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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, said the country is recording decisive victories against insecurity while rolling out bold initiatives to empower young Nigerians across education, technology, and the creative economy.

The President, in his national broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, praised the armed forces and security agencies for their sacrifices in reclaiming territories once overrun by insurgents and criminals.

‘We are working diligently to enhance national security, ensuring our economy experiences improved growth and performance. The officers and men of our armed forces and other security agencies are working tirelessly and making significant sacrifices to keep us safe.

‘They are winning the war against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes. We see their victories in their blood and sweat to stamp out Boko Haram terror in the North-East, IPOB/ESN terror in the South-East, and banditry and kidnapping,’ Tinubu said.

He added that peace had returned to hundreds of communities in the North-West and North-East, with thousands of displaced persons safely resettled.

According to him, the government would continue to celebrate and honour the gallantry of those defending the nation.

Turning to young Nigerians, Tinubu described them as the country’s greatest assets and urged them to pursue their dreams with courage.

‘You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country. You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector. Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high,’ he declared.

He highlighted several initiatives designed to empower young people under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), he said, had already supported 510,000 students in 228 higher institutions across all 36 states and the FCT, with ?99.5 billion disbursed as loans and an additional ?44.7 billion provided as upkeep allowance.

Tinubu also cited Credicorp, which has granted ?30 billion in affordable loans to 153,000 Nigerians for vehicles, solar energy, home upgrades, and digital devices, as well as the newly launched YouthCred programme which he said has begun supporting National Youth Service Corps members with consumer credit to ease their resettlement after service.

Looking to the future, the President announced that the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) programme was ready for full rollout, backed by the Bank of Industry, the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency, and the Islamic Development Bank.

‘Over the last two years, we have collaborated with our partners to launch the programme, supporting our young builders and dreamers in the technology and creative sectors,’ he explained.

Tinubu reassured Nigerians that his administration’s twin focus on security and youth empowerment would lay the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous nation.

A popular Kano Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Lawal Abubakar Triumph, has been suspended from all teaching and preaching activities pending the investigation into the allegations of blasphemy levelled against him

Triumph, who was alleged to have made an inappropriate derogatory statement about Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was suspended by Kano State Shura Council

The council’s Secretary, Shehu Wada-Sagagi, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Wednesday after the committee reconvened to review allegations against the cleric.

He said the committee listened to and viewed both audio and video clips containing the allegations, adding that the evidence was carefully examined and documented.

‘Allegations without supporting evidence were set aside, while those backed with verifiable evidence have been duly recorded.

‘Even instances where he stammered or hesitated in the videos were noted in the report,’ Sagagi said.

He explained that the committee resolved to invite Sheikh Triumph to appear and defend himself, after which a formal report and recommendations would be submitted to the government for further action.

‘The cleric will be invited shortly and given adequate time to appear before the committee,’ Wada-Sagagi assured.

Two suspected kidnappers were killed while one AK-47 rifle and 33 rounds of live ammunition were recovered arms in a gun-duel with police operatives in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The police operatives encountered the kidnappers during a bush combing operation, CSP Moses Yamu, the command’s spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday in Benin.

He added that the operation took place on Sept. 30, following credible intelligence.

According to Yamu, operatives of the Amedokhian Tactical Division, led by SP Peter Ogah, acting in synergy with local hunters and vigilante groups, embarked on a raid along the railway track leading to Ubiaja.

‘During the operation, the team encountered a gang of suspected kidnappers who opened fire on the operatives.

‘In the ensuing gun duel, two of the suspects were neutralised, while others escaped with varying degrees of injuries,’ Yamu said.

He said that one AK-47 rifle with breech number 4148, 33 rounds of live ammunition, and two mobile phones were recovered at the scene.

The neutralised suspects, he said, were taken to hospital where they were confirmed dead.

The police spokesperson further disclosed that operatives of the Tactical Division recovered an English-made double-barrelled shotgun with breech number 03273286 on the same day.

He said the gun was recovered alongside two live cartridges during another bush combing exercise around Idumogun community in Ukoni, also within Esan South East LGA.

He said Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, commended the gallantry of the operatives, hunters, and vigilante groups for their swift response and synergy in combating crime.

‘The command remains resolute in its commitment to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

‘We urge the public to support our community safety partnership initiative and informal policing efforts to ensure a safer state,’ he quoted Agbonika as saying.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report emergencies via 08037646272 or 08077773721.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa has resolved the lingering labour dispute at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The minister had summoned parties to the industrial dispute that left the Polytechnic located on the banks of River Nun in Bayelsa to shut down since July 11 to a mediatory meeting on Sept. 29.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), learnt on Wednesday that after exhaustively listening to the workers’ representatives, management, Alausa fixed a resumption date of Oct. 6.

