Category: PM News

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has announced plans to launch an online engagement platform to enable Nigerians to question him about his political record, policy proposals and plans for the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The platform, known as Ask AA, according to Atiku, is designed to provide a direct channel through which citizens can seek answers from him on issues affecting the country and assess his positions on matters of public interest.

The platform whuch is scheduled to go live by at 8:30pm on Thursday, is expected to allow Nigerians to raise questions on the economy, security, job creation, technology and the rising cost of living, among other national concerns.

Atiku, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is expected to respond to questions submitted through the platform, with support from his media team.

The initiative is also expected to provide an opportunity for selected participants to speak with the former vice-president by telephone.

The planned engagement is part of efforts to expand communication between Atiku and Nigerians as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

The platform is expected to be accessible online, while plans have also been reported for a radio interface to reach Nigerians who have limited or no access to the internet.

The announcement comes amid growing political realignments and preparations by political actors for the next general elections.

Atiku, who served as vice-president from 1999 to 2007, has contested the presidency several times. His proposed engagement platform offers Nigerians an opportunity to seek clarification on his record in public office and his proposals for addressing the country’s challenges.

The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over 400kg of suspected cannabis valued at N2.26 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Lagos.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, Deputy Comptroller Olufemi Kukoyi, disclosed this at a news briefing at the Lekki Deep Sea Port on Thursday.

Kukoyi said the consignment was intercepted on Aug. 19, following credible intelligence that prompted officers to detain a suspicious container.

He said the container, which was destined for a bonded terminal outside the command, was initially subjected to scanning before a comprehensive physical examination.

According to him, a joint examination involving officials of the NCS, NDLEA, Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) led to the discovery of seven pallets containing 400 packages of suspected cannabis.

He said that the substance, weighing 400kg, was concealed with 798 reams of A4 printing paper to evade detection.

Kukoyi said the report of the seizure was forwarded to Customs Headquarters, which approved the formal handover to the NDLEA for further investigation and necessary action.

He described the interception as a boost to public safety and national security, noting that drug trafficking threatened the wellbeing of youths and fuelled criminal activities.

The controller attributed the success to intelligence-led enforcement, modern technology, and collaboration among security agencies.

He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for promoting consolidation, collaboration, and innovation in the Service.

Kukoyi warned criminal networks against using the ports for illicit activities, assuring that the command would sustain surveillance and enforcement.

Receiving the consignment, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Lekki Port Area Command, Jonah Achema, said the seizure demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration.

Achema said the interception, coming days after Kukoyi assumed office, underscored the agencies’ resolve to intensify the fight against drug trafficking.

He also cited a previous seizure of 46 tonnes of Tramadol valued at N35 billion, saying the operations reflected the anti-drug campaign of the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa.

He assured the Customs Service and other agencies that the NDLEA would sustain intelligence-driven operations to prevent drug trafficking through Lekki Port.

His recognition came as the event’s keynote speaker, Dr Lotanna Okoye, called for deliberate investment in young Nigerians, urging leaders to build institutions and prepare the next generation to take up positions of responsibility.

Egbadon’s Rise Through the Labour Movement

Egbadon’s leadership journey began during his student years and developed further through his involvement with Junior Chamber International (JCI).

He later rose through the ranks of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), serving as vice chairman in 2013 before becoming chairman of the association’s Deep Offshore Chapter, a position he held from 2014 to 2017.

During his time in the labour movement, he participated in workers’ representation and negotiations at local, national and international levels. His professional development also included industrial relations training in Las Vegas, United States, and leadership programmes in the United Kingdom, Kigali and Nairobi.

In 2024, PENGASSAN’s national leadership invited Egbadon to lead a team tasked with restoring stability to his branch following a period described as one of serious internal challenges.

His efforts earned him an Excellent Service Award that year. He was also named Employee of the Year by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria in 2024.

Egbadon’s leadership responsibilities expanded in 2025 when he was elected chairman of the Chevron Branch of PENGASSAN. He continues to hold the position alongside his professional role as a Process Safety Engineer.

His subsequent honours include an award from PENGASSAN’s Labour Contract Branch for inclusive leadership and the PWC Personality of the Year Award from the National PENGASSAN Women Commission.

At PENGASSAN’s 2026 National Delegates Conference, the association’s national leadership also recognised him among its most supportive and result-oriented branch chairmen.

Beyond the workplace and labour movement, Egbadon has been associated with community support initiatives, particularly assistance to widows and orphans.

Colleagues and associates have described him as a bridge builder whose leadership approach emphasises credibility, composure, inclusion and the resolution of differences.

Okoye Challenges Leaders on Succession Planning

Delivering the keynote lecture, titled ‘Vision Beyond Today: Building Leaders, Institutions and Nations for a New Generation,’ Okoye challenged Nigerians to rethink how they identify, mentor and prepare future leaders.

