Category: PM News

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has rewarded thousands of customers with more than ?400 million in anniversary bonuses under its flagship UBA Bumper Account, reinforcing its commitment to rewarding customer loyalty and encouraging a strong savings culture.

The payout, one of the largest since the Bumper Account was introduced, saw eligible customers receive cash bonuses directly into their accounts, reflecting the bank’s drive to create lasting value for customers who consistently save with UBA.

The UBA Bumper Account is a unique savings product designed to reward customers for maintaining and growing their savings. Eligible account holders receive annual cash bonuses on their account anniversary, making disciplined saving both rewarding and beneficial over time.

Speaking on the milestone, UBA’s Head of Retail Products, Tomiwa Sotiloye, said the initiative underscores the bank’s dedication to recognising customers who continue to entrust their financial aspirations to UBA.

‘At UBA, we believe customer loyalty deserves meaningful recognition. Every bonus paid is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to customers who continue to trust us with their financial aspirations. Surpassing the ?400 million milestone reflects our commitment to creating products that not only help customers save but also reward them in tangible ways. It is another demonstration that when our customers grow, we grow with them,’ Sotiloye said.

He added that both new and existing customers can open a UBA Bumper Account through any UBA branch, the UBA Mobile Banking App, by dialling *919#, or online via the bank’s dedicated platform, enabling them to qualify for future anniversary rewards.

Also speaking, UBA’s Group Head, Brands, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said the Bumper Account reflects the bank’s customer-first philosophy and commitment to delivering products that provide real value.

‘The UBA Bumper Account reflects our unwavering commitment to putting customers first. We deliberately design products that reward responsible financial behaviour while delivering real value. Crediting over ?400 million directly into customers’ accounts is not just a payout; it is evidence of our promise to make banking more rewarding and to continually appreciate the confidence our customers repose in us,’ she said.

The UBA Bumper Account remains one of the bank’s flagship retail savings products, combining attractive loyalty rewards, competitive savings benefits and digital convenience. It also forms part of UBA’s broader strategy to deepen financial inclusion by encouraging sustainable savings habits while enhancing customer experience.

United Bank for Africa Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, serves more than 45 million customers across 20 African countries, as well as the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the United Arab Emirates, providing retail, commercial and institutional banking services through innovative technology and customer-focused solutions.

Rabbi Bennett, a native of Delta State and female staffer of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) attached to Ife North Local Government Area, Ipetumodu, Osun State, has been remanded for alleged illegal sale of free mosquito nets.

The Osun State Police Command informed on Tuesday in a press release signed by PPRO Abiodun Ojelabi that police received information on 9 June 2026 about an incident involving the alleged illegal sale of government-owned mosquito nets meant for public distribution.

According to police, nemesis caught up with Bennet when she engaged in a fight with a motorcycle rider in Ipetumodu, Opeyemi Ajibola, over the proceeds realised from the unlawful sales. This led to some witnesses hinting the police of the crime.

‘Preliminary investigation revealed that one Rabbi Bennett ‘F’, a native of Delta State and a staff of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) attached to Ife North Local Government Area, Ipetumodu, reportedly engaged in a dispute with one Opeyemi Ajibola (M), an Okada rider of Ayetoro Street, Ipetumodu, over proceeds realised from the unlawful sale of mosquito nets.

‘Further investigation established that the suspects, in collaboration with one Aminu Ibrahim (M), allegedly sold six (6) bundles containing three hundred (300) pieces of mosquito nets on 8th June 2026. The mosquito nets were originally meant to be distributed free of charge to members of the public as directed under the government health intervention programme.

‘Following the incident, the three suspects were arrested and taken into custody for interrogation. During investigation, they confessed to their involvement in the alleged offence.

‘The case has since been charged to court, and all suspects have been remanded at the Correctional Centre pending further judicial proceedings,’ police said in the release.

The command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public resources and ensuring that individuals entrusted with public welfare programmes are held accountable under the law.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said it has successfully uploaded the particulars of its presidential and vice-presidential candidates to INEC’s nomination portal.

The party said the uploaded candidates were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate, and former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, vice-presidential candidate, respectively.

The National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, announced the development on his ‘X’ handle on Tuesday night, describing it as another significant step in preparations for the general elections.

‘We are pleased to announce successful upload of the names and particulars of our presidential and vice-presidential candidates to the INEC nomination portal,’ Abdullahi stated.

This, he said, underscores ADC’s commitment to offering Nigerians a credible alternative anchored on competence, unity, and national renewal

Atiku emerged as the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after defeating Amaechi and businessman, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the party’s presidential primary election.

Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes in the exercise conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to clinch the ADC ticket, according to results announced in Abuja on Wednesday night.

Amaechi came second with 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 177,120 votes to finish third.

However, the ADC later picked Amaechi as the running mate to Atiku for the 2027 presidential election.

Abdullahi who announced the decision in a statement described the Atiku/Amaechi ticket as a platform for national unity.

The party said that Amaechi’s emergence followed extensive consultations with party leaders, coalition partners, youth and women groups, and representatives from the six geo-political zones.

According to Abdullahi, Amaechi earned the nomination after emerging the runner-up in the party’s presidential primary and receiving widespread support from members.

He said that the former transportation minister possesses extensive experience in both the legislative and executive arms of government, making him well-suited for the position.

‘Amaechi’s emergence reflects his outstanding record of public service and his enduring appeal as one of Nigeria’s most experienced political leaders,’ he said.

The party noted that Amaechi served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly before completing two terms as governor of the state.

It added that he later served as Minister of Transportation, where he supervised major rail and transportation infrastructure projects across the country.

The party said the partnership between Atiku and Amaechi represented the coming together of two experienced leaders with the capacity to address Nigeria’s challenges.

‘The proposed partnership represents more than a political alliance; it is the coming together of two tested statesmen committed to national renewal,’ the statement said.

The party also stated that Amaechi’s political influence in the South-South and across Southern Nigeria would strengthen the ticket’s national outlook and electoral appeal.

Street-pop singer Portable will face actor and internet personality Charles Okocha in a boxing rematch on July 31 at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The fight, tagged ‘Unfinished Business,’ was announced by Balmoral Promotions. It comes a few weeks after Portable lost his celebrity boxing title to comedian Carter Efe.

According to the organisers, the event will also feature a boxing match between Agbaje and Musa.

Portable recently suffered his first defeat in celebrity boxing when Carter Efe beat him at the Chaos in the Ring 4 event in Lagos. All three judges scored the fight in Carter Efe’s favour, ending Portable’s unbeaten record.

Before that loss, Portable had defeated both Charles Okocha and Speed Darlington in previous celebrity boxing matches, winning two championship belts.

The rivalry between Portable and Okocha began in 2023 after Portable accused the actor of cheating him in a business deal worth about ?40 million. The disagreement led to public exchanges and eventually a boxing match.

In their first fight at Landmark Beach in Lagos, Portable was declared the winner after four rounds. He started strongly and dominated the early stages of the contest. Okocha fought back in the later rounds, but judges awarded the victory to Portable.

Okocha later challenged the result and repeatedly called for a rematch, claiming the outcome was unfair.

The July 31 showdown will give Okocha another chance to settle the rivalry, while Portable will be aiming to bounce back after losing his boxing title to Carter Efe.

The Lagos State Government has launched a renewed campaign against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), bullying, cultism and drug abuse in schools, warning that the growing social vices pose a serious threat to the safety, well-being and future of children across the state.

Speaking on Wednesday at a sensitisation programme themed ‘Zero Tolerance for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Protecting Our Future: The Role of Students and Teachers in Combating Bullying, Cultism and Drug Abuse,’ held in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, said the government would continue to strengthen child protection policies, school safety measures and guidance services to ensure every learner studies in a secure and supportive environment.

He described schools as places where children should not only acquire academic knowledge but also develop into responsible and morally upright citizens, stressing that learning cannot flourish in an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, violence or abuse.

‘Education is not merely about acquiring academic knowledge; it is about nurturing responsible, confident, morally upright and productive citizens,’ the commissioner said, adding that ‘A child cannot learn effectively in an environment characterised by fear, intimidation, violence, abuse or insecurity.’

