Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The House of Representatives has passed into law a Bill seeking to remove members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

The new law, titled: ‘A Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Police Force Pension Board,’ is meant to ensure an effective administration of pension and gratuity for the personnel of the force.

It exempts them from the application of the contributory pension scheme (CPS) under the Pension Reform Act and provides that police personnel would be paid 85 per cent of their total emoluments as pension.

The law is to establish a uniform set of rules, regulations, and standards for the administration and payment of retirement benefits of retired personnel of the police force and ensure that every personnel who served in the force receives their retirement benefits as and when due.

The Bill is currently awaiting concurrence in the Senate before it will be sent to the President for assent.

When assented to by the President, the law will exempt NPF personnel from the CPS by amending Section 5(1a) of the Pension Reforms Act 2014 and adding the NPF to the section.

The section lists the categories of persons to be exempted from the CPS to include members of the Armed Forces, the intelligence and secret services of the federation. It will now include the Nigeria Police Force.

The law establishes a Nigeria Police Pensions Board to be headed by a Director General who shall be a serving police officer not below the rank of an Assistant Inspector of Police (AIG) and a Secretary who will also be a senior police officer who must have been called to the Nigerian Bar with not less than 10 years post-call experience.

The board is expected to take over the payment of gratuity and pension of retired police officers from the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and cause the adjustment of their pension and gratuity to be commensurate with the provisions of the law.

It will also be responsible for the payment of pension and gratuity to all personnel of the NPF as well as pay compassionate gratuity, death benefits, and entitlement of deceased police officers and men to their next of kin.

Section 14 of the Bill reads: ‘There shall be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation, all such sums of money as may be granted by the Federal Government by way of pension and gratuity in accordance with this Bill.

Section 15 provides for circumstances in which pensions may be granted, stating that no pension or gratuity shall be granted under this Bill to any personnel except on his retirement from the force after serving for 35 years or attaining the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.

It also states that pension will be paid on voluntary retirement after serving for not less than 10 years; on compulsory retirement under the provisions of Section 16(1), on compulsory retirement for the purpose of facilitating improvements in the force, so that greater efficiency or economy may be affected and at any time on medical evidence to the satisfaction of the Medical Board that he is incapable by reason of any infirmity of mind or body of discharging his duties and that such infirmity is likely to be permanent.

Section 17 of the law, which provides for the minimum and the maximum pension, states that ‘a pension granted to a personnel under this bill shall not be less than 85 per cent of his total emoluments’.

It also states that: ‘For the purpose of this secrion, an additional pension granted in respect of injuries shall not be taken into account, but where the personnel is granted such an additional pension under the Bill, the amount so granted, together with the remainder of his pension under this Bill shall not exceed 100 per cent of highest pensionable emoluments at any time in the course of his service.’

In Section 19, the law provides that ‘where a personnel dies within five years after retirement, his next of kin shall continue to be paid for a period which shall expire at the end of five years from the date of his retirement, the same pension which the deceased personnel was receiving prior to his death, and if the next of kin so elects, the balance of his pension at his death may be paid immediately to the next of kin or designated survivor.

The law also provides for the payment of gratuity to the family of a deceased personnel, in addition to what the law calls the death gratuity, while the pension payable shall end after five years after the death of the personnel.

Section 21 provides that ‘a pension or gratuity granted under this Bill shall not be assignable or transferable or liable to be attached, sequestrated or levied upon for or in respect of any debt or claim whatsoever except for the purpose of satisfying a debt due to the Federal Government or by an order of court for the payment for a periodic sum of money.’

Prof Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, a management consultatnt highlights the qualities of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the art of creating wealth for the people.

When it comes to the upcoming presidential election in 2023, Nigerians will have two options: They will either deplete the massive transformation efforts of the current Buhari government, or will elect a resolute transformer who combines the core qualities of an actual master-wealth creator to lead the country to the promised land. We can only strategize against the defenestration of the country and its infrastructure to the state it was before Buhari took office. When it comes to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformational capacity, comprehension, qualities of creating wealth, using diversity to boost productivity as an outcome, and application of governance tools for the benefit of the people, he stands head and shoulders above the other candidates in this election.

