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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to respond to a suit seeking to compel the release of records of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Justice Salim Ibrahim gave the order when the matter came up for hearing.

The Incorporated Trustees of Pathway to Equity and Charity Foundation had filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1812/2026.

The group prayed the court to compel the NYSC to disclose documents supporting the minister’s claim that he completed the mandatory one-year national service.

The foundation also sought an order of mandamus directing the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the 2nd respondent, to produce records showing that the minister did his primary assignment at the FCTA.

When the case was called, counsel to the applicant, Chief Solomon Akuma, SAN, told the court he was ready to proceed with the hearing.

However, Abiola Olaniji, who appeared for the minister, said he had filed an application for Tunji-Ojo to be joined as the 3rd respondent.

Olaniji said the applicant (foundation) had responded with a counter affidavit raising serious issues, to which he needed time to reply.

The lawyer stated that the minister was ready to take part in the proceedings as an interested party.

But Akuma opposed the application, arguing that the minister was not a proper party.

He said the suit only sought an order of mandamus compelling the respondents (NYSC and FCTA) to produce documents that are not in the minister’s custody.

Justice Ibrahim directed the minister to file and serve his reply to the applicant’s counter affidavit, which opposed his application to be joined as a party in the suit before the next hearing date.

The judge then adjourned the matter until Oct. 18 for hearing.

The applicant had sought from the NYSC the mobilisation or call-up letter issued to Tunji-Ojo in 2006 or any other year; the posting letter to the FCTA in 2006 or any other year; and his application for mobilisation.

It also sought the evidence of approval of his remobilisation by the NYSC’s Director-General; evidence of payment of allowances to him; the record of his Community Development Service and his discharge certificate.

The foundation equally sought from the FCTA, the mobilisation or call-up letter, the posting letter, his attendance record during the service year, evidence of any allowance paid to him, among others.

It said the application was brought under Section 14 of the Federal High Court Act, Order 34 Rules 1, 2 and 5 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019.

It also cited Sections 20, 21 and 25 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011.

The Edo State House of Assembly has approved a supplementary budget of ?939.85 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.

The approval was granted during Monday’s plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yekini Idiaye, following the consideration of a report by the House Committee on Supply.

Presenting the report, the committee’s chairman, Hon. Sunday Fada, outlined its findings to the lawmakers, after which the House dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the bill clause by clause.

The lawmakers subsequently adopted the committee’s recommendations, paving the way for the bill to scale third reading and secure passage.

Under the supplementary appropriation, ?351.5 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while ?588.3 billion is allocated to capital projects, bringing the total proposed spending to ?939.85 billion.

Following the passage, Speaker Idiaye directed the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Yahaya Audu Omogbai, to forward clean copies of the bill to Governor Monday Okpebholo for assent.

In a related development, the lawmakers observed a minute’s silence in honour of victims of the Oluku fire incident.

The House adjourned plenary until November 9, 2026.

The spokesman of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr Habibu Sale Mohammed, has accused African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar of trying to discredit Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mohammed made the allegation on Monday during an interview with Trust TV.

He criticised Atiku’s approach to political campaigning, accusing him of making statements aimed at misleading Nigerians rather than addressing important issues.

According to Mohammed, Atiku’s strategy is to damage the public image of Obi, whom he described as the presidential candidate, and Kwankwaso, his running mate.

He said Atiku’s statements were intended to discredit the two politicians and mislead Nigerians who were unhappy with the current administration.

Mohammed also questioned Atiku’s campaign activities, claiming that he had not made enough efforts to meet Nigerians directly or visit different states to seek their support.

He contrasted Atiku’s approach with that of Obi and Kwankwaso, whom he said had been travelling across the country to meet people and make commitments to them.

Mohammed maintained that Obi and Kwankwaso were making efforts to connect with Nigerians as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has announced that it will hold its inaugural meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, 20 October to deliberate on the flag off of the party’s campaign for re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Secretary of the Council and governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma said this in a notice to members of the APC-PCC on Sunday evening.

Uzodimma said in the notice that the meeting is strictly by invitation to the list of attendees which are the leadership and members of the campaign council.

The meeting will hold at the Presidential Campaign Council HQ Plot 781, Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, Abuja.

