Category: PM News

Nigerian afrobeats star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido has spoken up regarding his decision to highlight Nigeria’s growing kidnapping crisis during his FIFA World Cup performance.

Speaking during a recent interview, the singer spoke about the reluctance of some influential individuals to openly discuss security challenges in Nigeria.

Davido noted that the silence of some influential people over the state of security in Nigeria is because they want to protect the image of the country. He noted however, that protecting the nation’s reputation should never come at the expense of speaking out about issues affecting innocent citizens.

‘A lot of people do not want to talk about what is happening in my country because they want to protect a lot of images. Which image is there to protect if little children are being kidnapped?’ he said, stressing that human lives matter more than public relations,’ he stated.

P.M.NEWS recalls that Davido wore a specially designed outfit bearing the names of the missing victims. The gesture was aimed at raising international awareness and keeping public attention on the ongoing tragedy.

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned Nigerian politicians against manipulating his prophecies using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The warning follows the circulation of a video on social media, shared by Lauretta Onochie, a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the video, the cleric declared that President Bola Tinubu is ‘gone’ and that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would have the upper hand over other contenders in 2027.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele accused Onochie and others of manipulating his prophecies, warning them to desist immediately or face both legal consequences and divine judgment.

The cleric said the desperation among some politicians to gain power has become alarming, stressing that manipulating prophecies to advance political interests is not only unethical but also a crime against God, His servant, and the law.

He explained that at the unveiling of the 2026/2027 edition of his annual prophecy book, Warnings To The Nations, held on Saturday, he neither declared that President Tinubu would win nor lose the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, the AI-generated video shared by Onochie falsely created the impression that he had made such a pronouncement.

Primate Ayodele further condemned the alleged act, demanding that Onochie immediately remove the video from all her social media platforms and issue a public apology.

He warned that failure to do so would leave him with no option but to pursue legal action against everyone involved.

His statement reads:

‘I’m surprised at how Nigerian politicians have become so shameless that they now resort to distorting and manipulating my prophecies with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to push their own narratives.

‘I have been inundated with several calls and text messages asking whether I declared during the presentation of the 2026/2027 edition of my annual prophecy book, Warnings To The Nations, on Saturday that President Tinubu is gone and will not return to power in 2027.

‘It has now come to my attention that a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, and her cohorts are behind the AI-generated video showing me making such a statement.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, I never declared anyone a winner or a loser during the presentation of my prophecy book. In fact, I specifically told the journalists present that I had not received clearance from God to make that revelation public.

‘The action of Lauretta Onochie is not only shameful but also criminal under the law and sinful before God. I have the original record of everything I said, and it is available on my official social media pages. I therefore wonder what she intended to achieve through this disgraceful act.

‘I call on her to immediately remove the videos from all her platforms and apologize for spreading falsehood against my person to avoid legal action.

‘All my prophecies are published on my official social media pages and are always authenticated by my media aide, Osho Oluwatosin. Anything contrary to that should be regarded as false.’

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano on Monday, has called on media professionals in Northern Nigeria to uphold ethical, balanced and responsible journalism, saying the region’s future will be shaped not only by development projects but also by the stories told about its people and its potential.

‘The future of Northern Nigeria will not be determined only by the quality of our roads, our farms or our industries. It will also be shaped by the quality of our ideas and the stories we tell about ourselves,’ the Minister said on Monday while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Arewa Media Summit in Kano.

He said the media remains one of the most powerful forces for shaping public opinion, attracting investment, preserving culture, strengthening democracy and promoting national unity. ‘The theme of this Summit, ‘Government-Citizen Accord: Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice, reminds us that democracy works best when government is accountable, citizens participate responsibly, and the media performs its constitutional role with professionalism, fairness and integrity. These are partners in building a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria,’ he said.

The Minister noted that while digital technology has created new opportunities for communication and economic growth, it has also increased the spread of misinformation and disinformation. ‘Falsehood often travels faster than truth. That is why professional journalism has never been more important. Credible journalism must continue to stand for accuracy, fairness, verification and responsibility,’ he stated.

Idris reaffirmed the Tinubu Administration’s commitment to press freedom and constructive engagement with the media. ‘We remain committed to upholding press freedom as a pillar of democracy and to creating an enabling environment where journalists can carry out their duties professionally. Democracy flourishes when citizens are well informed, and the media performs its watchdog role responsibly,’ he said.

The Minister urged journalists to present a balanced picture of Northern Nigeria by reporting both its challenges and its progress. ‘Northern Nigeria is far more than insecurity. It is home to entrepreneurs, farmers, innovators, researchers, artists, and young people who are transforming their communities every day. These stories deserve to be told alongside the challenges because they present a fuller and more accurate picture of our region,’ he said.

