Category: PM News

Spain is preparing to relocate about 500 unaccompanied migrant minors from the North African enclave of Ceuta to mainland Spain as authorities seek urgent solutions to the growing pressure on the territory’s child protection system.

The Ministry of Youth and Children is working with the Ceuta authorities on an emergency plan focused particularly on vulnerable girls among the minors who arrived during the mass influx from Morocco at the end of July.

The proposed relocation is intended to provide the children with safer accommodation and access to care. Officials are considering several options, including reception by child protection organisations, foster care and temporary accommodation on the mainland.

The move comes after a large number of migrants entered Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. Spanish authorities said more than 70,000 people crossed into the enclave during the two-day surge, although most subsequently returned to Morocco.

The Interior Ministry said 2,168 minors had been identified in Ceuta by 18 August following the influx. The number of children has placed significant pressure on the city’s already stretched protection facilities.

Spain’s government has said the welfare and protection of unaccompanied children must remain a priority. Earlier this month, Youth and Children Minister Sira Rego said family reunification would be pursued where possible, while children without families would require protection from the Spanish authorities.

The proposed transfer has, however, become politically contentious. Spain’s opposition People’s Party has called for the minors to be returned to Morocco, while the government argues that the children must receive protection under Spanish law.

The plan is expected to involve cooperation between central government, Ceuta, child protection organisations and other Spanish regions as Madrid attempts to ease the pressure on the enclave while providing care for the vulnerable minors.

Google on Thursday announced a 12-month free Google AI Plus subscription for students aged 18 years and above enrolled in accredited universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.

The subscription provided students with enhanced access to Gemini, Gemini Live, Deep Research, Guided Learning and other AI-powered study tools.

Tt also provides 400 GB of cloud storage, unlimited file uploads and access to customised practice quizzes to support students’ academic work, Olumide Balogun, Director, West and East Africa, Google, said in a statement.

He said the offer, valued at N92,400 per student was aimed at helping to remove financial barriers to AI adoption among Nigerian students.

Balogun said returning students who accessed the offer last academic year could renew for another 12 months after re-verifying their student status.

‘AI is the defining technological shift of our generation, and for Nigeria, it is an immediate leapfrog opportunity.

‘The initiative will help students master complex subjects, develop digital skills and compete more confidently in the global economy,’ Balogun said.

He said its Guided Learning feature was designed to support learning by providing hints and guide questions rather than simply giving students answers.

The Google boss cited a Google DeepMind study involving 1,763 West African students, which found significant learning progress among students using Guided Learning.

According to the study, more than 90 per cent of interactions focus on understanding concepts, while Gemini provided direct solutions in only two per cent of cases.

Balogun said teachers could also use Google Classroom to lock Gemini into Guided Learning mode, helping students receive AI assistance without shortcuts.

He said students and classroom data would not be used to train its artificial intelligence models.

‘The student offer is now available in Nigeria and 26 other countries across Sub-Saharan Africa.

‘Eligible students can verify their enrolment through SheerID and claim the offer through Google’s student AI offer page,’ he added.

Google AI Plus is an affordable personal subscription tier managed through Google One.

It expands access to Google’s artificial intelligence tools, advanced Gemini models, creative applications, and cloud storage.

VIYA Health, the exclusive distributor of Incepta Pharmaceutical’s WHO PreQualified Family Planning solution, DMPA SC, in Nigeria, had strategic discussions with the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board to expand access to quality, affordable family planning services across the State.

The Stakeholder Engagement session was held on Thursday, August 06, 2026, at the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State. The meeting focused on expanding access to Medogen SubQ, a World Health Organization prequalified (WHO PQ) Family Planning product produced by Incepta Pharmaceuticals. Medogen SubQ’s WHO prequalification demonstrates quality assurance signaling adherence with stringent international standards, strengthening credibility and reputation, thus, providing healthcare providers and women with a safe, effective and affordable contraceptive option that meets internationally recognised standards.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Muideen Babatunde Olatunji, welcomed the engagement and acknowledged the state’s long-standing openness to family planning initiatives and innovative programmes. In his remarks, he reiterated the State’s commitment to investing in health commodities, including strengthening the availability of family planning products, and collaborating in other areas of public health.

Dr. Olatunji added that expanding access to a wider range of safe and affordable family planning options through the State’s Primary Health Centres will strengthen ongoing efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes while empowering individuals and families to make informed reproductive health decisions.

‘The Oyo State Government remains committed to improving access to quality primary healthcare services for our people. We commend VIYA Health for engaging with the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board to expand access to safe, effective and affordable family planning commodities across our healthcare facilities. This collaboration will strengthen our healthcare delivery system and ultimately contribute to better health outcomes for women, children and families across the state,’ he added.

