Category: PM News

It can bepice sitting at some bar, enjoying a drink with a beloved one. You’d be partaking of your chosen brand of beer as your madam sips her choice brand of soda.

Or, some exotic alcoholic beverage that our ladies prefer, more so when they’re in the company of male company.

Talking about very intimate things and probably looking at each in the eyes. Ahem!

It’s preferable that when you’re accompanied by your “babe,” you sit alone just the two of you.

Why, fellow drinkers that you’re familiar with, guys, who wouldpormally pull a chair and share your table, invited or otherwise, willpormally keep away when you’ve a lady companion.

Most drinkers consider it poor manners to join Mr and Mrs, irrespective of their familiarity with them.

Unless the couple pressures you to do so!

Nor is your mama watoto expected to join you at the bar as you sit with drinking buddies and proceed to make herself comfortable.

And since our ladies are averse to ordering anything for anybody, it means your babes’ presence will be an imposition of a joyrider upon your buddies.

Yes, any round that is ‘thrown’ will include one for her also!

Looks like you’re analyzing things the way a typical Mwasu (not Mpare, please!) would. A single sponger at a table can’t be much of a burden, can she?

The main problem is that your buddies, most of whom would be crooked by their verypature, would be forced to behave like they were gentlemen per se. Ha!

As we all know, that isn’t the idea of staying away from home, where a man’s freedom to conduct himself crudely and be real macho is highly curtailed.

That’s why when your mama watoto traces you to your haunt, where you’re having a good time with the boys, it’s to let her just come and greet them.

Then you point to her and an empty table where she’ll sit and wait a bit for you. But men differ.

There’s this drinking buddy of ours whose mama, Watoto, has the penchant of wanting to be out there with her hubby as often as possible. Call her Mama Rose.

She hadpot always been like that, but after their lastborn was admitted to a boarding school, she decided it was high time she ‘enjoyed life’ like everyone else.

That’s why she’s often seen in early evenings, together with her husband, call him Baba Rose walking to one bar or another that isn’t too far from their residence for a drink.

On this particular day, there’re four of us including Baba Rose at a bar that’ll remain unnamed. You’re tempted to ask him, “Where’s Mama Rose?” but you avoid that.

He mightpot take it kindly, because, in any case, dragging along wives to where we go for our beer is generally viewed as soapy!

Well,pot long after, Mama Rose arrives at the bar and walks straight to our table. We, almost unanimously, say karibu. Incidentally, the ongoing round had just been ordered by you, so it’s upon you to order one for Mama Rose also a Savanna.

Baba Rose is the one who had ordered the first round when there were only three of us at this table of Washikaji.

It means it’s likely his wife won’t be drinking anything from him by the end of the session, more so because we’ve just been joined by another fellow when it’s time forpdugu Esaya to throw a round.

Yes, a round comprising six bottles, including, of course, Mama Rose’s Savanna.

We had expected Baba Rose to shift himself and his babe to a separate table of theirs, but he doesn’t! Smart guy, eh?

The Chairman of Pankshin Local Government Council of Plateau, Mr Felix Gonung, has vowed to crack down on suspected ritual killings after two deaths were recorded in the area within a month.

Gonung, gave the assurance during an interview with journalists on Friday in Pankshinon, confirmed that vital organs were allegedly harvested from the victims.

He said three suspects were arrested following the discovery of a woman’s body last month.

He added that further investigations had led to the recovery of suspected fetish substances from the suspects, who had since been transferred to the police headquarters in Jos.

The council chairman said security agencies were also investigating the discovery of a young man’s body at Monday Market on Oct. 6, with vital organs allegedly missing.

He said the incident might be linked to cult activities among students or criminal elements operating within the student community

He assured residents that his administration was working with security agencies to address the situation and restore peace.

‘I swore an oath to protect the lives and property of my people. However, the government’s security plans are confidential and the public will soon feel their results and impact.

‘This administration, in collaboration with security agencies, is doing everything within its power to restore and maintain the long-existing peace in our communities,’ he said.