Highlighting the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Idris said the Federal Government is investing in infrastructure, education, security and economic reforms to unlock opportunities across the country. He cited the Four Legacy Highway Projects, the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and ongoing investments in rail, energy and logistics as key initiatives driving growth, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

He also highlighted two major milestones under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) and the launch of the Digital Switch Over (FreeTV) platform. ‘These initiatives will strengthen responsible journalism, expand access to quality broadcasting, create jobs, promote local content and position Nigeria as a leader in the fight against misinformation and disinformation,’ the Minister said.

Calling on media practitioners to help shape a better future for the region, Idris said, ‘Tell the stories of our innovators. Tell the stories of our farmers. Tell the stories of our entrepreneurs. Tell stories that inspire confidence without abandoning truth. Tell stories that unite rather than divide.’

The inaugural Arewa Media Summit, convened by Malam Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, brought together journalists, broadcasters, filmmakers, digital creators, academics, communication professionals and policymakers.

The summit was attended by the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf; the Executive Governor of Yobe state, ably represented by the SSG of Yobe State, Dr. Mohammed Goje; the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, ably represented by Honourable Commissioner of Information Kebbi State, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK; the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Ouga; the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun; the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, the Honourable Commissioner of Information, Kaduna State, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, amongst other important dignitaries.

Brazil superstar Neymar has suggested that his international career is over after the country’s painful World Cup defeat to Norway.

The 34-year-old made the emotional comment after Brazil lost 2-1 in the last 16 at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

‘I tried and I tried. Now it’s over. It began here and it ends here,’ Neymar told Globo Esporte after the match.

Neymar came on as a late substitute and scored from the penalty spot deep in added time, but the goal was not enough to rescue Brazil.

Erling Haaland had earlier scored twice for Norway to send the five-time world champions out of the tournament.

Neymar broke down in tears after the final whistle and had to be consoled by his teammates.

His comment carried deeper meaning because he scored his first goal for Brazil at the same stadium in 2010 during a 2-0 win over the United States.

Neymar is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, but injuries have limited his involvement with the national team in recent years.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward, now back at Santos, was a surprise inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.

He missed Brazil’s first two group matches through injury before returning in the 3-0 win over Scotland in Miami.

His only other appearance at the tournament came in the defeat to Norway.

Brazil football legend Ronaldo Nazário has blamed coach Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil’s shock exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil were knocked out of the tournament after losing 2-1 to Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday. Norway striker Erling Haaland scored both goals for his side.

Speaking after the match, Ronaldo said Brazil’s elimination was largely due to decisions made by Ancelotti.

‘I think this elimination started with decisions made on the coaching bench,’ Ronaldo said.

He acknowledged Ancelotti’s achievements in football but insisted the Italian coach got several things wrong during the tournament.

Ronaldo questioned why striker João Pedro was left out of the squad despite his impressive performances. He also said young forward Endrick should have been given more playing time.

‘I still don’t understand why João Pedro was not in the squad. He has been playing very well.Endrick has brought energy, aggression and unpredictability whenever he has played in this World Cup, but he spent most of the tournament on the bench. I can’t understand it,’ Ronaldo added.

Brazil’s defeat means they are out of the World Cup, while Norway advance to the quarter-finals.

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration initiated moves to counter disinformation and misinformation about its achievements and initiatives in Northern Nigeria on Sunday with a training programme for over 100 social media influencers in Kano.

The social media influencers from across Northern Nigeria will be trained on the effective use of social media, Mr Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Enlightenment whose office is organizing the training said.

He added that the workshop was organized to equip influencers with the skills to counter disinformation and misinformation.

Abdulaziz said this while speaking during the training on Sunday.

He added that the training would also keep participants abreast of the achievements of the present administration so they could help enlighten Nigerians.

‘The workshop will equip them with skills on how to counter disinformation and misinformation.

‘We see a lot of social media videos, AI-generated pictures, and clips designed to create disaffection or misinform the public.

‘These skills will help them to use social media more effectively for information dissemination,’ he added.

Abdulaziz said the workshop would also educate influencers on the giant strides of the Tinubu administration and on issues that promote national unity.

‘These are the areas of focus. That is why we felt it’s important to encourage them and urge them to continue doing what they believe in, because that is democracy.

‘Everybody has the right to express his/her opinion on issues and to participate in political or non-political organisations.

‘But we see a lot of recklessness in the use of social media. People need to know what the government is doing,’ he added.

Earlier in his presentation, Development Scholar, Dr Musa Abdullahi-Sufi said the training was aimed at changing the negative narrative about Nigeria.

He urged social media influencers to focus on development stories and achievements recorded in the country rather than negative content.

Abdullahi-Sufi said the training also covered ethical use of social media, fact-checking, and responsible digital engagement.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced that its Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu, will retire from the Board of Directors on August 21, 2026, after completing the maximum 12-year tenure for non-executive directors prescribed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The bank disclosed the development in a statement on Monday, saying its Board approved the transition at a meeting held on July 6, 2026, and elected Emmanuel N. Nnorom, a Non-Executive Director, as the new Group Chairman with effect from August 21.

UBA described Elumelu’s tenure as one of the most significant in the institution’s history, crediting him with steering the bank’s transformation into a leading pan-African ficial institution with operations in 20 African countries and four global ficial centres.