The Director-General of the Profession Public Speaking and Leadership Academy (PPSLA Africa) said leadership development should go beyond discussions about who would eventually occupy positions of authority. Instead, he urged leaders to ask who was being deliberately prepared to assume those responsibilities.

‘Vision is accepting responsibility for what tomorrow becomes,’ Okoye said, stressing that aspirations must be communicated, measured and actively pursued if they are to produce meaningful results.

He also urged leaders to assess their impact by examining whether the people around them were growing and becoming better under their guidance.

According to him, strong institutions must be capable of surviving beyond the tenure of the individuals leading them.

Okoye questioned whether an organisation that collapses as soon as its leader leaves could genuinely be regarded as an institution, arguing that such a situation may indicate excessive dependence on one individual rather than the strength of established systems.

He further warned that young Nigerians learn important lessons about leadership by observing the conduct of adults around them.

From the way adults conduct business and resolve disagreements to how they treat others, honour commitments and respond to challenges, he said, their everyday actions help shape the values and expectations of the next generation.

His remarks underscored the need for leaders to demonstrate the integrity, accountability and responsibility they expect young people to embrace.

Metamorphoses Targets 5,000 Young People Weekly

As part of his call for sustained investment in young people, Okoye announced the Metamorphoses youth programme, a weekly initiative designed to develop leadership skills and strengthen values among people aged 13 and above.

The programme is expected to operate across 30 locations in Abuja, with a projected reach of more than 5,000 teenagers every week. An online component is also planned to extend its reach beyond Nigeria.

According to Okoye, the initiative will cover leadership, values, vision, character, communication, purpose, entrepreneurship, technology and responsible citizenship, among other areas.

He called on individuals, corporate organisations and development partners to support the programme through sponsorship, mentorship and strategic partnerships.

The initiative reflects the broader message of his keynote address: that preparing young people for future responsibilities requires more than words, demanding practical programmes, sustained mentorship and collective commitment.

Beyond Awards to Building Future Leaders

NELAL 2026 brought together two complementary themes: recognising individuals for their contributions to leadership and encouraging a long-term approach to developing the leaders of tomorrow.

While Egbadon’s award highlighted his record in professional service, workers’ advocacy and labour leadership, Okoye’s lecture placed the spotlight on succession planning, institutional strength and youth development.

The event reinforced the importance of recognising accomplished leaders while investing in the next generation through mentorship, character development and opportunities to assume responsibility.

For Nigeria, the challenge, as reflected in the keynote address, is not only to celebrate those who lead effectively today but also to build the people and institutions capable of sustaining that leadership in the years ahead.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) said one of its personnel was killed while another was injured in a violent attack by yet to be identified assailants in Niger State.

NIS, spokesperson, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration Akinsola Akinlabi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday.

Akilabi identified the deceased officer as Assistant Superintendent of Immigration I. U. Babangida while his injured colleague was identified as Inspector A. K. Musa

The NIS said the incident occurred on October 6 when the two officers came under violent attack as they were conducting routine surveillance.

‘The deceased officer, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration I. U. Babangida, died from the attack, while his colleague, Inspector A. K. Musa, sustained serious injuries but managed to escape and is currently receiving medical attention,’ the NIS spokesperson said.

‘The Service honours his sacrifice and unwavering commitment to duty,’ Akinlabi said, while confirming that Babangida had been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

He also extended the Service’s condolences to the deceased officer’s family, colleagues and loved ones, while wishing the injured personnel a speedy recovery.

The NIS spokesperson also assured both families of the Service’s continued support and assistance during the difficult period.

He assured that the NIS was working with the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to identify, track down and apprehend the perpetrators.

Akinlabi also reaffirmed the Service’s determination to ensure that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured the nation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term would operate as a unity government.

He noted that the diverse political alliance within the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) creates a natural foundation for this inclusive approach.

While reacting to comments during plenary by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele on the inauguration of the campaign council, Akpabio described the development as historic, stating that it was unprecedented since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 for a sitting president to constitute a campaign council involving members of almost all political parties.

‘This is not just an inclusive government in terms of infrastructure, revenue allocation and reforms. It is also an inclusive government in terms of unity of purpose in democracy. What we are going to witness is evidence that his second term is going to be a unity government, just like his campaign council is a unity campaign council made up of almost all the political parties in the country,’ he stated.

Akpabio added that Nigeria is setting an example for other African countries congratulating Tinubu, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and leaders of the political parties participating in the council.

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has lauded First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for projecting Nigeria positively on the global stage.

The revered monarch, who also called for collaboration between the Office of the First Lady and the Oba Ewuare II Foundation, spoke on Thursday when Mrs Tinubu paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Benin City.

The visit was part of activities marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Oba and the First Lady’s official visit to Edo State to commission CNG buses and empower 5,000 women.

