Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic death of Arise Television anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who was killed during an armed robbery at her Katampe residence in Abuja on Monday, September 29, 2025.

In a condolence message signed by its Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, the NUJ described Maduagwu as a brilliant and dedicated journalist whose professionalism and poise left a lasting impression on colleagues and viewers.

The Council extended condolences to her family, friends, and Arise Television, stressing that her untimely death highlights Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

It also urged the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant agencies to conduct a thorough forensic investigation and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.

In honour of her memory, the NUJ urged members of the media community to reflect on the values Somtochukwu upheld: integrity, excellence, and service to society, while offering prayers and support to her grieving family.

‘Though her life was brief, her impact was profound. May her legacy continue to inspire courage and truth in journalism.’

The NUJ FCT Council prayed for strength and comfort for her loved ones, and called on journalists across the country to remain united, vigilant, and supportive of one another during this period of collective mourning.

Actress Regina Daniels caused a stir on social media on Monday with a video of herself and her husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, using the restroom.

The viral video captured the look on Ned’s face as he seemingly showed his displeasure before going on to pee.

Regina, who’s a mother of two, was seen quickly blocking the camera’s view as her husband appeared to be using the restroom.

According to the timestamp on the video, the incident occurred around 5:30 am.

The playful moment has since generated a flurry of comments from fans, with many praising Regina for her swift and protective gesture, while others found humor in the early morning recording.

While some praised the actress for her protective gesture and sense of humor, others criticised the video as being inappropriate and disrespectful.

One social media user commented: ‘He saw the video recording and still brought it out. I didn’t even see anything, so everyone should rest. If he had a problem with it, he would have asked her to delete it.’

Another critic wrote:’So disrespectful.’

A third user added: ‘It’s shameful! To showcase a serving senator this way is completely unacceptable.’

HP Inc. has raised concerns over evolving cyberattack techniques that are making it increasingly difficult for traditional security tools to detect threats.

The company’s latest threat insights report highlights how cybercriminals are refining long-standing methods such as phishing and ‘living-off-the-land’ (LOTL) attacks.

LOTL attacks involve the use of legitimate system tools to carry out malicious activity, making them difficult to distinguish from normal operations.

According to HP Threat Researchers, attackers are now chaining multiple, often less common, binaries in single campaigns, complicating efforts to flag suspicious behavior.

The report, based on data from millions of endpoints running HP Wolf Security, identified several recent campaigns. One involved a fake Adobe Reader invoice that contained a reverse shell script hidden in a small SVG image. The file, disguised as a legitimate Adobe Acrobat Reader document with a fake loading bar, was geofenced to German-speaking regions to evade automated detection.

Another campaign hid malware inside pixel image files. In this case, attackers embedded an XWorm payload within Microsoft Compiled HTML Help files disguised as project documents. The infection chain used PowerShell and CMD scripts to extract the payload and erase traces of the attack.

Researchers also observed the continued spread of Lumma Stealer, one of the most active malware families in the second quarter of 2025. Despite a law enforcement crackdown in May, attackers used IMG archive attachments and LOTL techniques to distribute the malware through multiple channels.

‘Attackers aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they are refining their techniques,’ said Alex Holland, Principal Threat Researcher at HP Security Lab. ‘We’re seeing more chaining of living-off-the-land tools and the use of less obvious file types, such as images, to evade detection.’

Dr. Ian Pratt, Global Head of Security for Personal Systems at HP Inc., added that the challenge for organizations lies in balancing security and usability. ‘Living-off-the-land techniques are notoriously difficult for security teams because it’s hard to tell legitimate activity from an attack. Even the best detection will miss some threats, so defense-in-depth with containment and isolation is essential to trap attacks before they can cause harm,’ he said.

HP’s findings underscore how cybercriminals continue to adapt, using creativity and technical precision to stay ahead of security defenses.

Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) has congratulated Sir Victor Akpoguma, Principal Partner of the law firm V.E. Akpoguma and Co., on what he described as his well-deserved conferment of the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In his statement, Dafinone noted Akpoguma’s elevation is a recognition of his over three decades of meritorious service to the legal profession and society at large.

‘Sir Victor has demonstrated uncommon brilliance, integrity, and resilience in the practice of law since establishing V.E. Akpoguma and Co. in 1999. His elevation as SAN is not only a personal triumph but also a source of pride to the Urhobo Nation and Delta State,’ the Senator remarked.

Describing him as an illustrious son of Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Senator Dafinone emphasized that Akpoguma’s professional journey reflects the virtues of hard work, excellence, and commitment to justice. He added that Akpoguma’s recognition brings honour not only to his family and community but also to the entire Urhobo Nation.

‘On behalf of the good people of Delta Central, I congratulate Sir Victor Akpoguma SAN on this outstanding achievement. May this milestone inspire the next generation of legal practitioners to strive for excellence, and may God grant him continued wisdom, strength, and success in his service to the nation and humanity,’ Dafinone stated.

A civil society group, Frontier Waves, has faulted remarks by Senator Ali Ndume representing Borno South at the Senate over his call for President Bola Tinubu to issue an executive order in resolving the dispute between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, Ndume had said the president could act decisively, even ‘like a dictator,’ to end the crisis that reportedly arose after the alleged disengagement of over 800 refinery workers.

‘The best thing is for the president to sign an executive order calling them off. He has the right to dissolve them. In this case, I don’t mind if he acts like a dictator because some situations require very drastic measures,’ Ndume had said.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Frontier Waves expressed concern over the senator’s position, saying it did not reflect the role of a lawmaker in a democracy.

The statement, jointly signed by the group’s President, Oluwa Vincent, and Secretary, Ramsey Nede, noted that rather than recommending strong-arm measures, the senator should have encouraged dialogue to resolve the dispute between the refinery management and the union.

The group stressed that trade unions such as PENGASSAN and NUPENG are recognized under Nigerian law and have historically played important roles in protecting workers’ rights in the oil and gas sector.

According to Frontier Waves, ‘When two parties have issues, the best way is to look for ways to resolve their differences amicably. Calling for dictatorial action against unions undermines the democratic values Nigerians uphold.’

The group further urged President Tinubu to promote dialogue and reconciliation in the matter, adding that respect for union rights is central to sustaining Nigeria’s democratic system.

Lions Clubs International has inaugurated Lagos Autism Community Lions Club, the first in Nigeria.

The event, which doubled as Charter Presentation and Fundraising, took place at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Petrolina Amos was installed charter president. Amos said her leadership would focus on building a supportive environment for autistic children and their families.

‘I will create a community where children with autism are loved, valued, and empowered,’ she said. ‘I want them to know their worth, unlock potential, and thrive despite the challenges.’

She paid tribute to her family for their sacrifices and thanked the Montreal Autism Community Lions Club in Canada for standing by the vision of establishing a similar platform in Nigeria.

Chair of the Charter Presentation and Fundraising Committee, Emeka Obi, said: ‘Today is a milestone not just for Lagos or Nigeria, but for Africa. This club signals an era of inclusion, awareness, and support for individuals living with autism.’ He urged members and guests to sustain the club’s programmes.

Governor of District 404B4, Adebowale Afolayan, congratulated Amos and urged her to serve with compassion.

‘The club is born from vision and resilience. Your installation is a call to champion the cause of the autistic community and amplify the strength of the neurodiverse,’ he said, promsing support.

Experts estimate that at least 600,000 children live with autism spectrum disorder in Nigeria, though the figure could be higher due to under-reporting and poor diagnosis.

A lawyer, Emmanuel Chinyere Orji, has sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for declaring him wanted without a court order.

He is seeking N1billion in exemplary and general damages.

In a fundamental rights suit filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, he is praying for a declaration that the publication and hasty declaration of him as a wanted person with his name and photo published in The Nation Newspaper on August 20, 2025, Special Police Gazette Bulletin and official website of the police without any prior order or leave of a court of competent jurisdiction is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.