Chairmen and Secretaries of the three unions in the polytechnic, the Rector and Governing Council Chairman attended the meeting held in Abuja.

The unions are Non-Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in the polytechnic.

NAN also gathered that the minister directed the governing council to set up a fresh panel to investigate sundry allegations levelled against the Rector by the unions.

The panel was mandated to report its findings in three weeks.

The meeting followed a joint petition to the minister over suspension of a governing council meeting to resolve the labour dispute on the grounds of insecurity.

The workers had in the petition submitted that the claim of insecurity was a ploy to avert pending probe of allegations against the Rector as there was no security threat in Bayelsa to warrant suspension when the council members were already in town for the meeting.

The unions had said that only the suspension, pending investigation of the Rector Dr Agbabiaka Lukman, will guarantee industrial harmony to the institution.

The workers had kept the institution under locks for alleged violation of the Polytechnic Act by the Rector who took the three unions to court over labour disputes whereas the governing council was statutorily mandated under the Act to handle labour-related matters.

When contacted for an update on the face-off, Mr Nimizuo Pereseigha, Public Relations Officer of the tertiary institution declined comments.

Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, has arrested 92 suspects over alleged involvement in internet fraud in Benin, the capital of Edo State.

The suspects were arrested at various locations in the Edo State capital on Monday, September, 29, the spokesperson for the agency, Dele Oyewale said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the suspects were arrested following information about their involvement in internet fraud.

He added that 11 vehicles and different makes of mobile devices were also recovered from the suspects by the EFCC operatives.

The statement by Oyewale reads, ‘Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 92 suspected internet fraudsters in Edo State.

They were arrested in a sting operation on Monday, September 29, 2025 at various locations within Benin City, Edo State.

Their arrest was based on credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in computer related crimes. All the lawful procedures of arrest were followed in the course of the arrest

Upon their arrest, 11 vehicles and mobile devices were recovered from them.

Preliminary investigations by the Commission linked the suspects with various forms of internet-related fraud

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has also arraigned one Godslove Munachiso Obiwuru, a 26-year old Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, suspect before Justice M. T. Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.

He was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering.

Count one of the charge reads: ‘That you, Godslove Munachiso Obiwuru ‘M’ sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, retained 0.042 Ethereum (digital currency) equivalent to $50 (Fifty United States Dollars) in a Binance wallet account with the address 0xD62C9DA42BDe76a7Be113ABA225456C57320A569 which you know or reasonably ought to know, is a proceed of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 20 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022′.

He pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the two counts. In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE I A.Y Abdullahi prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Correctional facility.

However, the defence counsel, Abel Anih, prayed the court for a short date to enable him file an application for bail before the court.

The matter was thereafter adjourned for hearing of bail application while the defendant was remanded at the EFCC custody.

The defendant was arrested on August 5, 2025, following a petition by the FBI alleging that the defendant was involved in auctioning a cryptocurrency account takeover scheme.

According to the petition, in November 2022, a Coinbase cryptocurrency belonging to a citizen of the United States of America was compromised, leading to the theft of 90,410.126 Gold Retriever Tokens (GLDN), worth approximately $307,394.00, at that time.

Further investigation by the FBI revealed that part of the stolen cryptocurrency funds were transferred to a Binance account belonging to the defendant.

However, preliminary investigations by operatives of the Special Task Force of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Commission, revealed that the defendant received cryptocurrency, allegedly stolen from two different victims.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration would continue in its concerted efforts to build a Nigeria of our collective dream.

Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary said this In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja while congratulating Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 65th Independence anniversary

Morka said a new dawn has broken over our country, heralding brighter days for our people and a vibrant future for our country.

‘Our ship of state under the hands of the inimitably bold and visionary President Bola Tinubu, now sails confidently in steady and calmer waters on a charted course to a clear destination of stability, growth, development anchored firmly on solid economic foundations.

‘To reset the economy and unleash its potential for rapid recovery, stability and wholesome development,’ he said.

He recalled that Tinubu, on day one as President, courageously initiated reforms to end the ruinous fuel subsidy regime and unify arbitrary multiple foreign exchange systems.

He added that though these inevitable reforms brought initial and transient discomforts to Nigerians, today, our country was better for it.

The APC’s spokesman noted that all relevant economic markers now showed an economy standing on strong macroeconomic foundations.

He said the economy under Tinubu is delivering early yields of improved material conditions for our people, and renewed hope for a bountiful future.

He added that the economy had turned the corner and our country had become a net exporter, posting consistent trade surpluses in the last five quarters.

He noted that non-oil revenue had surged, just as oil production had reached record levels, while the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.28 per cent in February of 2025.

