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Edo State Government said it has begun reclaiming its cattle ranches from land grabbers in different parts of the state as part of its move revive ranches in the state.

It said anybody found to have sold parts of the ranches would be prosecuted in line with the Edo State Public Property Protection Law, 2025.

The law prescribed 10 years imprisonment for anyone who violently or forcefully entered into state-owned property.

Chairman, Edo State Public Property Protection Committee, Eugene Okoloise, said a special court would be set up to prosecute offenders.

Okoloise, who spoke at a briefing in Benin City, said many offenders have been identified to be prosecuted under the new law.

He said over 500 state-owned properties have been recovered from individuals since Governor Monday Okpebholo assumed office.

Okoloise vowed that there would be nk sacred cow in the bid to recover government properties.

He said: ‘Before now, there was no law empowering us to prosecute offenders. But now that the governor has signed this law, there will be no excuse. Anyone caught would be prosecuted in accordance with the law. And to this effect, the government has set up a special court to prosecute anyone who sells or encroaches on government property.

‘And I want to assure Edo people that anyone caught shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law, no matter how highly placed. We are not going to spare anyone or treat anyone especially for his or her status.

‘We are going to sensitise the general public including the rural dwellers that there is a new law to prosecute anyone that forcefully enters government property. I have plans of going round media houses to sensitise our people. Briefing you on the new law is part of the enlightenment campaign.’

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday confirmed that Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Force Intelligence, DIG Ben Okolo, is to lead the overall police team during Saturday’s Anambra governorship election.

Okolo is expected to coordinate all field operations in line with the strategic directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olukoyode Egbetokun.

PSC also confirmed that Anambra State remains calm with security deployments already tightening across the state.

The Commission’s monitoring team, led by retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Taiwo Lakanu, has arrived in Awka on Thursday to oversee police performance and ensure professionalism during the poll.

According to the Head of Press and Public Relations, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, the deployment follows the visit of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whose two-day engagement with stakeholders in Anambra has begun yielding positive results.

Ani said the police officers on election duty have reportedly taken full control of strategic areas across the state, maintaining visible security presence to reassure residents and deter disruptions.

The Commission stated that its delegation to Anambra is acting within its constitutional mandate to promote credible elections by ensuring that the police, as the lead agency in internal security, perform optimally.

To strengthen accountability, the PSC also released a list of dedicated hotlines for residents and observers to report misconduct or commendable behaviour of officers during the election.

DIG Lakanu, who chairs the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the police in protecting voters, officials, and election materials.

He emphasised that free, fair, and credible elections can only thrive in a secured and peaceful environment, and assured that the Commission would closely monitor compliance across all local government areas.

Ani said Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle, recently deployed to coordinate the election, has designed a comprehensive operational manual to guide officers in ensuring order and transparency throughout the exercise.

The Police Service Commission reiterated its readiness to work with security agencies and election stakeholders to guarantee a peaceful and credible electoral process in Anambra State.

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has reaffirmed commitment to women’s empowerment through technology, saying that when women are equipped with the right tools and knowledge, they become ‘agents of change in their families, communities, and the nation at large.’

She spoke at the formal closing ceremony of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)/Huawei Women in Tech Training Programme, at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, where 300 women entrepreneurs drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country were trained in digital and technological skills.

In a statement by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady described the programme as a digital empowerment initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which seeks to promote inclusive growth, economic diversification, and digital transformation.

Encouraging the participants to sustain their learning momentum, Mrs Tinubu urged them to continuously adapt to emerging technologies and use their skills to drive innovation and social impact.

‘Although the training has ended, technology keeps changing. Your biggest strength is your ability to keep learning, evolving, and adapting to new trends available for your growth. Use your new skills to solve real problems in your various communities, because true innovation is only valuable when it improves lives,’ she advised.

The First Lady congratulated the beneficiaries, who came from diverse sectors including agriculture, fashion, catering, retail, event management, and technology services, noting that 24 participants were recognised as outstanding performers.

She expressed appreciation to Huawei Technologies Nigeria for partnering with the Renewed Hope Initiative to empower Nigerian women, adding that the federal government would continue to collaborate with the private sector to bridge technological gaps and foster women-led innovation.

