Category: PM News

The development emerged on Saturday during the screening of aspirants held at the APC State Secretariat along Ikpokpan Road in the Government Reservation Area of Benin City.

The exercise attracted a large turnout of party leaders, supporters and security personnel as aspirants from the 18 local government areas arrived at the venue as early as 8am for accreditation and verification of credentials.

Speaking during the screening, Chairman of the Screening Committee, Okoebor stated that serving lawmakers seeking re election were asked to take a bow before the committee since their credentials had already been submitted and verified ahead of the exercise.

He assured aspirants that the screening would be conducted with fairness, transparency and strict adherence to the party’s constitution as well as electoral guidelines.

“We are committed to ensuring a transparent and credible process that will produce the best candidates for the party,” Okoebor said.

Some of the aspirants who spoke with journalists praised the peaceful and orderly conduct of the screening, describing the exercise as professional and well organised.

The huge revenue generated from the sale of forms reflects the intense political interest surrounding next year’s Assembly election in Edo State, with competition already building across the 24 constituencies.

Manchester United stumbled to a frustrating goalless draw against Sunderland AFC at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, surviving several dangerous moments to escape with a point.

Coming into the encounter on the back of three straight Premier League victories, Michael Carrick’s men failed to find their rhythm and were outplayed for much of the contest by an energetic Sunderland side.

The hosts nearly grabbed the breakthrough before the interval when Noah Sadiki carved open United’s defence with a sharp attacking move, only to be denied by goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who produced a series of crucial saves throughout the afternoon.

United’s luck was tested again in the second half after Lutsharel Geertruida unleashed a fierce long-range strike that rattled the woodwork, with the visitors relieved to see the effort bounce away from danger.

Despite struggling for creativity, the Red Devils almost snatched an undeserved winner in stoppage time. Matheus Cunha found space inside the box late on, but his tame finish was comfortably gathered by Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

The result leaves Manchester United in third place on the Premier League table, while Sunderland remain 12th and miss the opportunity to close the gap on the European qualification spots.

Carrick’s side will now look to rediscover their attacking sharpness in their next outing after a performance that exposed several weaknesses despite extending their unbeaten run.

The actor earned the prestigious honour for his commanding performance in the fantasy epic Colours of Fire, a role that showcased his emotional depth, screen presence and remarkable range.

Africa Magic described Arukwe’s victory as “true mastery born from an undeniable love for the craft,” praising the intensity and discipline he brought to the critically acclaimed production.

The category, sponsored by Don Julio, was widely regarded as one of the most competitive of the night.

In the film, Arukwe played a troubled warrior assigned to hunt a deadly beast, only to uncover disturbing secrets and personal ties hidden within his own clan.

His gripping performance combined raw physicality with emotional vulnerability, drawing praise from critics and audiences alike for enriching the movie’s mythological storytelling.

The award marks a major career breakthrough for Arukwe, who also secured a second nomination this year in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in the blockbuster Behind The Scenes.

Over the years, Arukwe has earned admiration for his versatility across comedy, drama and action films, steadily establishing himself as one of Nollywood’s most dependable talents on television, cinema and streaming platforms.

Bayo Onanuga, Senior Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has lambasted the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for its lack of a manifesto and clear direction for Nigeria’s future.

In a statement on Friday, Onanuga accused the NDC of being a political refuge for the “displaced and desperate,” and criticized its failure to present a coherent vision ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Ike ADC, the NDC has no plan for Nigeria yet,” Onanuga said, referring to the NDC’s lack of tangible proposals for governance. His comments come in the wake of the party’s recent surge in popularity, largely fueled by high-profile defections, including that of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, both former leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Driven by curiosity, Onanuga said he visited the NDC’s website twice, hoping to find a manifesto that would distinguish the party from President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. However, he was met with repeated disappointment, as the website returned the message: “No document found” each time he attempted to access the manifesto.

Despite claims by NDC national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, that the party is preparing for an “ideological battle” in 2027, Onanuga pointed out that the party has failed to upload any manifesto since its registration in February. Instead, it presents “six policy nuggets,” which Onanuga dismissed as nothing more than “platitudes” similar to the empty rhetoric from Peter Obi that has dominated public discourse in recent years.

