Category: PM News

Popular disc jockey and billionaire heiress, Florence Otedola, better known as DJ Cuppy, has joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

Taking to her official X account on Tuesday, the entertainer penned an emotional message about her love for the country of her birth.

‘My birthplace. My home. My country. Today Nigeria turns 65 ,’ she wrote.

Despite the challenges bedeviling the nation, Cuppy praised the resilience and unwavering spirit of Nigerians.

‘Through it all, our people keep persevering and finding joy even in the toughest times. God didn’t rush when He made us!!! He gave us resilience and spirit. In my next life, would STILL choose to be Nigerian,’ she added.

Her post has since sparked reactions online, with many users hailing her for her patriotic message while others called on leaders to make the country truly worth celebrating.

Nigeria marked 65 years of independence on October 1, 2025, with nationwide events and messages of hope from citizens both at home and abroad.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed that at least 42 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo following a new outbreak of the Ebola virus.

According to the UN health agency, 64 cases have been recorded since the outbreak was declared in early September, with the Zaire strain of the virus identified as the cause. WHO estimates the current fatality rate at 45.7 percent.

In response, Congolese health authorities have rolled out a vaccination programme in the central province of Kasai, where the resurgence was first reported. The International Coordination Group on Vaccine Supply has also approved the shipment of 45,000 additional doses to support the effort.

WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, confirmed the figures in a post on X, stressing that while the risk of further spread is considered high at the national level, it remains moderate across the wider region.

The agency, however, warned that the outbreak is being fuelled by challenges such as insufficient protective equipment, incomplete contact tracing, late detection of cases, and unsafe burial practices. High population mobility and reliance on traditional healers have also increased the risk of transmission.

Ebola, first identified in 1976 and believed to have originated from bats, is a deadly viral disease spread through direct contact with bodily fluids. It causes severe bleeding, organ failure, and in many cases, death.

The DRC has faced multiple outbreaks of the disease, with the deadliest between 2018 and 2020 claiming nearly 2,300 lives.

American female rappers Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, have reignited their 7-year-long beef by throwing insults to each other online.

The drama which started on X on Tuesday, started with Nicki Minaj throwing shades at Cardi B’s pregnancy and music.

She claimed that the rapper inflated her album sales, while calling her out for having a forth child with Stefon Diggs, despite being legally married to Offset.

‘A b c d e f Gree. Sur ger ree to look like meee. A b c d e f g Rap like Barney still UGLEEE. Barney B. Raw doggin pregnant with da 4th babeeeee. Barney B.BV HPV allegedlyyyyy,’ she wrote.

Cardi B then responded to the insults by calling her out for not being on the same league with the set of artists she started music with.

‘Why do you keep bringing up my album? It’s not the gag that you think it is. You’ve been in the game like 16 years, you need to compare yourself to YOUR peers that started around your time. Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Drake, those are the numbers you should be competing with, and you can’t because you’re doing lower than all of them. I was in high school when you came out. wtf are you comparing yourself to me?,’ she wrote.

The rapper also claimed that Nicki Minaj was trying to shame her with her pregnancy but has been visiting fertility clinics to get pregnant.

‘Alright now, this is the third tweet talking about my pregnancy, like you weren’t going to different fertility doctors cuz you couldn’t reproduce from all the percs scrambling your eggs. NOT ALLEGEDLY, lord protect my babies,’ she added.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its official timetable and fees for the 2governorship election holdung in Osun State in 2026.

The timetable, signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, was released from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the timetable, the process will begin on Friday, October 3, 2025, with a notice of election to the Osun State chapter.

This will be followed by an update of the party membership register across the state from Monday, October 20 to Friday, October 31, 2025.

The APC said only members whose names appear in the updated register, and who have paid their dues for at least one year (up to February 2025), will be eligible to vote or contest.

The sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms will start on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, and end on Monday, December 1, 2025. Aspirants are expected to submit their forms and supporting documents before the deadline.

To encourage inclusivity, the APC announced concessions:

Women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): Only required to buy the Expression of Interest Form. The Nomination Form will be free.

Youths (25-40 years old): Will get a 50% discount on the Nomination Form.

The fee structure is as follows:

Expression of Interest Form: ?10 million

Nomination Form: ?40 million

Total (Governorship Forms): ?50 million

Delegate Form: ?5,000

Forms will be available at the APC Directorate of Organization, National Headquarters, 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse II, Abuja.

