Category: PM News

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the reported arrest of the father of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, the man linked to the controversial Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council, PFIPC.

Atiku described the arrest as an abuse of power and a dangerous violation of the rule of law.

The reaction followed reports that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force arrested Adeyemi’s father during a raid on the family’s residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, while searching for his son over allegations surrounding the disputed PFIPC.

In a statement posted on Monday by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku’s camp said the arrest had no place in a democratic society.

Ibe argued that Nigerian law does not permit substituted arrest, insisting that security agencies cannot arrest a suspect’s family member simply because the person they are looking for is not available.

He questioned why the police went after Adeyemi’s father instead of pursuing the suspect through lawful procedures.

‘What has the father of the man the Presidency claims to be a phantom Director-General got to do with the matter? It is an overreach and an abuse of power,’ Ibe said.

He said if the police had evidence against Adeyemi, they should arrest and prosecute him according to the law, rather than targeting innocent members of his family.

Atiku’s aide warned that such actions could damage public confidence in law enforcement institutions and weaken democratic principles if allowed to stand.

He called for the immediate release of Adeyemi’s father and urged security agencies to respect the constitutional rights of citizens while carrying out investigations.

The reported arrest has also drawn criticism from senior lawyer and human rights advocate, Femi Falana, SAN, who also faulted the police action.

Falana said substituted arrest is unknown to Nigerian law and argued that criminal investigations must be directed at the person accused of wrongdoing, not the suspect’s relatives or associates.

He also urged the police to release the elderly man and conduct their investigation within the limits of the law.

The PFIPC controversy has generated public attention after the Presidency distanced itself from the organisation, saying no agency known as the Presidential Fiscal and Infrastructure Projects Council exists within the Federal Government.

The controversy began after Adeyemi allegedly presented himself as the Director-General of the council and appeared at public events with prominent political figures before questions were raised about the authenticity of the organisation and his claimed office.

The Federal Government later denied recognising the council, while security agencies opened investigations into allegations of forgery, impersonation and related offences linked to the purported agency.

International programmes have different goals, conditions, and expectations. But if you look beyond the marketing promises and focus on the real experiences of participants, one of the main questions always comes down to everyday life: where do you live, how comfortable, safe, and predictable is it? We compared four popular international programmes – Work and Travel, Au Pair, Alabuga Start, and WWOOF – and put together the key facts on how accommodation works in each case.

Work and Travel: accommodation as part of the independence experience

Work and Travel remains one of the most popular programmes for students. It is chosen for the chance to spend summer in the US, earn money, improve English, and explore the country. But work is only half the story – the other half is living independently, which many participants are experiencing for the first time.

There is no single accommodation scenario in this programme – it really depends on the employer, the city, and the season. In some cases, participants are helped with finding a place to stay, while in other cases, they are left to sort it out themselves. The most common options are rooms, flats, houses, or dormitories shared with other students.

This format has an obvious advantage: it quickly immerses participants in real adult life. They share expenses, divide household responsibilities, negotiate with one another, learn to budget, and handle everyday matters in a foreign language. For many, this becomes an experience just as valuable as the work itself.

An added privilege is the international environment. Neighbours are often students from different countries, and it is the shared daily life that makes the programme especially vibrant: people cook together, go on trips at weekends, help each other out, and quickly build a social circle. In resort towns, accommodation is often located close to work, shops, and transport, making everyday life more convenient.

Comfort levels can vary, so it is important to check the details before travelling: how many people share a room, what is included in the price, whether appliances are provided, and how far the accommodation is from work. Ultimately, Work and Travel is valued precisely for its combination of freedom, flexibility, and the experience of independent living within an international student community.

Au Pair: life with a host family and gentle adaptation

The Au Pair programme works differently. Here, participants do not simply work abroad – they live within a host family, help with children, and become part of the household’s everyday routine. This is precisely why the living arrangements tend to be simpler and less stressful here than in other programmes.

Generally, participants are given their own room and meals. They do not need to search for a place to live, sign a rent contract, pay separately for utilities, or set up a household from scratch. From day one, there is a stable setting, a fixed address, a daily routine, and people to interact with on a regular basis. For those travelling abroad for the first time, this often turns out to be one of the most comfortable scenarios.

Another important benefit is immersion in the language and culture through everyday life. Here, language is not confined to lessons – it is spoken over breakfast, in conversations with the kids, at the shops, on family trips, and during household chores. As a result, adaptation often occurs with greater ease and speed.

