Category: PM News

Two companies, Academy Press Plc and Ekenua and Co. Limited, have donated 1,500 copies of George Orwell’s famous novel, Animal Farm, to students in three senior secondary schools in Ilupeju, Lagos.

The donation is part of a new education project called the Million Classics Programme, which aims to encourage reading, critical thinking and learning among young people.

The programme is being carried out in partnership with Lagos State Education District VI. Organisers said more schools in the district will benefit from the project in the coming weeks.

As part of the initiative, students will read selected classic books, take part in classroom discussions and write essays. Their essays will be assessed by an independent panel.

Students who perform exceptionally well will receive cash rewards and three year scholarships, although organisers have not yet announced the value of the prizes or when they will be awarded.

The programme was launched in collaboration with the Tutor General and Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Education District VI, Mrs Mojisola Christiana Yusuff, through the district’s Reading Culture Initiative.

School coordinators will also organise an essay competition during the long vacation to help students better understand the lessons and themes in Animal Farm.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Academy Press, Oluwakemi Ogunnubi, said the programme supports the company’s commitment to education and will give students greater access to quality literature.

The Managing Director of Ekenua and Co. Limited, Osamede Okhomina, said the initiative is designed to encourage students to read beyond examination purposes and develop critical thinking, leadership and analytical skills.

According to the organisers, the Million Classics Programme is expected to expand to other states across Nigeria through a planned sponsorship model.

Ekenua and Co. also noted that its education projects include the National AI Innovation Programme, which was developed in partnership with the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA).

The organisers expressed hope that the programme will inspire more students to develop a strong reading culture and improve their academic performance.

Professor Dapo Thomas has lifted the lid on one of Lagos politics’ defining succession stories, revealing in his new autobiography how Babatunde Fashola (SAN) emerged as former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu’s preferred successor despite stiff resistance from influential figures within the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

In his 445-page autobiography, Lagos Boy and Lagos Politics, Thomas, who served as an aide to Tinubu during his administration, recounted the events that culminated in Fashola’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2007 Lagos governorship election.

According to Thomas, several prominent ACN leaders, including Olatunji Hamzat, Bushura Alebiosu, Ajisebutu, Baba Taiwo and Baba Pupa, repeatedly met with Tinubu in a bid to persuade him to abandon Fashola’s candidacy in favour of more established politicians within the party.

Despite their objections and calls for an open primary, Tinubu remained steadfast in his decision, insisting on Fashola as his preferred successor.

Thomas disclosed that before Fashola’s name gained prominence, several political heavyweights were being considered for the governorship ticket. Among those reportedly interested were Aro Lambo, Oyinlomo Danmole, Rahman Owokoniran, Kunle Lawal, Tola Kasali, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Jimi Agbaje and Hakeem Gbajabiamila.

He said Gbajabiamila was widely believed to have enjoyed Tinubu’s backing until an incident at the Governor’s Office changed the political dynamics.

According to the memoir, Gbajabiamila confronted Fashola, then Chief of Staff, over an alleged exclusion from a meeting with renowned scholar Professor Akin Mabogunje. Thomas described the confrontation as a public display of anger that unfolded in Tinubu’s presence.

Thomas recalled that despite Tinubu’s attempts to calm the situation, the disagreement escalated before both men were asked to leave the governor’s office.

He wrote that the incident altered perceptions within Tinubu’s inner circle, with Fashola, whose name had barely featured among the leading contenders, suddenly emerging as a strong favourite for the governorship ticket.

As preparations for the 2007 election gathered momentum, Thomas said he led a team assigned to evaluate the Tinubu administration’s 10-point development agenda and produce a governance document that would serve as a policy guide for the eventual governorship candidate.

The team met weekly, reviewing government performance across key sectors including education, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, housing, environment, revenue generation and infrastructure.

Thomas said the assignment was so sensitive that he personally typed and compiled the document without involving his secretary.

He also revealed that Tinubu had initially proposed him as Director-General of the Fashola Campaign Organisation during a private meeting involving Gbenga Ashafa, Mutiu Are and Kunle Odufuwa.

However, according to him, Fashola requested that Fuad Oki be appointed instead.

Thomas said the decision did not affect his relationship with Fashola or his commitment to completing the governance blueprint prepared for the campaign.

He further recounted disagreements with Fashola over administrative decisions, including the distribution of official vehicles to members of his team, noting that Tinubu eventually intervened and approved a different arrangement.

Despite internal disagreements and resistance from some party leaders and aspirants, Thomas said work on the campaign strategy continued until the document was completed in October 2006.

Following Fashola’s emergence as the ACN governorship candidate after the December 2006 primaries, Thomas presented the 97-page governance document to Tinubu, who retained two copies and instructed that another be handed to Fashola.