‘You are hereby invited to the inaugural meeting of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, scheduled to hold as follows: Date: Tuesday, 20th, October 2026 Time: 2 PM Prompt Venue: PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL HQ Plot 781, Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District (Central Area), Abuja. Attendance: Directors and Secretaries of Directorates

‘Kindly note that the meeting is strictly by invitation and is open only to the 134 members of the Presidential Campaign Council listed below.

‘The meeting will formally commence the collective assignment of the Council and provide an opportunity to consider and adopt the Campaign Calendar, as well as to deliberate on other ancillary matters, including preparations for the flag-off of the campaign scheduled to hold in Kaduna on Saturday, 24th October 2026,’ the notice read.

The APC had earlier indicated that it will kick off the reelection campaign of President Bola Tinubu on Oct. 24 in Kaduna.

President Tinubu is expected to attend the campaign rally.

The Kaduna chapter of APC had also indicated that it is ready to host President Tinubu and other party leaders for the presidential campaign

The State Publicity Secretary, Mr Muhammad Sani at a news conference in Kaduna on Monday, 12 October said there no better city the president could have chosen to kick off his campaign for reelection than Kaduna.

With his choice of Kaduna, we have no doubt that the march to victory has started,’ Sani said.

‘We are proud that the march to Aso Rock in 2027 is beginning from Kaduna on Oct. 24, 2026.

‘We want to assure Mr President, all APC members and the whole of Nigeria that Kaduna State is well prepared to receive party members and to spearhead the campaign for the President’s victory,’ he said.

Sani the mobilisation, under the leadership of Gov. Uba Sani, was expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people.

‘We are going to mobilise, under the leadership of our governor, Senator Uba Sani, hundreds of thousands of people to welcome Mr President. We are going to show love and solidarity,’ he said.

The publicity secretary also expressed confidence in the party’s pledge to deliver two million votes for Tinubu in Kaduna State during the 2027 presidential election.

He claimed that the state had no opposition, insisting that the political atmosphere was united behind the APC.

A diesel-laden tanker carrying approximately 45,000 litres of fuel fell off Otedola Bridge in Lagos and burst into flames on Monday, prompting a coordinated emergency response by state and federal agencies.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying preliminary reports indicated that the tanker plunged off the bridge before bursting into flames.

Oke-Osanyintolu said two adult males were rescued from the scene and given pre-hospital medical care by paramedics from LASEMA’s Lagos Response Unit and an ambulance team from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

He added that the rescued men were subsequently transported to the Trauma Centre by the Lagos State Ambulance Service for further medical attention.

The permanent secretary said personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the NNPC Fire Service were already at the scene battling the fire when LASEMA activated its emergency response.

According to him, the agency cordoned off the affected area, conducted a rapid risk assessment and provided operational support to the ongoing firefighting and rescue efforts.

Oke-Osanyintolu added that the fire had been brought under control, while dampening operations continued to prevent a possible resurgence.

‘The cause of the incident had yet to be established as investigations were ongoing,’ he said.

LASEMA advised motorists to avoid the affected corridor and use alternative routes while emergency operations continued.

The agency urged members of the public to exercise caution around the scene as responders worked to secure the area and manage the remaining risks.

President Bola Tinubu has become the first Nigerian president to receive the United Nations’ proposed budget, according to Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, who described the presentation as a historic first in 66 years.

Ibrahim presented the seven-volume document, containing the proposed $14 billion budget for 2027, to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

The Nigerian envoy, who chairs the UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee responsible for budgetary and administrative matters, said the development marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s participation in the global organisation.

‘This is the first time in 66 years that Nigeria will share budget in the committee. The first time. So I don’t know when we’re going to do that again in history,’ Ibrahim told journalists.

He explained that the document had been presented to his committee by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and that he considered it appropriate to formally deliver a copy to the Nigerian president.

‘President Bola Tinubu is making history to have been able to receive that budget, being the first President in 66 years that will receive such budget from the United Nations, and it’s not a small issue for a country to receive the whole UN budget,’ he stated.

Giving details of the proposal, Ibrahim said approximately $3.4 billion was earmarked for the UN’s regular activities, while $8.5 billion was allocated to peacekeeping operations.

He put the overall proposed budget at about $14 billion, although the two figures he disclosed amounted to $11.9 billion.

The ambassador stressed that the budget had not been approved and would undergo further examination, negotiations and possible adjustments by member states.

‘The budget still has to be approved. This is a proposed budget. It’s at the proposed stage,’ he explained.

Asked what Nigeria stood to gain from the UN’s spending plans, Ibrahim declined to give specific figures, saying discussions were still ongoing.

He cited the construction of a $267 million UN conference centre in Kenya as an example of how the organisation invests in facilities across member states.

The proposed budget will be subjected to further scrutiny by the UN General Assembly before final approval and implementation.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned universities against issuing official admission letters to candidates, insisting that only admissions processed through its Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) are legally recognised.

The board said candidates who accept admission offers outside CAPS risk having documents that may not be accepted for official purposes, including mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Segun Aina, gave the warning when he received a delegation from Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja, during a courtesy visit to his office.

Aina said the Federal Ministry of Education had directed all tertiary institutions to process admissions through CAPS. He stressed that any admission conducted outside the approved platform was illegal and invalid.

He explained that JAMB was the only body legally authorised to issue official admission letters to candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the country.

The registrar expressed concern that some candidates believe admission letters issued by universities are genuine simply because they carry the names and identities of the institutions.

He urged universities that issue such letters to stop the practice and ensure that candidates obtain their official admission documents from JAMB.

Aina also explained that universities could not replace the official admission letters issued by JAMB with their own documents after candidates had accepted their admission offers through CAPS.

He warned that admissions not processed through the approved platform might not be recognised for official purposes, including NYSC mobilisation.

The registrar urged universities and prospective students to follow the approved admission process to avoid problems in the future.

Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has died at the age of 71, according to a statement issued by his family.

Uduaghan, who governed Delta State from 2007 to 2015, reportedly died on the morning of Monday, October 19, 2026.

His death was announced in a statement signed by Toju Anire Uduaghan on behalf of the family, which described his passing as a profound loss to his relatives, friends, associates and the people of Delta State.

The family said Uduaghan was a source of strength and a father figure whose life and service touched many people across the state and the country.

‘He was a source of strength, a father figure, a beloved brother and uncle, and a respected elder. We will deeply miss his presence and forever cherish the memories and legacy he leaves behind,’ the statement said.

Before becoming governor, Uduaghan served as Delta State Commissioner for Health from 1999 to 2003 and later as Secretary to the State Government from 2003 to 2007.

He assumed office as governor in 2007 and served two terms, leaving office in 2015. During his eight years in office, his administration pursued human and infrastructural development across the state.

The family expressed gratitude to God for his life and years of service, while praying for comfort and strength for those mourning his death.

‘Your memory will forever remain in our hearts, and your legacy will endure in the lives of those you touched,’ the family added.

His death marks the end of a chapter in Delta State’s political history, following his years in public service as commissioner, secretary to the state government and governor.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has urged his supporters in the United Kingdom to stop giving money to people begging for financial assistance back home in Nigeria, as he called for a change in the country’s political leadership.

Obi made the controversial appeal during a town hall meeting with his supporters in the UK on Sunday, where he challenged Nigerians to support leaders with proven records of financial discipline rather than continue tolerating corruption.

‘You have people at home in Nigeria today who are begging you for money. Tell them no!’ Obi declared.

The former Anambra State governor insisted that his record in public office distinguished him from other governors, claiming that none had matched his achievements in saving public funds.

‘I’m not saying I’m a saint, but I saved money. I’ve not seen one governor who has saved 10 per cent of what I saved. No governor has done it,’ he said.

Obi urged Nigerians to begin changing the country’s political fortunes by electing leaders who had demonstrated greater financial responsibility.

‘Let’s start with this one that is less corrupt. That’s how other countries change,’ he said.

He argued that Nigeria’s development had been undermined by the diversion of public resources, accusing corrupt politicians of sharing money meant for essential services and acquiring properties abroad.

‘Countries change by people saying, hey, wait a minute, enough of this,’ Obi told his supporters.

‘And we know what that problem is. It is that money that they are sharing, that money they are using to buy properties is why there’s no school, there’s no hospital.’