The lender said the bank now serves more than 50 million customers, attributing much of its growth and continental expansion to Elumelu’s strategic leadership.

‘The Board places on record its profound appreciation to Mr. Elumelu for his visionary leadership and exceptional contribution to the strategic vision and institutional strength of the UBA Group,’ the statement said.

Reflecting on his retirement, Elumelu described his years at the helm of the bank as one of the defining periods of his professional career.

‘Serving United Bank for Africa has been one of the great privileges of my career. UBA has established a unique competitive position across Africa and globally, and I leave the Board with great confidence in UBA’s future.

‘Emmanuel Nnorom is a leader of integrity, experience and sound judgement, and I am confident that the Bank will continue to thrive under his leadership,’ he said.

Nnorom, a chartered accountant with more than 40 years of experience in banking, fice and auditing, pledged to build on the bank’s achievements and sustain its growth trajectory.

‘I am honoured by the trust the Board has placed in me and deeply conscious of the legacy I inherit. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board, Management and our staff across all our markets to sustain UBA’s momentum and continue delivering long-term value to our shareholders, customers and stakeholders,’ he said.

UBA, widely regarded as Africa’s Global Bank, operates across 20 African countries as well as the United Kingdom, United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, employing about 25,000 people and providing retail, commercial and institutional banking services to more than 50 million customers worldwide.

No fewer than 32 people have lost their lives in three separate road crashes that occurred within hours in Kogi, Ogun and Kwara states, prompting the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to renew its call for responsible driving and strict compliance with traffic regulations.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, the FRSC described the crashes as tragic and extended condolences to the families of the victims while wishing those injured a speedy recovery.

According to the statement, the first crash occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Sunday along the Okene-Lokoja Road before Confluence University, Osara, in Kogi State.

The accident involved a MAN truck and a Toyota Sienna commercial bus, leaving seven people dead-six male adults and one female adult, while three male adults sustained injuries. The injured were taken to Abobo General Hospital, with a preliminary investigation identifying tyre burst as the cause of the crash.

Barely hours later, another fatal accident occurred at about 8:05 p.m. at Sapade Bridge on the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway in Ogun State.

The collision involved a SINOTRUK truck and a Toyota Hiace bus, claiming 10 lives, including nine male adults and one male child. Six people sustained injuries and were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, while two others escaped unhurt. Preliminary findings blamed speeding, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving.

The deadliest of the three crashes occurred in the early hours of Monday at Oko-Olowo along the Ogbomosho-Oloru Road in Kwara State, where a DAF trailer conveying passengers and goods crashed.

The lone accident involved 48 male adults, leaving 15 people dead, 17 injured and 16 unhurt. The FRSC attributed the crash to driver fatigue, adding that the high casualty figure was worsened by the illegal practice of mixed loading, with passengers travelling alongside goods.

Reacting to the incidents, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the crashes as heartbreaking and entirely preventable, blaming recurring violations such as speeding, dangerous driving, poor tyre maintece, driver fatigue and mixed loading.

He urged motorists and transport operators to ensure only roadworthy vehicles are used, obey speed limits, inspect tyres regularly, avoid driving while fatigued and never transport passengers with goods.

Mohammed also reaffirmed the FRSC’s commitment to sustained enforcement, public enlightenment and rapid emergency response, stressing that road safety remains a shared responsibility.

Nigerian singer Oludipe Oluwasanmi David, popularly known as Spyro has shared the story of how he met his partner at a nightclub.

While speaking in a recent interview, Spyro revealed that prior to popular belief, his fiancée was not at the club to party but was working there.

He noted that although there was anything wrong with partying, her work at the venue was what first caught his attention.

Spyro also admitted that he had not initially considered the relationship as something that would lead to marriage, but decided to make it serious after he realised his true feelings.

‘I met my partner working in the club, not partying in the club, but that’s not to say that partying is wrong. But she was working there and that’s how I got to notice her. I was curious to know why she was working at the club, and that was what made me have my first conversation with her. We got talking and we became friends. The one day my eyes popped up and I was like ‘Oh what I have been looking for was right in front of me.’ because I wasn’t really thinking of making it a lifetime thing, so I said before I quickly miss it, lemme swing into action…’ he said.

The Nigeria Police have arrested the father of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the disowned Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), following a raid on the family’s residence in Ogbomoso.

Adeyemi’s father was reportedly taken into custody alongside a family friend who had visited the residence on Monday morning.

The operation, according to reports, left Adeyemi’s elderly mother distressed.

Reacting to the development, the Guardian reports that human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) questioned the legality of the arrest, describing it as a case of substituted arrest.

‘The father has been arrested. There is no legal basis for substituted arrests. The young man has promised to show up in court, so why arrest his father?’ Falana said.

The arrest comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the PFIPC, a body the Presidency has disowned, insisting it was never established under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The latest development has raised fresh concerns over compliance with due process in law enforcement, with legal observers expected to closely monitor the handling of the case.