Much of the success of this programme depends on whether the host family is a good fit. That is why prior discussion of the terms is key: schedule, responsibilities, days off, personal space, and everyday habits. But if expectations align, Au Pair offers not just a place to stay abroad, but a genuine immersion in another culture from the inside.

Alabuga Start: structured living arrangements and clear terms

Alabuga Start is a Russian employment programme. It differs from most programmes in that accommodation does not need to be found independently – it is built into the system from the start. For many participants, this is one of the main advantages, as it reduces the level of uncertainty right at the beginning.

The programme accepts only young women aged 18 to 22. They are placed in corporate hostels equipped with furniture, appliances, fitted kitchens, and bathrooms. One apartment with two rooms typically accommodates eight people. This format does not offer complete privacy, but it provides a valuable sense of structure: the living arrangements are clearly defined before you arrive, and adaptation takes place within a more organised environment.

Special attention is given to safety within the programme. The living spaces are located on secured premises, with Face ID access control and CCTV monitoring. For participants and their families, this is a strong argument in favour of the programme, especially when it comes to the first move to another country.

An added benefit is the clear and predictable cost of living – around $44. Since accommodation and all related expenses are already included in the programme from the beginning, participants can easily manage their budget and stay focused on work and adapting, rather than on hunting for a place to live in an unfamiliar country.

In particular, this programme is aimed at people who want more than just a job – it’s for anyone looking to build a solid profession and secure a stable income within a few years. Participants can choose from eight fields – from Construction, Installation, and Finishing works to Catering, Service and hospitality, and Logistics.

Starting salaries are around $706, and for many, that’s more than just a pay check – it’s a real chance to gain hands-on experience over two or four years in a field with real prospects.

WWOOF: down-to-earth living and life away from big cities

WWOOF is a programme for those who want to stay on an organic farm and take part in rural life. Participants help with daily tasks for a few hours a day and receive accommodation and meals in return. Living conditions here can be noticeably more basic than in city-based programmes, but that is exactly what this experience is all about.

Living conditions depend on the specific farm – it could be a room in the main house, a small separate house, a trailer, or other modest accommodation. This option is rarely associated with standard urban comfort, but for many, it becomes a way to experience a different pace of life – slower, calmer, and closely connected to nature.

Instead of urban infrastructure, what matters here are different things: peace and quiet, fresh air, organic food, physical work, and being part of the local environment. Participants often choose WWOOF precisely for this experience – as a chance to step out of their usual routine for a while and live in a simpler, more mindful way.

Another advantage of the programme is that it is budget-friendly. Accommodation and meals are usually already included, so participants do not need to cover significant living expenses. However, before travelling, it is important to read the farm description and reviews carefully: comfort levels, working conditions, and the overall atmosphere can vary considerably.

Different programmes, different approaches to comfort

Comparing these formats shows that there is no perfect option for everyone. Each programme has its own approach to comfort and its own way of organising daily life.

Work and Travel is a good fit for those who are ready for independence and want to live in an international student environment.

Au Pair suits those who value a stable daily routine, family life, and a gentler adaptation process.

Alabuga Start is for those who value structured living arrangements, clear rules, and safety precautions. The programme also offers the chance to gain a new profession.

WWOOF is for those who are ready for a more basic way of life in exchange for the experience of living in nature, away from urban life.

When choosing a programme like this, don’t just look at the country, the salary, or what you see at first glance. But it’s equally important to think about where you’ll live, if that lifestyle fits you, and what comfort means to you. At the end of the day, it’s the everyday life that will decide whether the experience feels like a challenge or a success.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has set a revenue target of N11.074 trillion for 2026, almost double its 2025 target of N6.584 trillion.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced this during the agency’s budget defence before the National Assembly Committees on Customs.

According to Adeniyi, Customs generated N7.277 trillion in 2025, exceeding its target by N674 billion, which represents a 10.24 percent increase above expectations. The figure also showed a 19 percent increase from the N6.1 trillion collected in 2024.

He said that by May 31, 2026, the Service had already generated N4.43 trillion, representing about 40 percent of its annual target.

For 2026, Customs proposed a budget of N1.235 trillion, which includes:

N421 billion for personnel costs

N307 billion for overhead expenses

N565 billion for capital projects

Adeniyi attributed the strong revenue performance to reforms in revenue collection, improved anti-smuggling operations, and measures aimed at making trade easier. However, he noted that some government policies, including tariffs on compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles, affected revenue generation.