The party also explained that only financial members with at least three months of active membership before the delegate congress will be allowed to participate.

Other key activities on the timetable include screening of aspirants, publication of results, appeal hearings, the primary election, and a congress to ratify the final outcome in line with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended).

For more details, members and aspirants were advised to contact the party’s Directorate of Organization.

The Lagos State Government has unveiled sweeping legal reforms designed to ease rental disputes, formalise marriage registration, and reduce delays in civil litigation.

The reforms, officials say, will strengthen justice delivery and boost investor confidence in Africa’s largest city economy.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), announced the measures during a press briefing on Tuesday to mark his second year in office.

He explained that three key Bills-the Tenancy Law reform, the Registration of Marriages and Dissolution Bill, and the Administration of Civil Justice Bill, have been forwarded to the Lagos State House of Assembly for consideration.

On tenancy, Pedro disclosed that a new law is being proposed to repeal and re-enact the existing Tenancy Law of Lagos State.

The Bill, which has already undergone public hearing, introduces measures such as compulsory registration of agents, a limit of three months’ rent advance for monthly tenants, automatic termination of tenancies after three months of arrears, and a simplified procedure for recovery of premises in court.

According to him, these changes are expected to strike a fair balance between landlords and tenants while encouraging private developers to invest in rental housing for the benefit of ordinary Lagosians.

Turning to family law, the Attorney General revealed that Lagos is set to become the first state in Nigeria to provide official registration and certification of customary, Islamic, and Christian marriages.

The proposed legislation, he noted, would give Lagosians the opportunity to obtain documentary proof of their marriages and provide greater legal certainty in family relations, particularly in cases of dissolution.

In addition, Pedro highlighted the state’s determination to reform the civil justice system, which he described as vital for protecting investments and enhancing economic growth.

The Administration of Civil Justice Bill seeks to ensure that litigation in Lagos trial courts is concluded within 18 to 24 months.

It introduces innovations such as allowing courts to decide uncontested motions in chambers, encouraging trials based on documents where appropriate, and setting strict cost penalties for unnecessary adjournments and frivolous suits.

These measures, Pedro said, would promote efficiency, deter abuse of court processes, and create a more predictable, business-friendly legal environment.

The Attorney General stressed that the reforms reflect Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to entrenching efficiency, fairness, and innovation in the Lagos justice sector, while also delivering tangible benefits to citizens and investors alike.

The Pro-Chancellor/Chairman Governing Council of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, has applauded the four lecturers of the institution recently named among the world’s top two percent scientists in the global ranking released by Top Scientists Network (TopSciNet).

Ndoma-Egba, who gave the applause in a statement, expressed great joy in the way FUOYE lecturers and students are redefining excellence in research and innovation, making the 14-year-old university proud through their outstanding accomplishments.

He said the feats of the lecturers have enhanced the institution’s reputation, and elevated its standing both nationally and internationally.

Noting that FUOYE, a highly rated young institution, has become one of the fastest growing universities in the country, the legal luminary said the Governing Council will continue to work with the management team to effectively manage the astronomical growth of the institution and ensure its sustainability.

The FUOYE Pro-Chancellor and ex-Senate Leader, stated: ‘I am excited, I am very proud and I am elated. I commend the four FUOYE lecturers who made the list for the 2025 world’s top 2% scientists. FUOYE is certainly on the path to national and, indeed, global distinction and recognition. We will keep our hands on the plough looking forward to greater glory and ignore the contrived distractions of the University by merchants of fake news.’

The Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of FUOYE, Prof. Olubunmi Shittu, was reported to have also hailed the FUOYE scholars, noting that their global recognition validates the university’s efforts in fostering a culture of impactful research and innovation.

Prof. Shittu was quoted as saying: ‘Their achievements not only bring global visibility to our institution but also inspire young academics across Nigeria.’

According to FUOYE’s report on its website, the university’s lecturers that made the 2025 list of the world’s top 2% scientists are Prof. Olayide Samuel Lawal, Dr. Adeolu Adesoji Adediran, Prof. Bukola Olalekan Bolaji and Prof. Basiru Olaitan Ajiboye.

The report indicated that ‘The annual ranking identifies scientists whose research impact, citations, and productivity place them in the top 2% globally within their respective fields. This year’s list highlights the growing influence of Nigerian scholars on the international research stage.

