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After disqualification from Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), housemates are immediately evicted from the show and forfeit all prizes and privileges they won while in the house.

The housemates are required to leave the house without a farewell and the rest of the game continues without them.

Recently disqualified season 10 housemate, Faith Adewale got into a violent altercation with fellow contestant Sultana and shortly after, he was immediately removed from the house and forced to forfeit all prizes he had won.

The incident, which happened just days before the finale, served as a stark reminder of the show’s strict rules and the immediate consequences for any housemate who breaks them.

1. Forfeiture of winnings: According to the housemate contract, all gifts, money, and prizes won from sponsored tasks and games are taken away. For example, after his disqualification in Season 10, Faith was made to forfeit a car he had won in a sponsored task.

2. Mandatory immediate exit: Disqualified housemates are asked to pack their belongings and leave the house right away. Big Brother does not give them a chance to say goodbye to other contestants.

3. No return: Unlike evicted housemates, a disqualified housemate cannot return to the house or participate in any further activities related to the season.

The Long-term aftermath for disqualified housemates is often mixed, with potential career setbacks and public backlash, but some manage to rebuild their public image and find success.

1. Public opinion: Disqualified housemates often face intense criticism and negative judgment from the public and show fans on social media.

2. Career setbacks: Some housemates may initially face difficulty securing brand endorsements or other opportunities, as some brands may be hesitant to be associated with controversy.

3. Building a platform: Many disqualified housemates use the publicity from their controversial exit to launch or build their careers.

4. Post-show success: Notable examples like Tacha and Erica, who were disqualified in earlier seasons, have since achieved success in business and entertainment. They have become brand ambassadors and social media influencers with large followings.

The common reasons for disqualification are similar to those of other Big Brother franchises globally.

1. Physical violence: Any form of physical aggression toward a fellow housemate is grounds for immediate disqualification. Past housemates like Faith (Season 10), Beauty Tukura (Season 7), and Tacha (Season 4) were all removed for violent behavior.

2. Threatening behavior: Threats of violence or any behavior that makes other housemates feel unsafe is prohibited.

3. Aggressive and abusive language: Repeated use of abusive, insulting, or confrontational language can lead to disqualification, as seen in the case of Erica in Season 5.

4. Repeated rule-breaking: Some housemates receive strikes for minor rule infractions, such as whispering or failing to use their microphone properly. Accumulating multiple strikes can also result in disqualification.

Pupils in selected schools in Abuja displayed brilliance at the annual spelling bee hosted by My Hero Community Development Initiative (MHCDI) in Maitama.

Nine schools and over 200 participants were present, making it a vibrant educational gathering in FCT this year.

The schools included JSS Garki Area 10, JSS Wuse Zone 3, JSS Kado Kuchi, JSS Gwarinpa, JSS Garki II, and JSS Jabi.

It served not only as a test of spelling ability but also as a platform for pupils to showcase confidence, mental alertness, and eloquence.

Winners included first runner-up, Oluwasina Eunice from JSS Garki Area 10; second runner-up: Agwara David from JSS Wuse Zone 3 and third runner-up Omojola Zion Akorede from JSS Kado Kuchi.

Organisers, Damilola Fabolu and Chris Olusa, noted importance of nurturing literacy and self-confidence in young Nigerians.

They noted that competitions like this go beyond spelling, as they instill life skills such as perseverance, discipline, and public speaking in participants.

The atmosphere at Merit House was filled with excitement, cheers, and applause as the pupils rose to the challenge, proving that ‘every letter counts.’ The event underscored MHCDI’s commitment to education, youth empowerment, and building a brighter future for the next generation.

The Aare Egbe-Omo Balogun of Ibadanland, Olooye Adegboyega Adegoke has called for urgent reforms in political, institutional and consequences management ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adegoke, while speaking at the Yemi Farounbi Colloquium’s Nigeria 65th Independence Anniversary Lecture in Ibadan, said there is urgent need for reforms within Nigeria’s political parties, saying the nation’s democratic process cannot thrive without fixing the foundation of political recruitment.