Speaking during the meeting, the Business Lead, VIYA Health Nigeria, Pharm. Billy Shoaga, said the ongoing collaboration reflects VIYA Health’s commitment to improving access to quality reproductive healthcare by working closely with State Governments and other key stakeholders.

Pharm. Shoaga explained that increasing the availability of affordable, high-quality family planning commodities is critical to improving maternal and child health outcomes, reducing unmet family planning needs, and empowering women to make informed reproductive health decisions.

‘At VIYA Health, we are committed to ensuring that quality healthcare products reach the people who need them most. Through our strategic collaboration with the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, we are expanding access to a WHO-prequalified family planning solution that combines quality, safety and affordability. We believe that stronger public-private collaboration will play a vital role in improving public health outcomes and ensuring that more women have access to reliable family planning options,’ he said.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a true democrat whose commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy is demonstrated by his respect for the independence of the electoral process by ensuring democratic institutions operate freely without undue influence.

Senator Akume, who made the commendation while on a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the City Boy Movement on Thursday in Abuja, commended President Tinubu for his decision not to interfere in the electoral process, describing it as a demonstration of the President’s commitment to democratic principles.

‘The President never bothered to intervene in the electoral process that was recently concluded in Osun State. That is what democracy should be about. It is way better than what used to happen in the past,’ the SGF stated.

Akume said President Tinubu’s approach to governance reflected a leader who was determined to strengthen democratic institutions while simultaneously undertaking reforms aimed at rebuilding the Nigerian economy. He noted that the achievements of the administration were visible across several sectors, including taxation, education, healthcare and women empowerment.

He highlighted the ongoing reforms towards a unified tax system, describing them as part of efforts to create a more efficient and transparent fiscal environment. In the education sector, he cited interventions through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), while noting the opening of more specialised hospitals as evidence of progress in healthcare delivery.

According to the SGF, Nigeria is a vast country blessed with people of diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, stressing that the nation’s diversity and pluralism should be harnessed as a source of strength rather than allowed to become a source of division.

‘This is a huge country with diverse people. We should not turn this diversity and pluralism into negativity. We should use these to build our country in a positive way,’ he said.

The SGF said the Federal Government has made significant progress in its efforts to move the country forward, adding that President Tinubu was discharging his constitutional mandate with distinction across critical sectors of the economy.

He cited developments in agriculture, water resources and other strategic sectors as evidence of the administration’s commitment to national development, noting that the President remained focused on building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.

Senator Akume also pointed to the administration’s commitment to women empowerment and other programmes designed to create opportunities, improve livelihoods and promote inclusive national development.

He described the movement as critical to the country’s progress and called on its members to remain committed to the ideals of national development and effective communication.

‘Never look back and don’t allow anyone to deceive you. You are adequately positioned to communicate the achievements of this administration to the people,’ he said.

The SGF urged Nigerians to support initiatives that promote national unity, development and democratic consolidation, stressing that the time had come for citizens to focus on building the country rather than dwelling on divisions.

He commended the members of the movement for what he described as their commitment to the Nigerian project, assuring them that their efforts were contributing to the broader objective of building a stronger nation.

‘You are doing the right thing. We love our country. This is the time to begin to build and it is precisely what you are doing. This is our country,’ Senator Akume said.

The SGF therefore called for sustained support for the administration’s reform agenda, emphasising that Nigeria’s diversity, democratic institutions and abundant human and natural resources could be harnessed to build a more prosperous, united and resilient nation.

In his welcome remarks, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Shoga Francis, expressed profound appreciation to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, for visiting its National Headquarters, describing his presence as a demonstration of his commitment to engaging young Nigerians and grassroots stakeholders in the collective task of building a stronger, united and prosperous Nigeria.

While re-affirming its commitment to the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Shoga assured that the Movement is determined to expand its grassroots mobilisation structures across the 36 states of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory and its diaspora structures, particularly by mobilising young Nigerians towards greater participation in the democratic process and support for the administration.

‘As a movement, we are determined to work tirelessly across the 36 states of the federation, the FCT, and our diaspora structures to mobilise Nigerians, particularly young people, towards a decisive and overwhelming victory for Mr President in the 2027 general elections. In doing so, we have decided to mobilise 10 million young Nigerians through our membership drive, which we will be demonstrating’, he averred.

He disclosed that the Movement plans to mobilise 10 million young Nigerians through an extensive membership drive, noting that the initiative was aimed at establishing a broad-based network of young Nigerians capable of engaging communities and communicating the policies, programmes and achievements of the administration. He added that its objective goes beyond electoral mobilisation, as it seeks to build a sustainable grassroots structure that will promote citizen engagement, communicate government achievements, address public concerns and encourage informed and responsible participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.