Gonung disclosed that the council would introduce a policy requiring landlords and hotel operators to provide information about their tenants and guests, respectively.

‘This will enable us to crack down on criminal syndicates who disguise themselves as students or guests to perpetrate crimes in the community,’ he said.

He noted that Pankshin had enjoyed relative peace despite security challenges in other parts of the state, adding that the recent incidents had understandably heightened residents’ concerns.

He urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

Gonung also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to tackle the menace, stressing that security was a collective responsibility.

Yahya Saidu, the Chairman of Fufore Local Government in Adamawa State has passed on about 18 months after the death of the man he succeeded.

Aliyu Wakili, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Fufore/Song Federal Constituency confirmed the death of Saidu in a condolence statement issued on Saturday.

The federal lawmaker described Saidu’s demise as an irreparable loss to the people of Fufore local government and Adamawa State while expressing grief over the incident.

‘May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and grant his family, friends, associates, and the entire people of Fufore the strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss.’

Saidu’s predecessor, Shuaibu Babas, died in office on 23 April, 2025.

As community leaders, political associates, and constituents are mourning the late Saidu, the death of the two successive local government chairpersons have also led to reflections on the transient nature of power

A political commentator in the state, Abu-Taqiyah Zumo, described the loss of two sitting chairmen in such rapid succession as a tragedy.

‘The deaths of Hon. Babas and Hon. Yaya Saidu – both Chairmen of the same Fufore Local Government, one after the other – are a coincidence that is not just shocking, but brutally sobering,’ Zumo said.

‘It forces a deep reflection on the fleeting nature of power and life itself. The same exalted seat, the same office, the same title, now twice turned into a mourning ground.

‘It reminds us that the chair remains, but the occupant is gone; that power is transient, life is fragile, and death is no respecter of position or ambition.

‘Today you are called ‘Executive Chairman’ and tomorrow you are called ‘late.’ Indeed, we came with nothing, we will leave with nothing, and what will speak for us at the end is not the title we held, but the lives we touched,’ he added.

Young men have been urged to take an active role in combating gender-based violence, which continues to undermine girls’ rights and prevent them from achieving their aspirations, particularly in education.

The call was made on October 10, 2026, by Grumeti Fund Head of Community Development Frida Mollel during a symposium involving male students from three secondary schools in Bunda District, Mara Region.

Ms Mollel said community development requires the participation of both men and women, warning that gender-based violence limits women’s ability to contribute fully to social and economic development. She said young men have a critical role to play in challenging harmful practices and creating an environment where girls and women can enjoy their rights and pursue their ambitions.

‘Men have immense power in the fight to free women from gender-based violence. Their participation will help ensure the success of these efforts. I therefore urge each of you, young men, to join the journey of empowering women and girls,’ she said.

Ms Mollel added that a prosperous society could only be achieved through cooperation between both genders, noting that empowering women to exercise their rights was essential to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

She said ending gender-based violence would allow women to focus on improving their families’ welfare and contributing to economic growth rather than living under the threat of abuse.

Ms Mollel also cautioned young people against the negative effects of globalisation and the misuse of science and technology, saying these developments, despite their benefits, could expose young people to harmful cultural influences.

She urged them to embrace positive values while remaining mindful of their cultural identity.

Meanwhile, Bunda District Council Head of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Marwa Kitende said women play a vital role in society and deserved protection from all forms of violence.

He said the persistence of gender-based violence partly reflected inadequate participation by men in efforts to address the problem, urging them to unite in challenging harmful practices.

‘We must value women because they are important in our lives. You cannot expect to have a thriving society while women are subjected to violence,’ he said.

Mr Kitende said lasting change would require men to make a genuine commitment to ending violence against women, adding that it was contradictory for men to aspire to development while participating in practices that oppress women.

Some students who attended the symposium called for increased human rights education to raise awareness of the effects of gender-based violence and promote a shared understanding of the need to protect women and girls.

Elisha Juma said young men should help girls overcome discriminatory practices that limit their participation in education and other areas of life.