In an address delivered by his daughter, Princess Ikuoyemwen Aimiuwu Ewuare, the Oba said he was proud of the First Lady’s international engagements, including the acknowledgement she recently received from US President Donald Trump.

He said such recognition was not only an honour to her but also a pride to the entire nation, as it boosts Nigeria’s image internationally.

The Oba urged Mrs Tinubu to partner with his Foundation to drive programmes targeted at women, children, families and vulnerable persons.

According to him, the Oba Ewuare II Foundation was set up to uphold Edo cultural values and dignity while intervening in critical areas of human development.

He listed its focus areas to include scholarships for indigent students, promotion of Edo language, vocational and skills acquisition training, and rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking and irregular migration.

He noted that a partnership would help scale up these interventions and address the plight of vulnerable groups, stressing that empowering women and youths was key to building stable families and a secured future.

The monarch reiterated the readiness of the Benin Palace to collaborate with government and credible institutions to advance peace, unity and development.

In a symbolic gesture, Oba Ewuare II presented the First Lady with a Benin Coral Bead, which he said represents honour and goodwill.

He offered prayers for her success and safe trip.

Responding, Senator Tinubu said she was in Edo on the invitation of Governor Monday Okpebholo to commission the state’s newly acquired CNG buses.

She said her Renewed Hope Initiative would continue to champion the cause of women and the vulnerable.

The First Lady said: ‘I am deeply honoured to be here and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Your Royal Majesty on the throne. I wish you continued good health, long life, prosperity, joy, peace, and happiness.

‘Serving in public office comes with significant responsibilities, but when God gives an assignment, He also provides the strength to fulfil it.

‘Having served in the legislature for 12 years, I understand lawmaking, but the executive has the opportunity to impact lives directly.

‘Our goal is to lay strong foundations that will create lasting change, improve living conditions, reduce transportation costs through initiatives such as CNG buses, and promote sustainable development that will benefit generations to come.

‘I am delighted to return to this special palace, which holds a meaningful place in my heart, and I pray for continued progress, unity, and prosperity for all.’

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to support his bid for re-election as Senate President in the 11th National Assembly in 2027.

Akpabio made the appeal on Wednesday, urging the president to back his ambition to retain the position after the 2027 general elections.

He also appealed to Tinubu to discourage Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma from seeking to replace him as Senate President in the next National Assembly.

The appeal signals an early move in the political discussions surrounding the leadership of the Senate after the 2027 elections, with Akpabio seeking the president’s support as he prepares for another term in office.

The Senate presidency is one of the most influential positions in Nigeria’s legislature.

The office holder presides over Senate plenary sessions, coordinates legislative proceedings and plays a major role in determining the direction of debates and legislative activities in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

Although senators elect the Senate President from among themselves, political alliances and negotiations involving influential party leaders often play an important role in the contest for the position.

Akpabio’s appeal to Tinubu highlights the importance he attaches to securing political backing ahead of the leadership contest. His request that the president discourage Uzodimma from pursuing the position also suggests that the possibility of competing interests could become a factor in discussions over the next Senate leadership.

Uzodimma, who governs Imo State, is a prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, the details of his alleged ambition to become Senate President, including whether he has formally declared an interest in the position, were not provided in the information available.

The contest for the 11th Senate presidency will take place after the 2027 general elections, when the composition of the new National Assembly becomes clear.

The Senate President is elected by senators at the beginning of a new legislative session.

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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reported an 18 per cent increase in malnutrition admissions at health facilities it supports in Northeast Nigeria, raising fresh concerns about the nutritional needs of vulnerable communities.

The organisation said admissions increased from about 17,000 cases between January and September 2025 to nearly 20,000 during the same period in 2026.

The figures were contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday and signed by the ICRC’s Public Relations Officer, Aliyu Dawobe.

According to the organisation, young children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are among those most affected by the worsening situation.

The ICRC attributed the growing nutritional challenges to factors including conflict, climate shocks and economic pressures that continue to undermine household food security in the region.

In Mubi, Adamawa State, malnutrition admissions increased by nearly 24 per cent, rising from approximately 4,600 cases between January and September 2025 to about 5,700 during the same period in 2026.

The organisation also highlighted the experiences of families seeking treatment and nutritional support for their children at facilities in the region.

One of the mothers, Zulaihatu Mohammed, brought her six-month-old daughter, Huseina, one of her twins, to a treatment centre for assessment and food collection.

Mohammed said the child had been unwell since birth.

The figures underscore the continuing pressure on families in conflict-affected parts of Northeast Nigeria, where insecurity and economic hardship have complicated access to adequate food and healthcare.

The ICRC said the latest data covered six health centres and four hospitals it supports in the region between January and September.

