Lagos mobilises councils, religious leaders to expand immunisation coverage

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to scale up immunisation across all communities, rallying council chairmen, religious leaders, and other key stakeholders to ensure wider vaccine coverage and stronger primary healthcare delivery.

Speaking at the inauguration of the State Task Force on Immunisation and Primary Health Care Services held on Tuesday in Alausa, Ikeja, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, who chairs the committee, said the task force was designed to ensure that no child in Lagos is left unvaccinated.

Hamzat commended the immunisation teams for their work over the years but stressed that the campaign must extend to underserved communities.

‘We want our religious leaders to use their sermons to inform people about the potency of the vaccine. We equally want our schools to be aware of their role in ensuring that students are duly vaccinated,’ he said.

He added that effective collaboration with stakeholders across the health sector is essential, assuring that the state government would increase budgetary allocation to strengthen primary healthcare services for optimal delivery.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, underscored the urgency of scaling up coverage, warning that weak primary healthcare inevitably results in sickly communities.

‘The world has advanced to produce very effective vaccines that eliminate infections such as hepatitis, cervical cancer through HPV, and malaria, among others. For Lagos State to improve uptake, our services must improve-covering infrastructure, equipment, and human resources for health,’ he explained.

Permanent Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, reaffirmed government’s commitment to accountability and inclusiveness.

He said the task force would drive improvements in routine immunisation, strengthen system resilience, and enhance collaboration between government and private actors.

On behalf of council chairmen, the Chairman of Conference 57 and Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Hon. Sesan Olowa, pledged the unwavering support of all council bosses for the campaign.

Mustapha concluded that the ultimate goal was to ensure ‘no one is left behind in accessing life-saving vaccines and essential health services.’

NASRE calls for arrest of Somtochukwu’s killers

The Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) has condemned in strong terms the brutal killing of Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a news anchor with Arise News Television, who was reportedly murdered by suspected robbers at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Femi Oyewale, NASRE described the incident as ‘barbaric and senseless,’ noting that the slain journalist was a promising professional whose life was cruelly cut short.

‘Her death is not just a personal tragedy to her family, colleagues, and friends, but also a huge loss to the Nigerian media and to the nation at large,’ the association said.

The editors’ body urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime and ensure they face the full weight of the law. It warned that failure to bring the killers to justice would embolden criminals and further endanger the lives of citizens.

NASRE also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to step up efforts in protecting life and property across the country.

‘Citizens cannot continue to live in fear within their homes and communities. The government must match words with action by strengthening intelligence, policing, and prosecutorial mechanisms that deter such violent crimes,’ the association stressed.

While commiserating with Maduagwu’s family, her colleagues at Arise News, and the broader media fraternity, NASRE prayed for her soul to rest in peace and demanded that justice should not be delayed.

Dangote to reassign sacked workers – Federal Government

The Federal Government has announced that the Dangote Group will reassign workers who were earlier removed from their jobs at the refinery.

This follows an agreement reached between the company and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

According to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, the affected workers will be posted to other Dangote companies and will not lose their salaries.

He said:

‘After reviewing the disengagement process, it was agreed that the management of Dangote Group should begin reassigning the workers immediately.

No worker will be punished for their role in the dispute between Dangote and PENGASSAN.’

The minister added that PENGASSAN had agreed to call off its strike after both sides reached a compromise.

He also reminded the parties that union membership is the right of every worker under Nigerian law.

The dispute began when PENGASSAN accused the refinery management of unfairly transferring and dismissing union members, and replacing some Nigerians with foreign workers.

The union said these actions violated labour laws and reduced job opportunities for locals.

The refinery, however, denied these claims, saying the changes in its workforce were only due to operational needs and had nothing to do with union activities.

The disagreement escalated when PENGASSAN stopped the supply of gas and crude oil to the refinery, raising concerns about the effect on Nigeria’s energy supply.

The Federal Government stepped in, warning that the standoff could harm the economy and energy security, and later helped both sides reach an agreement.