Alli-Balogun identified sexual and gender-based violence as one of the gravest threats confronting children, noting that abuse, harassment, exploitation, discrimination and other harmful practices continue to undermine the physical, emotional and educational well-being of learners.

He also expressed concern over the increasing incidence of bullying, cult-related activities and drug abuse in and around schools, warning that the trends fuel indiscipline, violence and criminality while jeopardising the future of young people.

According to him, addressing the challenges requires a whole-of-society approach involving government, parents, teachers, community leaders, religious institutions, civil society organisations, security agencies and students.

The commissioner urged teachers to go beyond classroom instruction by serving as mentors, counsellors and protectors capable of identifying early warning signs of abuse, emotional distress and harmful behaviour among students.

He called on educators to encourage open communication, promptly address complaints of bullying or abuse and strengthen child protection mechanisms through confidential reporting channels and strict adherence to established policies.

Addressing students, Alli-Balogun challenged them to reject violence, bullying, cultism and drug abuse, while promoting respect, discipline and tolerance irrespective of gender, religion or ethnicity.

He encouraged learners to support classmates facing intimidation or abuse and report inappropriate behaviour to trusted adults, stressing that true strength lies in integrity, compassion and respect for others.

The commissioner also appealed to parents and guardians to remain actively involved in their children’s lives by maintaining open communication, monitoring their online and offline activities and creating an atmosphere of trust where children can freely discuss challenges affecting them.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to safer schools, he said Lagos State would continue investing in child protection initiatives, guidance and counselling services, teacher capacity development and strategic partnerships aimed at safeguarding learners.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, said the sensitisation programme reflects the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment under Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to creating safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments where every child can learn, grow and thrive without fear.

She noted that the programme, organised by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), underscored the state’s determination to tackle sexual and gender-based violence, bullying, cultism and drug abuse through collective action.

Dokunmu-Adegbite said education extends beyond academic excellence, stressing that schools must also nurture responsible, disciplined and morally upright citizens in an environment where students feel protected, respected and empowered, while teachers are equipped to identify and respond to threats to learners’ welfare.

Describing the theme of the programme as timely, she said safeguarding schools requires the active participation of government, educators, parents, communities and students.

She urged students to speak up whenever they witness or experience abuse, intimidation or any form of violence, assuring them that their voices are critical to building a culture of respect, empathy and accountability in schools across the state.

The Presidency on Wednesday dismissed claims by one Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew that he was appointed to head a presidential agency, describing him as an impostor who allegedly forged official documents, impersonated government officials and operated a fictitious organisation to deceive public institutions, foreign diplomats and unsuspecting Nigerians.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said investigations by security agencies had exposed what it described as an elaborate scheme involving forged appointment letters, fake government agencies and multiple bank accounts allegedly used to lend credibility to the operation.

The statement was issued in response to renewed public interest surrounding Adeyemi, who has been presenting himself as the Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, also referred to as the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.

According to Onanuga, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President first raised the alarm after officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) complained that another entity claiming to be a federal agency was operating at cross-purposes with it.

He said the Chief of Staff, on October 17, 2025, petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, requesting an investigation into individuals allegedly forging appointment letters purportedly issued from his office.

‘The attention of this office has been drawn to the activities of certain individuals and groups engaged in the forgery of official appointment letters purportedly issued from my office,’ the Chief of Staff wrote in the petition.

According to the Presidency, the petition alleged that the fake documents, complete with forged signatures, official seals and reference numbers, were used to install Adeyemi as Director-General of a non-existent agency that operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.

Onanuga said the impostors also hosted meetings with foreign diplomats and Nigerian officials and even sought a diplomatic note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate United States visas for their purported staff.

He noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had independently questioned the legitimacy of the agency after Adeyemi convened a meeting with ambassadors in Abuja without the ministry’s knowledge or approval.

According to the statement, subsequent correspondence among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and the Office of the Chief of Staff consistently established that no such agency existed and that Adeyemi had never received any presidential appointment.