With Asiwaju as the President come from 2023, Nigerians will fulfil the greatest call of generations to have a president who indeed is a real master in wealth creation, both in private and public sectors. We know that to be great leaders, you need a great team. Identifying your Wealth Creators would unlock your national potentials. The individuals who take the Country to the next level are the wealth creators. Asiwaju is the real master of wealth creation across the board, of all the candidates vying to succeed Buhari.

The tenacity and resilience of wealth creators define Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He can, however, also be extremely task-oriented and challenging to work with him. You can argue that you don’t have to be a Wealth Creator to be a successful leader. Yes, many great leaders do not themselves create wealth. However, all leaders require the assistance of a Wealth Creators in order to drive public and private business expansion. Because of their unique combination of characteristics, Wealth Creators are able to make a leader’s vision a reality. With Asiwaju, Nigerians have a prosperous package of an actual master of wealth creation and transformational leader.

Countries and businesses are taking advantage of every opportunity to gain a slight edge over their rivals in today’s highly competitive world. Diversity is an advantage that is frequently overlooked. One of the most significant advantages of diversity is increased productivity, which is now becoming increasingly recognised by numerous nations and businesses. Companies with ethically diverse leadership teams outperform their rivals by up to 36%, according to several studies. When Asiwaju was in charge of Lagos State, he was the first governor to liberate the advantages of having a competitive advantage by having a cabinet full of people from different exemplary backgrounds. How, then, does this occur? To put it succinctly, Asiwaju successfully implemented the strategy of having leaders in his cabinet with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Effectively, this led to improved decision-making, increased innovation, increased staff engagement and retention, and increased strategic thinking.

Asiwaju had this in mind again in his address at Arewa House, Kaduna, ‘It’s time to fetch water from a dry well. We will find a way where there is none. We build the Nigeria of your dream in your lifetime; it’s a promise you can depend on because adding value is my domain. I’m not an island of knowledge, but I have the capacity to gather the best people, and together we will build this country. I’ll make our Diversity a source of Prosperity for this nation.’

Asiwaju accentuated that making diversity works in the national economic and democratic made him to build bridges across Nigeria, and with exceptional quality of strategizing as one of the youngest strategists with the late Yar’Adua, and I quote: ‘My political history is full of long-abiding relationships and support for the North. My greatest rival, Atiku Abubakar, met me with the late Yar’Adua. I was one of the youngest strategists with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. I started here in the North. Atiku met me with Yar’Adua after he left Nigeria Customs freshly. He met me strategising for Yar’adua…ask him…’ I can only confirm that one of Asiwaju’s wealth-creation strategies is to implement a diversity agenda in a way that leads to equal opportunities and a happier, more engaged team. If this is not the case, then why was the youngest Southerner strategist at the time collaborating diligently with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a northerner with broad political influence? By empowering a culture of resilience and tenacity, Asiwaju surely knows how to create a culture that values learning and implementing strategies from various perspectives.

When Asiwaju was questioned about climate change at the same gathering, he articulated his response to emphasise his mastery of wealth creation. Sure enough! Deniers of climate change will assert that there is no evidence that natural climate voices cause differences. Nevertheless, Asiwaju directly applies his wealth creation mastery to this situation! Don’t expect compliance if the West doesn’t guarantee the financial benefits of this policy! It’s an excellent response; In light of their policies for increasing wealth, the UK recently reversed its position on this demand related to climate change. Britain’s fracking ban must be lifted due to the energy crisis, sparking a long-running debate. Asiwaju responded that Nigeria, as a developing nation, should primarily rely on what is available to create wealth to move from developing status to an expanded level if Britain could do that in the interest of resolving the current energy crisis.

Asiwaju demonstrated exceptional proficiency in utilising diversity to achieve national prosperity, asserting that diversity is vital beyond the executive level. Nigerian states should work together at every level to determine their competitive advantages. People have a responsibility to share the things they do every day with their intended audiences and potential customers: help them produce better goods, provide better services, and generate more revenue for the population as a whole. Lagos is a constant reminder of Asiwaju’s remarkable capacity for transformation, mastery of the framework for wealth creation, and governance skills. Others, including those who have held positions of authority for extended periods and even at higher levels, do not have any record of wealth creation encounter except using government resources to make themselves. In contrast, Asiwaju has tangible evidence of Lagos’s enormous growth during his time as governor. Asiwaju’s accomplishments in Lagos serve as an admirable wealth-creation model for the growth of Nigeria into the prosperous Federal Republic if elected the next president of Nigeria.