‘The present administration will continue to do all it can to meet the technology and economic needs of its over 250 million population, especially with help from well-meaning corporate organisations such as Huawei. I charge you all to mentor others in your various businesses. Be a guide for young girls and women who think technology is not for them,’ she added.

Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, commended the initiative, saying it gives women a competitive edge in their businesses and careers.

‘ICT is the new way of doing things all over the world, and Nigerians cannot afford to be left behind,’ he said.

AManaging Director of Huawei Nigeria, Mr. Chris Lou, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for giving the company the opportunity to contribute to women’s economic and social development.

Certificates of participation were presented to the trainees by Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, Wife of the Deputy Senate President, Hajia Laila Barau, and Wife of the Kwara State Governor, Ambassador Dr. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, among others.

The event was attended by wives of state governors, members of the National Assembly, and heads of security agencies, underscoring the national significance of the initiative in advancing women’s inclusion in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) has lauded the Federal Government for various trainings and empowerment programmes for youths in the Niger Delta region.

National President of NDYM, Comrade Major Ekene in a statement said that the FG’s youth intervention programmes have helped in reducing all forms of criminalities in the region.

The group attributed the reduction in cases of militancy, youth restiveness, crude oil theft and all forms of economic sabotage in the region to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying youths of the area have never had it so good.

It thanked the Ministry of Regional Development for implementing the laudable initiatives of the Tinubu administration which has resulted in youths undergoing various life-changing skills acquisition trainings.

The statement reads in parts: ‘The Niger Delta Youth Movement, the umbrella body of all youth in the region, deeply appreciates the Ministry of Regional Development for it’s pragmatic training programmes.

‘We pledge our unalloyed solidarity to the continuity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency for the genuine development policies, projects and programmes for the youths, women and the elderly.

‘The youths are passionate about the training, orientation and empowerment programmes under the able watch of Engr. Abubakar Momoh’s ministry of Regional Development.

‘The theoretical and practical knowledge of entrepreneurship and mentorship programmes by experienced scholars is really the way to go.

‘Reports indicate that some youths have started fish farming, palm oil/palm kernel, piggery businesses and some on cooperative societies, etc and are on the path to self-sufficiency.

‘As we look forward to 2025 training and empowerment programmes, we urge the youths to imbibe the entrepreneurship spirit.

‘Proper and methodological empowerment of the youths means reduction in crime and criminality including crude oil theft, economic sabotage, et al’.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command says over 15 per cent of Road Traffic Crashes (RTC) recorded in Lagos State in 2024 were due to distractions.

The State Sector Commander, Kehinde Hamzat, disclosed this at the 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitisation Campaign held on Thursday in Lagos.

The sensitisation campaign in collaboration with Guinness Nigeria Ltd., had the theme, ‘Take Responsibility for your Safety – Stop Distracted Driving’.

Hamzat listed some of the distractions prevalent in the year despite existing laws and continuous censorship to include mobile phone use while driving and gaming.

‘Today’s events, therefore, is a call to action, a call to every driver, commuter, pedestrian, police operators, and enforcement agencies to take personal responsibility for safety.

‘Road safety is not the sole duty of the federal system, or law enforcement entity, it is a shared responsibility,’ he said.

He pointed out that what FRSC was actually looking for was hinged on the five pillars of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, even when a crash happens, it would result in zero fatality.

‘Some of the pillars, government have a role to play, drivers, and even pedestrians.

‘Road safety management is one of the pillars, in this situation legislation should be in place and one that will establish a traffic agency.

‘Second is safer roads plus mobility, this ensures the kind of road built takes care of the motorist, pedestrian, as Lagos State is trying to do so in some of their roads.

‘The third is safer vehicles, and the fourth is the safer road users, which has to do with how knowledgeable one was as a road user, a driver, pedestrian,’ he said.

Hamzat said putting all these precautions in place, there was the need to put a post crash care to ensure that people are close to medical facilities, so that when there was a crash, the golden hour must be reflected.