He cited unequal distribution of household chores as one of the challenges affecting girls’ studies, saying they were often assigned more domestic responsibilities than boys.

‘Our sisters and younger girls sometimes struggle to find time to study because they are given more household responsibilities than us boys. We must reject this situation and share domestic chores so that everyone has equal opportunities to study,’ he said.

Another student, Mtatiro Wambura, urged girls to understand their rights and report violations to the relevant authorities instead of remaining silent.

He said greater awareness of their rights, combined with support from boys and young men, would strengthen efforts to address gender-based violence.

‘Girls should know what to do when they face these challenges. They should not remain silent but report the incidents to the relevant authorities so that action can be taken. This will also encourage us, as men, to speak out more strongly against such practices,’ he said.

Nigeria’s Sand Eagles suffered a 4-5 penalty shootout defeat to Ghana after a thrilling 4-4 draw following extra time in the first leg of their 2026 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (BSAFCON) qualifying match in Kaduna on Saturday.

Isa Hamza Manga delivered an impressive performance for Nigeria, scoring a hat-trick, including the opening goal, as the Super Sand Eagles battled to stay in contention against the Black Sharks. Ekene Obi also found the net in extra time, but Nigeria were unable to secure victory as Ghana fought back to force a penalty shootout.

Mawuli Sosu scored twice for the Black Sharks, while Wise Nyamadi struck an equaliser in extra time to ensure the encounter ended level after regulation and extra time.

Ghana eventually prevailed 5-4 in the shootout, giving the Black Sharks an advantage heading into the return leg scheduled for Keta next Sunday.

The Sand Eagles must now deliver a strong performance away from home to keep their hopes of qualifying for the continental tournament alive. The winner of the two-legged encounter will secure a place at the 2026 BSAFCON in Senegal.

The Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) said it has sealed two schools in Makurdi, the state capital, over alleged victimisation of learners and violation of the state government’s textbook policy.

BEQAEB Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis identified the schools as Orenda and Opal.

The BEQAEB boss led officials of the board’s Directorate of Enforcement and Compliance to serve a court order on the proprietor before sealing the school premises on Friday in Makurdi.

According to him, the action followed complaints that the schools violated the government’s policy allowing parents to reuse textbooks and purchase prescribed books from external bookshops.

He explained that the policy was designed to reduce the financial burden on parents and promote the reuse of textbooks by younger siblings.

According to him, the affected schools allegedly insisted that learners purchase textbooks directly from them, contrary to the government’s directive.

He said parents alleged that some learners whose school fees had been paid but whose prescribed textbooks were unavailable were subjected to punitive treatment.

Francis stated that the complaints included allegations that teachers refused to mark the homework of affected learners because their parents had not purchased the prescribed textbooks.

He added that some parents who had bought the books from external bookshops were allegedly asked to purchase new copies directly from the schools or withdraw their children.

According to him, the restrictions reportedly left some learners demoralised and affected their participation in classroom activities.

Francis described the alleged practices as unacceptable, saying they undermined the rights and welfare of learners and imposed unnecessary financial burdens on parents.

He said the board had invited the proprietor and school administrators to a meeting to address the complaints, but they failed to honour the invitation.

The executive secretary said BEQAEB subsequently approached a court through the state attorney-general and obtained an order authorising the sealing of the premises.

He further alleged that the proprietor, Onyinye Okoye, led members of staff in attacking him and his team after the court order was served.

Francis said the incident involved verbal assaults on the officials and the destruction of an official vehicle belonging to the board.

He stressed that school proprietors were expected to comply with lawful court orders and resolve disagreements with regulatory authorities through established legal channels.

Francis said the schools would remain sealed until their proprietors and administrators met the board’s conditions and demonstrated compliance with government regulations.

The executive secretary urged parents and guardians whose children experienced similar alleged victimisation or violations of education policies to submit formal petitions to BEQAEB with supporting evidence.

He assured the public that the board would investigate such complaints and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.

When international capital retreats, the true value of a financial institution is revealed not in good times, but when everyone else steps back.