Notably, before entering politics, Asiwaju had acquired sufficient wealth as a senior member of Mobil Oil Producing. On the other hand, other politicians running for president in 2023 could not provide evidence of wealth creation outside of their official responsibilities. As an elected official, a presidential candidate, for instance, established a private university. One other candidate, according to the evidence, used state funds to support family businesses as the state’s chief executive. Asiwaju was busy creating wealth and establishing his teams in Nigeria. At the same time, other former top executives of States of the Federation were busy shipping the resources of their states abroad and developing foreign economies. In Nigeria today, those businesses employ a few thousand, if not millions, of breadwinners.

Asiwaju’s mastery of the phenomenon of wealth creation is demonstrated by numerous examples. At about N600 million per month, Asiwaju met Lagos IGR, leaving it at N12-14 billion per month. Asiwaju paid salaries and pensions regularly for three and a half years while the PDP government led by Obasanjo seized Lagos allocations despite Supreme Court’s ruling against the action. The payment for the allocation to Fasola’s government came from Yardua. Asiwaju created LASTMA through his mastery of wealth creation and core leadership qualities, which the then-Federal Government copied to create FERMA.

When we consider where Lagos was before Asiwaju assumed its governorship seat and where it is now, with his enormous influence looming in the governance of Lagos, we will appreciate Asiwaju’s ebullient capacity and why he remains the undisputed candidate with the proven competence and ability to transform Nigeria into the desired land of prosperity where everyone stands to benefit. The success that Asiwaju achieved in Lagos serves as a reminder that people with different experiences and backgrounds may also perceive the same problem differently and come up with other solutions, particularly when an actual master of wealth creation leads the team. Additionally, employing such a leadership style increases the likelihood that one of those solutions will be successful, highlighting the significance of being adaptable in a dynamic business and democratic environment.

Today’s case study in developmental economics is the enormous transformation that Lagos has undergone since Asiwaju took office, as well as the apparent economic potential of the state. Obviously, this is an example of how a leader’s intellect can have a significant impact on the fortunes of a state and a nation. Asiwaju made a substantial difference in Nigeria by skilfully deploying capacity, severely lacking in the country’s leadership ranks. As a result of his efforts, the fortunes of millions of Nigerians improved, which makes a significant difference in a nation that severely lacks cerebral and competent leadership. Lekki was born when Asiwaju saw a massive opportunity in a filthy, waterlogged landmass. Lekki is now a swath of a sprawling metropolis inhabited by upscale Nigerians and with a net land value that is higher than the average upscale environment in Nigeria. Asiwaju built Lekki with an excellent mind for wealth creation. Lekki has now encroached on nearby suburbs like Ajah, Badore, and others, and the value of its land continues to rise with each passing day. Lekki resulted from Asiwaju’s innovative thinking, determination to succeed, and an unquenchable thirst for success.

When discussing Asiwaju’s mastery of wealth creation and transformative power, the Lekki Free Trade Zone, now affectionately referred to as the Nigerian Dubai, is also phenomenal. The largest refinery in the world, Africa’s largest fertiliser company, and a deep-sea port are all located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone today, affecting the daily lives of millions of Nigerians. No one will ever be able to quantify the economic potential of the Lekki Free Trade Zone when it reaches its full potential because the zone is still in its infancy.

The gradual opening of Eko Atlantic City illustrates Asiwaju’s incomprehensible capacity for transformation with the prowess of wealth creation. The idea of chasing the raging Atlantic Ocean, which would then pose a threat to Victoria Island as a whole and deep within its borders, was developed by Asiwaju. He started the project, which later governments took over. Eko Atlantic City has emerged as a new preferred city as a significant portion of the ocean has been reclaimed. The city is known for its high value because it is one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the world today. The United States of America is currently building the largest embassy in the world in that city! Nigerians must give due to Asiwaju’s profound creativity and transformational capacity. By simply imagining the value that Eko Atlantic City stands to bring to Nigeria and the lives of millions of Nigerians, you will understand why no one in the current race for the presidency of Nigeria comes close to Asiwaju in his capacity to use the tools of government to create wealth, transform the fortunes and lives of millions of Nigerians.