The Zonal Commanding Officer, FRSC comprising Lagos and Ogun States, Assistant Corps Marshal Ann Oladayo, said FRSC always embarked on Ember months campaign to bring safety consciousness to the public.

Oladayo, represented by Corps Commander Anthony Daudu, noted that during this period, people tend to rush, trying to conclude activities, landmark projects that they had embarked on.

He added that in trying to put all these complex things together and in haste, most times confusion arose and this leads to accidents.

‘In this period, FRSC is ensuring that the public knows what they are doing, the issue of patience, doing things right and taking things easy is of essence.

‘Doing things on the bottomline of drunkenness is dangerous and not acceptable, take things easy, life has no duplicate,’ she said.

Earlier, Mr Rotimi Odusola, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc., noted that the organisation had consistently advocated that their consumers and the general public take responsibility for their safety by not drinking while driving.

According to Odusola, combining alcohol with driving is a form of distraction, it is indeed a criminal offence.

‘Any form of distraction is a recipe for disaster, so we encourage everyone to avoid such while driving, if you choose to drink, do not drive,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation campaign had in attendance Special Marshals, National Union of Road Traffic Workers, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency, Lagos office.

Also in attendance are chiefs from Ojodu land and Isheri Kingdom, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Nigerian Police, Truck and Cargo Operators.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, fixed Nov. 11 for ruling on an application filed by former Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa, seeking to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its National Convention.

Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date for ruling after the defence lawyers adopted their affidavits to show cause why the interim order should not be granted and the plaintiff’s counsel adopted his counter affidavit and argued his case.

Lamido, in the motion ex-parte moved by his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, on Oct. 31, had prayed the court to make the interim order, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed alongside.

The ex-governor said if the PDP was not restrained by the court, the party would be violating its constitution, and by implication denying him the opportunity to contest for the position of the national chairman of the party of which he is eminently qualified to contest.

Justice Lifu, in a ruling, had declined to grant the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025.

The judge, rather ordered the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that are 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit to come and show cause why the ex-governor’s reliefs should not be granted.

Justice Lifu, who gave the defendants within 72 hours from the date they were served to respond, adjourned the matter until Nov. 6 for hearing.

At the resumed hearing, Njikonye, who appeared for Lamido, recalled that on Oct. 31, the court ordered PDP and INEC to show cause why their application should not be granted.

Omokayode Dada, SAN, who represented PDP and Adamu Bello, who appeared for INEC told the judge that their separate affidavits to show cause had been filed and served to parties.

Joseph Daudu, SAN, however, announced appearance for parties seeking to be joined in the suit.

The parties seeking to be joined are Hon Austine Nwachukwu, Imo PDP Chairman; Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia PDP Chairman and Hon Turnah George, who was said to be PDP Secretary, South-South Geo-Political Zone.

Daudu said their application was dated and filed on Nov. 5.

He said the parties seeking to be joined were the plaintiffs in the judgment that was delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Oct. 31, restraining INEC from monitoring or recognising the scheduled Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 of the PDP’s national convention.

He told the court that the certified true copy of the judgment was attached with their motion as exhibit.

The senior lawyer said they sought an order joining the applicants as necessary parties and a consequential order of amendment to all the processes filed in the suit.

Justice Lifu granted the prayers after the parties did not oppose the request.

Adopting their processes, PDP lawyer, Dada, said the affidavit to show cause was filed on Nov. 4.

He said contrary to Lamido’s submission, he was not denied the purchase of the nomination form.

In the affidavit, the PDP said the days fixed by the National working Committee (NWC) for the purchase of nomination form for all the aspirants for national elective positions in the forthcoming convention had since expired before Oct. 27 when Lamido arrived at the party’s National Headquarters.

It said the party’s leadership had earlier approved the timetable and schedule of activity for the year 2025 elective national convention.

It said the timetable and schedule of activity was between Sept. 3 and Sept. 30.

It said the party and its members are bound by it constitution, guidelines, notices and it decisions.

The PDP said it had not violated any of the provisions of the its constitution and guidelines or violates any aspirant’s Right.

Dada, in his argument, said the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case which, he said, fell within the internal affairs of the party.

