated the deceased to the General Hospital Dutse, where he was examined and certified dead by medical personnel on duty.

‘Police detectives thereafter secured the scene and conducted a preliminary examination where some food items, beverages, suspected sexual enhancement substance and other personal effects were recovered for further examination as part of the ongoing investigation.

‘ All necessary procedures were observed to preserve relevant exhibits and facilitate a comprehensive investigation.

‘Following medical certification of death and the completion of the necessary procedures, the remains of the deceased was released to his family for burial in accordance with their request,’ he said.

The Jigawa police spokesperson added that the 20-year-old lady who was present at the time of the incident had cooperated with investigators by providing useful information to assist in establishing the sequence of events leading to the unfortunate incident.

Shiis reassured members of the public that the investigation would be conducted thoroughly, professionally and impartially.

He urged residents of the state to refrain from speculation or circulating unverified information capable of causing unnecessary anxiety or prejudicing the investigation.

‘Further information will be made available as the investigation progresses,’ Shiisu assured.

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) said it has commenced investigation into a suspected chemical spill by a truck on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

The Agency, in a statement on Wednesday, said the incident occurred after a truck accident left a white, foamy substance at the scene.

The statement signed by Mrs Nwamaka Ejiofor, the Assistant Director (Press), said that a team from the Kaduna State Field Office had visited the site to commence investigation.

According to the statement, the team led by the State Coordinator, Mr Hena Emmanuel, had met with the Police Commander for Jere, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sani Zubairu, the Federal Road Safety Corps commander in the area, and the community leader.

It said preliminary findings indicated that a heavy-duty truck was involved in an accident, resulting in the spillage of its contents.

The statement said the agency had obtained information from security agencies, relevant officials and residents to support the investigation.

It added that samples of the foamy substance, surrounding soil and water from a nearby stream had been collected for laboratory analysis to determine their composition and possible environmental impact.

NESREA therefore advised members of the public to avoid contact with the foamy substance, the water and the surrounding soil until the investigation was concluded.

It further said that the precaution was necessary to prevent possible exposure to hazardous materials. (NAN)

Some opposition politicians among of whom are prominent opposition Spokesperson, Mark Adebayo, Emeka Benjamin Igwe, steering committee member of the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, and a leader in the African Democratic Congress, ADC, former presidential candidates and national chairmen of political Parties and civil society activists have formed a formidable support group to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection bid in the 2027 presidential election.

After weeks of wide consultations, the opposition leaders came up with the group named Opposition Coalition and Civil Society Alliance for Tinubu 2027, OCCSAT ’27. Adebayo and Igwe emerged Co-conveners whilst Comrade Mohammed Abdulrazaq emerged national publicity secretary among others. The meeting which held in Abuja on Tuesday was attended by representatives of many civil society organizations, sociopolitical and youth organizations from across the country.

Other national officers who emerged to lead the Coalition are Hajia Farida Yusuf, a very influential grassroots politician and women mobiliser in the Northwest from Kebbi state as National Director of Women Committee; Malam Muhammad Yahaya,

National Director, Voter Education and Sensitization; Madam Lydia Olorunfemi, National Treasurer, whilst the National Director of Finance is Comrade George Hyamber;

Comrade Olufemi Lawson of the Campaign for Democracy emerged as national Director of Labour and Civil Society Relations; National Director of Contact and Mobilization is Mr. Danesi Momoh; the Deputy National Secretary is Hajia Rukayya Musa Sangari, among others.

The opposition leaders and activists vowed to mobilize grassroots and urban voters for the president’s successful reelection due to the ‘unfortunate failure of the opposition to reach a strategic consensus on a one presidential candidate for all others to support. Everyone in the opposition is aware of which candidate could have made the difference in the 2027 presidential election. But now the votes for the opposition will be severely mutilated by competing opposition candidates instead of huge bloc votes for one opposition candidate, essentially Peter Obi. Imagine, for instance, an Atiku backing Obi. But that didn’t happen because it’s actually not about Nigeria, but about self. But this opposition fragmentation has significantly diminished and destroyed any possibility of the opposition pulling off any magic in the 2027 general elections. That’s why you see people from ADC, PDP, CUPP, CD, and other opposition, pro-democracy civil society organizations represented here today. We can no longer be part of an opposition that is so fragmented, self-centered and self-deluded.’

‘Without a united front and deliberate strategic actuation, the opposition stands no chance against a seasoned political gamechanger like President Bola Tinubu. The opposition should just go and start preparing for 2031. 2027 is already done and dusted for Tinubu.’

‘We understand that there are challenges in the country particularly in the areas of security and the economy, but they are being tackled and some of the government efforts will take a little while to start making an impact. Anything that will have a lasting impact has no quick fixes. We’ll continue to hold government accountable on its policies and governance deliverables whilst at the same time making Nigerians see reason why the reform agenda of Mr. President must not stop halfway.’

The Coalition praised the president’s efforts on getting the remaining captives in the Oyo kidnapping saga out of arm’s way without additional fatalities and saluted the sacrifices and devotion of Nigeria’s armed forces and other security agencies for working overtime to keep Nigerians safe. The Coalition announced that it’s national strategic engagement retreat will hold at a date to be announced in August in Keffi, Nasarawa State that is to be attended by over a thousand delegates from various organizations.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has attributed the arrest of 77,859 drug suspects, including 240 high-profile barons, to its shift from reactive enforcement to sustained offensive operations.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Buba Marwa, said the arrests were recorded between January 2021 and December 2025.

During the five-year period, the agency also seized more than 14.8 million kilograms of illicit drugs and secured 14,122 convictions.

Marwa disclosed the figures on Tuesday in Dutse, Jigawa State, during the signing of two executive orders by Governor Umar Namadi to combat drug abuse and promote societal reorientation.

‘Between January 2021 and December 2025, our balanced approach has yielded unprecedented results with 77,859 arrests, including 240 high-profile drug barons who thought they were untouchable,’ he said.

‘Over 14.8 million kilograms of illicit substances were intercepted while 14,122 convictions were secured within the period, proving that the era of impunity is over.’

Marwa added that more than 50,000 people had received counselling and rehabilitation across the agency’s 31 treatment centres nationwide.

‘In the same vein, over 50,000 individuals have been counselled and rehabilitated across 31 of our treatment centres nationwide, moving from the darkness of dependence to the light of productivity,’ he stated.

The NDLEA chairman warned that drug abuse remained a major threat to Nigeria’s young population, national security and economic development.

‘Let us be clear, drug abuse is the silent pandemic fuelling the insecurity and economic sabotage we face today. It erodes the productivity of our greatest asset, our youth,’ he said.

He noted that the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse initiative had reached more than five million Nigerians with drug-prevention messages.

‘Through our War Against Drug Abuse initiative, we haven’t just cleared the streets, we have cleared minds,’ Marwa said.

He commended the Jigawa State Government for establishing a task force against drug abuse, describing the initiative as a model other states should emulate.

‘Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Umar Namadi, Jigawa is proving that proactive governance is the best antidote to social malaise,’ he said.

‘I call upon other state governments across the federation to look towards Dutse today and emulate this strategic blueprint for domesticating the war against drug abuse.’