We cannot conclude the story without looking at the significant transformation of the transportation sector in Lagos, which shows how Asiwaju used his transformative capacity to change lives. When he arrived in Lagos in 1999, the state’s growth and progress were hampered by a disorganised, turbulent, riotous, and messy transportation system. He showed up and got to work. He established LASTMA with the primary goal of enforcing road usage discipline and cleaning up the industry’s soiled image. After that, he recited the rules for how to use the road and established a schedule for gradually eliminating the rickety and shabby buses, which were Lagos’s primary mode of public transportation. He then started the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, used in many progressive cities and metropolises worldwide. He also promised that the transportation system in Lagos would change in a record amount of time.

In Lagos, the BRT program is currently very successful and working well. In order to meet the increasing requirements of Lagosians, additional innovations and routes are being added to the program. In addition, smaller yellow buses, despite still being present, are being phased out of Lagos’ roads in favour of the shabby giant molue buses, which are now entirely extinct. Today, Lagos’ streets are cleaner and more accessible, and drivers are more disciplined and responsible when using the roads.

As the first African city to construct and operate its own intra-city rail transportation, Lagos will soon begin intra-city rail transportation near the completion of the blue and red rail lines. In a similar vein, Lagos operates a cutting-edge ferry service that carries hundreds of thousands of commuters daily across the vast waterways of the city. At the moment, Lagos has available land, rail, and water transportation systems; the only state in Nigeria with this right.

All of these factors contribute to the transformation of the transportation system in Lagos, which has not only seen the transportation sector transition from its odious primordial past to a new system that is more friendly, continues to expand by the day and empowers millions of Lagosians. Another way Asiwaju impacted the lives of millions of Lagosians was by establishing additional local government councils.

Asiwaju, a true democrat and a master of wealth-creator, sees the need to use democratic principles to improve people’s lives. He was the first governor to initiate the establishment of other local councils to not only bring governance closer to the people but also to provide viable, life-altering employment opportunities and empower Lagosians. He thought of local councils as a way to reach more people and give them more power.

The PDP federal government did not have the privilege of sharing Asiwaju’s grand vision due to its narrow understanding of governance and abject pettiness. As a result, it repressed Lagos and deceitfully seized the state’s allocations to local government during Asiwaju’s eight years as governor. Asiwaju never let this stop him from filing numerous legal challenges to this offensive act. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling that the action was illegal, the PDP government continued to withhold the Lagos LG allocation, even though he won all of the cases. But this didn’t stop Asiwaju from running the new local councils as the Local Council Development Authority.

The LCDAs are now thriving administrative councils that employ hundreds of thousands of Lagosians and provide various administrative services to the city’s residents. That is Asiwaju’s crucial transformative capacity, mastery of wealth creation, backed by a tremendous drive to complete tasks and achieve results. Because of this, he refused to give in to the bullying tactics of the Obasanjo/PDP federal government, which was determined to sabotage his efforts to establish these additional centres of governance that now significantly boost Lagos’ economy and the fortunes of its residents.

When Asiwaju was elected governor of Lagos, he had a big plan to put an end to the terrible power crisis that hampered the activities of the state power section. He came up with the idea of distributing and producing power in different ways. He then included the American power company, Enron, in the process of privatizing power generation and distribution. The PDP federal government hampered and obstructed the Enron project, claiming that power is on the exclusive list (which only the federal government can operate). Consequently, Nigeria missed out on a significant opportunity for private participation in the power sector, maintaining the hegemony of the state power company. As a result of losing Asiwaju’s initiative, power quality has deteriorated frequently, and the state power company has no solution. If the Enron project had been allowed to flourish, Nigeria would have resolved its intractable power issue by now. Asiwaju knows exactly how the workplace will change in the future, without a doubt. Nigerians can rely on Asiwaju to address the problem of inadequate power supply if he is elected president, using this indicator and other indicators as a timeline for a long-term, one-of-a-kind model of wealth creation for the entire nation.

A former presidential candidate and party stalwart, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has embarked on a reconciliation mission across the Northcentral zone to reposition the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its next National Convention.

Olawepo-Hashim, known for his advocacy for political reform and national unity, met with key PDP figures, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki and ex-Minister of Sports, Damishi Sango.

The visits were a part of his efforts to rebuild trust and cohesion within the party.

During a meeting in his Abuja office, Olawepo-Hashim hosted Sango, who was accompanied by Mr. Sam Habu, a longtime aide to the late Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, the founding National Chairman of the PDP and former governor of old Plateau State.