The organisation’s findings highlight the need for continued nutritional support and access to treatment for children and other vulnerable people affected by food insecurity.

The police in Kwara state have arrested two brothers and a suspected herbalist over an allegation of digging up graves and removal of human heads in Omupo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, made this known while presenting suspected criminals and ritualists to journalists at the police headquarters in Ilorin.

He said the case came to light in May 2026 when residents visited a cemetery to bury a dead person and discovered that several graves had been dug up, with the heads of the bodies missing.

According to him, the suspects, identified as Abu Jimoh, Ayo Jimoh and Mukaila Bello, were arrested following an intelligence-led investigation.

Adekimi said the two brothers were arrested around 5am on October 8 while allegedly attempting to dig up another grave in the cemetery.

He added that the brothers reportedly confessed during interrogation and named Bello, a suspected herbalist, as the person who allegedly bought the removed body parts.

However, the police commissioner said the alleged human parts had not been recovered.

‘We discovered that about nine graves had been exhumed without the heads of the bodies. The three of them have been arrested,’ he said.

Adekimi also confirmed that the suspects were caught while allegedly attempting to dig up another grave. He disclosed that one of the brothers was physically challenged.

However, Ayo denied involvement in the alleged crime, claiming that they were chasing a rat when they were arrested.

He told Daily Trust that his brother followed a rat into the cemetery after it ran into a grave. According to him, he advised his brother to leave the cemetery but made the mistake of going closer to him.

Ayo, who said he was in his fifties and came from Ile Fayabale in Omupo, insisted that he had no involvement in the alleged removal of human heads.

His brother, Abu, also denied the allegation and gave a similar explanation. He claimed they were on their way to the farm when they saw a rat run into the cemetery.

Abu said his elder brother drew his attention to the animal but warned that following it into the cemetery could get them into trouble if anyone saw them.

Bello, who identified himself as a native doctor based in Ajase-Ipo, admitted knowing the two brothers but denied buying human body parts from them.

He claimed that his business dealings with the brothers were limited to buying wood from them and insisted that he knew nothing about their alleged activities.

The police said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations are completed.

Doctors working at health facilities belonging to Kwara State Government have commenced a seven-day warning strike over unpaid welfare and health insurance deductions.

The strike involves doctors under the Kwara Doctors Forum made up of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP) and the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), KWASUTH.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday in Ilorin, the Chairman of MDCAN, Dr Adeola Olasinde, said the decision was reached at a congress held on Oct. 14, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the state government.

Olasinde said the ultimatum, which ran from Oct. 1 to Oct. 14, aimed to address welfare concerns, including the sudden salary deductions for the Kwara Health Insurance Scheme (KwaraCare).

He also cited the issue of non-implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), the official salary scale for medical doctors and dental surgeons in Nigerian government service.

He said the government must reverse the two per cent salary deduction for the Kwara Health Insurance Scheme (KHIS) and commence payment of approved 2025 and 2026 accoutrement allowance arrears.

‘The government must also recruit house officers, medical officers, resident doctors and consultants across healthcare facilities.

‘We also demand the renovation of the House Officers’ Quarters in teaching hospitals and the establishment of the Governing Board of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) in accordance with its enabling Act,’ he added.

The chairman however, clarified that the forum’s position was not against health insurance or the government’s efforts to expand access to affordable healthcare.

He noted that an insurance scheme financed through salary-based contributions must be built on transparency, accountability, due process, and confidence of contributors.

‘The sudden deduction of two per cent of our salaries without prior agreement and satisfactory clarification on the processes and management of the contributed funds leaves us in serious doubt.

‘The management of public health insurance funds must be subject to clearly defined institutional controls and collective oversight.

‘There should also be transparent financial procedures, independent audit and appropriate legislative and regulatory supervision,’ he said.

Olasinde advocated the involvement of relevant stakeholders in policy formulation, governance, monitoring and periodic review of the scheme.

He explained that the objective was to ensure the scheme operates in the best interest of the people and that workers’ contributions translate into accessible and quality healthcare.

He, however, apologised for any inconvenience the action may cause patients and the public.

‘The warning strike is not our preferred course of action but is adopted reluctantly after dialogue failed,’ he said.

He called on Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and relevant authorities to intervene urgently and address the demands.

In his reaction, the Medical Director of KWASUTH, Dr Ahmed Abdul-Qadir, appealed to the striking doctors to return to work to prevent avoidable loss of lives.

Abdul-Qadir said the hospital was operating at full capacity, with critically ill patients in the wards and the Intensive Care Unit, including women who had recently undergone surgery.

He described the situation as unfortunate and urged the medical associations to resolve the dispute quickly in the interest of the patients.

The CMD expressed confidence in the state government’s commitment to workers’ welfare, particularly those in the health sector.

He, therefore, appealed to the doctors to resume duty to ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery.