Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Lecturers at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), owned by Ondo State Government, have threatened to disrupt the planned resumption of students and the forthcoming convocation, if their outstanding salaries are not paid.

The lecturers, under the umbrella of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), embarked on strike last month over the non-payment of their salaries and arrears, a development that has since paralysed academic and social activities on campus.

The Chairman of AAUA ASUU, Dr Boluwaji Oshodi, said the lecturers had exercised enough patience over the alleged refusal by the government to address their plight.

‘We have been patient and tolerant for long, but this time, we won’t be again. Our people have been pushed to the wall. We are not seeing any effort that can signal that the state government is ready to do the right thing,’ Oshodi said.

He said efforts to meet with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had been unsuccessful.

According to him, lecturers had endured harsh conditions, including conducting examinations ‘on an empty stomach.’

Reacting, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, dismissed claims that the government had abandoned the institution.

He said the state government had been engaging with the striking lecturers to resolve the dispute and assured people that the issues would soon be addressed.

He said Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration had continued to release monthly subventions to state-owned tertiary institutions, including AAUA, without delay.

ARISE New Channels was thrown into mourning yesterday when a female member of staff, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, died during an armed robbery.

The incident occurred at her residence in Katampe District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja yesterday.

According to a statement signed by Hadiza Usman-Ajayi on behalf of the management of ARISE News Channel yesterday evening.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the management said has, however, launched an investigation into the incident.

Beyond the airwaves, ARISE News Channel described the 29-year-old journalist referred to as Sommie as ‘a lawyer who was a professional and supportive colleague and a friend to many.’

‘It is with heavy hearts that the management and staff of the ARISE News Channel announce the passing of our beloved colleague, News Anchor, Reporter and Producer, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu. Sommie tragically passed away in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025 following an armed robbery incident in her residence in Katampe area of Abuja that is being investigated by the Nigeria Police.

‘Sommie, 29, was not only a cherished member of the ARISE News family but also a vibrant voice that engaged and connected with our viewers.

‘We extend our deepest condolences to Sommie’s parents, siblings, extended family, friends, and loved ones at this difficult time. Sommie’s voice is now silent but her spirit, passion and legacy will endure as part of our collective memory.’

We remain in shock and call for a speedy investigation, apprehension and prosecution of the culprits,’ Usman-Ajayi stated.

Also confirming the incident, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, who spoke with our correspondent said the police have started investigating the matter, adding though no arrest has been made.

Adeh said: ‘yes, we (the police) are aware of the incident and we are investigating it. Nobody has been arrested but all I can say is that we have commenced investigation’.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF)’s Component of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), Sector 3, has conducted successful airstrikes on hostile elements in Kwara State.

Its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said this in a statement yesterday.

According to the statement, the air component carried out multiple coordinated missions on Sunday across Kakihun, Oke-Ode, Babanla, and surrounding areas.

Reconnaissance and close air support operations were launched to deter threats, targeting hostile elements spotted east of Babanla.

Ejodame added that concurrent surveillance flights covered key settlements and military positions, gathering vital intelligence to support ground operations.

‘These missions reaffirm NAF’s commitment to protecting troops and civilians, maintaining air superiority, and sustaining pressure on hostile actors.

‘All operations were completed successfully,’ he said.

He further assured Nigerians of the Air Force’s resolve to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and protect communities from threats.

‘Citizens are encouraged to remain confident, vigilant, and supportive of the Armed Forces as decisive actions continue to restore lasting peace and security across the country,’ he added.

Also, the Kwara State Police Command, in collaboration with the National Forest Security Service (NFSS), has started manhunt for the killers of 12 persons in Kwara community.

Gunmen suspected to be bandits last Sunday invaded Oke-Ode community, Ifelodun Local Government Area and shot dead a monarch and 11 vigilance members.

The spokesperson of the state Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said: ‘Manhunt operations are ongoing, and the command assures residents that those responsible will be brought to justice.’

The state Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the spate of killings and kidnappings.

The party expressed ‘our deepest sorrow and outrage over the gruesome massacre of innocent citizens in Oke-Ode community by heartless bandits.

‘To us, this is a despicable and senseless act and it is the height of man’s inhumanity to man which must be condemned by all people of conscience,’ PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, said in a statement.

Adewara added that ‘the PDP condoles with the entire Oke-Ode community, particularly the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this callous onslaught by criminals that appear to have overpowered the Kwara State Government and are tactically taking over the state.

‘Our hearts are broken for the families and friends of those brutally killed and the many now struggling in hospitals. The gruesome videos of the casualties circulating online make it look like Kwara is at war.

‘It is painfully clear that these criminals have overpowered the Kwara State Government and are basically taking over our state. What makes this tragedy even worse is the casual, ‘levity hand’ way the Kwara State Government is treating the whole situation.

‘A responsible and responsive leader should visit Oke-Ode, stand with the mourners, and assure citizens of decisive action.’

‘Sadly, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has chosen to focus his energy on attacking the opposition, particularly Senator Bukola Saraki, rather than confronting the deepening insecurity ravaging the state.

‘We re-echo the voice of our leader: the opposition is not the governor’s problem. His real challenge lies in his own incompetence, nonchalance, and confused handling of the state’s worsening security situation.

‘Under the governor’s watch, terror is reigning, kidnappers are taking over rural villages and nowhere is safe again

‘What Kwara is experiencing is unprecedented, unfortunate, and a monumental leadership failure.

‘While we pray for the repose of the souls of those killed in this senseless attack and wish the injured quick recovery, we urge Governor Abdulrazaq to wake up from his slumber and stop dismissing every call for action as mere politics.

‘The protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of the government, and any leader who fails in this duty has failed woefully in every other area of governance.’

Super Falcons attacker, Gift Monday says her attention has shifted from her heroic of last weekend and now fully focused on Washington Spirits continental action against Gotham FC in the Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup tomorrow.

Monday also revealed that they also have San Diego Wave to slug it out this weekend in the league and cannot continue to dwell on her hat-trick of the past weekend.

The former FC Robo Queens striker etched her name into the history books on Sunday, scoring the fastest hat-trick from the start of a match in NWSL history to inspire Washington Spirit’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Houston Dash and book their place in the playoffs.

The 23-year-old forward struck three times inside the opening 36 minutes, underlining her reputation as one of the league’s most lethal finishers. She opened the scoring in the 18th minute with a calm finish past Abby Smith, doubled her tally three minutes later by pouncing on a rebound, and completed her treble with a deft strike from a Trinity Rodman assist.

Each goal was marked with Monday’s trademark bow-and-arrow celebration and dance routine, a gesture she explained carries a personal meaning.

‘Growing up, I didn’t have people who really believed in my potential,’ Monday said. ‘Each time I score, I shoot the arrow because I see myself more than how people see me – right there up in the sky among the stars.

‘I can’t continue dwelling on the goals I scored though I am thrilled about it. I am now more concerned about our upcoming games in the Champions Cup and the league.’

Her historic feat, assisted by U.S. internationals Rodman (two) and Croix Bethune (one), makes her only the second Spirit player after Crystal Dunn in 2015 to record a first-half hat-trick.

Signed earlier this year from UD Granadilla Tenerife in Spain, Monday has now netted eight goals in 19 appearances, keeping her firmly in the Golden Boot race alongside Orlando’s Barbra Banda and Chicago’s Ludmila.

The Spirit’s triumph was not only historic for Monday but also for the club, delivering their biggest-ever winning margin and stretching their unbeaten streak to 10 games – a new record.

The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria, has unveiled plans for the Nigeria Transport and Logistics Leadership Summit and Awards (NTLSA) 2025, scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, in Abuja.

According to NITT, the summit, with the theme ‘Building Sustainable Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Nigeria: Current Trends and Future Insights,’ will serve as a high-level platform for policymakers, regulators, operators, academics, investors, and industry leaders to shape the sector’s future.

The institute said the event will feature keynote addresses, strategic panel sessions, technical presentations, and networking opportunities, bringing together stakeholders from the road, rail, maritime, aviation, pipeline, logistics, and allied sectors.

It explained that the summit is expected to generate innovative solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure and mobility challenges while also exploring opportunities for collaboration, investment, and growth.

A major highlight of the programme will be the Nigeria Transport and Logistics Leadership Awards, aimed at celebrating individuals, organisations, and institutions that have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and impact in advancing the sector.

Speaking ahead of the event, Director of the Transport Technology Centre, Dr Joshua Odeleye, who represented NITT Director-General/Chief Executive, Dr Bayero Salih Farah, said the summit was designed to stimulate dialogue and action toward sustainable transport growth.

‘By bringing stakeholders under one roof, we aim to promote efficiency, innovation, and sustainability across the entire ecosystem,’ Odeleye stated.

He added that winners of the Leadership Awards will be selected through a nationwide nomination and voting process conducted across multiple media platforms, including national newspapers.

The Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) has announced that Nigeria will not be submitting any film for the International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards.

Although six films were submitted for consideration, the committee ruled that none met the standards required for global competition.