‘We were both mentees of Chief Solomon Lar, the Emancipator. Our discussion centred on reconciling leaders in Plateau and across the Northcentral zone,’ Olawepo-Hashim said.

Continuing his bridge-building effort, the PDP stalwart also held talks with Saraki over the weekend in what has been described as a ‘strategic political conversation’ focused on rebuilding the PDP’s structures and strengthening its national outlook.

‘We agreed to work together for the greater interest of Nigeria – to rebuild the PDP in the Northcentral zone and the nation at large. To God be the Glory,’ Olawepo-Hashim stated.

Political observers view Olawepo-Hashim’s latest engagements are said to be part of a renewed consolidation of the PDP’s Northcentral bloc, long regarded as the moral conscience of the party.

His outreach to influential figures like Saraki and Sango signals his emergence as a unifying force and consensus builder in opposition politics.

As the PDP works to reclaim lost grounds and redefine its national strategy, Olawepo-Hashim’s reconciliation drive is fast becoming a rallying point for leaders seeking to restore the party’s unity and strength ahead of the next political cycle.

At a time access to quality healthcare still remains a luxury for millions of Nigerians, the Pistis Foundation is once again stepping into the gap – with compassion, precision and purpose. The organisation has announced the rollout of UBOMI 8.0 Medical and Surgical Outreach, slated for October 27 to 31 in Lagos State.

Tagged the flagship edition of the year, UBOMI 8.0 aims to deliver over 10,000 free medical interventions to vulnerable and underserved populations across the state. For five days, residents from low-income communities will receive a full range of healthcare services – from basic consultations and health screenings to complex surgeries, dental and eye care, maternal health support, and community health education – all at zero cost. The announcement came during the Pistis Foundation’s 7th anniversary press conference, where UBOMI was celebrated as one of the most impactful social intervention platforms of The Elevation Church. Over the years, the initiative has become a lifeline for thousands who would otherwise be unable to afford medical treatment.

UBOMI – a name that means ‘life’ – is more than a medical outreach. It’s a movement built on dignity, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. That belief was vividly expressed earlier in September 2025, when the Foundation extended its mission behind prison walls. In what has been described as a first-of-its-kind intervention, UBOMI provided medical care to over 1,350 inmates at the Kirikiri Correctional Centres (Maximum, Medium, and Female facilities). The outreach mobilised more than 80 volunteers, who offered medical consultations, treatment, and medications, as well as hygiene supplies. For many inmates, it was the first time in years they had seen a doctor.

‘UBOMI is about restoring dignity, hope, and the assurance that every life matters,’ said Leonard F. Thomas, Executive Director of Pistis Foundation. ‘By expanding healthcare access to the most underserved – from inner-city communities to correctional facilities – we are demonstrating that compassion has no boundaries.’

That philosophy has guided the Foundation’s growing impact since inception. With each edition, UBOMI reaches deeper into communities where healthcare is often out of reach – providing not only physical healing but also emotional renewal. As preparations intensify for UBOMI 8.0, the Pistis Foundation is calling on individual donors, philanthropists, NGOs, corporate organisations, healthcare providers, and development agencies to join hands in scaling the initiative’s reach. According to the Foundation, partnership and donor support are vital to sustaining and expanding its ability to deliver these free medical interventions at scale. In a country where out-of-pocket health spending continues to push families into poverty, efforts like UBOMI remind Nigerians that the best of humanity still thrives – in acts of service that heal, uplift, and restore. ‘UBOMI is not just healthcare,’ Thomas added. ‘It is hope delivered – one patient, one community, one heartbeat at a time.’

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the November 8 election and incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has dismissed as false and baseless reports claiming he plans to arrest and jail Catholic bishops and priests after his re-election.

The Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, in a statement yesterday, described the report as a ‘clear case of misinformation and fake news’ aimed at creating tension and undermining the peaceful atmosphere in the state.

He stressed that Governor Soludo has no such plans and continues to respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens, including religious leaders.

‘The attention of the Anambra State Government has been drawn to a fabricated story circulating in some media outlets alleging that Governor Chukwuma Soludo plans to arrest and jail Catholic bishops and priests after his re-election,’ the statement read.

‘We categorically state that this report is entirely false, baseless, and malicious. It is the handiwork of shadow opposition elements that have resorted to propaganda for lack of campaign material. They are advised to face their dwindling campaigns.’