He urged the court to dismiss the application.

INEC’s lawyer, Bello, in the same vein, prayed the court to refuse Lamido’s prayers.

He said the commission, in response to the order of the court, filed a 13-paragraph affidavit to show cause on Nov. 4.

‘I adopt the application for the court to refuse the application in the interest of justice,’ the lawyer said.

Bello said the reliefs sought against the commission in the motion ex-parte were in substance the same as prayers in Lamido’s originating summons pending before the court.

He argued that granting the interim or interlocutory injunction sought would amount to prejudging the substantive issues in the suit.

Besides, he said the plaintiffs application is in substance an invitation to the court to delve into issues of internal/domestic affairs of PDP, a political party.

INEC, in the affidavit, said that a court of record should not dabble into a political question which remains the exclusive preserve of political parties which should be allowed to do their things.

Responding, Lamido’s lawyer disagrees with the submission of PDP and INEC.

He said in response to their averments, separate counter affidavits were filed.

Njikonye urged the court to take judicial notice of Exhibit D, in the application for joinder filed by Daudu which is the judgment delivered by Justice Omotosho.

The lawyer, who prayed the court to refuse PDP application, also urged the court to discountenance INEC’s argument.

‘The question is who is the 2nd defendant (INEC)? My lord, the 2nd defendant is INEC.

‘INEC, a national body, who is supposed to be unbiased,’ he said.

According to him, INEC cannot cry more than the bereaved.

‘The 2nd defendant should be independent and said whatever your lordship decides will be implemented.

‘Is should be an umpire in conduct,’ he said, adding that INEC cannot take itself to be a political party.

Njikonye made reference to a Supreme Court decision regarding how INEC should conduct itself.

‘It is therefore within the purview of your lordship to make the right or appropriate order in this regard,’ he said.

Also speaking, Daudu said the essence of the order is purely preservative.

He said this would help the court to have something to decide on.

Justice Lifu consequently adjourned the matter until Nov. 11 for ruling and further proceedings.

Actress Regina Daniels has expressed gratitude to her parents for unwavering support and efforts to secure her brother Sammy West’s release after his alleged arrest.

In an Instagram post, Regina commended them for putting aside their differences and working together for the sake of their children’s happiness and well-being.

She revealed that her parents are in Abuja actively working to secure Sammy’s release.

Regina expressed frustration at the prolonged detention, stating that it was taking too long but was confident that they would get her brother out.

The mother of two, also took the opportunity to praise her parents’ dedication to their children, describing her father as a seasoned lawyer who would have achieved more if not for challenges.

She also referred to her mother as a ‘powerhouse’ who would do anything for her children.

‘Two concluded sworn enemies reuniting with no negative ulterior motive other than their daughter’s happiness. And I dare question God for putting me in this situation? They are currently in Abuja. Sammy’s detainment is taking. Way too long, but we will get him out, or rather, I will march there myself and create a storm! Since they want me!

‘My father is a lawyer. Actually, one of the biggest back in the day, but Nigeria happened. I’ll tell you more about my father later, and my mother? She’s a powerhouse ! . They would do anything for their children. I love you, Mom and Dad! This is all I actually ever wanted,’ she wrote.

TikToker Peller has gifted his mother a brand-new Hyundai Santa Fe, worth millions.

Peller posted the news on Instagram to share the joyous moment, congratulating his mother and expressing his happiness.

Peller wrote: ‘This is one of my biggest dream, and it has happen today congratulations Iya Habeeb. She used to carry me, now I’m the one carrying her – blessed’.

The post has garnered a flood of congratulatory messages from fans and fellow influencers, all praising Peller’s thoughtful gesture.

Celtic’s resurgence under Martin O’Neill suffered a heavy setback in Jutland as they were hammered 3-1 by FC Midtjylland.

The Hoops’ hopes of extending their Europa League campaign into the knockout stages took a major hit as the Danish side struck three times in a frantic eight-minute spell in the first half.

Teenage substitute Callum Osmand won a late penalty, which Reo Hatate converted, but the 19-year-old was soon carried off on a stretcher in tears with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, capping a night to forget for the Scottish champions.