He also criticised the use of allegedly stolen Nigerian funds to purchase houses in England, linking the practice to the country’s persistent shortage of schools and hospitals.

Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Technical Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE) with participantBy Muhyideen Jimoh

For a young Nigerian struggling to find a job, a sewing machine could provide an entry point into entrepreneurship, generate income and help support a family.

For another, a laptop could open up opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), graphic design and other areas of the digital economy.

These possibilities underpin the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS), which seeks to equip Nigerians with practical skills, productive tools and opportunities to earn sustainable livelihoods.

However, poverty reduction requires more than short-term interventions.

The critical question is whether such programmes can help beneficiaries establish viable businesses, secure employment and sustain their incomes.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s wider skills development challenge, as the government and other stakeholders seek to bridge the gaps between education, vocational training and labour market demands.

For instance, the Federal Ministry of Education’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative reported more than 1.3 million applications, with 160,000 youths matched to training and over 73,000 enrolled, alongside more than 1,700 accredited training centres.

Although these figures relate to a separate initiative, they indicate substantial demand for vocational training and underscore the need to connect training opportunities with employment and entrepreneurship.

More broadly, technical and vocational education can provide pathways into employment and self-employment.

Its effectiveness, however, depends partly on relevant courses, qualified instructors, access to equipment and links with employers and markets.

Similarly, aspiring entrepreneurs may require start-up capital, mentorship and access to customers to turn newly acquired skills into sustainable sources of income.

Against this background, the NPRGS seeks to combine vocational training with certification, productive equipment and entrepreneurship support.

At the centre of the intervention is Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE).

Her work focuses on translating the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda into practical opportunities for Nigerians through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and technology-driven empowerment.

In support of the initiative, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, commended the programme and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to interventions that align with Nigeria’s national development priorities and improve citizens’ livelihoods.

‘The NPRGS is a cornerstone of our national development agenda. By focusing on skills, we’re tackling poverty at the root and unlocking Nigeria’s human capital,’ he said recently.

The programme forms part of the administration’s broader poverty reduction agenda.

According to the State House, the NPRGS is intended to contribute to the Federal Government’s target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years.

Within this broader strategy, the skills intervention has a stated target of reaching five million young Nigerians in four years.

This distinction is important because the number of people trained or provided with equipment does not automatically translate into the number lifted out of poverty.

Explaining the objective, Arogundade said: ‘The objective is to lift more than five million Nigerians out of poverty.

‘What we are doing, and what the President wants us to achieve is to move as many people out of poverty through skills acquisition, empowerment, entrepreneurship and technology-driven opportunities.’

To advance these objectives, the programme combines vocational trades with digital skills, offering participants different pathways into employment and self-employment.

Its training areas include digital technology, fashion design, makeup artistry, solar installation and agriculture-related enterprises, reflecting the range of skills through which beneficiaries could pursue income-generating activities.

In Abuja, more than 300 beneficiaries received training in cybersecurity, web development and solar installation, alongside laptops and certificates.

Beyond the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the programme has been extended to Oyo State, with Enugu and Kebbi among the next locations scheduled for implementation.

The Oyo State phase further demonstrated the programme’s combination of technical instruction and practical empowerment to help beneficiaries apply their newly acquired skills.

At the programme’s graduation ceremony in Ibadan on Oct. 9, 700 beneficiaries received support through its training and digital empowerment components.

At the event, Arogundade urged beneficiaries to extend the benefits of the intervention to others, emphasising the potential of knowledge-sharing to multiply its impact.

‘Don’t use it as a one-man solution or one-man empowerment. There’s a multiplier effect. Train your neighbours, train your community people, and also continue to impact and learn more,’ she said.

Beyond the programme’s overall figures, participants’ experiences offer insights into how the training could influence their career paths and livelihood prospects.

Miss Balikis Soliu, a participant in makeup artistry and a mathematics graduate of the University of Ilorin, said the opportunity had opened up a new path towards entrepreneurship and an improved livelihood.

Although she already had some basic knowledge of makeup before the training, Soliu said the theoretical and practical sessions had greatly expanded her skills and understanding.