Mefor added that Soludo, a staunch Catholic, maintains cordial relations with the Church and its leaders, and remains committed to peace and mutual respect.

He urged residents to disregard the false report and always verify information before sharing, especially those designed to incite public unrest.

‘The government respects the rights and freedoms of all citizens, including religious leaders. Ndi Anambra should disregard this falsehood and demand verifiable evidence before believing such stories,’ he said.

Mefor further reiterated the administration’s resolve to continue its campaign against fake spiritual practitioners, including ‘fake native doctors, fake Ndi Eze Nwanyi, and fake clergymen and women,’ under the ongoing Oso Soludo initiative.

He also noted that the state government would continue collaborating with the Federal Government to identify and prosecute certificate forgers and other fraudulent elements in the state.

Disc jockey Florence Otedola popularly known as DJ Cuppy has shared how difficult it’s been adjusting back to normal life after sister Temi Otedola’s lavish wedding.

Cuppy took to Snapchat to express her feelings, revealing that returning to her daily routine hasn’t been easy.

‘So I’m back in London and it has been a tough reality check going back to normal life from Temi’s wedding,’ she wrote, adding with a sigh, ‘Take me back.’

The Otedola family’s celebrations dominated social media for days, with many fans praising the grandness and emotional moments from the wedding.

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the EFCC establishment act to give it more powers to carry out its task in line with current realities

Leading the debate, its sponsor, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, said the Bill seeks to strengthen the institutional Independence, operational efficiency, and accountability framework of the EFCC, with a view to making it more effective in combating the growing complexity of Economic and financial crimes in Nigeria.

Gagdi, who heads the House Committee on Navy, said when the EFCC Act was enacted in 2004, it provided Nigeria with a pioneering legal framework to tackle corruption and financial crimes, adding that two decades later, the landscape of financial crimes has evolved far beyond what the current law envisaged.

He said: ‘Cybercrime, cryptocurrency manipulation, illicit financial flows, terrorism financing, and real estate-based money laundering have become prevalent. Yet, the EFCC operates under outdated provisions that do not adequately address these new realities’.

He argued that the existing Act does not provide sufficient guarantees for the Independence of the Commission, exposing it to external influence and political Interference.

‘This Bill represents a decisive step toward strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption

framework. It seeks to ensure that the EFCC operates as an independent, professional, and transparent institution that is responsive to modern financial crime realities.

‘This amendment will not only enhance Nigeria’s global reputation, but also promote good governance, economic stability and public confidence in the fight against corruption.’

The bill which has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Crimes was unanimously passed without debate.

Actress Regina Chukwu has condemned verbal abuse in relationships, stating that it is equally as damaging as physical abuse.

Addressing men, Chukwu, in an Instagram post, emphasised that hurtful words can have a lasting impact on a woman’s emotional well-being, causing irreparable damage to her heart, confidence and peace.

According to Chukwu, the effects of verbal abuse can be profound and long-lasting, altering the dynamics of a relationship forever.

She urged men to be mindful of their words and to treat their partners with respect and kindness.

‘Verbally abusing your woman is just as bad as hitting her, because those words echo in places no apology can reach.

‘You might not leave marks on her skin, but you’ll leave damage on her heart, her confidence, and her peace. And once a woman’s peace is gone, you’ll never get the same version of her again,’ she wrote.

Afrobeats singer Lojay has praised rapper Olamide for outstanding contribution to their collaborative track, ‘Suru’.

Lojay, on X, expressed his admiration for Olamide’s creativity and lyrical skill on the verse, describing it as genius.

He confessed that he has love forever for Olamide for the second verse on Suru, stating that only God knows how he does it.

‘Love forever to @Olamide for the second verse on ‘Suru’! Na only God know how you dey do am,’ he wrote.

The post has garnered significant attention from fans, who have echoed Lojay’s sentiments and praised the chemistry between the two artists.

Olamide’s verse on Suru has been widely acclaimed for its smooth flow and signature style, complementing Lojay’s melodic delivery.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its two-week warning strike for one month.

It said the suspension was meant to allow further negotiation with the Federal Government following the intervention of stakeholders.

ASUU President Christopher Piwuna announced the suspension of the strike yesterday at the union’s national secretariat at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

He stated that the suspension followed the progress made in the talks with government officials regarding the union’s outstanding issues.

