Category: PM News

The Convener of the Olalekan Ayinla Foundation and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Olalekan Ayinla, has launched a fresh mobilisation drive for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, urging Nigerians, particularly the Yoruba, to rally behind the President.

Ayinla made the call on Sunday amid intensifying political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, accusing opposition parties of resorting to what he described as fabricated narratives in an attempt to discredit the Tinubu administration.

The APC chieftain said political competition should be driven by performance, credible alternatives and sustainable policies rather than what he described as attempts to mislead the public or undermine the government through unrealistic promises.

‘Democracy is a game of the survival of the fittest. It is not about bringing up policies you already know cannot see the light of day simply because you want to tarnish the image of the present administration,’ he said.

Ayinla urged Nigerians to look beyond the criticisms of the administration and assess what he described as the impact of its projects and programmes across the country.

He maintained that the Tinubu administration had initiated several programmes and infrastructure projects, urging Nigerians to position themselves to benefit from the opportunities they provide.

‘We should look for a way to enjoy the dividends of the massive projects and programmes being done by the Bola Tinubu administration instead of looking for his mistakes,’ he said.

Making a direct appeal to the Yoruba, Ayinla described Tinubu’s presidency as a historic opportunity for the ethnic group and called for stronger support for the President.

‘It is an opportunity for us to have him as the President. The Yoruba race should show more support for their own,’ he said.

His comments come as political parties and interest groups begin to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Olalekan Ayinla Foundation has continued to undertake grassroots mobilisation and empowerment initiatives across Lagos State in support of programmes associated with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

President Tinubu described the death of Mr Peter Chukwuemeka Chijioke Onwubuariri, Assistant Director, Media, at the Presidential Villa as a painful loss to the Presidency, the News Agency of Nigeria, the media community and the nation.

The veteran journalist and public servant who died after a prolonged illness was a former North American Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria

He was posted to the Presidential Villa in 2014 and subsequently served in the media teams of three successive administrations – those of Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A consummate journalist, Onwubuariri covered a broad range of critical national and international issues, including foreign affairs, telecommunications, politics and finance. He brought extensive professional experience, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of how government and the media work to his assignments.

Before his posting to the Presidential Villa, he rose through the ranks at the News Agency of Nigeria. He served as an Assistant Editor-in-Chief, contributing significantly to the agency’s journalism and editorial operations.

In reaction to his passage in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, his spokesperson, President Tinubu commended the late Onwubuariri for his dedication, professionalism and commitment to duty.

The President also noted that years of service of the deceased across three administrations reflected his competence, loyalty to the nation and enduring commitment to public service.

The President said:

‘Peter was a dedicated journalist and a committed public servant whose professionalism and calm disposition earned him the respect of his colleagues and associates. His years of service to three administrations are a testament to his competence, integrity and commitment to duty.

‘His passing is a great loss to the Presidential Villa, the media fraternity and Nigeria. He will be remembered for his diligence, his wealth of experience and his contributions to journalism and national service.’

President Tinubu also extended his heartfelt condolences to Onwubuariri’s wife, Catherine, his three children, his extended family, colleagues and friends.

The President prayed that God Almighty grant the family the strength to bear the loss and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.

A 20-year-old man identified as Isiyaku Usman has been for allegedly luring a seven-year-old girl into an uncompleted building, defiling her and stealing her two mobile phones in in Darazo Local Government Area of the Bauchi State.

Bauchi Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib disclosed in statement on Monday that the suspect was arrested after the victim’s reported the matter to the police.

The father had told the police that the girl was on her way to the house of a neighbour with the two Android phones when Usman intercepted and took her into an uncompleted building, robbed her of the phones and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.

Habib said following the father’s complaint, police detectives immediately commenced investigation and arrested the suspect in possession of the stolen phones.

He added that the victim and the suspect were subsequently taken to Darazo General Hospital for medical examination, while their statements were obtained by the police.

The Bauchi police spokesperson added that Usman voluntarily confessed to the offences and remained in police custody as investigation continued.

He also quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu as condemning the alleged offence and directed that the case be transferred to the Gender Laboratory of the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.

Habib said the suspect would be charged to court after the completion of the investigation.

The Bauchi commissioner reiterated the command’s zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence while urging parents and guardians to remain vigilant about the safety and movements of their children.