The Director-General further said it would continue to strengthen membership registration and expand its presence to the ward and polling-unit levels, while engaging communities across the country and promoting national unity, peaceful mobilisation and responsible democratic participation. He also expressed its determination to mobilise support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ultimate objective of delivering what it described as a massive and historic electoral mandate for the President.

Highlight of the meeting was the conferment of the Chairperson, Advisory Council of the City Boy Movement on the SGF by the management of the Movement in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the Renewed Hope Agenda and his commitment to engaging youths in nation building,

The Police Command in Ondo State has arrested a middle-aged man, Omowole Ikulala, for allegedly killing a 77-year-old farmer, Boboye Iwasanmi in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government area of the state.

Abayomi Jimoh, the spokesperson for the command, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Okitipupa.

Jimoh said that the farmer was killed in his farm on Aug. 15, at Oligbe farm settlement in Okitipupa.

He disclosed that the wife of the slain farmer, Mrs Veronica Iwasanmi reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of the prime suspect, Ikulala.

According to him, the command has commenced investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the farmer, whose lifeless body was discovered in his farm.

‘The incident was reported by his wife who stated that she returned from fetching water in the farm to discover her husband missing, only to later find him lying in a pool of blood with suspected machete wounds on his head and neck.

‘Upon receiving the report, police operatives immediately mobilised to the scene, where the area was examined.

‘The corpse was subsequently evacuated to the State Specialist Hospital Mortuary, Okitipupa, for preservation.

‘Police operatives have arrested one Ikulala in connection with the killing,’ the command’s spokesperson told NAN.

He said that the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

Jimoh assured members of the public that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

A deadly wave of industrial accidents has hit Rongtai Building Materials Nigeria Limited in the Utesi community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. No fewer than five factory workers have lost their lives at the facility over the past four weeks alone.

This was disclosed during a visit by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo. During the visit, it was learnt that some of the workers died from electrocution, while others fell from a crane.

The turn of event eventually led to a violent protest by workers and some community youths.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, during his visit, urged the company’s management to ensure proper safety measures are taken to protect the lives of its staff and workers.

‘What happened here came to me as sad news, and the incident is condemnable. An establishment of this nature should not be attacked like this. The protest was triggered by anger over the death of a young man who was a staff member of this company. Our culture values life and prosperity, and I advise you to ensure the safety of your staff. Security and safety measures should be put in place. If you had a clinic here, what happened would not have happened,’ he said.

Okpebholo expressed his satisfaction in the company’s move to build a clinic, urging them to fix the bad road to discourage hoodlums from attacking vehicles coming into the company.

‘Your organisation should carry out its corporate social responsibility. There should be a good road within the premises where you carry out your business. For the sake of corporate social responsibility (CSR), just fix the bad road to discourage hoodlums from attacking vehicles coming into your company. Criminals take advantage of bad roads to cause havoc. As a government, we are sorry for the loss of lives and property. I am glad that you have over 8,000 workers here, and I believe you will employ more,’ he added.

National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has predicted defeat for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, provided the exercise is credible, free and fair.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Baba-Ahmed said the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election showed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could be beaten at the polls.

He argued that the APC’s control of the presidency, National Assembly and 31 states had not translated into political security for Tinubu, whom he accused of presiding over a worsening national situation.

Baba-Ahmed pointed to Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in Osun as evidence that opposition parties could defeat the APC without forming a coalition against it.

‘I saw the now sworn-in Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State speak in a very confident, very comfortable manner. APC was trounced in Osun. We didn’t even see a coalition or collaboration or a gang-up against the APC. Parties all competed against one another. Yet, APC was defeated,’ he said.

He dismissed reports of a possible political understanding between Tinubu and Adeleke, saying the result should instead be viewed as proof that the ruling party could be defeated through the ballot box.

‘We have even heard stories that there was a deal between President Tinubu and Governor Ademola Adeleke. But we don’t believe that. We believe that the ruling party, Accord Party, defeated APC comprehensively. There’s no reason why this cannot repeat itself at a national level,’ he added.

The PRP chairman was also scathing in his assessment of the APC, describing it as a party consumed by internal contradictions.

‘APC is not a party. It is a monster eating itself up and eating everybody up,’ Baba-Ahmed said.

He further questioned why Tinubu would remain politically unsettled despite what he described as overwhelming control of the country’s political structures.

‘You have a party that has a president who is quite possibly the most powerful president, who has either given himself or been given by the people around him the most awesome powers to do anything he wants. You have a president who believes he must have all the power around him,’ he said.