Uzodinma cancels planned independence parade

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has cancelled his planned Independence Day parade.

This is contained in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba in Owerri, on Wednesday.

Emelumba said that all public activities, including parades, earlier scheduled to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria, had been cancelled.

He added that the governor would, however, deliver his Independence Day broadcast to the people of Imo as planned.

‘All residents are, therefore, advised to commemorate the anniversary quietly in their homes and to offer prayers for the peace, progress, and unity of Nigeria and her leaders.

‘The government of Imo state wishes all citizens a peaceful and reflective 65th Independence Anniversary,’ he said.

No reason was, however, given for the cancellation.

PSG stun Barcelona with dramatic late Ramos strike at Camp Nou

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) pulled off a dramatic 2-1 away victory over Barcelona on Tuesday night, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring in the 90th minute to silence the Camp Nou.

The game, overseen by English referee Michael Oliver, was a gripping contest that swung from Barcelona’s early dominance to PSG’s late heroics.

Barcelona struck first in the 19th minute when Marcus Rashford slipped a neat pass to Ferran Torres, who finished low into the corner to give Hansi Flick’s side the lead.

The Catalans looked in control for much of the first half, with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo creating chances, though wasteful finishing denied them a second goal.

PSG clawed back into the game in the 38th minute. Nuno Mendes carved open Barcelona’s defence with a clever through ball, releasing Senny Mayulu, who calmly slotted into the right side of the net to level the tie.

The second half saw end-to-end action. Barcelona pushed forward through Yamal, who narrowly missed the target in the 80th minute, while PSG’s Kang-In Lee rattled the post in the 83rd, as both sides hunted for a winner.

The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. Achraf Hakimi surged forward and found Ramos inside the box, the Portuguese forward coolly driving a low shot past Wojciech Szczesny to complete PSG’s comeback.

Drama as Cardi B, Nicki Minaj trade insults online

American female rappers Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, have reignited their 7-year-long beef by throwing insults to each other online.

The drama which started on X on Tuesday, started with Nicki Minaj throwing shades at Cardi B’s pregnancy and music.

She claimed that the rapper inflated her album sales, while calling her out for having a forth child with Stefon Diggs, despite being legally married to Offset.

‘A b c d e f Gree. Sur ger ree to look like meee. A b c d e f g Rap like Barney still UGLEEE. Barney B. Raw doggin pregnant with da 4th babeeeee. Barney B.BV HPV allegedlyyyyy,’ she wrote.

Cardi B then responded to the insults by calling her out for not being on the same league with the set of artists she started music with.

‘Why do you keep bringing up my album? It’s not the gag that you think it is. You’ve been in the game like 16 years, you need to compare yourself to YOUR peers that started around your time. Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Drake, those are the numbers you should be competing with, and you can’t because you’re doing lower than all of them. I was in high school when you came out. wtf are you comparing yourself to me?,’ she wrote.

The rapper also claimed that Nicki Minaj was trying to shame her with her pregnancy but has been visiting fertility clinics to get pregnant.

‘Alright now, this is the third tweet talking about my pregnancy, like you weren’t going to different fertility doctors cuz you couldn’t reproduce from all the percs scrambling your eggs. NOT ALLEGEDLY, lord protect my babies,’ she added.

Drama in education sector as court suspends UNILAG, OAU admission process

The Federal High Court in Enugu has ordered the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to suspend all admission activities for the 2025/2026 academic session.

The ruling came from Justice A.T. Segun-Bello after a group of students took the matter to court.

The applicants Chibuzor Success, Oyeleye Zainab Ayomide, Adedeji John Samuel, Monsura Aliat Aduragbem, and Bassey Daniel Nsikak filed the case on behalf of many other candidates who sat for the post-UTME examinations in the two universities.

They asked the court to issue an urgent order to stop the institutions and JAMB from releasing or approving admission lists until their complaints are heard.

According to them, allowing the schools to continue with the process would affect their chances and make the case useless.

Justice Segun-Bello agreed that the issue raised by the students was important and needed to be carefully considered.

