Category: PM News

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has cautioned Mrs Folashade Ojo-Tinubu that the concept of ‘Iyaloja-general’ title is not known to Benin culture.

The monarch stated this on Tuesday when Ojo-Tinubu who is the Iyaloja-General of market women associations in Nigeria, paid him homage in his palace.

The Iyaloja-general who was led to the palace by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, had earlier informed the Monarch that she was in the state to inaugurate Pastor (Mrs) Josephine Isi Ibhaguezejele as the Iyeki-general of the State.

Oba Ewuare II ,however, told her that in Benin Kingdom the Iyeki must be confirmed by the palace after being selected by market women.

He added that outside her role of coordinating affairs of traders in the market, Iyeki performs certain cultural roles on his behalf in the various markets.

He added that the Iyeki has special relationship with the palace and performs expected roles in the shrine located in every market.

‘Iyaloja is alien to us here in Benin. You are in Benin, the home of culture; we have our culture here. I have discussed this matter with my chiefs and those that are knowledgeable.

‘Do you know the role of Iyeki in Benin culture? Every Iyeki has a special relationship with the palace. Are you aware of that? Do you know that every Iyeki has a cultural role to perform inside every market.

‘The Oba does not interfere so long as the Iyeki does what is expected of her in the shrine of a particular market on behalf of the Oba. We are not going to say much except to explain to you the concept of Iyeki in Benin,’ Oba Ewuare II said.

Giving further clarification on the roles of Iyeki in the kingdom, Chief Osaro Idah, whom the Oba permitted to enlighten Tinubu-Ojo, said:

‘Iyeki is independent in every market like the Oba market, Ogiso market and others. The traders select their leaders from within the markets. The Iyeki do more than the role of coordinating traders.

‘There are certain shrines inhabited in all the markets. They play certain roles on behalf of the palace. After their selection, they bring the person to the palace for confirmation.

‘The novelty of general Iyeki is alien to Benin custom and tradition. We just believe the Iyaloja is your socio-cultural thing like you have other clubs.

‘It is not in our culture to have a general Iyeki. Iyeki is particular to each market. No one has the right to control the other in another market. The Iyeki in Oba Market has no role to play in Ogiso Market. The Oba established the market for all in the society.’

Earlier while introducing the visitors, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo-Anani, said: ‘We are grateful to be here today. I present to you the Iyaloja-General.

‘She came to Edo State for the installation of Edo market women leader that has been chosen. And we deem it fit that we must pay homage to the Benin throne.’

As Nigeria clocks 65 years of nationhood on October 1, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to ensure that the gains of self-rule are felt through programmes and policies that lift citizens out of poverty, hunger, and insecurity.

In a statement to commemorate the day, the organisation said the celebration of Independence Day should go beyond parades and speeches, stressing that it must serve as a moment of sober reflection on how far the country has come, the challenges that persist, and the actions required to ensure that every Nigerian enjoys the true promise of freedom.

It argued that independence should not be defined by political sovereignty alone but by social and economic well-being for all citizens. While acknowledging that the Tinubu government has introduced reforms in the past year, which have been applauded locally and internationally, CAPPA maintained that such recovery programmes must be judged not only by their beauty on paper but also by their impact on households across the country.

The group observed that whatever gains have been recorded are being overshadowed by hardship, pointing to high costs of food supplies, soaring rents and electricity tariffs, and healthcare that remains out of reach for many families.

CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said Nigeria’s independence was built on the hope that freedom would guarantee dignity and empower citizens as masters of their own destiny. ‘Sixty-five years after the Union Jack was lowered, Nigeria cannot afford reforms that stabilise the books while destabilising households,’ he said.

Oluwafemi noted that although Nigerians have often been told the economy is on the path of transformation, the gap between official claims and daily reality remains wide. He argued that the poor cannot spend ‘economic recovery’ in the market, stressing that the true test of policy is whether it improves life for people at the grassroots.