“Senator Dickson, I look forward to your vision and mission for Nigeria,” Onanuga added, underscoring his skepticism about the NDC’s readiness to offer any real alternative. “As it stands, your party appears to be a camp for the politically displaced and desperate.”

Adewole Adebayo has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party for the 2027 general election after delegates unanimously endorsed him at the party’s national convention in Bauchi on Saturday.

Adebayo was the only aspirant for the ticket and received support from delegates across the 36 states. During the convention, the party also elected new members into its National Working Committee.

Speaking after his emergence, Adebayo warned that Nigeria was gradually moving toward authoritarian rule and political intolerance.

He said the country was facing serious problems, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and poor governance.

He expressed concern over the growing number of unemployed youths and graduates, saying many Nigerians still lack access to quality healthcare and decent living conditions.

Adebayo also criticized political leaders for seeking medical treatment and investing abroad while ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle at home.

According to him, leaders should focus on improving healthcare and economic opportunities within the country.

On insecurity, he questioned the government’s handling of terrorism and criminal activities, stressing that Nigerians deserve safety and accountability from security agencies.

The SDP candidate thanked Bala Mohammed for allowing the convention to hold in Bauchi despite alleged pressure from some groups to stop it. He described the governor as a committed democrat.

Adebayo further warned against what he called “one man rule,” insisting that democracy can only survive when different political parties are allowed to compete freely and citizens are free to associate politically.

He also claimed that even members of the ruling All Progressives Congress were experiencing internal suppression, with major decisions allegedly controlled by one individual.

According to him, Nigeria needs genuine political competition and parties with clear ideas and policies to move the country forward.

Victor Osimhen delivered another match winning performance on Saturday as Galatasaray fought back to defeat Antalyaspor 4-2 and clinch the Turkish Super Lig title in dramatic fashion.

The Nigerian striker scored twice, including a late goal that sealed the victory, as Galatasaray completed a remarkable comeback in front of jubilant home supporters.

Galatasaray entered the encounter needing victory to secure the league crown but suffered an early setback when Soner Dikmen gave Antalyaspor a shock lead just before half time with a powerful header.

Despite dominating possession throughout the first half, the hosts struggled to convert their chances, with Osimhen missing several opportunities before the break.

Galatasaray drew level in the 57th minute when Lemina headed home from close range after a clever assist from Baris Alper Yilmaz.

Antalyaspor stunned the home crowd again six minutes later as Dikmen scored his second of the night from a superb free kick to restore the visitors’ advantage.

However, Galatasaray quickly responded after being awarded a penalty in the 64th minute. Osimhen stepped forward confidently and buried the spot kick into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

The Nigerian international continued to torment the Antalyaspor defence and eventually completed the turnaround in the 89th minute when he latched onto a precise pass inside the box before calmly slotting beyond the goalkeeper.

The goal was briefly subjected to a VAR review for possible offside before referee Cagdas Altay confirmed it would stand, sparking wild celebrations inside the stadium.

Kaan Ayhan added a fourth goal deep into stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt and complete Galatasaray’s title winning night.

Osimhen’s brace further strengthened his reputation as one of Europe’s deadliest forwards and capped an outstanding campaign for the Super Eagles star, whose goals proved decisive in Galatasaray’s successful title charge.

Former How I Met Your Mother star Nick Pasqual has been found guilty of attempted murder after a brutal attack on his estranged girlfriend, Allie Shehorn, which left her fighting for her life.

Pasqual, 39, was convicted in a California court on Friday of attempted murder, first-degree residential burglary, and injuring a spouse.

The attack took place in May 2024, when Pasqual stabbed Shehorn more than 20 times in her Sunland home. Shehorn, a special effects makeup artist, was left with horrific injuries as she fought for her life.

After the bloodbath assault, Pasqual attempted to flee the country, but he was apprehended on the Fort Hancock International Bridge in Sierra Blanca, Texas, as he tried to escape to Mexico. He was later extradited back to California to face charges.