‘The Chief of Staff could not have issued a letter of appointment to a non-existent agency. Moreover, the Chief of Staff does not make appointments or write letters, as these are the exclusive preserve of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,’ Onanuga stated.

The Presidency disclosed that police investigators arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at the Abuja office from where he allegedly operated the fraudulent organisation.

Searches conducted at his office and residence in Suleja reportedly yielded forged appointment letters and other incriminating documents.

According to Onanuga, police investigations established that Adeyemi forged official documents, falsely presented himself as a presidential appointee and fraudulently requested diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement further alleged that investigators uncovered 34 bank accounts, including nine opened in the names of fictitious government agencies, and discovered that Adeyemi had also opened a Central Bank of Nigeria account by allegedly misleading the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

The Presidency, however, noted that investigators confirmed no government funds were paid into the account.

Quoting the police investigation report, Onanuga said: ‘The act of the suspect constitutes criminal forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, thereby bringing the office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Presidency to disrepute before the public and international community.’

He disclosed that the police subsequently filed an eight-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices on November 27, 2025, with the matter scheduled for hearing on July 27.

The Presidency also alleged that Adeyemi had a history of falsely claiming public positions, recalling that in 2016 he presented himself as President-General of the World Youth Organisation, which he claimed was affiliated with the United Nations, before the UN denied the existence of such an organisation.

Onanuga urged politicians and members of the public not to rely on Adeyemi’s claims or use them to attack the Office of the Chief of Staff, stressing that the matter is already before the court.

He advised interested parties to allow the judicial process to run its course rather than speculate on issues that are now sub judice.

But in a recent press statement, Prince Adeyemi had rejected an earlier disclaimer from the Chief of Staff as he demanded transparency. ‘The issue is no longer about personalities. It is about contradictions that demand answers,’ he stated.

He questioned how the council could appear in the national budget if it did not exist. ‘Let’s assume for one second that all what the chief of staff published were right, that the agency does not exist. Then how did the agency’s name get into the 2026 appropriation budget pages 50 and 51? If the agency does not exist, yet found its way into the Nigerian national budget, what that means is that the entire 2026 appropriation budget is a fraud and should be discarded.’

Adeyemi further alleged that the disagreement stemmed from financial demands. ‘The major rationale behind the disagreement between myself and the Chief of Staff is because he allegedly requested 48% of the take-off grant (27,395,510,136 naira) from the same agency which he denies it exists to which I rejected. After he collected a total sum of 400 Million by proxy with remaining balance of 200 Million to secure the said appointment.’

He also raised concerns about governance processes, including the approval of over 300 staff, office accommodation in the Federal Secretariat, and bank accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria.’

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has assured its candidates for the National Assembly, governorship and state Houses of Assembly that their names would be uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal before the respective deadlines.

The National Leader of the (NDC), Sen. Seriake Dickson, made this known on his ‘X’ handle.

He, however, said the particulars of its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi has been uploaded to the INEC portal.

In the post, Dickson said: ‘the name of the vice-presidential candidate would be uploaded after the completion of the required documentation, while the submission of candidates for other elective positions was also ongoing’.

He said the party had complied with the INEC timetable and noted that there was sufficient time to upload the names of candidates for the National Assembly, governorship and state Houses of Assembly before the respective deadlines.

‘There is enough time for all candidates’ names to be submitted to INEC and there is no reason for anyone to panic,’ he said.

Dickson also disclosed that the NDC had filed an appeal against a court ruling affecting the party, alongside an application for a stay of execution, adding that both had been served on the INEC Chairman with a request for the commission to act in accordance with the law.

He maintained that the NDC remained a duly registered political party, stressing that it had already concluded its nomination processes nationwide through primaries monitored by INEC.

According to him, what remains is the administrative process of submitting the names of qualified candidates through the commission’s portal, to which the party has already been granted access.

The former Bayelsa governor thanked party aspirants for their participation in the primaries, acknowledging that although the process was not without challenges, efforts were ongoing to reconcile aggrieved members.

He assured unsuccessful aspirants that they would be accommodated in the party’s campaign structures and committees, describing them as the backbone of the NDC.