He added that the promise of independence would only be fulfilled when citizens can afford decent meals, live in safe housing within their means, access quality health care and public water services, and send their children to school without fear of exorbitant fees. He urged the government to focus on closing existing gaps through people-centred policies.

The organisation identified several priority areas for action, including food security. With food inflation still high, many households are struggling to eat three meals a day. CAPPA urged the government to invest in local food production by supporting farmers with inputs, storage, and access to markets. Nigeria has fertile land and abundant labour, it said, but farmers are held back by a lack of infrastructure and the spread of insecurity in food-producing regions. Strengthening agriculture, CAPPA argued, would cut import dependence, lower prices, and make affordable, healthy food more available to Nigerians.

The group, however, stressed that food security is not just about availability but also about quality and health. It pointed out that while hunger is rising, ultra-processed and sugary products are flooding the market, fuelling obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases. CAPPA noted that without deliberate policies, Nigerians risk being trapped in a cycle where cheap but unhealthy foods dominate diets. It therefore renewed its call for stronger healthy food policies, including an increase in the current sugar-sweetened beverage tax, clear front-of-pack warning labelling for food products, and salt reduction targets, to ensure that citizens not only eat but eat well.

On the economy, CAPPA warned against piling up debts through excessive borrowing, saying that loans used to service recurrent spending rather than productive investments only deepen hardship. It advised the government to cut down on frivolous expenditures, close leakages, prioritise transparent spending, and channel resources into critical sectors as a way of boosting the economy and improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

CAPPA further identified security as a major concern, noting that independence cannot be meaningful if citizens live in fear of violence, kidnapping, or displacement. The group encouraged the government to invest in community policing and modern security infrastructure, and address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

On education, CAPPA emphasised that the future of Nigeria rests on an educated population. ‘Rising school fees, underfunded public universities, and poor facilities continue to deny many children and young people the opportunity to learn,’ it said.

The organisation encouraged the government to increase budgetary allocations to education, provide incentives for teachers, and ensure that schools at all levels are properly equipped.

CAPPA said that corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s development. It called for stronger accountability measures to ensure that public resources are not wasted or diverted into a few private pockets.

‘Public office must be treated as a trust. Nigerians deserve leaders who live modestly, account for every naira spent, and put the nation’s welfare above personal gain,’ the organisation reflected. It urged the Tinubu administration to use the anniversary as an opportunity to renew its commitment to improving welfare at the grassroots.

CAPPA also called on Nigerians to play their part by holding leaders accountable and participating actively in civic life. It said the spirit of independence was not only about what the government does, but also about how citizens work together to build a better society.

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to scale up immunisation across all communities, rallying council chairmen, religious leaders, and other key stakeholders to ensure wider vaccine coverage and stronger primary healthcare delivery.

Speaking at the inauguration of the State Task Force on Immunisation and Primary Health Care Services held on Tuesday in Alausa, Ikeja, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who chairs the committee, said the task force was designed to ensure that no child in Lagos is left unvaccinated.

Hamzat commended the immunisation teams for their work over the years but stressed that the campaign must extend to underserved communities.

‘We want our religious leaders to use their sermons to inform people about the potency of the vaccine. We equally want our schools to be aware of their role in ensuring that students are duly vaccinated,’ he said.

He added that effective collaboration with stakeholders across the health sector is essential, assuring that the state government would increase budgetary allocation to strengthen primary healthcare services for optimal delivery.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, underscored the urgency of scaling up coverage, warning that weak primary healthcare inevitably results in sickly communities.

‘The world has advanced to produce very effective vaccines that eliminate infections such as hepatitis, cervical cancer through HPV, and malaria, among others. For Lagos State to improve uptake, our services must improve-covering infrastructure, equipment, and human resources for health,’ he explained.

Permanent Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, reaffirmed government’s commitment to accountability and inclusiveness.

He said the task force would drive improvements in routine immunisation, strengthen system resilience, and enhance collaboration between government and private actors.

On behalf of council chairmen, the Chairman of Conference 57 and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Sesan Olowa, pledged the unwavering support of all council bosses for the campaign.