In a statement, NOSC Chairperson Stephanie Linus cited a lack of creative and technical intentionality in Nigerian films as the reason for the decision.

She, however, acknowledged the progress made so far and the growing awareness of international standards, while stressing the need for further development in the industry.

‘While Nigerian films have no doubt shown significant improvement and growing awareness of IFF standards, there is still a deficit in creative and technical intentionality that will improve their competitive potential for global awards,’ she said.

The committee plans to take proactive steps to encourage filmmakers to create with the Oscars in mind.

‘This is why the NOSC will be taking more proactive steps to encourage filmmakers to create with the Oscars in mind,’ Linus stated.

Linus encouraged Nigerian filmmakers to study previous International Feature Film-nominated works to deepen their understanding of the category’s expectations and strengthen future submissions.

The NOSC has formally communicated its decision to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, expressing regret that no Nigerian film was deemed suitable for the category this year.

The International Feature Film award is presented annually by the Academy to a feature-length motion picture produced outside the United States that contains at least 50 per cent non-English dialogue.

Three people, including a commercial motorcyclist and his two passengers, have lost their lives in a fatal accident near the Ogba River Bridge in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State.

Eyewitnesses said the accident occurred on Monday night when the driver of an SUV lost control and rammed into the motorcycle, killing all three victims instantly.

The incident sparked protests by fellow Okada riders along the Airport Road, who decried recurring fatal accidents in the area.

They alleged that the SUV driver was involved in advance fee fraud, popularly known as ‘Yahoo Yahoo.’

One of the protesters, Abdullahi Usman, identified the deceased Okada rider as their union secretary, lamenting the recklessness of so-called ‘Yahoo Boys’ on the roads.

‘The accident was very severe. It was the Divisional Police Officer at the Estate Police Station who calmed the situation,’ Usman said.

Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Cyril Matthew Zango, was unavailable for comments as of press time.

A foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has faulted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s push for Nigeria to secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja ahead of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Okechukwu described Nigeria’s quest as a bold and visionary move, aligning with Vice President Kashim Shettima’s call at the UN for fairness, African representation, and institutional reform.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s contributions to global peace, including its role in World War II, justify its claim for a permanent seat and representation on behalf of Africa.

Okechukwu urged political stakeholders to support the initiative as a unifying national aspiration rather than framing it around domestic challenges.

‘In the 2023 presidential election, they erroneously breached zoning, an unforced error, hoping to harvest northern voters they quarantined in a dormitory. They paid dearly with voters’ punishment.

‘Penultimate week again, ADC recklessly dismissed the time-tested convention of rotation of the presidency – a glue that binds our fragile 4th Republic democracy. Even when their mother party, PDP recanted.’

He also cited the false claim of Tinubu’s Life Presidency Agenda, recalling, ‘Last week, they hallucinated by alleging that Mr. President was plotting for a life presidency, as if Nigeria operates in a banana republic without a constitution or institutions to check such excesses.

‘Yesterday, they incongruously derided Nigeria’s push for a permanent UN Security Council seat, speaking as though the seat is President Tinubu’s personal property, instead of a lifetime strategic gain for Nigeria and Africa.’

Reacting to ADC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi’s vile statement condemning the country’s request for a UN permanent seat, Okechukwu stressed that asymmetrical security challenges should not be used to undermine Nigeria’s hard-earned international seat, noting that every great nation balances political parties’ ambition with patriotic goals.

‘Methinks that this UN Security Council seat is not for Bola Tinubu’s Emilokan, but a strategic asset for Nigeria and Africa. Albeit a step towards resorgimento, where our voice is heard and we participate in shaping global peace and security.

‘For ADC to ridicule such a quest is not only a short-sighted, unforced error, but purely unpatriotic to our collective national interest.’

Okechukwu concluded by appealing to ADC leadership that instead of divisive tendencies and unforced errors, to as a matter of urgent national importance, apologise to our sister political party – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), they demolished.

‘Sincerely, we in APC, in the interest of viable democracy in our dear fatherland, we want ADC to unite with PDP and form a formidable opposition party before they start playing blame games.’Okechukwu submitted

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to prioritize national interest in its dispute with the Dangote Group, warning that any strike at this sensitive time would damage Nigeria’s fragile economic recovery.

Umahi made the appeal on Monday during an inspection of Sections I and II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos, according to a statement by his media aide, Uchenna Orji, stressing that any industrial action would derail the progress the nation is beginning to record.

He also used the occasion to dismiss as ‘fraudulent’ a claim by Stella Okengwu, Chief Executive Officer of Winhome, who alleged she invested $250 million in a parcel of land affected by the highway construction.