The Service also recorded strong results in 2025. In the first quarter, it generated N1.75 trillion, exceeding its quarterly target of N1.645 trillion by N106 billion. This was nearly 30 percent higher than the amount collected during the same period in 2024.

Between January and June 2025, Customs collected about N3.6 trillion, surpassing its six-month target by N390 billion. Another official record put first-half revenue at N3.7 trillion, which was 12.5 percent above budget projections.

Despite concerns about global economic challenges, including tensions in the Middle East, Adeniyi expressed confidence that Customs would meet or even exceed its 2026 revenue target.

The National Assembly Committees on Customs also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for extending Adeniyi’s tenure by six months. Lawmakers commended the Customs boss for reforms that have improved revenue generation, anti-smuggling efforts, trade facilitation, and infrastructure.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Jibrin Isah, described the Customs Service as transformed under Adeniyi’s leadership and urged him to work harder toward achieving the 2026 target.

The committees later approved the Customs Service’s 2026 budget proposal through a voice vote.

The approval comes after lawmakers previously proposed increasing the agency’s 2025 revenue target from N6.584 trillion to as much as N10 trillion, reflecting confidence in Customs’ ability to boost Nigeria’s non-oil revenue.

The 2027 presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to resign or not to seek re-election over failure to rescue schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire local government area of Oyo State about 50 days ago.

Obi claimed his ‘patriotic’ call’ followed his visit to Ibadan over the weekend during which he discovered that the government and people of Oyo State are feeling bitter and abandoned as they have not seen any tangible effort toward the rescue of the abductees.

He made the call in a post on his social media handle on Monday.

The NDC presidential candidate alleged that while he had called the state governor, Seyi Makinde twice over the incident, he discovered during his visit to Ibadan that President Bola Tinubu has not called the Governor since occurrence of the incident.

The former Anambra governor accused Tinubu of turning citizens’ frustration into deep, volatile resentment with alleged demonstration of incapacity and a lack of compassion.

‘Since this unfortunate incident, I have spoken publicly about it twice, including appealing directly to the kidnappers to release the children. I also called the Governor twice to assure him of my solidarity, understanding that this issue is not just an Oyo problem but a Nigerian tragedy.

‘On Friday, July 3, I decided to travel to Ibadan with Prof. Pat Utomi to express solidarity with the Governor, as more than 50 days had elapsed without the rescue of the children and with numerous others still being held captive across the country.

‘During our two-hour meeting, I shared my experience in addressing insecurity as Governor of Anambra State. I recalled how President Olusegun Obasanjo, and later Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, would personally call us several times whenever we faced major security challenges.

‘But, to my utmost shock, I discovered that, contrary to my assumption that they had been in regular communication over the matter, Governor Seyi Makinde had not received a single call from President Bola Tinubu,’ Obi said.

The NDC presidential candidate compared the response of President Tinubu to the incident to that of former President Goodluck Jonathan when over about 300 girls were abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State in 2014.

He said many leaders, including Tinubu had called for resignation of Jonathan over his failure to promptly called the Borno State Governor at the time.

‘I remember the only case of a school kidnapping during President Goodluck Jonathan’s era – the Chibok girls. It drew local and international attention. Even though the security agencies provided almost daily updates on their efforts, Nigerians and the rest of the world were outraged that it took President Jonathan over two weeks to call the then State chief Executive.

‘I vividly recall that the current President, Bola Tinubu, led a team of vocal critics who called for President Jonathan’s immediate resignation over the incident, citing his delay in calling the state governor. That call for IMMEDIATE RESIGNATION should actually be the case in this matter.

‘Today, under President Tinubu, there have been more than 13 school kidnappings, yet the President has found it difficult to call the affected state’s chief executive after more than 50 days (over 7 weeks). This is outrageous. I suspect the same may also have been the case in other school kidnapping incidents.

‘I cannot imagine any issue more important than the lives of our kidnapped children, their teachers, and the many other Nigerians being held captive across the country. It is now an indisputable fact that goverce has completely collapsed under this administration.

‘The situation reflects a total lack of capacity and compassion, compounded by glaring insensitivity.

‘Amid such an apparent display of incompetence, the President should either resign or, at the very least, abstain from seeking re-election for the sake of our dear country. This call is patriotic, not political,’ Obi said.

Belgium are set to appeal FIFA’s controversial decision to lift Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban just hours before their World Cup clash with the United States.