He also assured that the command would pursue the case and ensure that justice was served.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says its Post-Marketing Surveillance Directorate mopped up 7,210 regulated products during nationwide routine surveillance conducted between May and July 2026.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos on Monday.

Adeyeye said the products mopped up comprised food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, chemicals and other regulated products across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

She said the surveillance exercise covered 6,233 facilities across the agency’s food and water, drugs and herbals, cosmetics and chemicals regulatory areas.

The NAFDAC boss said food and water accounted for the highest number of products mopped up during the period, with 3,633 products recovered nationwide.

She said drugs and herbals followed with 2,459 products mopped up during the three-month surveillance exercise.

She noted that drugs and herbals accounted for the highest number of facilities visited, with 2,084 facilities inspected across the country.

She added that Food and Water followed with 1,808 facilities visited during the period under review.

Adeyeye said medical devices accounted for 183 products mopped up from 1,077 facilities, while cosmetics recorded 911 products from 821 facilities visited.

She further disclosed that vaccines and biologics accounted for three products mopped up from 268 facilities, while chemicals recorded 21 products from 175 facilities.

The director-general said recent NAFDAC publications concerning suspected counterfeit toothpaste, food products, medicines and other regulated products had demonstrated increasing public participation in regulatory intelligence gathering.

Adeyeye said members of the public had become important sources of regulatory intelligence, capable of triggering investigations, verification and regulatory communication concerning suspected regulated products in Nigeria.

She said concerns reported by members of the public regarding Oral-B and Colgate toothpaste were investigated by the agency, while an alert concerning Colgate was published on NAFDAC’s official websites.

Adeyeye also disclosed that surveillance findings revealed the counterfeiting of CWAY dispenser bottles by three companies using empty 19-litre bottles bearing the identities or branding of registered water companies.

According to her, the companies used the bottles without evidence of authorisation to produce or distribute the products, before collecting and refilling them with water from unapproved production sources.

She said the products were subsequently introduced into the market for sale and distribution to major hotels and supermarkets, adding that the operators were heavily sanctioned by the agency.

Adeyeye said such practices posed significant regulatory and public health concerns, including product misrepresentation, contamination, poor hygienic practices and traceability challenges for consumers.

The authorities of Kano State Police Command have handed over four stolen vehicles recently recovered during different operations to their owners.

This return of the vehicles to their owners was revealed in a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa on Sunday.

Kiyawa said the operations were conducted under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.

The vehicles, he said, were recovered between August 1 and September 1, 2026.

The Kano Police spokesperson said one of the returned vehicles was a stolen Dangote Trailer Head, Reg. No. BKD 350 XB recovered by operatives of Dala Area Command following the arrest of one Surajo Usman Ubale.

He added that operatives of Dawakin Kudu Division, through Inter-Divisional collaboration with Datty Division Lagos, traced and recovered a Toyota Matrix, Reg. No. ABJ 398 CG which was earlier reportedly stolen and handed it over to Muftahu Mohammed Ola, the owner.

Kiyawa added that the Market Division of Kano Command acting on technical intelligence, also arrested Abba S. Adam and recovered a Hyundai Sonata, Maroon, 2016 Model, Reg. No. GWA93DW stolen from Kaduna which has now been handed over to the owner, Abubakar Muhd Nura.

Kiyawa added that the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) also arrested two suspects he identified as Yunusa Mohammed and Muhammad Sani and recovered a Honda Civic, Golden, Reg. No. ABJ 232 EY valued at ?1,500,000 from them.

He said the vehicle which was stolen at Sharada area of Kano has also been handed over to the owner.

The Kano police spokesperson added that all suspects arrested in connection with the theft of the vehicles have confessed to the crimes and will be charged to court upon completion of investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.

The Commissioner of Police, Dr. Bakori, commended the officers for their professionalism and appreciated members of the public for providing timely information.

The Command also urged all motor vehicle owners to always park in secure, well-lit areas and avoid isolated locations, install anti-theft devices such as trackers, gear locks, and alarms.

It also urged them not to leave vehicle keys, documents, and valuables inside their vehicle while they should report any suspicious sale or movement of vehicles to the nearest Police Station immediately.