The judge therefore directed that both the universities and JAMB must be formally notified to respond.

Meanwhile, he ordered that all parties should maintain the current situation and not take any further steps with the admission list until the case is resolved.

This means that no admission list for the 2025/2026 academic year can be released or finalized by UNILAG, OAU, or JAMB until the court gives a final decision.

The case has been adjourned to October 28, 2025, when both sides are expected to present their arguments.

Independence: Umahi lauds Tinubu’s infrastructure strides

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructural strides, while congratulating the nation at 65.

Umahi gave the commendation in his Independence congratulatory message on Wednesday in Abuja.

He felicitated all Nigerians on the 2025 anniversary, adding that the anniversary is a celebration of the sacrifices and vision of the nation’s heroic leaders.

He said the leaders play prominent role in shaping the trajectory of Nigeria’s journey towards independence and national development.

Umahi added that the Independence celebration should also inspire citizen’s reflections on the milestones achieved and the challenges that confront the nation.

‘The coming on board of the Renewed Hope administration of our dear President has provided a turning point to the wheels of the developmental progress of our nation.

‘The President is changing the developmental trajectory of our nation through his Renewed Hope Agenda designed to turn our challenges into opportunities and our diversities into prosperity.

‘Today, the benefits are manifest. He has returned our country to the part of glory through massive investment in the critical infrastructure across the six geopolitical zones and through other social economic interventions.’ he said

Umahi said the strides would now stimulate progressive and sustainable economic growth.

He explained that in the works sector, a lot had been done by the President to address the burden of inherited road infrastructural deficits across Nigeria.

The minister added that the four Renewed Hope legacy projects were a part of measures to expand the frontiers of the economic ecosystems and stimulate the geometric growth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, Nigerians are witnesses to the progress he has made so far on road infrastructural development.

‘As we celebrate a new dawn in our journey of nationhood, may the spirit of freedom and unity continue to inspire every Nigerian to strive for a brighter future.

‘May the liberties we cherish inspire us to keep the integrity of our nation.

‘Let’s take a pledge to protect the peace, diversity, harmony, and unity of our great nation. Once again, congratulations to all Nigerians and have a blissful Independence Day celebration.’

”Ooni of Ife slept with my ex-wife, plotted my death!” Oluwo of Iwo cries out

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has stirred heated controversy after accusing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, of having an affair with his ex-wife while they were still married.

In a viral video shared on his Instagram page, the outspoken monarch alleged that his former wife was introduced to him from Canada as part of a grand conspiracy to end his life and destabilize his reign.

‘My things are hidden. None of you can endure what these people have done to me. They packaged a woman for me. I didn’t know her from Canada. It was a setup. She was in my house for over three years, communicating with them and plotting my death,’ Oba Akanbi said.

He further claimed that the woman, who bore a child during their marriage, poisoned him twice and made multiple assassination attempts while secretly working with the Ooni of Ife and his allies.

‘She had a child, whom I don’t even know if he’s my child now. I have to confirm that through DNA,’ the monarch declared.

Oba Akanbi also alleged that after he sent the woman away, the Ooni arranged accommodation for her and the child and was allegedly with her at a hotel.

The monarch concluded by warning that his feud with the Ooni of Ife would ‘never end.’

Tems shatters new record in US music market

Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, has broken new ground in her international career, becoming the first Nigerian female artist to sell over 10 million units in the United States.

The feat was confirmed on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, by Chart Data on X, which announced that her Grammy-winning collaboration with Future and Drake, WAIT FOR U, had officially crossed the 10 million sales mark.

The record places Tems in rare company, further solidifying her influence on the global stage. She has also etched another first, recently becoming the first African female artist to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.

Her rise to global stardom began in 2020 after her breakout feature on Wizkid’s Essence, and she has since amassed a string of accolades while embarking on a world tour that spans Africa, South America, and the United States.

For perspective, Wizkid remains the first Nigerian male artist to achieve a similar feat, after Drake’s One Dance hit Diamond certification in 2022.