This, he said, is the highest in four years, dwarfing the International Monetary Fund (IMF’s) forecast of 3.5 per cent.

‘Our foreign reserve has climbed to over 42 billion dollars while inflation has crashed to 20.1 per. cent, the lowest in recent times.

‘Aside terminating the insidious Means and Ways financing of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Tinubu-led administration has reduced revenue-to-debt-servicing ratio from about 97 per cent to less than 50 per cent. The Tax-to-GDP ratio has hit 13.5 per cent up from about 10 per cent,’ the APC spokesman said.

He added that the volatility of our local currency had ended as the naira had gained stability, restoring and boosting investor confidence.

This, he further said, was with unprecedented uptake in infrastructural investment to the revolution in the agricultural and creative industry.

Morka added that the sub-sectors are creating massive job opportunities, and the sustained war against insurgency and corruption had been advancing.

He added that Nigeria is at a new dawn of great and infinite possibilities in onward march to greatness.

‘Our party salutes the labour of our founding fathers, their struggles, sacrifices and patriotism that bequeathed to us a nation united in its rich ethnic, religious and cultural diversity, and in its unstoppable and confident quest for enduring greatness.

‘Through difficult challenges, raging storms and calmer seasons, our nation has continued to triumph.

‘On the back of the solid will, perseverance, sacrifices, resilience and self-evident patriotism of citizens of our great Republic,’Morka said.

He said the party is especially celebrating Nigerians for their abiding faith, confidence and commitment to peace, unity and progress of the country.

He added that there is no better time to be optimistic about the prosperity of our country than now, in spite of the flaws and missed opportunities of bygone political eras.

He lauded Nigerians for their patience and sacrifice of love for country and urged them to sustain their support for the APC and the Tinubu-led administration

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its official timetable and fees for the 2governorship election holdung in Osun State in 2026.

The timetable, signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, was released from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the timetable, the process will begin on Friday, October 3, 2025, with a notice of election to the Osun State chapter.

This will be followed by an update of the party membership register across the state from Monday, October 20 to Friday, October 31, 2025.

The APC said only members whose names appear in the updated register, and who have paid their dues for at least one year (up to February 2025), will be eligible to vote or contest.

The sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms will start on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, and end on Monday, December 1, 2025. Aspirants are expected to submit their forms and supporting documents before the deadline.

To encourage inclusivity, the APC announced concessions:

Women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): Only required to buy the Expression of Interest Form. The Nomination Form will be free.

Youths (25-40 years old): Will get a 50% discount on the Nomination Form.

The fee structure is as follows:

Expression of Interest Form: ?10 million

Nomination Form: ?40 million

Total (Governorship Forms): ?50 million

Delegate Form: ?5,000

Forms will be available at the APC Directorate of Organization, National Headquarters, 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse II, Abuja.

The party also explained that only financial members with at least three months of active membership before the delegate congress will be allowed to participate.

Other key activities on the timetable include screening of aspirants, publication of results, appeal hearings, the primary election, and a congress to ratify the final outcome in line with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended).

For more details, members and aspirants were advised to contact the party’s Directorate of Organization.

The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) has joined millions of citizens at home and in the diaspora to celebrate the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Femi Oyewale, NASRE acknowledged some of the ongoing reforms and initiatives of government, particularly in areas such as education, youth empowerment, fiscal reforms, and infrastructural development.

The Association pointed to achievements like the expansion of tertiary institutions, improved oil production, rising non-oil exports, and the disbursement of student loans as commendable steps toward national progress.

‘Ongoing data and developments show that Nigeria has made progress in expanding access to education, boosting infrastructure, and introducing policies aimed at long-term economic recovery. These reforms, though sometimes difficult, are beginning to show glimpses of promise that cannot be ignored,’ Oyewale said.

However, the NASRE President expressed concern that while macroeconomic indicators may look promising, ordinary Nigerians are yet to feel the impact in their daily lives. He pointed to the high cost of living, insecurity in some regions, poor electricity supply, unemployment, and rising poverty as pressing challenges that government must confront with greater urgency.

Citing insecurity, Oyewale condemned the recent killing of an Arise News Anchor, describing it as a painful reminder that journalists and ordinary Nigerians alike remain vulnerable to violent crimes.

‘When a journalist whose duty is to inform the public is brutally murdered, it tells the deep cracks in our security architecture. Government must do more to ensure that no Nigerian, regardless of status, lives in fear.

‘It is not enough to point to GDP growth, trade surpluses, or foreign reserves. The true measure of progress is food on the table, safety in our communities, reliable electricity in our homes, and dignity for every Nigerian. Until these are achieved, Independence Day speeches will ring hollow to the common man,’ he stressed.

Oyewale urged the federal, state, and local governments to translate reforms into tangible relief for citizens, stressing that policies must prioritize human welfare above statistics.