Balogun had been expected to miss Monday’s Round of 16 tie after receiving a direct red card in USA’s win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

FIFA, however, announced on Sunday that the striker’s automatic suspension had been suspended for a probationary period of one year.

The decision cleared Balogun to face Belgium, but immediately drew anger from the Royal Belgian Football Association.

According to reports, Belgium are now preparing to challenge the decision before kick-off at Seattle Stadium.

The case has sparked debate because direct red cards at the World Cup usually carry an automatic one-match suspension.

FIFA cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code, saying the implementation of Balogun’s automatic match suspension had been suspended for one year.

The controversy deepened after reports claimed United States President Donald Trump contacted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of Balogun’s red card.

Trump later praised FIFA’s decision on Truth Social, thanking the body for ‘reversing a great injustice.’

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia criticised the ruling during his pre-match press conference.

‘I didn’t know the fifth of July had turned into April Fool’s Day,’ Garcia said.

‘We’re not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football,’ he added.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino defended FIFA’s decision, saying the United States had already been punished by playing more than 30 minutes with 10 men against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Balogun is USA’s top scorer at the tournament with three goals.

A Magistrates ‘ Court in Ota, Ogun on Monday, sentenced a 28-year-old unemployed man, Mohammed Ibrahim to four months imprisonment for stealing 1,320 cement blocks worth N950,000.

Ibrahim pleaded guilty to conspiracy and theft.

The presiding magistrate, O.O. Fadairo, held that the evidence before the court showed that Ibrahim was guilty of the offence.

She however gave him an option of N20,000 fine.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, ASP E.O. Adaraloye told the court that Ibrahim and others, at large, committed the offence between June 19 and June 23, at about 9 p.m. at No.9 Adefarm, Iloye, Ota.

He said that the convict and his accomplices, stole 1,320 blocks belonging to the complait, Mr Babatunde Samson.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 390 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

A presidential aide, Mr Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, has declared that contrary to the claim of some pessimists, President Bola Tinubu is delivering on very significant projects in Kano state and in Nigeria as a whole.

Abdulaziz who is President Bola Tinubu senior special assistant on Media and Public Enlightenment stated this during an inspection visit of completed and ongoing projects being executed by the federal government in the Kano metropolis.

Some of the projects inspected under the facility tour tagged: ‘seeing is believing,’ included the 48-kilometre Kano Northern Bypass Road, new Accident and Emergency (A and E) unit, and Renewed Hope Agenda solarisation project at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).

Others are the Zawachiki Interchange Station of the Kano – Maradi rail line, and an Agricultural Incubation Center project being implemented by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), located at the Bayero University Kano (BUK).

Abdulaziz said that the initiation of the new projects and continuation of inherited ones showed Tinubu’s commitment to the development of the region.

He said that the tour was designed to enlighten Nigerians, especially northerners on the laudable projects carried out by the government.

‘This project inspection tour of northern Nigeria is to bring out projects that have been executed by this administration, a lot of them are unknown, a lot of them under celebrated.

‘As the presidential assistant on media and public enlightenment, it is my duty to enlighten our people, especially the people of northern Nigeria, who are beneficiaries of this project.

‘This is a virgin land, which the president approved to construct a 48km of road that is bypassing Kano on the northern side, that is why it is called Kano Northern Bypass, to effectively decongest the city. It linked Kano – Hadejia Road to Kano – Katsina Road.

‘It also helps build an economy, already factories and industries are springing up, other users of land are coming already acquiring land for development. Development is already here.

‘It calls for celebration and appreciation by the good people of Kano to the foresight and thoughtfulness of President Bola Tinubu, to cite this project here, and not only to cite the project, but to fund it.

‘You know, to see seriousness of federal government project like this is very rare, because we are used to, in the past, having FG project that drag on for 10 – 15 years, but this road, as you can see, it commenced under two years, but look at the progress already made,’ he said.

On the Zawachiki interchange station of the Kano – Maradi rail line, Abdulaziz said that work has reached 80 per cent completion stage, adding that the project was inherited by the Tinubu administration at about 10 – 15 per cent progress.

He said that the Kano – Maradi rail project would link Daura in Katsina State and Kazaure in Jigawa and Maradi in Niger Republic, to promote trade and movement of people.

‘When this government came, this project was at barely 10 – 15 per cent but the President Tinubu administration showed great commitment and goodwill by not constituting a hitch on this project instead it actually continued the project and funded it.

‘The projects have demonstrated in clear way that this government, contrary to whatever an pessimists may say, is actually delivering on very significant projects in this state of Kano and of course in Nigeria as a whole.

