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Sen. Shuaib Salis has said President Bola Tinubu is set to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic broadband across the country, stressing that the development would cover all states, local governments and wards.

Salis who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security said the 90,000-kilometer fibre optic network will soon be launched nationwide to boost digital penetration.

The Senator spoke on Monday in Abeokuta during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun council.

At the program themed, ‘The Future of Journalism: Navigating AI and Objective Reporting,’ the senator predicted a revolution in Nigeria’s digital communication landscape.

‘This government under President Bola Tinubu is going to deploy 90,000 kilometers fibre optic broadband across the country.

‘Not just in some states, not just in some local governments; there is no ward that will not have fibre optic presence.

‘A number of studies have confirmed that any 10 per cent increase in your fibre penetration in the country will lead to a minimum of two per cent increase in your Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

‘So, just imagine if you deploy more technology; and it is very easy to fathom. Just imagine we have fibre optic in all our wards.

‘I just came back from the UN General Assembly with Minister of Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani where we went to preach this to investors to come and invest in Nigeria,’ he said.

According to the lawmaker, a significant challenge for professional journalists is the potential for AI to exacerbate quackery in the industry.

He emphasised the need to integrate technology into the curriculum for mass communication and journalism training.

‘The challenge for professional journalists is that AI also has the potential of increasing the incidence of quackery in the profession.

‘So, what do we need to do? Our curriculum for mass communication and journalism training institute must embed technology into the curriculum.

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, in his keynote address emphasised ethical dimension.

Onasanya noted that Nigeria lacks clear regulatory guidelines on disclosing AI-generated content, including images, audio, and video.

He urged the leadership of the union to publish a widely adopted code of practice to address AI.

In his speech, the Chairman of the council, Wale Olanrewaju noted that the council has recorded milestones progress and development in less than three years.

Olanrewaju stated that AI has changed the way news are gathered, processed and disseminated.

‘As a union, our responsibility is to prepare our members not just to adapt, but to lead in this new reality. We must ensure that technology enhances our credibility rather than diminish it,’ he said.

The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Prof . Dele Odunlami, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.

The discussants included Mr Kunle Durosimi, President, Ogun Tech Community and Registrar, West Midlands Open University and Mr Lekan Adeeko, AI Enthusiast and Co-founder, Tedprime Hub.

They deliberated on the merits and demerits of using AI as journalists.

The speakers urged journalists to maintain professionalism when utilising AI in their work, highlighting its potential to foster national unity and cohesion.

In a bid to prevent diseases among the children in Lagos State, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has emphasized the importance of immunization, urging parents to vaccinate their children and wards for a healthier future and a disease-free society.

The Deputy Governor, who made this charge today at an ‘Inaugural meeting of the Lagos State Taskforce on Immunization and Primary Health Care Services’, held at the Conference Room, Office of the Deputy Governor, Roundhouse, Alausa, Ikeja, said vaccination remains one of the most effective means of protecting the children in the community.

According to Hamzat, ‘Vaccination remains one of the most effective and reliable means to protect children from life-threatening illnesses, ensuring their growth and development in good health.’

He added that immunization is a collective responsibility that will not only secure the well-being of individual families but also contribute to building a healthier future and a disease-free society for Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

The Deputy Governor also charged religious leaders and traditional rulers to collaborate with the state government in sensitizing the people on the importance of vaccination and nutrition for their own children, noting that religious houses are always welcome to visit the government for clarification and enlightenment on the different policies put in place.

He noted thus: ‘Our royal fathers must also help us in the community to spread the good news that we have been able to sustain our health conditions because of vaccination.’ Using COVID-19 as an example, Hamzat said contagious diseases have been eradicated in society because of the immunization process carried out, and such can be extended to other illnesses.

While emphasizing the importance of the inaugural meeting, Hamzat pointed out that it was crucial to include all stakeholders, such as the State Executives, members of the Primary Health Care Board, Traditional Rulers, Local Government Chairmen, Religious leaders, and others, because of the need for everybody to have an understanding of the severity of the challenge.

Similarly, in his address, Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Lawal Aina, charged the Local Government Chairmen in the state to encourage the people in their constituencies to ensure their children and wards embrace the immunization programme to ensure a disease-free environment.

‘I want to admonish us to intensify our efforts to do our best in encouraging our people to bring their children out for vaccination, as health education is a key responsibility of the chairmen in ensuring the good and well-being of the people,’ said Lawal.

In his opening remarks, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated that the primary objective of primary healthcare is to increase the coverage for immunization within the state.

Prof. Abayomi added that human beings are living longer now because the world has advanced technologically to produce effective vaccines that eliminate both infections that cause immediate sickness and diseases that can lead to complications such as liver cirrhosis with hepatitis, cervical cancer with HPV, and malaria, which can cause significant depletion.

He noted that to improve the immunization uptake in Lagos, it is important that the state government work on the aspects that make access to the primary healthcare more attractive to citizens, urging traditional rulers, Local Government chairmen, and stakeholders to collaborate with the government to further boost the capacity of the primary healthcare.

‘So, we are working diligently on renovating our primary healthcare platform. We know that many of you want to provide infrastructure to the state, and at the moment, we are doing 47 PHCs. So, I will be appealing to you to tag into this medical infrastructure transformation,’ the Commissioner concluded

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary HealthCare Board, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustapha, explained that the establishment of the Taskforce reflects the second ‘H’ in the THEMES + agenda of the State Government.