Mustapha concluded that the ultimate goal was to ensure ‘no one is left behind in accessing life-saving vaccines and essential health services.’

Nigerian singer and songwriter Seyi Shay, has spoken on the importance of children having a father figure while growing.

While speaking with the Honest Bunch podcast, Seyi Shay explained that having a father figures is important for stability and guidance.

She added that the narrative being spread about men’s importance is an agenda created to divide families.

‘Most women that have a father figure are generally more stable growing up. They have a lot more access to a lot more things like good education, good moral values and there’s a bar when they want to get married or when they choose male friends and stuff like that. All this agenda pushing of men are not important. You can do this. I think it’s bullshit because that’s just an agenda placed for there to be more disparity and more division in a home so that we can churn out more broken souls or more lost females and males,’ she stated.

Seyi Shay who is a mother of one also spoke on motherhood and the importance of timing before having kids.

‘Look at me. I’m just so very lucky that I didn’t have a child when I was like 20 or 23. My daughter would probably grow up to be a mess. Like, having her at this age means that I’m her cheat code. It means that I’m able to, like, put her on to certain things and she can avoid certain routes that I took. Because I’ve done them. I’ve been through them. I can tell her all about guys, all about certain friends and how and why and be real and honest with her, and hopefully she will be 10 million times better than me without having to also go through the tribulations and trials that I’ve been through,’ she added.

A popular Kano Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Lawal Abubakar Triumph, has been suspended from all teaching and preaching activities pending the investigation into the allegations of blasphemy levelled against him

Triumph, who was alleged to have made an inappropriate derogatory statement about Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was suspended by Kano State Shura Council

The council’s Secretary, Shehu Wada-Sagagi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Wednesday after the committee reconvened to review allegations against the cleric.

He said the committee listened to and viewed both audio and video clips containing the allegations, adding that the evidence was carefully examined and documented.

‘Allegations without supporting evidence were set aside, while those backed with verifiable evidence have been duly recorded.

‘Even instances where he stammered or hesitated in the videos were noted in the report,’ Sagagi said.

He explained that the committee resolved to invite Sheikh Triumph to appear and defend himself, after which a formal report and recommendations would be submitted to the government for further action.

‘The cleric will be invited shortly and given adequate time to appear before the committee,’ Wada-Sagagi assured.

A couple have been captured by CCTV stealing a gold necklace from a jewellery showroom in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Police are investigating with CCTV footage to identify the accused soon, local media reported on Wednesday.

The video of the couple has gone viral, showing them posing as customers before discreetly stealing a gold necklace from the jewellery showroom.

According to INDIA TODAY, the theft came to light when the shopkeeper noticed a shortage of 6gms of gold during closing stock checks.

This prompted the checking of the CCTV installed in the showroom which footage revealed that, while browsing necklaces, the woman cleverly tucked one under her saree and walked out of the store with her partner.

According to the owner of the jewellery showroom, Gaurav Pandit, who immediately reported to the police, the missing gold necklace is worth nearly Rs 6 lakh.

Though the thieving couple were yet to be apprehended as of press time, a police official is reported to have confirmed that the footage was being examined closely.

He reportedly assured that the couple would soon be identified and brought to justice.

Big Brother Naija Season 10 housemate, Faith Adewale, has emerged as the lucky winner of one of the most prestigious prizes of the show.

Faith, who has had a good run in the reality TV show, emerged victorious during an intense final week task. This victory automatically made him the owner of a brand new Innoson electric car.

Faith, while expressing his disbelief and excitement, revealed that this is his first automobile.

‘This is my first car,’ he said.

The housemate was also the winner of the SuperKomando challenge which was held earlier in the season.

If you’re jetting off to the United States this week, the ongoing government shutdown may not just be another headline, it could hit your trip hard.

Flights first. Air traffic controllers and TSA agents are still on duty, but they’re working without pay. The last time this happened, many called in sick, leaving travellers stranded in long queues and delayed flights. Don’t be surprised if the same chaos returns at airports.