Ghana experienced this during its recent debt crisis. As the country lost access to international capital markets, its currency came under severe pressure and financing options narrowed. An African institution stepped forward. Afreximbank provided Ghana with a $750 million facility in 2022, helping to support reserves, exchange-rate stability and critical financing needs.

The significance of that intervention was felt far and wide. It demonstrated that African institutions have the capacity to provide countercyclical capital when global markets become unavailable or prohibitively expensive.

African economies must simultaneously finance infrastructure, manage debt, withstand external shocks and pursue industrialisation. At a time when investors are becoming more sensitive to sovereign, currency, climate and geopolitical risks, the central question is who will provide capital when risk rises – and who will understand that risk in its African context?

Africa has more of the institutional architecture required to answer that question than is sometimes recognised.

Afreximbank, the African Development Bank, Trade and Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, African Trade and Investment Development Insurance, Africa Re and other regional institutions have created sophisticated ecosystems spanning development finance, trade finance, guarantees, insurance and reinsurance.

The establishment of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions has further recognised the value of greater institutional co-operation. The challenge now is to move from co-operation to scale – and from a collection of institutions to a genuinely integrated African risk architecture.

African institutions should be part of the continent’s strategic financial and risk infrastructure.

A development bank capable of raising funds competitively in international markets and lending counter-cyclically during a crisis performs a risk-management function as much as a development function. An insurer or reinsurer that retains more infrastructure and trade risk within African balance sheets reduces the amount of capital that must leave the continent. A guarantee institution transforms an otherwise unbankable project into an investable one.

These are functions that directly influence the cost, resilience and sustainability of African development.

But the systems architecture remains incomplete. One of its most persistent weaknesses is the way African risk is assessed. International credit ratings play an important role in allocating capital, but ratings inevitably depend on models, assumptions and available data. Where information is limited and markets are shallow, perceptions of risk become self-reinforcing.

Higher perceived risk increases the cost of capital. Higher financing costs weaken fiscal positions and constrain investment. Those weaker positions then reinforce the original perception of risk.

The result is a cycle in which the cost of capital itself becomes a source of vulnerability.

This is why, as Umoja Conservation Trust, we are proposing the establishment of the Africa Risk Rating Agency (ARRA), a discussion and proposition that deserves serious consideration.

ARRA should not be established to produce more favourable ratings or to challenge international agencies for political reasons. Such an approach would undermine its credibility from the outset.

Its purpose would be to establish a rigorous, independent African centre of risk intelligence, capable of combining high-quality data, institutional knowledge and country-specific analysis with internationally recognised methodologies.

African multilateral institutions are expected to provide development finance and countercyclical support while accessing global capital markets that may not always fully reflect their mandates, legal protections, capital structures or preferred-creditor characteristics.

Africa does need special treatment or regulatory exemption. Africa needs appropriate treatment based on its institutions’ actual balance sheets, governance, legal status, capitalisation and demonstrated performance.

The stronger these institutions are, the more effectively they will fulfil the countercyclical role for which they were created.

Major African infrastructure projects face multiple layers of risk – political, currency, construction, climate, catastrophe, regulatory and counterparty. Where such risks are poorly allocated or inadequately insured, investors demand higher returns, projects become more expensive and governments inherit substantial contingent liabilities.

Prudent risk management is not an administrative afterthought. It is a development-financing instrument.

Africa must retain more of these risk-management functions within its own financial ecosystem through stronger insurance and reinsurance capacity, expanded guarantees, local-currency financing and pooled risk solutions.

This is where a strengthened Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions becomes critical.

The alliance could evolve into an integrated platform linking development and trade finance with guarantees, insurance, reinsurance and risk intelligence. Member institutions could share data, coordinate balance-sheet capacity, establish common standards and jointly structure complex infrastructure transactions.

The underlying objective is to make Africa’s existing institutions more powerful collectively.

Afreximbank’s intervention demonstrated that African institutions can and will act when conventional financing channels close.