At the time of the attack, Shehorn had already filed a restraining order against Pasqual, who had a history of abuse. She had previously accused him of physically assaulting her, breaking down doors, and choking her. Shehorn’s testimony during the trial revealed the harrowing details of the assault, saying, “I locked the door and he just started punching holes in that door and broke that open. I just ran into the bathroom because I thought there’s another lock on that door.”

In her emotional testimony, Shehorn revealed that she almost died from the stab wounds. “I just hope that there’s justice served,” she said, speaking to Daily Mail in 2024. “People should know that this shouldn’t happen and he can’t get away with it.”

Shehorn spent over a week in the hospital recovering from the wounds, including scarring on her throat and partial vision loss. She also suffered nerve damage to her hand, leaving her uncertain if she would ever fully recover or return to work.

Pasqual now faces life in prison for the brutal attack, with sentencing scheduled for a later date. This case has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, as it exposes a dark side of the entertainment industry often hidden behind the fame and glamour.

By Nafisetu Yakubu

Businessman and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has explained why he visited former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

Hayatu-Deen who recently obtained the N90 million form of the ADC to contest the 2027 presidency on the platform of the ADC spoke on Friday after he visited Jonathan.

He said his visit to the former Nigeria’s President who is also been urged to some of his supporters to join the presidential race was to discuss Nigeria’s future and the 2027 elections.

Hayatu-Deen said that he came to formally inform Jonathan of his decision to contest the 2027 presidency on the platform ADC.

The economist and banker said that his public and private sector career had helped create millions of jobs, motivating his resolve to serve the country more.

He said that he also informed the former president that he had obtained the ADC presidential nomination form from the party’s national secretariat.

Hayatu-Deen commended Jonathan’s statesmanship across Africa, describing him as a strong advocate for democratic growth, electoral integrity and sustainable governance.

The closed-door meeting reunited both political gladiators who share a long-standing relationship in public service, dating back to Jonathan’s tenure as vice-president and later president.

Hayatu-Deen served on the National Council on Privatisation and chaired the Bureau of Public Enterprises during Jonathan’s tenure as vice-president.

The presidential aspirant equally served on the Presidential Advisory Committee during Jonathan’s tenure as acting president and subsequently as president, contributing to national economic and governance reforms.

Hayatu-Deen was warmly received by Jonathan, who wished him success in his political journey ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Hayatu-Deen became the first aspirant to pick up the ADC’s presidential nomination form on Thursday evening with the promise to tackle security and economic challenges confronting the country if elected.

He said the 2027 election should focus on rebuilding the country’s economic and security foundations.

“Nigerians are tired of living in fear. They are tired of watching businesses struggle, jobs disappear, and the cost of basic necessities rise beyond what ordinary people can afford.

“This election cannot be about politics as usual. It must be about how to secure our communities, rebuild confidence in the economy, create jobs at scale, and make life more affordable for millions of Nigerians,” he said.

He also promised to pursue policies aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.

“I have spent decades helping businesses grow and supporting the creation of jobs. I understand what it takes to build institutions, unlock investment, and create opportunities at scale. Nigeria has the talent and potential to succeed, but we need disciplined leadership and serious execution. This is why I am putting my best foot forward,” he said.

By Farooq A. Kperogi

The federal government’s decision to prohibit recipients of honorary doctorates from prefixing “Dr.” to their names is one of the most unexpectedly sensible things to come from officialdom in a long while. It is a small decision with large symbolic consequences, which strikes at the heart of one of Nigeria’s most ridiculous epidemics: the vulgar worship of titles by vain, title-crazy, empty-headed “big men” and “big women” who use purchased honorary academic garlands to conceal the poverty of their intellect.

For years, I have called attention to this national embarrassment. In my October 13, 2012, column titled “Finally, Some Good News from Our Universities,” I praised the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities for its Keffi Declaration on honorary doctorates.

The declaration had four main resolutions: serving government officials should no longer be awarded honorary doctoral degrees, universities without PhD programs should not award honorary doctorates, honorary degrees should be limited to three a year, and recipients of honorary doctorates should not prefix “Dr.” to their names.

I wrote then that this gladdened my heart because honorary doctoral degrees had become cheap candies tossed at anybody with access to stolen public funds, political influence or obscene wealth. I also wrote that the hardest part to enforce would be the directive forbidding recipients of honorary doctorates from styling themselves “Dr.”