‘It has been a very interesting journey and a genuine transfer of knowledge,’ she said.

According to Soliu, the trainers ensured that participants acquired practical skills to help them establish successful careers in the beauty industry.

‘I teach mathematics. So now, combining teaching and makeup artistry will help me because I have been living only on salaries.

‘I can’t wait to own my own space and become a very good makeup artist,’ she said.

Similarly, another participant, Mr Akintunde Fabiyi, a mathematics and science teacher, said the technology training had broadened his understanding of digital tools, graphic design and AI.

He said he had been introduced to new concepts and technological tools, particularly design software for creating professional designs and developing brands.

Fabiyi also highlighted the importance of AI, noting that he now understood how to apply emerging AI tools efficiently and productively in graphic design.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for the initiative, adding that participants had covered significant aspects of technology and design within seven days.

Nevertheless, Fabiyi acknowledged that the 10-day training period was insufficient to cover every aspect of the programme’s syllabus.

He said this had reinforced the need for participants to remain committed to continuous learning and skills development after the training.

Fabiyi said he planned to ‘level up and scale up’ by consistently practising the skills acquired, learning new techniques and taking advantage of available opportunities.

He said his goal was to improve his professional prospects and income while contributing to society and serving as a good ambassador of Nigeria.

For Mr Ogunyemi Aduragbemi, a fashion design trainee, the programme offered an opportunity to return to a trade he had previously practised.

Aduragbemi said he had abandoned fashion design for trading because he could not afford the necessary equipment.

He therefore expressed excitement about receiving equipment at the end of the training, saying it would enable him to combine trading with fashion design and improve his income.

Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, commended Arogundade and the Federal Government for the initiative, describing it as a game changer in efforts to reduce poverty.

‘It’s a very good initiative, and we are very proud of Arogundade and this initiative.

‘I would also like to encourage many people in her position to emulate her, because this will go a long way in empowering people and reducing poverty in our society,’ the Olubadan said.

The programme is also expected to extend to Enugu and Kebbi states, broadening access to vocational and technology-based training.

In Enugu, Gov. Peter Mbah has pledged support for the programme ahead of its planned launch in the state on Oct. 28.

The governor acknowledged the programme’s potential to expand economic opportunities and generate wider development benefits.

In addition to providing vocational training for young people, the intervention promotes digital inclusion through technology-based learning opportunities for students.

More than 100 HP laptops have been provided to schools, alongside training opportunities in robotics and AI.

Beneficiary institutions include Government Secondary School, Tudun-Wada, Wuse Zone 4, and Government Science and Technical College, Garki, Abuja.

Through these activities, the initiative seeks to expose students to technologies that could support future employment, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Nevertheless, access to equipment and introductory training alone may not guarantee sustained participation in the digital economy.

Continued learning, mentorship and opportunities to apply acquired skills will also be important.

Similarly, vocational training may not automatically translate into stable earnings without access to start-up capital, customers, suitable working conditions and markets for beneficiaries’ products and services.

These considerations are important in assessing the programme’s poverty reduction ambitions, especially as implementation expands to more states and reaches different groups of Nigerians.

For the Tinubu administration, the target of lifting more than five million young Nigerians out of poverty is substantial.

Achieving it will require sustained implementation, effective partnerships and measurable results.

Consequently, the programme’s long-term success will depend on whether the training translates into productive work, viable businesses and lasting improvements in household livelihoods.

Arogundade’s approach brings together skills development, equipment provision, business grants and evaluation, potentially strengthening the link between empowerment initiatives and measurable economic outcomes.

From sewing machines and makeup kits to laptops and solar technology, the strategy seeks to provide practical resources through which beneficiaries can pursue productive livelihoods.

While Arogundade has urged beneficiaries to extend their skills to others, the wider test of the NPRGS will be whether the training translates into sustainable livelihoods.

As the programme expands to more states, its impact will depend on beneficiaries’ ability to apply their skills, establish viable businesses and secure reliable sources of income.

Tracking these outcomes will be essential to determine the extent to which the intervention contributes to the Federal Government’s poverty reduction objectives.

Ultimately, the programme’s value will lie not only in the number of Nigerians trained but also in the economic opportunities they create for themselves, their families and their communities.