The Nigerian Army and the Sokoto State Police Command have dismissed social media reports alleging that more than 100 civilians and 11 security personnel were killed in a mass attack on a community in Sokoto State.

The claim was circulated by a Facebook page, Hausaland Magazine, on October 5, 2026. The post alleged that armed men attacked a settlement identified as ‘Garin Gobir Gindin’, killing over 100 civilians, 10 soldiers and a Mobile Police officer, while abducting several other people.

Describing the alleged incident as a ‘genocide’ and a ‘war on Hausa’, the publication blamed ‘Fulani terrorists’ and claimed that the number of victims was increasing.

It also featured an image of several lifeless individuals, some wearing military-style clothing, which attracted comments from users who appeared to accept the allegations. Some commenters also made inflammatory remarks against ethnic groups.

However, security authorities have refuted the report, stating that no such attack with the alleged casualties occurred in Sokoto State. They also noted that there was no record of a community known as ‘Garin Gobir Gindin’.

Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, dismissed the claim, saying, ‘There was no such attack involving the reported mass casualties in the state.’

Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufa’i, said, ‘This incident did not occur within Sokoto.’

Mallam Abdulhafiz Umar Barau, also known as Dan Isan Gusau and Magayakin Tsafe, was on Friday honoured with the African Democracy Humanitarian Icon of the Year award at the 15th edition of the Democracy Heroes Award Africa (DHAA) 2026, held in Abuja.

Barau, founder of the Abdulhafiz Umar Gusau (AUG) Foundation, received the award from AIG Aisha Abubakar at the ceremony held on October 9 at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, under the theme ‘Elevate.’

Organised by FDN Projects, the milestone edition drew political leaders, public servants, entrepreneurs and change-makers whose contributions are associated with democratic development, leadership, public service and societal progress across Nigeria and Africa.

Barau received the Special Honour in recognition of his humanitarian activities and community development engagement. Through the AUG Foundation, he has supported vulnerable communities with initiatives spanning education, youth empowerment, food distribution, humanitarian assistance, healthcare-related support and grassroots development. The award adds to his growing record of humanitarian honours, following earlier recognition for his contributions to poverty alleviation and community impact.

Beyond philanthropy, Barau has professional experience in business development, operations, strategic partnerships and investment facilitation, with interests in logistics, energy, real estate, agriculture and commodities.

Several state governors were also honoured at the event. They include Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and other prominent leaders. The awards recognised individuals across governance, business and public service.

FDN Projects’ Project Director, Olufunsho Ajagbonna, popularly known as Fajag, said at the event that the organisation remained committed to recognising individuals whose work demonstrates meaningful service to the public. He noted that the 15th edition reflects the platform’s continued growth, with nominations and public participation forming part of its recognition process.

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal congratulated Barau on the honour and encouraged him to sustain his humanitarian efforts in support of vulnerable people and communities. He urged continued commitment to service and initiatives capable of improving lives across Zamfara State, Nigeria and Africa.

The award highlights the role of foundations and private individuals in complementing broader development efforts, and places renewed attention on the AUG Foundation’s work with disadvantaged communities.

As the Democracy Heroes Award Africa celebrates its 15th edition, Barau’s recognition stands among the honours celebrating service, leadership and community impact.

Ecuador’s Shyare Andrade has won the Country’s Power of the Year title at Miss Grand International 2026, defeating Tanzania’s Jihan Dimack in the final round of the public-voting contest.

The victory earns Andrade an automatic place in the pageant’s Top 20, following a closely watched contest that attracted support from fans in both countries.

In the latest ranking update released on October 10 at 2.30 pm Thailand time (GMT+7), Miss Grand Ecuador held the first position, while Miss Grand Tanzania ranked second.

The final round offered the winner an automatic place in the Top 20, prompting Tanzanian supporters to rally behind Jihan in the hope of securing the spot for the country.

Despite missing out on the title, Jihan has secured a place in the pageant’s Top 11, keeping Tanzania in the spotlight as the competition reaches its final stages.

Fans around the world are now awaiting the crowning of the 2026 Miss Grand International winner in Bangkok, Thailand.