‘The TopSciNet list, updated annually, evaluates millions of researchers worldwide across all disciplines, factoring in citations, h-index, and other standardized metrics. FUOYE’s inclusion affirms the university’s rising profile as a hub for cutting-edge research in West Africa.

‘This recognition adds to FUOYE’s growing reputation for academic excellence and its mission to produce research that addresses national and global challenges.’

A former minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

Obanikoro, in a statement on Wednesday, said the anniversary is a reminder of Nigeria’s remarkable journey as a nation built on sacrifice, resilience and the indomitable spirit of its people.

He recalled that 65 years ago, Nigeria’s founding fathers reclaimed the country’s sovereignty and laid the foundation of nationhood with uncommon courage and conviction.

‘Since then, our country has faced trials that would have broken lesser nations. Yet, Nigerians have consistently shown the capacity to rise above adversity, to endure and to hope.

‘It is this resilience that continues to define us as a people,’ he said.

The former minister noted that Nigeria had sustained 26 years of unbroken democracy, while its diversity and the global excellence of its citizens remained strong pillars of national pride.

‘At 65, we must reflect on how far we have come and reaffirm our collective determination to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

‘Our task is to transform challenges into stepping stones for renewal and to place the prosperity of our people above all else,’ he said.

Obanikoro commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as bold reforms and commitment to repositioning the economy, restoring global confidence and deepening hope among citizens.

‘While the path of renewal is never easy, I am confident that under his leadership, Nigeria is poised to reclaim her rightful place as the giant of Africa and a beacon of black excellence in the world,’ he added.

He urged Nigerians to embrace unity and shared responsibility in building the nation, stressing that tribe, faith or creed should not divide the people.

‘Our unity, resilience and shared optimism remain our greatest assets in the march to greatness.

‘May the almighty continue to guide our leaders, bless our people and preserve our nation for generations to come,’ Obanikoro said.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) pulled off a dramatic 2-1 away victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring in the 90th minute to silence the Camp Nou.

The game, overseen by English referee Michael Oliver, was a gripping contest that swung from Barcelona’s early dominance to PSG’s late heroics.

Barcelona struck first in the 19th minute when Marcus Rashford slipped a neat pass to Ferran Torres, who finished low into the corner to give Hansi Flick’s side the lead.

The Catalans looked in control for much of the first half, with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo creating chances, though wasteful finishing denied them a second goal.

PSG clawed back into the game in the 38th minute. Nuno Mendes carved open Barcelona’s defence with a clever through ball, releasing Senny Mayulu, who calmly slotted into the right side of the net to level the tie.

The second half saw end-to-end action. Barcelona pushed forward through Yamal, who narrowly missed the target in the 80th minute, while PSG’s Kang-In Lee rattled the post in the 83rd, as both sides hunted for a winner.

The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. Achraf Hakimi surged forward and found Ramos inside the box, the Portuguese forward coolly driving a low shot past Wojciech Szczesny to complete PSG’s comeback.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration would continue in its concerted efforts to build a Nigeria of our collective dream.

Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary said this In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja while congratulating Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 65th Independence anniversary

Morka said a new dawn has broken over our country, heralding brighter days for our people and a vibrant future for our country.

‘Our ship of state under the hands of the inimitably bold and visionary President Bola Tinubu, now sails confidently in steady and calmer waters on a charted course to a clear destination of stability, growth, development anchored firmly on solid economic foundations.

‘To reset the economy and unleash its potential for rapid recovery, stability and wholesome development,’ he said.

He recalled that Tinubu, on day one as President, courageously initiated reforms to end the ruinous fuel subsidy regime and unify arbitrary multiple foreign exchange systems.

He added that though these inevitable reforms brought initial and transient discomforts to Nigerians, today, our country was better for it.

The APC’s spokesman noted that all relevant economic markers now showed an economy standing on strong macroeconomic foundations.

He said the economy under Tinubu is delivering early yields of improved material conditions for our people, and renewed hope for a bountiful future.

He added that the economy had turned the corner and our country had become a net exporter, posting consistent trade surpluses in the last five quarters.

He noted that non-oil revenue had surged, just as oil production had reached record levels, while the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.28 per cent in February of 2025.

This, he said, is the highest in four years, dwarfing the International Monetary Fund (IMF’s) forecast of 3.5 per cent.