‘We have seen investments traversing all sectors. We’ve seen investment in healthcare, energy, road and rail infrastructure which are really timeless investments that will impact on the people and economy,’ he said.

Abdulaziz also inspected the Dan-Agundi interchange flyover project being executed by the Kano state government.

The Department of State Services on Monday asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to remand African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre over his alleged failure to perfect his bail conditions.

The application was made at the resumed hearing of the alleged defamation case filed against Sowore over social media comments concerning President Bola Tinubu.

Prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, told Justice Mohammed Umar that Sowore had yet to fulfil the bail conditions earlier granted by the court.

Kehinde argued that although the court released Sowore to his lawyer pending the perfection of bail, the defendant had not informed the prosecution of any difficulty in meeting the conditions.

He also said Sowore had not filed any application seeking variation of the bail terms.

But Sowore’s counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, opposed the application, saying bail was not meant as punishment but to ensure an accused person attends trial.

Fusika told the court that it was incorrect to say the bail conditions had not been met, adding that verification of documents had been substantially completed.

He said Sowore’s passport would be deposited in court before the close of work on Monday.

The defence counsel explained that there was a delay in retrieving the passport from the American Embassy in Lagos because Friday, July 4, was the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration and the embassy was on holiday.

Fusika urged the court to allow Sowore remain in his care until the next adjourned date, assuring that all bail conditions would be perfected.

Meanwhile, Sowore formally opened his defence by calling Abuja-based lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, as his first witness.

Led in evidence by Fusika, Adeyanju referred to remarks allegedly made by President Tinubu during an official engagement in Benue State on citizens’ right to criticise public officials.

Video clips of the remarks were tendered in evidence through a flash drive.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter until July 13 for continuation of trial.

A 23-year-old Nigerian graduate of Kharkiv National Medical University, Ni Adaobi Marian, has died after suffering severe injuries in a Russian airstrike on Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Adaobi was wounded on June 29 when Russian forces dropped aerial bombs on the Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv.

She later died in hospital after doctors battled to save her life, first in Kharkiv and later in Germany.

The university confirmed her death in a statement, describing her as a bright, sincere and kind-hearted person.

‘Ni Adaobi Marian was a bright, sincere and kind-hearted person. She easily found common ground with people and was distinguished by her thirst for knowledge, hard work and sincere desire to help others,’ the university said.

Adaobi had studied at Kharkiv National Medical University since 2020.

She also completed internships at the University of Cambridge and Biruni University in Turkey.

At the time of the attack, Adaobi and her friend, Fatima Huseynova, were reportedly on their way to a photoshoot ahead of their graduation.

They were expected to receive their diplomas the following day.

Fatima died at the scene, while Adaobi was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

One of the bombs reportedly hit the roadway in the Kholodnohirskyi district.

A total of 12 people were injured in the airstrike.

Super Falcons and Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder, Rasheedat Ajibade, has opened up on the struggles she faced while growing up, revealing that she had to do ‘paripá’ (menial jobs and hustles) to raise money for her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) fees.

Ajibade made the revelation in Lagos during a grassroots football development programme organised through her RAS Foundation.

The programme, held in conjunction with coaches from the Nigeria Institute for Sports (NIS), brought together young female footballers who were exposed to football training sessions and gym exercises aimed at developing their talents.

Speaking at the event, Ajibade said her difficult upbringing continues to inspire her commitment to helping young girls pursue their dreams through football.

‘I had to do paripá to pay my WAEC fees. It was not easy growing up, but I never gave up on my dreams. That is why I want these girls to understand that their background should not limit them,’ she said.

The former Atlético Madrid star explained that the initiative was designed to identify and nurture young talents while giving them hope that they can achieve success regardless of their circumstances.

According to her, football has the power to transform lives, and providing opportunities for young players remains one of her major goals through the foundation.

Ajibade also spoke on the Super Falcons’ chances at the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), expressing confidence in the team’s ability to reclaim the continental title.

She insisted that the nine-time African champions possess the quality and experience required to win what would be their 11th WAFCON crown.

‘The Super Falcons have what it takes to win the title. We are not under pressure, but we know what is expected of us. We have a good team and we believe we can go all the way,’ she said.

Ajibade added that the players remain focused on achieving the objective popularly tagged ‘Mission X’ and bringing the trophy back to Nigeria.

The 26-year-old is expected to play a key role for the Super Falcons as they seek to reaffirm their domice in African women’s football at the tournament.