I ended the column by wishing the vice chancellors and the NUC good luck in enforcing the “don’t-call-yourself-a-doctor” declaration because, even then, I knew that the vanity economy in Nigeria was too entrenched to be defeated by a gentleman’s agreement.

I returned to the subject on June 7, 2025, in a column titled “Fight Against Vanity Academic Titles in Africa” and again in a September 27, 2025, column titled: “Rarara: There is No Such Thing as ‘Honorary PhD.'” In the June 7, 2025 column, I commended Ghana and Malawi for confronting this same disease.

Ghana’s Tertiary Education Commission had issued what it called a “final caution” to politicians, businessmen and businesswomen, men and women of God and other public figures to desist from publicly using honorary doctoral and professorial titles. It described the practice as deceitful and unethical, said it dilutes the integrity of higher education and warned that it would name and shame violators and take legal action against them.

That was the right tone. Nigeria now needs the same hard-tackle approach.

The new federal directive, announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, gives legal and executive muscle to what the Keffi Declaration lacked. Alausa said the recent trend in the award of honorary degrees revealed “a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege.” He said honorary awards had become instruments of political patronage and financial gain, including the conferral of degrees on serving public officials, which he said should not happen.

He was right. In Nigeria, honorary doctorates have become ceremonial laundering machines for mediocrity. A man can pillage a state treasury, donate a fraction of the loot to a financially desperate university and emerge at convocation as “Dr.”

A politician who cannot compose a sentence in English that isn’t a Nafiu Bala-level mockery of the language can be decorated with an honorary doctorate in letters. A businessman whose only contribution to society is predatory proximity to power can become “Dr.” before the sun sets. A pastor or an imam can weaponize congregational awe by adding a fraudulent academic halo to ecclesiastical authority.

The tragedy is that the fraud works. In a country where titles can stand in for thought, the prefix “Dr.” confers instant solemnity on vacuity. It intimidates the unlettered, flatters the insecure and deceives the undiscerning. It allows intellectual lightweights to parade themselves as sages. It turns empty suits into “thought leaders.” It enables barely literate political hustlers to sit in front of television cameras and be introduced with the academic reverence they never earned.

Alausa’s directive, which he says has the backing of the Federal Executive Council, is emphatic that recipients of honorary degrees should not prefix “Dr.” to their names in official, academic or professional usage. They may use the proper post-nominal form after their names, such as D.Lit. (Honoris Causa), LL.D. (Honoris Causa), D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) or D.Arts. (Honoris Causa).
That is the established convention in most serious academic cultures. An honorary doctorate is ceremonial recognition. It is not an earned research degree. It is not a medical qualification. It is not a license to impersonate scholarship.

The NUC’s February 2026 guidelines reinforce this point. The commission said honorary doctorates are non-earned degrees awarded honoris causa to acknowledge distinguished merit, outstanding public service, scholarly impact, creative achievement or significant contributions consistent with the mission of the awarding institution.

It also said recipients may use the approved title after their names, though they may not use “Dr.,” which is reserved for holders of earned doctorates and medical professionals. The NUC also barred recipients from using honorary doctorates to practice as scholars, supervise research or oversee academic units.

That is an important clarification because Nigeria’s title maniacs do not stop at social vanity. They convert symbolic recognition into institutional fraud. Some use honorary doctorates to join university governing councils as if they were scholars. Some supervise intellectual work they cannot understand. Some convert fraudulent professorships and honorary doctorates into political capital. The distinction between honor and qualification disappears.

Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, supplied the missing link between 2012 and 2026. The Keffi Declaration, she explained, was originally a guide developed by vice chancellors, but it had no legal backing. The new federal approval gives it authoritative backing and makes implementation possible. That is the difference between wish and policy.

Still, policy without enforcement is mere decorative “grammar,” as we like to say in moments of joviality in Nigeria. But we do know that our country is a graveyard of beautifully phrased directives. If the government is serious, enforcement must begin immediately and publicly.