The Minister described her allegations as a scam and warned that she risks being invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if she fails to provide evidence of the investment within seven days.

According to Umahi, Okengwu must show proof that she purchased the land in 2022 for ?50 million and obtained development approval, let alone committing $250 million to it.

‘Where is the money? If it was not invested in a rickety gate on the land, then she should declare where it went,’ he said, adding that the Lagos State Government had already revoked the property to make way for the Federal project and offered her monetary compensation.

The Minister further urged her to account for the funds she claimed to have raised from diaspora investors or submit herself for investigation by anti-graft agencies.

Civil society groups that initially supported her protests have since withdrawn, describing her claims as unfounded and misleading.

Umahi explained that his inspection tour was part of a periodic performance evaluation of ongoing federal road projects across the country and to verify additional works being executed by the project’s contractor, Hitech Construction Company Limited.

The entourage included Segun Sowunmi, public affairs analyst and former Atiku presidential campaign spokesperson; the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adebomehin; senior directors of the Federal Ministry of Works; and representatives of civil society organizations.

Umahi said the presence of figures across party lines and civil society groups was deliberate, providing independent voices to assess the project’s quality and pace.

He commended Hitech Construction for its commitment to national development, noting that the firm is constructing what will become Nigeria’s largest flyovers to connect Sections I and II of the highway.

He dismissed social media reports portraying the unprotected shoulders of the highway as signs of failure, describing them as ignorance or mischief by those unfamiliar with phased engineering processes.

He urged Nigerians to disregard such uninformed and mischievous social media activists, while assuring that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a transformational project that will not be derailed by distractions, but will stand as a backbone for national development.

Sowunmi, who also spoke after the tour, praised the project as a masterpiece and lauded President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure vision under the Renewed Hope agenda.

He urged Nigerians to rise above partisan politics and support projects that secure the nation’s future.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the planned arraignment of a politician and online publisher, Omoyele Sowore, for making false claims against President Bola Tinubu to October 27.

Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters and serial presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), was to be arraigned on Tuesday on a five-count charge brought against him and two others by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The two other defendants listed in the charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/484/2025, are X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp.

At the mention of the case on Tuesday, lawyer to the prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, noted that the matter was scheduled for arraignment and applied that the defendants’ plea be taken.

Lawyer to Sowore, Marshall Abubakar objected, noting that one of the defendants – X Incorp – was not represented by either a lawyer or an official.

Abubakar claimed that his client had not yet been served with the charge. He also noted that X was not represented.

The defence lawyer contended that, in a criminal case, it is mandatory that all the defendants are present in court for a proper arraignment to take place.

At that point, the judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, looked through the case file and confirmed that X and Meta were served with the charge electronically, through their email addresses.

On noting that Sowore was yet to be served personally (as required), the prosecuting lawyer sought the court’s permission to serve Sowore (who was in court) during the proceedings, a request the judge granted.

Sowore’s lawyer, however, prayed for an adjournment to allow his client, who was just served the charge, adequate time and opportunity to prepare for his defense as provided under Section 282(6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

Justice Umar then adjourned till October 27 for arraignment.

The charge was filed on September 16, a few days after an earlier request by the DSS on Facebook and X, the platforms allegedly deployed by Sowore for his said false claim, to pull the misleading message down.

In the charge, Sowore, the presidential candidate of the AAC in 2019, is accused of contravening the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Criminal Code Act.

Counts in the charge read:

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 25th day of August, 2025, did use your official X handle page, @Yele Sowore, to send out a message/ tweet as: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ which you know the said message to be false but posted it for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, especially among individuals, who hold divergent views on the personality of the President and CommanderinChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025, did use your official Facebook page, Omoyele Sowore, to send out a message/ post as: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ which you know the said message/post to be false, but posted it for the purpose of causing a breakdown of law and order in the country, especially among individuals who hold divergent views on the personality of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act, 2024.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 25th day of August, 2025, using the instrumentality of X, via your official X account @Yele Sowore, did knowingly publish defamatory material on your online platform viz: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly, against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025, using the instrumentality of Facebook, via your official Facebook account Omoyele Sowore, did knowingly publish defamatory material on your online platform viz: ‘This criminal @officialPBAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly,’ against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), and thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 375 of the Criminal Code Act.

*That you, Omoyele Sowore, adult, male on or about the 26th day of August, 2025 with intent to cause public fear and disturbance, published false information on your official X and Facebook accounts @Yele Sowore, respectively, against the personality and reputation of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act and punishable under the same Act