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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disclosed how her church members once rejected her over her husband’s controversial Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, leaving her isolated in her own parish and forced to rely on her faith to survive the storm.

In her new 52-page memoir The Journey of Grace: Giving Thanks in All Things, released to mark her 65th birthday, Mrs Tinubu described the period as ‘a bitter pill’ that tested her loyalty to her church and her walk with God.

She recalled how the Redeemed Christian Church of God parish where she had worshipped faithfully for 15 years split over the All Progressives Congress’ decision in 2022 to field her husband, Bola Tinubu, alongside Kashim Shettima, both Muslims.

‘One of such decisions was the unpopular ‘Muslim/Muslim ticket’. My being a Christian did not matter. My local Assembly, Redeemed Christian Church of God, was split,’ she wrote.

Despite the resentment, the First Lady said she refused to abandon the church where she rose from worker to Deaconess, and eventually to Assistant Pastor in 2018. Instead, she continued to attend services, drawing strength from supportive elders who prayed with her through the turbulent season.

‘But my husband’s bid for the Presidential Office was different, a bitter pill for them to chew,’ she admitted.

‘So the little resentment I witnessed from a few was met with the peace of God.’

The All Progressives Congress’ same-faith ticket was one of the most divisive political moves of 2022, sparking outrage from prominent Christian groups who warned it could deepen Nigeria’s religious fault lines. But supporters countered that competence, zoning and electoral arithmetic mattered more than religion.

Looking back, Mrs Tinubu said she learned to forgive both political allies who betrayed her husband and church members who distanced themselves during the heated campaigns.

‘I do not have anything against anyone.the question is how did I not feel the betrayal anymore? I knew the grace factor was evident, and the Holy Spirit continually comforted me. Never to avenge myself, assuring me that it is God’s prerogative. Mine is to thank Him for fighting for us,’ she wrote.

The First Lady revealed that the episode drew her closer to God, citing scripture as her anchor during the trials. She said a revelation from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ‘In everything give thanks’ helped her let go of bitterness and see her political battles through the eyes of faith.

Now looking back as the wife of Nigeria’s President, Mrs Tinubu said she has chosen peace over resentment:

‘Letting go is what I did; doing good is what matters most. Like my Saviour Jesus Christ in Acts 10:38. I am at peace, doing all I can to make Nigeria better and greater.’

Barcelona’s director of football, Deco, has dismissed claims that the club would be forced to buy Marcus Rashford permanently after his loan spell from Manchester United.

Speaking to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Deco explained that the deal is a simple loan with an option to buy, and there are no penalties if Barça decide not to trigger the clause.

‘We signed Marcus on a simple loan with an option to buy. It’s not a high fee. There are no penalties if we do not sign him permanently. He’s doing great, we are very happy. the final decisions come later,’ Deco said.

Rashford, 27, joined Barcelona in July on a season-long loan after falling out of favour at Old Trafford. Reports in Spain suggest the buy option is set at around pound 30-35 million, though Barça have so far declined to confirm the figure.

The England forward has quickly adapted to life at Camp Nou, registering two goals and four assists in eight games, including a Champions League brace against Newcastle United.

Despite his bright start, Deco insisted it was too early to discuss whether the club would sign him permanently, stressing that the decision will be taken at the end of the season.

Big Brother Naija season 10 housemate, Jason Jae, has been crowned as the Head of House for the final week of the show.

The housemate was crowned on Monday evening, after winning the final HoH challenge.

Jason Jae also chose to spend the HoH lounge with Sultana.

Although the privilege of being immune to eviction as the head of house no longer applies in the final week of the reality TV show, Jason Jae made history as the first and last HoH of this season.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has condemned alleged rape, assault, and forced administration of unknown substances on Nigerian girls held in deportation camps in New Delhi, India.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said this in a statement issued on her behalf on Tuesday by the Director Media, Public Relations and Protocols of the Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun,

The NIDCOM boss in the statement said disturbing accounts and videos shared by some of the victims showed that the Nigerian girls were subjected to inhumane treatment and grave violations of their dignity and fundamental human rights.

‘The alleged acts of sexual violence, physical abuse, and intimidation are both heartbreaking and unacceptable,’ Dabiri-Erewa said in the statement while condemning the reported abuses in the strongest possible terms.

She added that Nigerian citizens, wherever they are in the world, must not be treated as less than human, nor should their vulnerability be exploited under the guise of immigration procedures.

‘We are further alarmed by claims that corrupt practices involving middlemen and certain groups are worsening the plight of our citizens through exploitation and extortion. If verified, such actions not only endanger lives but also undermine justice and due process.

‘NiDCOM reassures the victims and their families that these disturbing reports will not be ignored. We are already engaging with the Nigerian High Commission in India, relevant Indian authorities, and international human rights organizations to ascertain the veracity of these claims and ensure that immediate and urgent steps are taken to protect the victims, provide them with medical and psychological support, and bring perpetrators to justice.

‘We call on the Government of India to urgently investigate these allegations, close down any channels of exploitation, and ensure the safety and dignity of Nigerians within its borders.

‘Our hearts go out to the young women and men enduring such traumatic experiences. We stand in solidarity with them and affirm that Nigeria will never abandon its citizens in their time of need.

‘NiDCOM will continue to follow up on this matter until justice is served, and the dignity of every Nigerian is safeguarded,’ the Commission said in the statement

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday approved the appointment of new heads for three key agencies of the Federal Government, according to a statement by Mr Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government.

According to the statement, the President approved the appointment of Bello Bawa Bwari as Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency.

The appointment of Bwari was for an initial four-year term, effective from Sept. 18, 2025.

Also, the President also appointed Mr Aminu Junaidu as Chairman of the Investment and Security Tribunal.

His appointment was for a five-year term, beginning on Sept. 18, 2025.

In the same vein, President Tinubu appointed popular Television Continental journalist, Mr Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.

Awakan’s appointment was for an initial four-year term, effective from Sept. 2, 2025.

Imohiosen stated that the appointments underscored Tinubu’s resolve to strengthen key sectors and institutions in the country.

He added that the President urged the appointees to apply their expertise towards advancing the growth and development of their agencies for national progress.

The Flying Eagles were unlucky to lose 0-1 to Norway in their opening match of the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup finals on Monday despite dominating play and creating a hatful of chances, particularly in the second period.

Norway went ahead after they were awarded a contested penalty in the 9th minute, but the Flying Eagles fought hard to redeem things, only to be denied penalty awards on two occasions in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi’s left-footed shot inside the box drifted just wide in the 47th minute, with the goalkeeper completely beaten, and in the 63rd minute, Tahir Maigana’s left-footed shot inside the box was stopped by the base of the upright.

The two-time silver medallists launched onslaught after onslaught against the Europeans, but Norway had too many players behind the ball in the box and foiled dozens of attempts.

In the 71st minute, the crowd rose to cheer the equalizer, but midfielder Nasiru Salihu’s rising shot from the right rose a little too high, beating the goalkeeper and the crossbar.

Seven minutes from time, the tireless Tahir Maigana cocked the trigger from afar, only to see his effort miss the target narrowly.

The Flying Eagles will take on Saudi Arabia in their second match of the competition on Thursday.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday handed over donkey bones and skins worth over ?3.94 billion impounded from smugglers to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in Kaduna.

Area Controller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B, Kaduna, Mr Aminu Sule, handed over the confiscated animal parts to the NESREA State Coordinator, Mr. Hene Emmanuel.

The items handed over include 700 bags of donkey bones valued at ?1.86 billion and 2,500 pieces of donkey skins valued at ?2.07 billion.

The donkey parts were intercepted in separate operations by the operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B unit.

Speaking at the event, Sule decried the illegal trade in donkey parts, warning that it posed serious ecological and socio-economic risks.

‘Donkeys are essential to rural communities as a source of livelihood and transport. Their indiscriminate slaughter threatens sustainable development,’ he said.

Sule emphasised the commitment of the NCS to enforcing environmental protection laws and curbing wildlife crimes, stating that FOU Zone B would not allow Nigeria to become a hub for illegal wildlife trade.

‘This seizure is a clear warning to traffickers: FOU Zone B will not relent in the fight against environmental crime,’ he added.

The Customs boss highlighted that the operation and successful handover were the outcomes of improved inter-agency cooperation, in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi’s ‘Three-Point Agenda of Collaboration, Consolidation, and Innovation’.