The Osun State Fire Service has blamed electricity surge for a fire outbreak that destroyed property worth N50 million at Spring Valley Estate, Oranmiyan, beside the Arts and Culture Centre, Osogbo, the state capital.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Fire Service, Osun Command, Mrs Omoyemi Ojo, on Monday in Osogbo, said the fire incident occurred on Sunday evening.

Ojo said the command received an emergency call about the fire from one Tunde Balogun at about 5:38 p.m.

She said preliminary investigations indicated that an electrical surge was suspected to have caused the fire.

According to her, on arrival at the scene, firefighters discovered that the fire was confined to the kitchen and basement of a five-bedroom duplex used for residential purposes.

Ojo said the fire was brought under control with support from the Osun Fire Service, adding that no casualty was recorded.

She said property estimated at N200 million was, however, saved from the inferno.

Egyptian football star Mohamed Salah is expected to appear before the New Cairo Court on Sunday over a lawsuit filed by his former lawyer, Amr Faragallah.

Faragallah is seeking payment for legal and administrative services he claims he provided to Salah.

The court has scheduled the first hearing of the case and ordered Salah to appear in person to take an oath. The court has also set the wording of the oath, which requires Salah to deny that Faragallah provided the services mentioned in the lawsuit or that he owes the former lawyer any money.

The court warned that if Salah fails to appear or refuses to take the oath without a valid reason, he could face the legal consequences provided by Egyptian law.

The case dates back to September 2015, with Faragallah basing his claim on an official power of attorney that Salah reportedly issued to him in 2012.

The former lawyer is demanding financial compensation for legal and administrative work he says he carried out on behalf of the Liverpool and Egypt star.

The court will now consider the claims and Salah’s response as the legal proceedings continue.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inaugurated a two-bedroom apartment and four single-bedroom apartments at Biseni Secondary School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

Speaking at the inauguration on Monday, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the intervention formed part of NAF’s non-kinetic operations.

Represented by Air Vice Marshal Michael Nnanye Onyebashi, Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Aneke said the initiative was designed to build trust, win the hearts and minds of host communities.

‘Civil-military relations thrive on constant, robust and mutually beneficial interaction between the military and civil society,’ Aneke said.

He said that NAF remained committed to special intervention projects that would strengthen its relationship with communities, and support ongoing security operations.

Aneke assured that NAF and other security agencies would continue to collaborate to protect lives, property and Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Gov. Duoye Diri commended the NAF for the intervention, describing it as an example of effective partnership in grassroots development.

Represented by he Secretary, Bayelsa Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Diri said the project aligned with his administration’s efforts to extend development and modern infrastructure to communities.

He said the intervention would positively impact students while demonstrating NAF’s commitment to the socio-economic wellbeing of Bayelsa people.

The Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo, also commended the NAF for the intervention.

Dakolo, also the Ibenanawei of Epetiama Kingdom, called for more infrastructure and development projects across the Niger Delta.

The Principal, Biseni Secondary School, Mr Larry George, expressed appreciation to the NAF, Ebiowe and the Bayelsa Government.

George said the project marked a new chapter for the school and would inspire students to aspire to greater achievements.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has stepped up its crackdown on illegal mining, warning operators that violations of the country’s mining laws will attract prosecution.

Assistant Commandant of Corps John Attah, Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, gave the warning in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

Attah said the corps had intensified enforcement operations across the country as part of efforts to restore order to the solid minerals sector and ensure that mining activities were carried out within the law.

He said the enforcement teams had recorded progress, particularly in the South-West, where operations were being strengthened to ensure that mining companies and other operators complied with established regulations.

The commander urged all mining operators to obtain the necessary approvals and operate within the regulatory framework, stressing that ignorance would not be accepted as a defence for breaking the law.

He said, ‘Ignorance of the law will never be an excuse. Every operator must ensure that mining activities are conducted within the ambit of the law.

‘Those who choose to operate outside the regulatory framework will face the full weight of legal consequences.’

According to Attah, the current enforcement drive goes beyond the need to stop illegal mining. He said it was also designed to safeguard legitimate investors, increase government revenue and rebuild confidence in the solid minerals industry.

He noted that strict compliance with mining regulations remained essential if Nigeria was to exploit its mineral wealth in a safe, sustainable and economically beneficial manner.