‘He appears to have garnered the support of 31 governors and quite possibly about 75 per cent of the National Assembly, yet he’s still uncomfortable. It’s politically monstrous.’

Baba-Ahmed said the credibility of the 2027 election would ultimately determine Tinubu’s fate, warning that any manipulation of the process could have serious consequences for the country.

‘If it’s a credible, free and fair election, I assure you, Tinubu will lose. I won’t say before 12 noon. Maybe before 4 pm,’ he said.

He also cautioned against prematurely commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that the commission would have to prove its impartiality by conducting a credible presidential election.

‘Nobody should praise INEC until it can actually conduct an election in which the President is a contestant. I hope the election will be credible, free and fair. If it’s not, I foresee a very serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.’

The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a Chinese national over alleged sexual assault and repeated sexual advances toward a male Nigerian employee.

The suspect allegedly lured his employee to a hotel under the guise of a business transaction, where he attempted to force him into sexual acts.

The complainant, who could no longer tolerate the suspect’s repeated sexual advances and alleged assault, subsequently petitioned the police.

Following the petition, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Tijani, directed that the case be transferred from Ilemba Hausa Police Station, Ojo, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for further investigation.

A police source told newsmen on Thursday that the suspect was accused of making repeated sexual advances toward a Nigerian who worked under him.

‘The advances were allegedly made against his employee’s consent and were repeatedly rejected by the complainant. The suspect allegedly sexually assaulted the complainant by pulling down his trousers and touching his private parts, among other alleged amorous acts, ‘ he said.

He further alleged that the suspect later lured the complainant to a hotel under the guise of a business transaction, where he allegedly attempted to force him into unwanted sexual acts.

The police source said the alleged attempt was unsuccessful, adding that the complainant subsequently reported the matter to the police.

‘Following the incident, the suspect allegedly resorted to threats and terminated the complainant’s employment after he refused to yield to his demands,’ the source said.

He said that the investigation was being handled by the Diplomatic/Foreign Nationals Section of the SCID, Yaba under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Mr Dayo Akinbisehin

The source added that the Chinese Embassy was being notified of the arrest and detention of the suspect in line with diplomatic procedures involving foreign nationals.

He said investigators were working to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations and determine the appropriate legal action.

‘The suspect is in safe custody while investigation is ongoing, ‘ the source said.

The Coalition of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Youth and Women Support Groups in Adamawa has given the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) 48 hours to reinstate Mr Omar Suleiman as its governorship candidate in Adamawa for 2027 election.

Mr Mohammed Alli, spokesperson of the coalition, issued the ultimatum at a press briefing on Thursday in Yola.

Alli said the coalition was concerned over alleged moves to replace Suleiman as the ADC governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.

He described Suleiman as the ‘mandate of the people of Adamawa ADC ‘, saying he enjoyed wide acceptance by the party’s delegates across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

‘We respectfully give a 48-hour ultimatum for the reinstatement of Mr Omar Suleiman as the ADC governorship candidate.

‘We also call on those behind the attempt to replace him to apologise to the party faithful in Adamawa,’ he said.

According to him, Suleiman has built political structures, mobilised supporters and given hope to party members, candidates and the electorate.

‘Removing him at this critical time will have serious consequences for the ADC in Adamawa,’ Alli said.

He said replacing Suleiman could cause disaffection, division and possible mass defection among ADC members and candidates across the state.

Alli expressed concern that the development could negatively affect the party’s National Assembly, State Assembly and local government candidates.

He said grassroots stakeholders overwhelmingly identified with Suleiman as the party’s governorship candidate.

According to him, supporters across ethnic and religious groups in Adamawa have demonstrated commitment to Suleiman and the ADC.

The spokesperson appealed to the NWC, led by Sen. David Mark, to immediately reinstate Suleiman as the party’s governorship candidate.

He urged the committee to disregard any attempt to substitute Suleiman’s name with another aspirant who allegedly lost the governorship primary.

Alli urged the NWC to protect the unity of the ADC in Adamawa by respecting what he described as ‘the people’s mandate.’

He said the coalition believed that the ADC stood for internal democracy, justice and respect for the will of the people.

Alli expressed optimism that reinstating Suleiman would strengthen the party and enhance its chances of victory in the 2027 election.

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has received the Vice President, Kashim Shettima at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The Vice President of Nigeria, Shettima, is currently in the state for the official inauguration of a project within the state. He arrived at the airport on Thursday, ahead of the inauguration.

Shettima is expected to make some political remarks during the event as campaign for 2027 presidential election takes off.