He is urging the court to hold that the publication amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty, private and family life, freedom of movement and rights not to be subjected to inhuman treatment as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35, 37, 41(1) and 46 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights as ratified and domesticated by the National Assembly.

ýOrji is asking the court to declare that the IG lacks the statutory power to declare him a wanted person without first obtaining an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

Through his legal team led by Edwin Anikwem (SAN), he sought an order quashing the publications.

ýThe applicant also sought an order directing the IG to publish an apology to him for the illegal, unconstitutional and gross violation of his fundamental rights in the publication and hasty declaration of him as a wanted person.

He sought an order awarding him N500million only as exemplary damages for the flagrant violation of his rights, and another N500million only as general damages.

Orji sought an order of injunction restraining the respondent or his agents from further infringing or violating his constitutionally guaranteed rights with respect to the subject matter of the suit.

It is on the ground that he has never been tried or convicted of any criminal offence in any court of law, nor has he ever jumped bail for any offence in Nigeria; therefore, he cannot be declared wanted by administrative fiat without any prior order or leave of court.

ýIn a supporting affidavit, Stephen Adekpe, a litigation officer in the applicant’s counsel’s law firm, stated that Orji is a legal practitioner of over 20 years’ standing.

ýýHe stated that the applicant is presently outside the country to treat a spinal cord issue.

The deponent stated that Orji, as a lawyer, has represented companies and individuals and has always discharged his obligations diligently and dutifully.

He stated that declaring the applicant a wanted person makes him a fugitive from the law.

Adekpe added: ‘Any person who knows about the fact of the applicant being declared wanted has a right to arrest him.

‘Arresting the applicant will lead to his liberty being constrained.

‘The applicant is not aware of any order against him from a court of competent jurisdiction that would warrant the respondent to publish Exhibit A (wanted declaration) against him.

‘The respondent has not followed the provisions of the law with regard to declaring persons wanted.

ý’If the respondent is not restrained by an order of this Honourable Court, the respondent shall continue to circulate the unlawful and illegal publication.

‘The applicant is entitled to be indemnified in both exemplary and general damages, and most importantly, an apology from the respondent.

‘No amount of damages can compensate for the damage the Respondent has done to the Applicant’s reputation personally and in the practice of his profession.’

Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris has urged Nigerians to have faith in their country.

He said the gains of the last two and a half years should be consolidated.

Idris said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has demonstrated an uncommon commitment to balanced and inclusive development since assuming office.

He said: ‘This administration is working for you, listening to you, and committed to ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind. Let us continue to believe in Nigeria, because together, we can make our country greater than ever before.

‘As we celebrate 65 years of independence, let us steadfastly hold on to hope, unity, and patriotism. Let us never lose sight of the fact that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan – it is a reality that is already touching lives and will continue to do so in the years ahead.

‘Once again, this is our message to you: we need all hands on deck to consolidate on the gains of the last two and a half years, even as we march boldly towards the Nigeria of our dreams.’

He added: ‘Contrary to the perception being pushed in some quarters, this administration has demonstrated uncommon commitment to balanced and inclusive development since assuming office. The distribution of capital projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is equitable. No region is taking a back seat.’

The minister said the government was fully aware of the sacrifices the people had been making in the last two years.

Idris said: ‘We fully acknowledge your sacrifices and your understanding in the last 28 months, as President Tinubu has worked tirelessly to steady the ship. It is now time for the entire country to reap the fruit of the seeds of reform that have been painstakingly planted.’

He added: ‘Local Government Areas are being fiscally reintegrated as catalysts for growth and development, with the financial autonomy that the President is determined to fully operationalise.

‘Today, all state governments now receive, from the Federation Account, multiples of the revenue they used to get, thanks to the increased headroom from the oil subsidy removal. Subnational governments are now able to do a lot more, and with less debt.’