Illegal mining has continued to pose serious challenges to Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, with the activities of unlicensed operators linked to revenue losses, environmental damage and unauthorised exploitation of mineral resources.

The latest operation forms part of the Federal Government’s broader attempt to transform the solid minerals industry and make it a stronger contributor to economic diversification.

Nigeria has substantial deposits of minerals such as gold, lithium, limestone, coal, bitumen and tin. Despite this potential, the sector has yet to achieve its full capacity because of illegal mining, insecurity, regulatory weaknesses and the activities of unlicensed operators.

The Federal Government has increasingly looked to the sector as a source of alternative revenue and foreign exchange as it seeks to reduce the country’s reliance on crude oil.

The intensified operations by the Mining Marshals also complement ongoing reforms by the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, which has been working to improve regulation, attract investment and curb illegal exploitation of the country’s mineral resources.

The ministry has consistently urged operators to comply with licensing and other statutory requirements, maintaining that stronger enforcement and protection for legitimate investors are crucial to unlocking the full economic value of Nigeria’s solid minerals.

The Senatorial Candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, on Monday joined political leaders, chieftains and stakeholders of the party from across the 36 states of Nigeria at the official commissioning of the Makinde/Daura 2027 Presidential Campaign Office in Wuse II, Abuja.

The commissioning of the campaign headquarters, located at No. 43 Agadez Street, Wuse II, marked a major step in the APM’s mobilisation for the 2027 presidential election and the formal commencement of activities surrounding the candidacy of the party’s presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde.

The campaign is being promoted under the ‘Reset Nigeria’ agenda, which the party says is focused on competence, accountability, security, economic growth and improved welfare for Nigerians.

Ajadi, who arrived in Abuja ahead of the event, was received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by 13 state coordinators of the Ajadi Rescue Movement. The coordinators, drawn from Katsina, Yobe, Kebbi, Taraba, Adamawa, Niger, Zamfara, Gombe, Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna, accompanied him to the commissioning.

Speaking on the significance of the event, Ajadi described the opening of the campaign office as an important milestone in the APM’s determination to present Nigerians with a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 election.

He said the growing support for Makinde demonstrated that Nigerians were increasingly interested in leadership anchored on competence, accountability and practical solutions rather than empty promises.

According to Ajadi, ‘Governor Seyi Makinde has demonstrated through his administration in Oyo State that good governance is about identifying problems, developing practical solutions and delivering results. His presidential ambition is therefore not merely about occupying office; it is about bringing his experience, competence and people-oriented approach to the national stage.’

He particularly commended Makinde for rejecting a return to the old fuel subsidy regime while proposing domestic crude pricing as an alternative means of reducing petrol costs for Nigerians.

Makinde said the proposal was not a restoration of the former subsidy system but a pricing framework that recognises Nigeria’s status as an oil-producing country and ensures that domestically supplied crude benefits Nigerians.

Ajadi said the position reflected the kind of policy thinking Nigerians should expect from an administration committed to making the country’s resources work for its citizens.

‘We need a president who will look beyond political slogans and confront the structural problems affecting ordinary Nigerians. Governor Makinde’s position on domestic crude pricing shows that he is thinking about sustainable solutions that can bring down costs while protecting the interests of Nigerians,’ he said.

He also expressed confidence in the Makinde/Daura ticket, describing the combination of Makinde’s executive experience and Alhaji Lawal Musa Daura’s security and intelligence background as a strong foundation for addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

The campaign platform has similarly presented the ticket as one built around governance, security, competence and national renewal.

Ajadi congratulated Governor Makinde and the entire APM leadership on the commissioning of the campaign headquarters, assuring the presidential candidate of his continued support and mobilisation across Oyo Central and beyond.

He called on APM members, supporters and Nigerians who desire a better country to rally behind the ‘Reset Nigeria’ movement.

‘I wish our presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde, great success in his presidential ambition. We are confident that with unity, dedication and effective mobilisation, the APM will make a strong impact in 2027.

‘This is not just about Makinde; it is about the future of Nigeria and building a country where government truly works for the people,’ Ajadi added.

He urged Nigerians to join the conversation about the future of the country and support policies capable of transforming the nation’s resources into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.

He stressed that the APM’s campaign should remain focused on issues, solutions and the collective aspiration for a better Nigeria.