He praised the dedication of his officers and partner agencies even as he called for increased support from the public, especially transporters, warehouse operators, and traders to report suspicious activities linked to wildlife trafficking.

Also speaking, NESREA’s State Coordinator, Mr Hene Emmanuel, commended the Customs service for its vigilance and expressed the agency’s commitment to ensuring proper environmental compliance and protection of endangered species.

Illegal trade in donkey parts, especially skins and bones, has been on the rise in recent years due to growing demand in parts of Asia.

The Edo State Executive Council has approved a revised supplementary budget for the 2025 fiscal year from ?675.220 billion to ?799.820 billion.

The approximately ?125 billion increment represents 18 percent jack-up of the budget.

The approval followed an emergency executive meeting held on Monday, September 29, 2025, and presided over by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.

The State Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okoebor, while briefing journalists after the meeting, explained that the adjustment was necessitated by government’s commitment to infrastructure development.

He explained: ‘Previously we have a budget of ?675 billion with recurrent expenditure having about 33 percent and capital 67 percent. The new revised budget now has about 70 percent for capital expenditure as against 30 percent for recurrent expenditure. It shows the commitment of governor Monday Okpebholo in infrastructural development in Edo state.

‘The increment in the budget is about ?125 billion, which signifies about 18 percent of the previous budget. Recurrent increased with about ?12 billion, while capital is about ?113 billion from the previous one. Given about 25 percent increment in capital expenditure and just 5 percent increment in recurrent expenditure.

‘It clearly shows that the government is concerned about infrastructural development making Edo people happy. We have done about 254 kilometers of road across the state, and many more construction works are ongoing.

‘Recurrent expenditure has about 5 percent increment as the increase in minimum wage necessitated that increment including a lot of employment the present administration did in hospital management board for over 1000 and it needs to be captured.

‘The budget has been increased by ?125 billion, which is about 18 percent, and capita expenditure about 25 percent increment, from ?450 billion to ?563 billion.’

The revised budget is expected to be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for legislative consideration and passage.

The ongoing industrial row between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has led to a significant shortfall in gas supply.

This is according to the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) which says this has led to the slashing off of the country’s power generation by more than 1,100 megawatts.

NISO is a critical division within the country’s power sector, responsible for managing and coordinating the operations of the national electricity grid.

According to a statement released by NISO on Tuesday, total generation on the National Grid dropped sharply from over 4,300MW in the early hours of Sunday, 28 September 2025, to just 3,200MW at its lowest point, raising serious concerns of a potential nationwide blackout.

‘These disruptions triggered widespread gas shortages, reducing available generation and putting immense pressure on the grid,’ the statement said.

NISO said to stabilise the grid, it swiftly deployed emergency interventions, including ramping up output from Nigeria’s major hydropower stations, which contributed over 400MW to offset the shortfall from gas-fired plants.

According to the Operator, it took more measures which included: Real-time load adjustments to match generation with demand, frequency and voltage control to maintain system integrity, and selective load shedding, applied as a last resort to avoid a total system collapse.

‘These timely actions enabled the NISO National Control Centre (NCC) to minimise the impact of the labour-induced gas shortages and preserve power supply to critical infrastructure,’ the statement said.

Despite the crisis, NISO reaffirmed its commitment to ‘proactive grid management and operational excellence,’ pledging to uphold secure, stable electricity delivery across the country.

The power supply crisis follows a nationwide strike declared by PENGASSAN in protest over the reported dismissal of over 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The union ordered all members across companies, institutions, and agencies to withdraw services from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, 29 September, with field workers instructed to begin a round-the-clock prayer vigil starting Sunday morning.

The fallout has effectively paralysed operations in key oil and gas institutions, severely impacting gas distribution and regulatory oversight across the sector.

Attempts by the Federal Government to broker peace on Monday ended in a deadlock, with no resolution reached after extended dialogue sessions.

The Nigerian Official Selection Committee, NOSC, has announced that there will be no film entries for the 2026 Oscars from the Nollywood industry.

This confirmation was made in a statement released on Monday by the NOSC chairperson, Stephanie Linus.

The body revealed that although 6 movies were submitted for consideration, the majority of the body voted that no films be submitted for the Oscars.

‘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,’ Linus said.