The minister pointed out that with the reforms in place, no state should be owing workers salaries, stressing that any state that does ‘is doing so by choice’.

He added: ‘This is the more reason why the ‘All Hands-on Deck’ message is apt and timely-henceforth no tier of government has any excuse not to fully pull its weight in this collective task of comprehensive economic growth and development.’

He also unveiled plans by the Federal Government to support state and local government infrastructural development.

Idris said: ‘Beyond these, the Federal Government is actively going further to support various subnational infrastructure projects, like the light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna States, for which funding to the tune of ?150 billion and ?100 billion has been secured.’

Highlighting other achievements of the administration, Idris said: ‘The establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is meant to harness our underutilised potential and transform Nigeria’s livestock sector into a sustainable and globally competitive industry.

‘In addition, to spur agricultural production, the Bank of Agriculture has been recapitalised to the tune of N1.5 trillion and is regarded as the most significant boost to agricultural financing in Nigeria.

‘Under President Tinubu, our nation is gradually recapturing the spirit of people-centred, grassroots development, through the establishment of five new regional development commissions and a supervising federal ministry for regional development.

‘We are in the middle of a road and transport infrastructure revolution, of which the flagship initiative is the one comprising the Presidential legacy highways, designed to connect Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, enhance national integration and unlock new economic corridors.

‘Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and its Eight (8) Priority Areas, President Tinubu is laying the building blocks for a national renewal anchored on prosperity, peace and unity. At this point, our collective participation in nation-building is critical to the sustenance of the progress being made.

‘That is why the theme of this 65th Anniversary is ‘All Hands On Deck’ – a direct and heartfelt call to all Nigerians and our friends and partners around the world to show understanding and to commit to supporting these landmark reforms.

‘Our trade surplus continues to grow, with an increasing share of contributions from the non-oil sector. Declining inflation, a strengthening currency, falling food prices, growing external reserves-all of these are more eloquent testament that we are on the right track.

‘From January 2026, we will commence implementation of the Tax Acts quartet, which will expand our nation’s revenue base while simultaneously simplifying tax collection and lessening the burden on our people. These new tax laws represent a huge leap forward for the Nigerian economy and for business, entrepreneurship and investment.

‘With more revenue at its disposal, on account of the reforms, the Tinubu administration is investing heavily in the key components that will catalyse our collective growth and development: health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, energy security, regional and grassroot development, small business, youth, and national security.

‘As we speak, more than 500,000 students of tertiary institutions – universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, are already benefitting from the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), in which tuition and upkeep fees are paid for by the Federal Government. This is unprecedented in our history.

‘Under President Tinubu, our nation is gradually recapturing the spirit of people-centered, grassroots development, through the establishment of five new regional development commissions and a supervising federal ministry for regional development.

‘We are in the middle of a road and transport infrastructure revolution, of which the flagship initiative is the one comprising the Presidential legacy highways, designed to connect Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, enhance national integration and unlock new economic corridors.

‘These landmark road projects are the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway; the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway; the 477-kilometre Trans-Saharan Highway traversing Cross River, Ebonyi, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa states, and the FCT; and the 422-kilometre Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Expressway.’

Also, there will be no anniversary parade to mark the 65th Independence celebration tomorrow in Abuja, the Federal Government said yesterday.

However, other programmes already slated for the anniversary will take place, according to a statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Senator George Akume .

The Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, who signed the statement, explained that the decision does not in any way diminish the significance of the milestone celebration, stressing that other programmes lined up for the anniversary will proceed as planned.

He said: ‘The cancellation is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary, and the government remains committed to celebrating Nigeria’s 65th year of independence with dignity and enthusiasm’.

He said government regrets any inconvenience caused by the cancellation and assured that activities marking the anniversary would reflect the spirit of national pride.

Imohiosen added that the Federal Government appreciates the understanding, support, and cooperation of Nigerians, the diplomatic community, and invited guests.

He urged Nigerians to always support the reform initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as essential to the collective goal of building a greater Nigeria.