Dickson also commended INEC, led by Prof. Joash Amupitan, for what he described as its professionalism, particularly in registering the NDC and two other political parties in compliance with a court order.

He urged the electoral commission, the judiciary and security agencies to remain neutral in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, expressing confidence that the courts would determine the pending appeal in accordance with the law.

The NDC leader reaffirmed that the party ‘has come to stay’ and called on Nigerians to continue supporting democratic institutions and the country’s multi-party system.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, on Tuesday declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi have not shown the political capacity or organisation required to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Gagdi said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains far ahead of the opposition in political mobilisation, insisting that he had seen nothing to suggest that either Atiku or Obi was preparing effectively to unseat the President.

‘I have never, in my political imagination, thought that my party APC will lose election,’ he said.

According to him, ‘What are the opposition doing? What are the opposition planning or doing? I have not seen, with the activities of opposition, those you mentioned, Peter Obi or Atiku, I have not seen any effort being put in place by them to unseat or defeat the President come 2027. I would say this any day, anytime.’

Gagdi argued that the APC had maintained sustained political activities across the country, unlike opposition parties.

‘You have seen APC’s activities in the last one year across Nigeria, in the four angles of Nigeria where our political activities is ten times the political activities of any opposition political party in Nigeria,’ he said.

‘So who is supposed to talk to another person about planning to win election?’

The Plateau lawmaker dismissed suggestions that only opposition politicians were strategising ahead of the next general election.

‘You think Bola Tinubu and the APC are not trying to win elections in 2027? Atiku and Obi have always been defeated,’ he stated.

Recalling his electoral experience, Gagdi said Obi failed to make significant electoral inroads in his constituency during previous elections.

‘Peter Obi, I was in the state assembly in 2015, I was in the National Assembly from 2019 to 2023. I will talk about what I know. He did not win election in Pankshin, Kanke and Kanam.’

He added, ‘I won election in 2023 under APC with a margin of 31,000 votes. I am not bragging, I am talking to you about facts.’

Gagdi maintained that political parties naturally prepare for elections, saying it would be wrong to suggest that only opposition politicians were planning for 2027.

‘If you think they are planning, what makes you think that the APC is not planning to win elections? Are we sleeping? What planning are they doing?’ he asked.

The lawmaker also accused some opposition figures of exploiting the country’s security challenges for political advantage instead of offering practical solutions.

‘From the tune of some people that are supposed to be leaders of this country when they are talking about what Nigerians are passing through, you will see it from them that they seem to appreciate the situation Nigeria is going through.’

‘Instead of lamenting and proffering solutions, you lament and tie it to the fact that government is defective in solving that problem just to achieve some political gain.’

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has appointed a new Special Adviser on Security and Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, a state-owned security outfit.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Samuel Jatau, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on Tuesday in Jos.

According to the statement, Mutfwang appointed retired Maj.-Gen. Bala Isandu as his new Special Adviser on Security.

Isandu replaced retired Brig.-Gen. Gakji Shipi, who has been redeployed as the Coordinator, Safe School Initiative in the state.

Jatau also said that the governor approved the appointment of Brig.-Gen. Nash Yakubu as the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow.

The governor congratulated the new appointees and urged them to live above board.

Mutfwang further urged them to bring their wealth of experience to bear towards tackling the security challenges confronting the state.

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has said he will abolish the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) if he becomes Nigeria’s president.

Sowore believes universities and other higher institutions should handle their own admissions through a transparent and merit-based process instead of relying on JAMB.

He also said he would scrap the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in its current form. According to him, it would be replaced with a voluntary two-year National Job Corps.

The proposed programme would focus on providing participants with employment opportunities, practical skills, entrepreneurship support, and pathways to permanent careers.

In a post on social media, Sowore said young Nigerians need jobs, skills, opportunities, and the freedom to choose their future rather than compulsory schemes.

He argued that tertiary institutions should be responsible for admitting students directly and that reducing bureaucracy would improve the admission process.

Sowore’s comments are part of his plans for education and youth development if elected president of Nigeria.