He said that it is a strong commitment to strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) governance, driving accountability, and ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing life-saving vaccines and essential health services, adding that the Taskforce has been constituted to provide a high-level platform for coordination, oversight, and problem-solving in the delivery of immunization and other PHC services.

Commuters and motorists have expressed hope of relief from traffic jams following the reopening of Ogudu-Ifako Bridge following the completion of repair works on 400 metres of its four expansion joints by Lagos government on Tuesday.

A commuter, Ms Adebisi Adesesan, expressed relief, noting that the reopening would ease traffic. ‘We suffered long hours during the closure, but this is worth it,’ she said.

A commercial driver, Mr Taofeek Shittu, said the reopening would reduce fuel costs and travel time. ‘Traffic was terrible. This reopening is a big relief for us,’ he noted.

A section of the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic on June 28 to enable construction.

The Ogudu/Ifako Bridge inbound Alapere was originally expected to be ready in 100 days, but the repair works were completed in just 73 days.

The first four phases of the project, covering the Ogudu/Ifako inbound Alapere stretch, were completed between June 28 and Aug. 16.

The fifth to eighth phases, which covered the Ogudu/Ifako inbound Oworoshoki axis, commenced in August and have also been successfully completed and reopened to traffic.

Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Mr Olufemi Daramola, and Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Seun Osiyemi, led a team to inspect the project and certify the works.

Daramola stated that the project, initially scheduled for 101 days, was finished in 78 days due to cooperation from stakeholders and commitment from the contractors.

He explained that defects on the expansion joints, if left unattended, could have compromised motorists’ safety and further weakened the busy bridge.

According to him, the early completion was possible through combined efforts of contractors, security agencies, and the patience of Lagos residents throughout the repair period.

‘We undertook this repair to guarantee safety. Thankfully, with the cooperation of the people, we have been able to deliver ahead of schedule,’ Daramola said.

He commended residents for their endurance during the partial closure, stressing that the bridge is now fully opened to vehicular movement without restrictions.

The special adviser revealed that the next point of attention for government engineers would be the Maza-Maza area, where similar maintenance works are planned.

Also speaking, Osiyemi expressed gratitude to Lagos residents for their understanding, promising that the state government would continue its infrastructure renewal drive.

‘This success belongs to everyone. Lagosians endured the inconveniences and supported the process. We sincerely appreciate your perseverance and patience,’ the commissioner said.

He urged the people to protect the facilities, stressing that they are funded with taxpayers’ money and designed to provide long-term benefits.

Osiyemi recalled that the administration had delivered similar repairs at Odo-Iyalaro and Apongbon bridges, with several other projects currently underway across the state.

‘Our focus remains the delivery of safe, durable and sustainable infrastructure for a greater Lagos. We will need the same cooperation in future projects,’ he added.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday landed at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State, for a one-day working visit. The presidential jet touched down at 12:52 p.m.

During the trip, Tinubu is set to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Hope Uzodimma, including the reconstructed 60-kilometre Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia Federal Road, the Assumpta Flyover, and the 6,000-capacity Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre.

The President will also attend the public presentation of Uzodimma’s book, ‘A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria,’ highlighting governance milestones under the All Progressives Congress over the past ten years.

Ahead of the visit, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President’s itinerary underscores the Federal Government’s partnership with Imo State on infrastructure development, modernisation, and sustainable growth.

Other projects to be commissioned include the Imo Concorde Hilton Hotel and the state-of-the-art Imo Digital Learning Centre, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing the state’s socio-economic landscape

Afrobeats artist Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has been named as the top Afrobeats artist of the year by Spotify.

The list which is dominated by Nigerian artists, ranked Rema as the number two spot. Balogun Ayodeji popularly known as Wizkid was ranked at the third place while Asake and Ayra Starr were ranked at the 4th and 5th spot.

The list, however, became controversial when fans discovered that Davido was missing despite being regarded as one of the top 3 biggest Afrobeats artists.

As the nation prepares for her 65th independence anniversary, no less than 20 people have been confirmed dead in a boat mishap that occurred on Tuesday at about 4:30pm. in the Ibaji local government area of Kogi State.

An eyewitness who is also a farmer in the area, James Otoga told journalists that the sad incident occurred in the evening of Tuesday, 30th September 2025.

According to him, the boat that was fully loaded with people departed from the Onugwa community in Ibaji heading to the Ilushi market, but it capsized on the way, leaving yet to be known numbers of people dead.

‘The boat was fully loaded with our people going to market for the first of October celebration. Only five survival have surfaced while 20 bodies have been recovered so far, and more of our people are lying lifeless beneath River Niger.

‘Even those who came for a burial in Onugwa and returning back to Ilushi were also missing, we are yet to confirm the number of people onboard and those who survived,’ he stated.

Confirming the incident the Chairman, Ibaji local government area Honourable Ugeh Emmanuel through a telephone conversation with journalists described the incident as the most disastrous in the history of the local government, saying many people have lost their lives in the accident.

‘As I am speaking with you now , nobody can authoritatively say this is the actual number of casualties. Again, we can not even ascertain the number of people onboard right from their departure destination.

‘This is a very serious accident , the boat have not even near Ilushi when the mishaps occurred around 4:30pm. Most of the victims were moving to Ilushi for the cerebration of first October, which has been a tradition in the community before they met their untimely death. ‘

It would be recalled that in the last year, there have been numerous boat mishaps in Kogi, Niger and other riverine states where many people lost their lives.

Effort to reach the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebanji and Assistant General Manager (AGM), Corporate Affairs, Suleiman Makama proved abortive as their cell phone could not be reached .

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