As the country celebrates 65 years of independence, the NASRE President called on Nigerians to remain hopeful, resilient, and united in demanding good governance and playing their part in building the nation.

‘On this 65th anniversary, we felicitate with the Nigerian people, the true heroes of democracy whose patience, resilience, and faith continue to hold the nation together.

‘May the labours of our heroes past not be in vain, and may Nigeria rise to fulfil its destiny as a land of peace, justice, and prosperity,’ Oyewale concluded.

Associate Professor of Strategic Communication in Bayero University, Kano, (BUK), Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule, has urged journalists to keep working in unity and fraternity for adequate dissemination of information towards ensuring public good and national development.

Sule Ya’u Sule, former Director-General, Media and Public Relations, during the tenure of ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, made the urge at Press Centre, Farm Centre, Kano, on Sunday, during Kano Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Light Social Session tagged: ‘Tea Break.’

Sule Ya’u Sule, who also served as Director of Press, during ex-Kano state Military Administrator, Dominic Oneya, insisted that social gathering of journalists in relaxed atmosphere, provide window for them to unwind and derive professional intimacy that keeps the ink flowing.

The Communication expert who was the chairman and sponsor of the event, urged the leadership of Kano Correspondents’ Chapel to sustain the tempo by constantly organizing such social events where friends and members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm will gather and rob minds.

‘I decided to sponsor the event for us to fraternize and socialize. This event will give us the opportunity to relief pressures, after hectic work.

‘I congratulate the Correspondents’ Chapel leadership for this initiative. It will also keep you more united and focused.

‘I advice the Correspondents’ Chapel leadership to sustain the tempo, and keep inviting friends to participate,’ he said.

In his brief remarks, immediate-past Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Kano state, Halilu Baba Dantiye, commended Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule, for sponsoring the event, describing him as a veteran journalist, who has always championed the welfare and wellbeing of members of his immediate constituency.

Dantiye, former National President of Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), promised to always identify with Kano Correspondents’ Chapel in every good initiative their members and leadership pursue.

He commended the leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel for introducing vibrant initiatives, and urged journalists to keep working within the ambit of ethics and rules guiding the profession.

In his address, chairman of Kano state Correspondents’ Chapel, NUJ,Comrade Murtala Adewale, said the ‘Tea Break’ was an initiative designed to create light social platform for members to unwind and rob minds, after the day’s hectic job, before departing to meet their families.

Adewale appreciated Dr. Sule Ya’u Sule for singlehandedly sponsoring the event, and promised to maintain the standard as more friends and collaborators of the Correspondents’ Chapel will be willing to participate.

The light social gathering was attended by the Kano state Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa; the Public Relations Officer of Kano/Jigawa Customs Command, Tahir Balarabe; Vice chairman NUJ Kano, Mustapha Gambo who represented the chairman; former chairman of Kano Correspondents’ Chapel and now Press Secretary to Kano state Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Shuaibu Garba; and emeritus chairman of the Kano Correspondents’ Chapel who is now Director, Public Affairs, Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Lamara Garba, among other dignitaries and media personalities.

The South East Good Governance Advocates (SEGGA) has described a social media report that an Abia High Court has sentenced former governor Okezie Ikpeazu to death for embezzling over N5 trillion as false and malicious.

The embezzled fund was purportedly meant for airport and light rail projects, according to the report

But SEGGA, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mark Onukwuwe and Anozie Madu, its coordinator and secretary urged those behind recent social media reports to focus on promoting good governance in Abia instead of peddling rumours.

The group also faulted the names associated with the alleged judgment.

‘For the sake of clarity, it is pertinent to note that there is no judicial officer by the name Emeka Nwogu serving in the Abia State judiciary.

‘This raises significant doubts about the authenticity of the alleged Court Judgment.

‘Furthermore, Nigerian jurisprudence does not classify corruption offenses as capital crimes warranting the death penalty.

‘This purported claim appears to be an egregious fabrication, likely propagated in social media seeking to besmirch the reputation of the esteemed Abia State Judiciary,’ it said.

The group said the report was not only entirely fabricated but also a blatant attempt to distract the public from what it described as failures of the current administration.

‘The people of Abia deserve transparency and accountability, not diversionary tactics,’ they said.

According to Onukwuwe, a simple arithmetic calculation reveals the absurdity of the claims against Ikpeazu.

‘If Abia State were to attract N4 billion monthly, that would amount to N48 billion annually, and N480 billion over 10 years.

‘Where is the evidence to support the claim of N5 trillion embezzlement?

‘This fictitious report is a clear example of reckless journalism and malicious prosecution,’ the group noted.

It urged the public to disregard the false report but demand accountability from their elected officials.