The former aide described the document as a comprehensive governance blueprint that later guided the incoming administration.

Fashola went on to win the April 14, 2007 governorship election, polling 599,300 votes to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Musiliu Obanikoro, who secured 383,956 votes.

Gbajabiamila, who left the ACN to contest on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), finished a distant third with 13,576 votes.

Thomas’ memoir offers a rare insider account of one of the most consequential succession battles in Lagos politics, detailing the internal negotiations, disagreements and strategic decisions that preceded Fashola’s rise to the state’s highest office.

Bauchi governor, Bala Mohammed has said the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is well-positioned to take Nigeria to greater heights if the party’s 2027 presidential candidate and incumbent governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, is elected.

Mohammed made the remarks in Bauchi on Friday, while receiving Makinde.

The Bauchi governor said APM has the capacity to provide quality leadership if given the opportunity.

‘With him as our presidential candidate working tirelessly, and with the support of the party leadership, APM is well-positioned to take this country to greater heights,’ Mohammed said

He also noted that the APM is already repositioning itself as a credible and constructive opposition party in the country.

‘APM is steadily emerging as Nigeria’s leading opposition party and remains committed to offering constructive alternatives for national development,’ he said.

‘We have the knowledge, experience and human capital to deliver if given the opportunity,’ he said.

The governor added that Makinde’s visit reflected the party’s tradition of collaboration and peer review among elected leaders.

According to him, governance required continuous interaction to share ideas and address common challenges.

‘It is a continuation of our tradition of peer review, where governance is built on collaboration and interaction with colleagues at the sub-national and national levels.

‘This will enable us to exchange ideas and improve service delivery.’

Mohammed expressed his deep respect for Makinde, whom he said has done so much for residents of Oyo.

‘The transformation in Oyo is remarkable, with visibly improved road network, airport and other developmental projects. I have learnt a lot from Makinde.

Earlier, Makinde explained that the visit was to consult with Mohammed on issues affecting the party, insecurity and the future of democracy in the country.

He thanked the people of Bauchi State for the warm reception saying, ‘I have no regrets about coming to Bauchi.

‘When there are issues, before I run to anybody, I will run to someone I know is of the same ideologies as myself, and that is why I came here this afternoon.

‘I have been fully briefed, and I am taking back ideas that I will try to implement in my state,’ he added.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday visited the National Secretariat of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja shortly after it was confirmed that he remains the running mate to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

He was received by the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande Wisdom and the movement’s Patron, Seyi, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the secretariat.

Seyi Tinubu prostrated to welcome the Vice President.

Also present to receive Shettima was co-patron of City Boy Movement, Shettima Kashim Shettima (Amir), its Director-General, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga; members of the National Working Committee; and other youth leaders.

During the courtesy visit, the Vice President commended the role of young people in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He further noted that organised youth participation remains critical to building a more prosperous, inclusive and forward-looking Nigeria.

Governor Dapo Abiodun has defended his choice of Sen. Solomon Adeola as the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ogun 2027 governorship election and his successor.

Abiodun made the defence at the Awujale’s palace in Ijebu Ode on Friday during which he presented Adeola and his running mate, Mrs Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun to the Ijebu traditional council.

While seeking support and blessings of the traditional rulers for the APC candidates, Abiodun said his choice of Adeola as his preferred successor was guided by equity and competence.

He noted that Ogun West Senatorial District deserved the opportunity to produce the next governor for the first time since the state’s creation.

He said he was not seeking a third term by proxy but a capable leader who would sustain the achievements of his administration and continue the state’s development.

According to him, Adeola possesses the qualities required to consolidate on the gains recorded by his administration over the past seven years.

Abiodun recalled the support and prayers he received from the traditional institution before the 2019 election and appealed for similar backing for the APC governorship candidate.

He also canvassed support for the deputy governorship candidate, describing Adegunwa-Balogun as an accomplished professional whose experience would complement Adeola’s leadership.

‘I was not looking for a third term, but for somebody who would comfortably step into my shoes and continue to build on what we have achieved from day one.

‘I was looking for that person from Ogun West because it is only fair and just.

‘In the last 50 years since the creation of Ogun State, no son of Ogun West has had the opportunity to serve as governor. In Senator Solomon Adeola, I have found all the qualities I have been

looking for,’ he said.

In his remarks, Adeola pledged to build on the achievements of the Abiodun administration and pursue projects that would unlock the economic potential of Ogun state.

He said his administration would work towards making Ogun an oil-producing state through commercial oil exploration, facilitate a deep seaport and revive the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (OKLNG) project.

Adeola also pledged support for the agitation for the creation of Ijebu State while ensuring equitable development across Ijebuland.

Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Acting Chairman of the Ijebu Traditional Council and Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba, assured Adeola of the support of the royal fathers.

Jaiyeoba also pledged the traditional institution’s support for Abiodun’s Ogun East Senatorial ambition, expressing confidence that continuity would attract more development to the district.

The event was attended by APC leaders and stakeholders from the three senatorial districts of the state, with the traditional rulers offering royal blessings for Abiodun, Adeola and Adegunwa-Balogun ahead of the 2027 elections.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for what he describes as his silence following the rescue of the Oriire pupils and their teachers who were abducted in Oyo State.

In a post on X on Saturday, Onanuga claimed that nearly 18 hours after the victims regained their freedom, Atiku had yet to publicly congratulate the Federal Government, security agencies or the rescued victims.

He also accused the former Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate of previously using the abduction to attack the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

‘Almost 18 hours after the Oriire pupils and their teachers regained their freedom, Atiku Abubakar @atiku has not deemed it fit to rejoice with the Tinubu Federal Government, the security agencies and the traumatised victims,’ Onanuga wrote.

He added: ‘Previously, he weaponised the kidnap as a campaign issue several times since it happened 57 days ago. Now that the abductees are out, all is quiet on Atiku’s internet lane.’

The presidential aide further said: ‘No comment. No words of praise. Maybe the veteran presidential runner is waiting for some bad news to attack the Tinubu administration.’

Onanuga, however, acknowledged the response of Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.

‘Kudos to Peter Obi: at least he has spoken and called for thanksgiving without commending the commander-in-chief,’ he wrote.

The comments came after security forces announced the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers following coordinated operations. The victims had spent 57 days in captivity before regaining their freedom.

A coalition of civil society organisations in Ebonyi on Saturday threatened to institute legal action against the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over alleged illegal billing practices and other activities it described as exploitative.

The coalition, led by the Human Rights Volunteer Corps (HRVC), Ebonyi Chapter, Prof. Joseph Agbo, made the declaration at a press conference in Abakaliki.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group also included the Human Rights Action Group, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Good Living Initiative (GLI), and the Victims of EEDC Overbilling, Ebonyi State (VEOBES).

Agbo alleged that the electricity consumers in the state had suffered years of overbilling, arbitrary disconnections and other irregularities.

The group leader said the coalition had resolved to seek judicial intervention after several petitions and mediation efforts failed to yield the desired results.

Agbo alleged that EEDC had consistently ignored complaints from consumers, despite petitions submitted to its Ebonyi District office, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice.

‘We have decided to seek redress in the court of law because we believe the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.

‘We will seek justice for victims of overbilling and other unjust treatments allegedly meted out to electricity consumers in Ebonyi,’ he said.

He accused the electricity distribution company of estimated overbilling, illegal disconnections without due notice.

He also accused the company of the insertion of alleged unlawful arrears into prepayment meters, refusal to bill postpaid customers based on meter readings, and arbitrary electricity tariff practices.

Agbo further alleged that some EEDC staff and marketers collected electricity payments through Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals under questionable circumstances and claimed that consumers often received bills that differed from amounts reflected in the company’s records.

According to him, many consumers have also complained of being denied statements of account, making it difficult to verify their electricity charges.

He expressed concern over electricity band classifications in Ebonyi, alleging that many Band A feeders failed to receive the minimum 20 hours daily electricity supply prescribed under regulatory guidelines.

Agbo called on NERC headquarters to establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the operations of EEDC in Ebonyi and ensure appropriate compensation and refunds for affected consumers.

He appealed to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Gov. Francis Nwifuru to intervene in the matter in the interest of electricity consumers.

He commended the Ebonyi State Ministry of Justice for initiating mediation efforts and issuing a pre-action notice on behalf of some affected consumers, but alleged that the process failed to produce meaningful resolutions.

Agbo urged residents to continue paying legitimate electricity bills while remaining vigilant and pursuing lawful means to challenge alleged exploitative practices.

He encouraged consumers to understand their rights under electricity regulations and to report cases of overbilling and other alleged irregularities through appropriate legal and regulatory channels.

Reacting, Mrs Patience Ezeagu, Head of Communications, Eastland Electricity Distribution Limited (EEDL), said they were committed to service excellence and operate strictly within the regulatory framework established by the NERC.

Ezeagu noted that EEDL, a subsidiary of the EEDC, was in charge of electricity distribution in Ebonyi.

‘We are aware of the press conference and allegations raised by a certain group regarding our operations in the State.

‘In our operations, we apply the NERC-approved billing methodology for all customers without prepaid or functional postpaid meters.

‘Any grievances regarding billing should be *channeled through our formal customer service platforms* for immediate investigation and resolution.