The ASUU president said the union received the Federal Government’s offer through the Yayale Ahmed-led FGN Renegotiation Team.

Piwuna announced that the offer was presented to members and deliberated upon at the NEC meeting, which started on Tuesday and progressed till 4 a.m. yesterday.

Piwuna said some progress has been made on the issues but said union members unanimously rejected the 35 per cent salary increment component of the draft agreement.

The ASUU president said although the offer represented a shift from the government’s previous position, it fell short of the union’s expectations after about eight years of its face-off with the government over unmet demands.

He said the union recognised the government’s commitment to addressing the outstanding issues, as the offer was made with timelines.

According to him, the union believes that the offer was made with the knowledge of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and urged the President to ensure that the right steps are taken before the expiration of the one-month window.

He said: ‘When we gathered here about 10 days ago to painfully declare a warning strike, it was a decision that left us with no other choice. This was because the government would not respond to several overtures urging it to address the lingering renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and other issues affecting the welfare of our members and the repositioning of Nigerian public universities to enable them to deliver on their mandate.

‘As responsible citizens, we were and are still convinced that it was the most expedient thing to do in order to save our university system from imminent collapse – a cause we have championed for more than three decades.

‘As you are aware, the Federal Government responded to our declaration of a warning strike with threats of salary denial and directives to vice chancellors on ways to make the union’s action ineffectual.

‘However, we can report that ASUU has had useful engagements with representatives and agents of government in the last one week.

‘The ASUU team met on Thursday, October 16, and Saturday, October 18, 2025, respectively, with the Yayale Ahmed-led FGN Team to consider the government’s response to the Draft Renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement. Another date was also fixed for the next round of deliberations by the two teams at the last meeting.

‘We certainly have not achieved the twin objective of concluding the renegotiation, which started way back in 2017, and fully addressing other lingering issues.

‘However, we are definitely not where we were prior to and at the commencement of the strike. This poignantly shows that had the government positively responded to the union’s earlier notices and appeals, there would have been no need for the strike in the first place.’

Piwuna applauded the intervention of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and members of the National Assembly.

The ASUU president said the union must acknowledge the swift intervention of the Senate Committees on Tertiary Education and TETFund, and Labour, led by their chairmen.

He said: ‘The union’s engagements with the two committees on Friday, October 19, 2025, and a follow-up meeting with the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, the same day, appeared promising in amicably resolving all the outstanding issues.

‘Our members place a lot of hope on the strong promises made by these distinguished Senators. We look forward to working with them to fully deliver on their promises.

‘The union acknowledges that the government has returned to the negotiating table – a feat that was impossible for almost one year. All issues related to this development have been faithfully reported to ASUU members nationwide and were comprehensively interrogated at an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of our union held on October 21 and 22.

‘While noting that much more work is still required, NEC came to the conclusion that the objective of the warning strike had been partly achieved.

‘Hence, it was decided that the ongoing strike be reviewed to allow for a conducive atmosphere for further engagements between the two parties. The decision to review the action was borne out of respect for our students and their parents, the media, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and other well-meaning Nigerians who have mediated over the last ten days and have continued to do so.

‘We owe them a great debt of gratitude for their understanding, resilience, and demonstration of solidarity.

‘Consequently, NEC resolved to suspend the warning strike to reciprocate the overwhelming support of Nigerians. In addition, NEC resolved that a one-month window should be given to the government to conclude the ongoing renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and fully address other outstanding issues.

‘NEC hopes that the government will take advantage of this opportunity to timeously resolve all the issues to guarantee industrial harmony and ensure stability in our academic calendar, as it has always promised.

‘In summary, the emergency NEC meeting resolved that: the warning strike is hereby suspended with effect from midnight, Wednesday, October 22, 2025; should the government fail to resolve the issues within the one-month window, ASUU reserves the right to resume strike action without further notice; and ASUU appeals to patriotic Nigerians and stakeholders in education to prevail upon the government to speedily conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement and other outstanding issues.’

The union declared a two-week warning strike on October 12 to press home its demands.

Piwuna said the union would not have embarked on the strike if the Federal Government had responded to its demands.

Piwuna listed ASUU’s seven demands as the re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of universities, an end to the alleged victimisation of ASUU members in LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University) and FUTO, payment of outstanding 25-35 per cent salary arrears, settlement of promotion arrears spanning over four years, and remittance of outstanding third-party deductions.