Trains and buses safe. for now. Amtrak and local transit like subways, buses and ferries, are expected to run normally since they aren’t federally funded.

Tourist spots under threat. The US Interior Department says national parks will stay ‘partially’ open. In Washington and New York, the Smithsonian museums and National Zoo have only enough cash to stay open for one more week.

Back in 2018, a similar shutdown cost the Smithsonian nearly a million visitors.

For Nigerians heading to the US for holidays, studies or business, the message is simple: plan ahead, expect delays, and check if the attractions on your bucket list will even be open.

It all started in the early hours of Tuesday, as chaos swept through Washington after the United States government officially shut down after budget negotiations collapsed on Capitol Hill.

The shutdown, the first under President Donald Trump’s second term, has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees in limbo. From defense to health, workers were told to stay home, while essential services grind on under strained resources.

Trump doubled down on threats of sweeping job cuts if Congress fails to pass a spending bill that aligns with his administration’s priorities. The impasse has now thrown America into another round of political brinkmanship, with the lives of ordinary workers hanging in the balance.

A fire outbreak at Bariga Market early on Wednesday, destroyed 26 keeklamps shops, causing property losses worth millions of naira.

The incident occurred at approximately 4:05 a.m., according to a preliminary report from Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The fire, which started in one shop, rapidly spread to adjacent outlets due to wooden frameworks supporting and partitioning the keeklamps shops.

Despite the scale of the blaze, no lives were lost, and no injuries were reported, says Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary, LASEMA.

He said emergency responders, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos Rapid Response Unit (LRU) paramedics, and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), collaborated to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the market.

‘Authorities also ensured the scene was managed to prevent secondary incidents and coordinated with market stakeholders for smooth operations,’ Oke-Osanyintolu said.

The preliminary report confirmed that the fire has been fully extinguished, and dampening down operations were completed. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

Officials have urged traders to implement fire safety measures and remain vigilant to prevent future incidents, noting that the rapid response helped avert a potentially larger disaster.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has explained how reckless motorists killed five of its operatives while on official duties at various parts of the country.

It also revealed that the Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed has directed the immediate prosecution of the motorists involved in the incidents.

FRSC revealed this in a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, (CPEO), Olusegun Ogungbemide on behalf of the Corps Marshall on Tuesday.

Mohammed said that the directive was to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice and to serve as a deterrent to others who undermined road safety and endanger the lives of law enforcement officers.

He said that the incidents occurred across its formations.

This, he said include Ekiti Sector Command on Sept. 6, Ogun Sector Command on Sept. 8, Taraba Sector Command on Sept. 15, Jos By-Pass Unit Command on Sept. 19, and Obollo Afor Unit Command on Sept. 24.

‘Their deaths are not mere statistics. They represent human lives which are dedicated fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and breadwinners, cut short in the line of duty while safeguarding Nigerian roads, ‘he said.

Mohammed expressed deep concern over the increasing risks faced by FRSC operatives, noting that in addition to speeding vehicles, personnel were also being subjected to kidnapping, violent attacks, and targeted assaults.

He warned that the Corps would no longer tolerate acts of recklessness that endangered its staff, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

Mohammed also charged personnel nationwide to exercise a higher level of alertness and prioritise their safety while on duty, pointing out that they needed to be safe and alive to save others.

‘In line with this, the Corps is intensifying engagements with relevant authorities on the protection of its personnel and installations.

‘This measure is not intended for aggression but as a safeguard to deter assaults and ensure that officers can perform their duties without fear of attack, he said.

On behalf of the management and staff, the Corps Marshal commiserated with the families of the deceased officers and saluted their courage and sacrifice.

He further urged Nigerians to honour the memory of the fallen operatives by obeying traffic laws, respecting FRSC personnel on duty, and supporting the Corps’ mandate to end avoidable deaths on highways.

‘Disregard for traffic laws and the safety of FRSC personnel will attract serious sanctions and legal consequences going forward,’ he warned