He lamented that it is difficult for professionals and technocrats to participate in politics due to flawed recruitment mechanisms within political parties.

Adegoke, who was the Chairman at the lecture, emphasised that integrity, teamwork and proper candidates selection are critical to achieving credible elections.

According to him, the challenges facing elections are not solely the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as he said the commission is only part of a larger system.

He insisted that cases of electoral fraud must be met with prosecution and effective consequence management, where offenders are penalized without exceptions.

While acknowledging importance of reviewing Nigeria’s legal framework, Adegoke stressed that implementation is even more crucial.

He added that institutional reforms must extend beyond INEC to include citizens, political parties, and security agencies such as the police.

‘The people also need reforms,’ he said, categorising it as part of the broader institutional reforms needed for Nigeria’s democracy to progress.

The guest lecturer, Senator Yunus Akintunde, while speaking on the topic ‘Recalibrating Nigeria’s Electoral Architecture: Legal, Technological and Institutional Reforms for 2027′, said to recalibrate Nigeria’s electoral architecture will requires the pursuance of comprehensive reforms and not piecemeal adjustments.

Akintunde, who was represented by his media aide, Kunle Olatunji, called for establishment of an Electoral Reform Implementation Committee by mid-2026 to coordinate legal, technological, and institutional changes.

Akintunde further said that there is the need to build consensus across INEC, political parties, civil society, judiciary, and security agencies; prioritize sustained civic education to rebuild citizens’ trust and reduce apathy.

He said Nigeria should learn from international best practices but adapt reforms to Nigeria’s realities.

Speaking on necessary institutional reforms, Akintunde said institutions, not individuals, must anchor the Electoral system.

He said reforms should include: ensuring that appointments to INEC leadership are based on competence, independence, and integrity, not political patronage; decentralizing INEC’s operations to empower state offices: Establishing a specialized Election Security Unit insulated from partisan control; Strengthening judicial independence and expediting electoral case resolution; Enforcing internal democracy within political parties, with strict penalties for infractions and Expanding the roles of civil society and media in civic education, monitoring, and accountability.

Akintunde said the 2027 elections present another opportunity to restore faith in democracy.

‘With them right legal reforms, technological upgrades, and institutional recalibration, Nigeria can build an electoral system that is transparent, resilient, and truly reflective of the people’s will.

‘The future of Nigeria depends on it and our collective resolve to ensure positioning our nation on the right trajectory in this regard will activate our desire for sustainable development agenda towards true Nation building.’

Also, former Nigerian Ambassador to Philippines and the Kingdom of Cambodia, Amb. Yemi Farounbi said good Leadership comprises three key elements, which are vision, competence and character, saying if the character is lacking, the other two elements will be meaningless.

‘The takeaway from this lecture is that we will have good Nigeria when we have good leadership and we would have good leadership if we have good followership who elect good leadership.

‘A mango tree will never produce an orange fruit. If Nigeria is bad, it will not produce a good president or a good governor.

‘Nigeria is currently constitutes of about 230 Millions people and without the people, there can’t be Nigeria. If the people are not right, then Nigeria cannot be right.’

The Administrative Secretary of INEC in Oyo State, Mrs Rosemary Adeniyi, said the Commission has consistently advocated for and appreciates the growing consensus on the need for financial and administrative autonomy for the Electoral Umpire.

‘This is not about aggrandisement; it is about efficiency and predictability. When INEC receives its funds directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, it uses the same to eliminates bureaucratic bottlenecks that can delay critical electoral activities like the timely printing of sensitive materials, the recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff and the maintenance of our technological asset.

‘In Oyo State however, we are committed to maximizing every resource allocated to us. We are deepening the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), not just for accreditation but for verification of voters on election day.

‘The use of INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) has also ensured the seamless transmission of results, which has become a cornerstone of public trust in the electoral process. Our goal is an INEC in Oyo State that is not only independent in name but is seen by all as a truly effective, impartial and professional umpire.’

Inter Milan’s new signing Manuel Akanji has for the umpteenth time expressed how proud is he about his Nigerian roots despite turning out for Switzerland at the International level.