‘Our foreign reserve has climbed to over 42 billion dollars while inflation has crashed to 20.1 per. cent, the lowest in recent times.

‘Aside terminating the insidious Means and Ways financing of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Tinubu-led administration has reduced revenue-to-debt-servicing ratio from about 97 per cent to less than 50 per cent. The Tax-to-GDP ratio has hit 13.5 per cent up from about 10 per cent,’ the APC spokesman said.

He added that the volatility of our local currency had ended as the naira had gained stability, restoring and boosting investor confidence.

This, he further said, was with unprecedented uptake in infrastructural investment to the revolution in the agricultural and creative industry.

Morka added that the sub-sectors are creating massive job opportunities, and the sustained war against insurgency and corruption had been advancing.

He added that Nigeria is at a new dawn of great and infinite possibilities in onward march to greatness.

‘Our party salutes the labour of our founding fathers, their struggles, sacrifices and patriotism that bequeathed to us a nation united in its rich ethnic, religious and cultural diversity, and in its unstoppable and confident quest for enduring greatness.

‘Through difficult challenges, raging storms and calmer seasons, our nation has continued to triumph.

‘On the back of the solid will, perseverance, sacrifices, resilience and self-evident patriotism of citizens of our great Republic,’Morka said.

He said the party is especially celebrating Nigerians for their abiding faith, confidence and commitment to peace, unity and progress of the country.

He added that there is no better time to be optimistic about the prosperity of our country than now, in spite of the flaws and missed opportunities of bygone political eras.

He lauded Nigerians for their patience and sacrifice of love for country and urged them to sustain their support for the APC and the Tinubu-led administration

The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro on Tuesday unveiling sweeping reforms in the state’s criminal justice system that have prioritised efficiency, transparency, and restorative justice.

Addressing journalists in Ikeja as part of his second-year review, Pedro highlighted figures that he said demonstrated how far-reaching changes have reshaped the administration of justice in Lagos.

From digitisation of case management to prison decongestion and restorative sentencing, the Attorney General insisted that Lagos is setting new benchmarks for justice delivery in Nigeria.

In two years, he said the Ministry of Justice processed 361 plea bargain applications, saying of these, 314 were approved and only 37 declined, with the approved cases expediting justice while easing the strain on already congested courts.

The Attorney General explained that the adoption of the plea bargain process not only reduced trial delays but also directly impacted correctional facilities by lowering the population of awaiting-trial inmates.

‘This mechanism is saving valuable judicial time,’ Pedro said. ‘It has given us a faster route to justice while ensuring fairness.’

To further decongest correctional facilities, Pedro said the state has exercised the Governor’s constitutional power of Prerogative of Mercy and that since 2023, 263 inmates deemed deserving by the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy were granted release.

‘These are individuals who had spent long years in prison, shown remorse, and were recommended for a second chance,’ Pedro explained, adding that ‘Their reintegration into society speaks to the humane side of our justice system.’

Pedro disclosed that the Lagos Restorative Justice Unit, established to give victims and offenders the opportunity for reconciliation and restitution, recorded 348 cases in two years.

He said of these, 192 cases were successfully resolved through agreements, while 45 are ongoing, saying that another 111 cases were referred back to the courts for full trial.

Pedro said the figures show the growing relevance of restorative justice in reducing adversarial litigation and fostering community healing.

The Attorney General also reported progress in non-custodial sentencing, disclosing that within two years, 4,800 offenders served community service sentences in Lagos, which ranged from public sanitation duties to repairs and other forms of labour that serve the public good.

Although the Community Service Unit had initially faced operational challenges, Pedro said it had been revitalised.

The Attorney General said one of the most striking figures came from the Lagos Criminal Information System (LCIS), a digital databank that now serves as the state’s comprehensive record of criminal cases.

‘From September 2023 to September 2025 alone, the system captured 25,822 new cases. Overall, the database now holds 78,982 cases, including those filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

‘The LCIS contains biometric data, photographs, and offence details of all defendants across Lagos State’s Magistrate and High Courts,’ he said.

According to Pedro, this level of digitisation enhances transparency, strengthens case management, and allows policymakers to use reliable data for long-term criminal justice reforms.

‘Data is the new oil. With almost 80,000 cases captured, Lagos now has the most comprehensive criminal justice databank in Nigeria,’ he added.

To ease mobility challenges in correctional facilities, Pedro said the state government procured two purpose-built coaster buses supplied through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.