‘In line with quality service delivery, we have conducted extensive bill reconciliation exercises across our coverage areas over the past months.

‘This proactive measure has resulted in the adjustment and offsetting of millions of Naira in billing discrepancies, ensuring our customers are billed accurately for services rendered,’ Ezeagu stated.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to some of the country’s biggest music stars, including Davido, Burna Boy and Asake, to channel part of their wealth into charitable initiatives aimed at supporting poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

Speaking on the need for greater private-sector and individual support for social welfare, Tinubu said wealthy entertainers could make a significant impact by establishing foundations dedicated to empowering struggling citizens, even as they enjoy the rewards of their success.

She stressed that philanthropy should go hand in hand with affluence, noting that luxury lifestyles should not overshadow the responsibility to uplift others.

‘I want to appeal to our young people in this country. Burna Boy, Asake and Davido, we want to see you come together under one foundation to help the poor with your money,’ she said.

‘The Maybachs and Rolls-Royces are good, but you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.’

To underscore the impact of targeted intervention, Tinubu recounted the story of a university graduate who turned to selling akara in Abuja after failing to secure formal employment.

According to her, she quietly facilitated support for the young entrepreneur without revealing her identity, enabling him to expand his business.

‘There was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. He said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job. We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well,’ she said.

Tinubu said the success story demonstrates how relatively small interventions can create jobs and improve livelihoods.

She also cited Senegalese-American music star Akon as an example of a celebrity who has invested significantly in charitable causes across Africa, urging Nigerian entertainers to emulate such efforts.

‘I will use Akon, a music icon, who does a lot of great charity work. Then the Burna Boys of this world, Asake, all of them, Davido. We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money,’ she added.

Tinubu further encouraged Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship, saying there is dignity in every legitimate business, including petty trading.

‘There are pepper sellers, vegetable sellers, okra sellers, melon sellers, akara and kuli-kuli sellers. Akara is delicious, I can tell you that,’ she remarked.

Kano State has been ranked as the top sub-national government in West Africa for spending on education, according to the 2026 Sub-National Education Spending Index released by the University of Paris.

The report assessed 209 states, regions, districts and municipalities across the 15 member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Kano scored 87.21 points on the index, placing it first overall. It ranked ahead of Dakar and Saint-Louis in Senegal. Lagos State was the second highest-ranked state in Nigeria and placed 16th overall.

The ranking measured how much governments invest in education and how effectively they manage education budgets. Factors considered included actual education spending, spending per student, budget implementation, priority given to education, transparency and the use of evidence in reporting.

According to the report, Kano’s strong performance was largely due to its high level of education funding and efficient execution of its education budget.

The recognition comes after the Kano State Government declared a state of emergency in the education sector to tackle long-standing challenges such as poor infrastructure and limited access to quality education.

As part of its education reforms, the state government has invested in building and renovating schools, hiring teachers, providing learning materials and expanding educational opportunities for students.

The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education said the ranking reflects the government’s efforts to improve school infrastructure, planning and budget management.

Governor Abba Yusuf allocated 29.5 per cent of the state’s 2024 budget to education and increased the allocation to 30 per cent in 2025. These are among the highest education budget allocations in Nigeria.

The state government also developed an education recovery plan with support from international development partners to improve learning outcomes and strengthen human capital development.

The report highlights Kano’s commitment to improving education and its growing reputation as a leader in educational investment and reform across West Africa.

The collapse of a section of the New Gombe State House of Assembly Complex under construction has left one worker dead and seven others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

Mr Danladi Adamu, the Permanent Secretary, Gombe State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transportation confirmed the incident to newsmen in a press statement issued in Gombe on Friday.

Adamu, who described the incident as unfortunate said that it occurred earlier on Friday and affected a section of the cantilevered entrance canopy under construction.

‘The incident involved eight workers where seven sustained injuries and were immediately evacuated for medical attention at the hospital.

‘Five are receiving treatment at the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, while two others are being treated at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

‘Regrettably, one life was lost,’ he said.

Danladi further stated that Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has been briefed on the incident and that Yahaya expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased.

He said that the governor directed that all injured workers receive comprehensive medical care at government’s expense.

The permanent secretary said that the governor also directed his Ministry alongside other relevant emergency, regulatory and technical agencies, to immediately commence safety and accountability procedures.

He said Yahaya further directed that the contractor and the project consultant should submit a Formal Incident Report (FIR) within 24 hours.

He also said that the FIR should be followed by a Preliminary Investigation Report and, subsequently, a comprehensive technical report with findings and recommendations.

Danladi quoted Yahaya to have said that appropriate measures would be taken in line with the outcome of the investigation and applicable standards.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring strict compliance with safety, quality and engineering standards in the execution of all public infrastructure projects