Akanji joined Inter on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy from Manchester City in the summer transfer window revealed his affinity with Nigeria as well as his first few weeks in Milan with Inter TV.

The 30-year-old defender was born in Wiesendangen, Switzerland, to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father and has an eagle tattooed on his left arm as a tribute to his Nigerian heritage.

‘This is the eagle, from the Nigerian national team, with the football under it. It’s something I carry with me,’ he explained as per Football Italia.

‘Obviously, I play for the Swiss national team, but I’m still really proud of being Nigerian. I could only make one decision, but they are still with me all the way. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back to Nigeria. It’s hard for me to go back because I don’t have a break in the winter, and summer is the rainy season, so you never really know what you’re going to get, but when I was young, I went there three or four times.’

Akanji also spoke about his first game played at San Siro, against Inter, with Borussia Dortmund.

‘I remember the atmosphere was unbelievable. I can’t wait to play there again. Hopefully, we’ll get a good result together,’ he said.

‘The first football shirt I had was from Christian Vieri. It was somehow with me. Even if I wasn’t an Inter fan, I always followed Inter because they’ve been one of the best teams in Italy, if not the best, even in the last two years. I followed a lot of teams, but Inter were really good in the past, and I’ve always been following the team.

‘You never really know where you end up in your career. Now I am here and I’m really happy about it. I hope to win as many titles as possible and be a big part of it. I want to play everywhere I go and improve as a player and as a person; these are the most important things for me.’

Akanji has immediately become a regular starter at Inter, making five appearances across all competitions with the Serie A giants.

The Nerazzurri have won two games from two in the Champions League, but have only collected nine points in the opening five Serie A rounds.

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has disbursed N5,604,205,998 to 1,198 former councillors, fulfilling outstanding entitlements and prompting the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibrin Falgore, to endorse him for a second term.

The APC councillors were denied their between 2018 to 2023 by the Abdullahi Ganduje administration, Yusuf said.

Five years after a prolonged delay, Governor Yusuf has settled over N5.6 billion severance and furniture allowances owed to councillors.

The Governor had earlier paid N1.8 billion in May 2025 to 903 former councillors who served between 2014 and 2017 as the first tranche. The second tranche of N5.6 billion is now being disbursed to 1,198 former councillors.

Speaking during the payment of the second tranche, an excited Falgore said, ‘The only way we can repay him is to reelect him in 2027.’

Governor Yusuf confirmed that bankers had been directed to begin crediting the councillors’ accounts immediately.

Governor Yusuf said he inherited the liability of N15.6 billion from the previous APC-led administration, which failed to pay its councillors that served between 2014 and 2020 across the 44 local government areas.

He described the payment as a defining moment for Kano State, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to restoring dignity, fairness, and justice to those who served at the grassroots level.

‘These are moments when we rise above the ordinary to restore dignity, fairness, and justice to those who have served with loyalty and dedication. Today, by the grace of Allah, is one of the defining moments in the history of Kano State.

‘It is my belief that many of you have already started receiving your alerts, as I instructed the bankers to begin crediting your accounts even before I finished my speech,’ Yusuf added.

He further assured that preparations were underway for the third and final tranche amounting to N8.2 billion which will cover 1,371 former councillors. He said the final payment is expected to be disbursed by the second week of November.

Yusuf stressed that the initiative was not just a financial obligation but a means to strengthen trust between the government and its people.

The governor added that government is not only about building roads, schools, or hospitals. It is also about building trust and honoring those who have served.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says 166 people died from Lassa fever between January and last month, with the case fatality rate now higher than last year’s.

This is contained in Epidemiological Week 37, covering Sept. 8 to 14, cited on the NCDC website yesterday.

The Public Health agency said 895 confirmed cases were recorded across 21 states and 106 local government areas.

It said this represents a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.5 per cent, compared to 16.9 per cent reported within the same period in 2024.

The agency noted that while suspected and confirmed cases were fewer than those reported last year, more patients are dying because of late presentation and poor health-seeking behaviour, often linked to the high cost of treatment.

According to NCDC, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi states continue to account for 90 per cent of confirmed cases, with Ondo alone responsible for a third of infections.