First, the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC should issue a gazetted directive to all universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, ministries, departments, agencies, state governments, professional bodies, media houses and corporate institutions. The directive should make clear that honorary doctorate recipients cannot be addressed as “Dr.” in official correspondence, convocation brochures, government documents, event programs, university publications or institutional websites.

Second, the NUC should create a searchable national registry of honorary doctorate recipients. Each entry should include the recipient’s name, awarding institution, year of award, approved post-nominal title and a prominent warning that the award does not entitle the recipient to use “Dr.” This registry should be updated annually, as Alausa has proposed. It should also identify universities that violate the rules.

Third, every university should be required to send the names of proposed honorary degree recipients to the NUC before convocation. No pre-clearance, no award. A university that awards an honorary doctorate to a serving public official, exceeds the permitted number or fails to orient recipients on proper title usage should lose the right to award honorary degrees for a fixed period.

Fourth, the NUC should adopt Ghana’s name-and-shame method. There should be a public list of offenders: “Mr. X, recipient of an honorary LL.D. from Y University, continues to fraudulently use Dr. in official communication.”

Nigerians fear public disgrace more than they fear rules. Ghana understands this cultural psychology. Its Tertiary Education Commission did not merely whisper disapproval. It threatened legal action and public exposure. That is how to deal with vanity addicts. Soft persuasion will not cure people who have converted self-inflation into an identity.
Fifth, the media must be recruited as an enforcement partner. Alausa already hinted at this. Newspapers, television stations and online platforms should adopt a style rule that forbids the use of “Dr.” for honorary degree holders. When a politician sends a press statement as “Dr. So-and-So,” editors should strip the title. Television anchors should refuse to introduce honorary degree holders as doctors. News reports should use their earned titles or plain names.

Sixth, government institutions should reject documents that misrepresent honorary degrees as earned credentials. Nomination forms, procurement documents, board appointments, conference programs and official biographies should require credential accuracy. Anyone who lists an honorary doctorate as an earned doctorate should be treated as having made a false claim.

Seventh, the Corporate Affairs Commission, INEC and professional licensing bodies should update their templates to distinguish earned degrees from honorary awards. If a candidate’s public profile says “Dr.,” the source of the doctorate should be declared. If it is honorary, the prefix should be removed.

This might seem like pettifoggery. It is not. It is intellectual hygiene. Academic titles exist because they signify arduous training, disciplined research and certified expertise. When politicians with more money than mind rent those titles from compromised institutions, they degrade the labor of people who spent years earning them.

Nigeria has tolerated too many counterfeit majesties. We have fake prophets, fake patriots, fake democrats, fake philanthropists and now fake doctors. The federal government has made the right move. The harder task is to make the move bite.

Without Ghana-style public humiliation, legal consequences and institutional refusal to dignify fraudulent prefixes, Nigeria’s vanity doctors will continue to swagger through public life with borrowed feathers. The country should strip them of the feathers. Let them answer their fathers’ names.

Femi Fabunmi

Iran has confirmed that its national football team will take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the country wants the host nations United States, Mexico, and Canada to meet some conditions because of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The issue became more serious after Canada stopped Iran football federation president Mehdi Taj from entering the country last month due to alleged links with the IRGC, a military group that Canada considers a terrorist organisation.

There had been doubts about Iran’s participation in the tournament after war broke out in the Middle East earlier this year following military strikes involving the US and Israel.

Iran’s football federation said the country will surely play in the World Cup but will not give up its beliefs, culture, or national identity.

According to Mehdi Taj, Iran has listed 10 conditions before attending the tournament. These include:

Easy visa approval for players and officials

Respect for Iran’s flag and national anthem

Respectful treatment of team staff

security at airports, hotels, and stadium routes

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iranian players would be allowed into the US. However, he warned that officials linked to the IRGC could still face visa restrictions.

Iran also requested visas for players and staff who previously completed military service with the IRGC, including Mehdi Taremi and Ehsan Hajsafi.

Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran’s World Cup matches in the United States will go ahead as planned.

Iran, expected to camp in Tucson, Arizona, are in Group G alongside:

New Zealand

Belgium

Egypt

Iran will play their first match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

The Iranian federation insisted that no foreign power should stop the country from participating in a tournament it qualified for fairly.