O’Neill, 73, had already witnessed Midtjylland’s threat firsthand last month when they defeated Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest, before stepping back into the Celtic hot seat following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation.

They had travelled to the Danish city of Herning with a sense of optimism too.

Back in the Hoops dug-out after 20 years, O’Neill had already led them to a morale-boosting 4-0 league win over Falkirk followed by Sunday’s rousing victory over Old Firm rivals Rangers to reach the Premier Sports Cup final.

But good vibes and a retro tracksuit can only take you so far and Celtic were ruthlessly taken apart at the MCH Arena as Midtjylland made it four wins out of four to stay top of the 36-team league.

Celtic actually had the first shot on goal after just 25 seconds, with Johnny Kenny firing straight at home keeper Elias Rafn Olafsson.

It was the Hoops only effort on target for the next 80 minutes. They were quickly under the pump, first when Callum McGregor was robbed in midfield and Dario Osorio fired narrowly over.

Auston Trusty then had to make a last-ditch block from Osorio, with Franculino Dju blasting the rebound over.

Former Rangers right-back Kevin Mbabu was denied twice by Kasper Schmeichel and Mads Bech Sorensen, the ex-Brentford defender, guided Osorio’s free-kick over the crossbar.

The hosts came even closer when former Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing dummied a low cross for Cho Gue-sung, who forced a point-blank save from Schmeichel, with Anthony Ralston taking the rebound right in the face.

Schmeichel, back on home soil a day after his 39th birthday, was at full stretch to tip a 20-yard volley from Pedro Bravo wide.

But he could only hold back the tide for so long and the dam finally burst following the resulting corner.

Celtic cleared the initial cross, but Mikel Gogorza reached the byline again and his chip across goal was nodded in by Croatian defender Martin Erlic.

Less than two minutes later Midtjylland doubled their lead when Arne Engels and Ralston let Gogorza squirm in between them and whip a low drive past Schmeichel.

It was three by half-time from a Sorensen long throw, exciting Guinea-Bissau forward Dju collecting the second ball and curling his 18th goal of the season inside the far post.

Schmeichel protested that he had been unsighted by offside Midtjylland players but a quick VAR check concluded otherwise.

O’Neill threw on Osmand at half-time and the 19-year-old earned his side a penalty when he was brought down by Erlic.

But Hatate’s spot-kick could not mask what was a chastening evening for Celtic, while Osmand’s late injury dampened the mood even further.

A University of Uyo Don in the Department of Foreign Languages, Prof. Richard Ajah, has been elected President of the University French Teachers’ Association of Nigeria (UFTAN).

His election took place during the 26th Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the association held in Awka, Anambra State.

At the conference, UFTAN expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) for re-enlisting the Nigeria French Language Village (NFLV), Badagry, among its beneficiary institutions.

The association also commended the French Embassy in Nigeria for its ongoing support through the French Embassy Fund (FEF) Project and the proposed establishment of French Resource Centres in several departments and units of French across tertiary institutions in the country.

However, the French teachers decried the listing of French Language as an optional subject in primary and secondary schools under the Federal Ministry of Education’s National Education Sector Reform Initiatives (NESRI).

They urged the Federal Government to review the policy, noting that Nigeria’s geographical location and the importance of French in West Africa and the global community make the language a vital tool for national development.

The conference, held at Chariot Guest House, Awka, had the theme ‘French Language and Employability.’ The keynote address was delivered by Professor (Mrs.) Eugenia Mbanefo of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the University of Uyo management, Mr. Henry Feyi of the French Embassy in Nigeria, the Director of the Nigeria French Language Village (NFLV), Professor Oladipo Samuel Kolawole, and other distinguished guests.

Other elected executive members of UFTAN include: Vice President, Professor Busari Lasisi; Secretary, Dr. Gracious Ojiebun; Public Relations Officer, Dr. Terry Osawaru; Financial Secretary, Dr. Esther Michael; Treasurer, Dr. Shola Oguntola; Editor, Professor Ngozi Iloh; and Ex-Officio, Professor Mufutau Tijani (Immediate Past President).