The NCDC also confirmed that no new healthcare worker was infected during the reporting week.

However, it warned that poor environmental sanitation, weak awareness in high-burden communities and delayed treatment continue to fuel the spread and severity of the disease.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus.

It is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, particularly the multi-mammate rat.

Human-to-human transmission can also occur, especially in healthcare settings without adequate infection control.

Symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, chest pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and in severe cases, unexplained bleeding.

The disease is endemic in parts of West Africa, with Nigeria bearing the highest burden.

To strengthen control, the NCDC said it had deployed 10 rapid response teams to affected states, launched new infection prevention and control (IPC) training modules and supported clinical management fellowship programmes in collaboration with local and international partners.

The agency urged states to intensify community engagement and preventive campaigns and reminded healthcare workers to maintain high suspicion and initiate early treatment when symptoms appear.

Newdigit says it is revolutionising healthcare in Nigeria by providing hospitals with reliable electricity and medical-grade oxygen through an innovative clean energy system.

Supported by the initial round of the Powering Healthcare Innovation Fund, this project enhances healthcare delivery with a modular solution powered by water and solar energy.

In a statement, Derick Nwasor, co-founder and CEO of Newdigit, says the organisation designs and manufactures advanced Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells, electrolyzers, and related components, supporting healthcare and agriculture for both small and large-scale applications.

According to Nwasor, their innovation, the ‘Just Add Water’ system, is specifically designed for the healthcare sector and combines solar power with PEM technology to produce electricity, oxygen, and clean water, all essential resources for healthcare facilities.

‘Many hospitals in Nigeria experience unstable grid electricity, with 8-10 hours of daily power outages, forcing them to rely on polluting diesel generators for backup. With Just Add Water, hospitals can power critical equipment, generate life-saving oxygen on-site, and even recover clean water, leading to better healthcare services.’ he said.

Nwasor explained that the system integrates three key components: a PEM Electrolyzer, which separates water into hydrogen and oxygen; a PEM fuel cell, which converts hydrogen into reliable electricity; and a solar PV array, which powers the entire process using renewable energy.

Together, these components provide hospitals with 12-15 kW of continuous, clean power, 10-40 liters of medical-grade oxygen per day, and a consistent supply of clean water as a byproduct. The system also features a plug-and-play design for quick installation and easy expansion.

He noted that the Newdigit’s Just Add Water systems are being installed in three hospitals across Lagos, Nigeria, serving a combined patient population of over 24,000 people annually.

Nwasor stressed that by lessening the dependence on unreliable grids and expensive diesel generators, the systems will prevent over 150 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year and produce approximately 274 MWh of clean electricity in their first year of operation.

To ensure long-term viability and local expertise, Nwasor said Newdigit is training hospital staff and local technicians to operate and maintain the systems.

This practical training ensures facilities can maximize uptime and independently manage their clean energy and oxygen supply.

‘We’ve started in Lagos, but our goal by 2030 is to reach at least 1,000 hospitals across Nigeria,’ said Joy Princess, co-founder and COO of Newdigit. ‘We aim to improve the lives of millions of patients every year.’

Newdigit Technologies’ project was funded by the Powering Healthcare Innovation Fund, which Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) launched in 2024 with UK aid from the UK government through the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) initiative. This fund supports innovative solutions for healthcare electrification.

Newdigit Technologies was one of three grantees chosen from 84 applicants in the first round, receiving a USD 50,000 grant to implement their clean energy and oxygen generation solution. The project began in September 2024 and is expected to finish this month.

Charlie Knight, Senior Energy Officer at SEforALL, stated that Newdigit’s approach is revolutionary for creating resilient health systems in Africa. Knight highlighted how combining renewable energy and innovation can provide reliable electricity, oxygen, and water using clean technologies.

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Niger State, Alhaji Nma Kolo said the party’s presidential candidate; Bola Tinubu has the capacity to provide the needed leadership that will restore Nigeria to the path of greatness if he becomes president.

Kolo told reporters in Minna, the state capital yesterday that Tinubu had the required knowledge to move the country forward.