The Director of Alliance Française in Ibadan, Oyo State, Mrs Olaide Turner-Moyet, has called for more friendly immigration policies across Africa, to strengthen international trade, foster cultural and linguistic exchange, and advance continental prosperity.

She urged Africans to learn foreign languages, multilingual skills, particularly in international business, diplomacy, tourism and academia; build global friendships and professional relationships that would remain out of reach.

Speaking at the 2025 Ghana FESTAC Festival held at the International Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana, Turner-Moyet said Africa remained blessed with creativity, resources and human potential, adding that friendlier policies, particularly on immigration, would enhance inter-country collaboration, productivity and cultural exchange.

The award-winning artist and Fellow of the Eccolerite Institute for Peace Advancement, expressed delight about the growing ‘Back to Africa’ movement, describing it as a modern ‘Japada’ trend that was bringing Afro-descendants in the diaspora home to reconnect with their roots, especially in Ghana and Republic of Benin.

She noted that ”this reconnection strengthens cultural bonds, deeps spiritual significance and affirms Africa’s relevance worldwide.”

Reflecting on African identity, Turner-Moyet said Africans were deeply spiritual at their core, noting that reparations and restitutions should go beyond the return of artefacts to include acknowledgment of Africa’s spiritual heritage as part of its global contribution, as Africans continued to honour their ancestors through libations and ceremonies.

In her advocacy for cultural diplomacy through food, she introduced her idea to transform ‘Jollof Wars’ into ‘Jollof Friendship’ at the Jollof competition between Ghana and Nigeria during the FESTAC Festival.

Turner-Moyet said food must be a unifying force, binding friendship, fun and flavour across Africa.

Citing the legacy of leaders like Leopold Senghor, Kwame Nkrumah, Obafemi Awolowo and Nelson Mandela, she told Africans that unity in diversity should inspire common trade, cultural integration and stronger bilateral ties.

Other distinguished voices, including Zimbabwean Ambassador Ruth Hungwe, Nigerian Professor of Literature and History Benjamin Okaba and Tourism Expert, Yinka Abioye, emphasised the importance of policies such as a continental currency and streamlined immigration protocols, to support deeper African integration.

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the closure of the application portal for the 2024/2025 academic session from today.

The agency said the closure would enable it to conclude the processing of pending applications and upkeep payments.

It said the loan portal will reopen in the second week of October for fresh applications and remain open until January 2026.

NELFUND’s Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr announced this while addressing rporters yesterday in Abuja.

The agency boss also announced the timelines for the 2025/2026 academic cycle, in line with NELFUNDs mandate to expand access to higher education through interest-free student loans.

Sawyerr said: ‘NELFUND remains committed to removing financial barriers for students and working with institutions to ensure that no eligible student is left behind.

‘These timelines provide clarity for students, parents, and institutions to plan ahead and participate fully in the process.’

The managing director directed institutions to update their students’ records on the Student Verification System (SVS) to enable applicants to access the scheme.

He said all unverified applications for 2024/2025 would be automatically cancelled after October 8, adding that affected students would be required to reapply under the new session.

Sawyerr warned that institutions that failed to verify students’ records risk being publicly listed for non-compliance.

Commenting on the upkeep stipends for students, the NELFUND boss explained that payment for the 2024/2025 session would continue until November.

According to him, students are expected to reapply for the 2025/2026 to continue receiving payments.

Sawyerr stressed that the scheme remained interest-free, with repayment to begin two years after the students would have completed their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), while employers would deduct 10 per cent of beneficiaries’ salaries.

The NELFUND managing director expressed concern over arbitrary hikes in tuition and ancillary fees by some institutions.

He said a committee set up by the Minister of Education was working with regulators to harmonise and standardise fee structures nationwide.

Responding to concerns about upkeep stipends, the NELFUND boss said the current N20,000 monthly allowance would not be increased immediately.

Sawyerr announced that an ongoing review of cost-of-living indices across regions could lead to weighted adjustments in the future.