The APC chieftain described Tinubu as a leader who will unite and move the country forward.

According to him, the APC presidential candidate has vast experience in how to solve the problems bedevilling the country.

He noted that despite the withholding of local governments’ allocation from the Federation Account by the Federal Government during Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos State Governor, he was able to manage the state’s finances and put Lagos economy on sound footing.

In a bold demonstration of visionary leadership and commitment to human capital development, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Chief Whip of the Senate and Senator representing Borno North, has unveiled a groundbreaking scholarship scheme that will send 11 exceptional science graduates abroad for fully funded Master’s degree programmes.

The initiative, established under the M.T. Monguno Foreign Scholarship Programme, represents a monumental investment in education and youth empowerment, offering hope and opportunity to a region that has endured years of hardship due to insurgency.

It also aligns with the transformative agenda of Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, whose unrelenting drive to reposition Borno State through education and empowerment continues to inspire progress across the state.

The beneficiaries, carefully selected after a merit-driven process, emerged from a pool of qualified applicants with Second Class Upper degrees in STEM disciplines. They excelled in a rigorous aptitude test overseen by an independent assessment committee, reflecting both academic brilliance and resilience. Drawn from across the senatorial district, these scholars will proceed to India for a two-year Master’s programme, with the first year dedicated to coursework and the second to groundbreaking research, culminating in the award of MSc degrees that will equip them to compete globally.

Valued at hundreds of millions of naira, the comprehensive scholarship package covers tuition, visa and travel costs, living allowances, laptops, research funding, and every resource necessary to ensure the students succeed abroad. It is a holistic empowerment model designed not just to educate, but to transform the lives of the beneficiaries and, by extension, their communities.

Senator Monguno described the programme as a deliberate effort to rebuild Northern Borno through the strategic empowerment of its brightest minds. He emphasized that education remains the most potent weapon for progress and pledged to institutionalize the programme annually, ensuring that future cohorts of young people also benefit.

‘This initiative is about producing a new generation of leaders and professionals who will return with the knowledge and expertise required to rebuild our communities and reposition Northern Borno. Education is the strongest foundation for sustainable growth, and by investing in our youths, we are investing in the destiny of our people,’ Monguno declared.

The initiative has been hailed across the state as a landmark intervention and a testament to the transformative role of legislative leadership. It is expected to inspire a ripple effect of hope, development, and progress, placing Borno North on a stronger path toward recovery and prosperity.

Following the release of six months withheld allocation of Osun Local Government Areas (LGAs), council workers, who have been on strike since February, have fixed Monday for resumption.

The Nation recalls that the workers have stayed off duty since February, as elected council chairmen of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were laying claim to the control of the secretariat, following the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

The development led to Federal Government withholding the allocation to the councils. Offices of the Minister of Finance, Attorney-General of the Federation, Accountant General and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recognised the APC reinstated chairmen, directing them to open accounts for the 30 councils, to which the allocation was later released.

Amid the development, council workers under the auspices of Association of Concerned Local Government Workers of Osun State, led by Comrade Adedayo Adekunle, addressing reporters alongside scores of council workers across the state in Osogbo yesterday, said they were ready to resume on October 6.

He described the strike earlier declared by the leadership of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) as needless, ”because the seven months strike has resulted in the death of our colleagues.”

He said: ‘This is best time for autonomy, but some disgruntled elements under the disguise of comrades are working against it. The excuse of insecurity given for strike is not tenable; we are landlords of the council secretariat. The ongoing legal actions should not make us to abscond from our duty posts, yet receiving salary from the state government. The strike is unwarranted.’

Adekunle said workers, who failed to resume duty, risked degradation and job loss, ”as the reinstated chairmen of APC may conduct staff auditing after their resumption on Monday, to ascertain the actual workers before paying them salary forthwith.”

He urged the reinstated chairmen to prioritise the welfare of council workers, noting that the union would continue to fight for the right of its members any day and time despite resumption.

NULGE, through the state Publicity Secretary, David Owoeye, in a statement, kicked against the planned resumption of workers, saying: ‘We have not ordered any worker to resume duty. Our safety is paramount.’