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Aggrieved youths from the Irekari Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State have stormed the Governor’s office in Akure to protest the deplorable condition of roads and lack of social amenities in their communities.

The protesters, who came in their numbers, lamented the absence of hospitals, electricity, and other basic infrastructure in the four towns that make up the LCDA – Afo, Imeri, Idogun, and Idoani.

Armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as ‘Mr Governor, We Are Suffering,’ ‘Irekari is Part of Ondo State,’; ‘No Road, No Bank, No Light,’ and ‘No Hospital, No Court, No Road,’ the youths decried years of neglect and marginalisation of the community by the state government.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Adewumi Adekola expressed concerns over the worsening condition of roads linking the communities, noting that many residents have died due to the delay in accessing medical facilities in Owo.

He cited a recent incident involving a reverend father who reportedly died while being transported to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, through a road that should ordinarily take less than 30 minutes but now takes about two hours.

Adekola, who read a protest letter signed by himself, Ade Akingbade, and Femi Agbaje condemned the exclusion of Irekari LCDA from the emergency road intervention projects recently approved by the state government.

He also lamented the Magistrate and Customary Courts in the area were relocated due to the bad state of the roads, making it difficult for residents to access legal services.

The protest letter partly read: ‘Our communities – Idoani, Afo, Imeri, and Idogun – have been cut off from the rest of the state for years. We are deprived of basic infrastructure such as good roads, electricity, and access to justice.

‘The deplorable condition of the Ipele-Idoani, Ifira-Isua, and Oba-Ikun-Afo-Idoani roads has made life unbearable for our people. This situation has also heightened security challenges in our area.

‘We appeal to Mr. Governor to urgently rehabilitate the Afo-Idoani road, overhaul Idoani General Hospital, and restore the relocated courts. We also demand improved power supply, renovation of Irekari Comprehensive Grammar School, and strengthened security architecture.’

Addressing the protesters, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Smart Omodunbi Jr., assured them that their grievances would be addressed promptly.

He said: ‘I want to assure you that your letter will be delivered to the governor, who is already aware of your presence here. He has directed that relevant officials visit your communities and take immediate action.

‘I commend you for your peaceful conduct. The governor is passionate about youth-related issues and will ensure your demands receive prompt attention.’

The Imo House of Assembly has commended the Governor, Hope Uzodimma, for the establishment of Imo University of Science, Innovation and Technology, Omuma

The House said this following a motion by the Chief Whip, Mr Chigozie Nwaneri (APC-Oru East), during a plenary session on Thursday in Owerri.

Nwaneri, while presenting the motion, described university as the best legacy by any government to secure the future of its teeming children as well as the ‘fulcrum of children’s foundation in life.’

He commended the ‘selfless determination and singular efforts of Uzodimma to reposition the education sector with not only the provision of basic education infrastructure and other facilities but establishment new tertiary institutions.’

He said that the university that had been approved by the National Universities Commission (UNC) was the new route for development worldwide.

He added that the institution would push the state to the pinnacle of science, innovation, and technology and provide opportunities for research, training, and development globally.

He urged the House to name Uzodimma as the most education friendly governor in Nigeria for securing the necessary approval and recognition by the NUC.

Mr Uba Esile, (APC-Onuimo), described education as the bedrock for development and commended Uzodimma for his efforts to improve the education sector.

The Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West) and Mr Chisom Ojikwu, (APC-Nkwere) said the recently established university would help the state greatly.

He also called for an award to be presented to the governor to encourage other state governors.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Amarachi Iwuanyanwu (Nwangele), who presided, directed the Clerk to convey the resolution of the House to the Office of the Governor.

PowerChina/I²-ESS and Katar Communications have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the deployment of renewable energy solutions across Northern Nigeria, with a special focus on Kano State.

The agreement was formalised between the Global Director of PowerChina/I²-ESS, Sammi Zhou, and the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Katar Communications, Ambassador Mohammed Salisu Ibrahim, during the recently concluded Nigeria Energy Exhibition and Conference in Lagos.

The partnership aims to accelerate access to clean and reliable electricity in underserved communities, leveraging PowerChina’s engineering expertise and Katar Communications’ extensive market presence in Northern Nigeria.

According to Zhou, the collaboration represents a strategic milestone in PowerChina I²-ESS’ efforts to deepen its footprint in Nigeria while promoting sustainable development through credible local partnerships.

Zhou said, ‘Working with trusted firms like Katar Communications allows us to achieve our mandate, especially in Kano State and other parts of Northern Nigeria.’

She emphasised that PowerChina I²-ESS’ approach extends beyond product delivery to include after-sales support, technology transfer, and local engineer training, ensuring long-term sustainability and skill development.

‘We have been present in Nigeria for more than 10 years and have established after-sales centres that double as training hubs for local engineers. This ensures ongoing technology transfer and guarantees that our partners continue to receive quality assurance at all levels,’ Zhou added.

She emphasised that her firm’s long-term strategy is to empower local industries, train Nigerian engineers and expand renewable infrastructure across Africa, starting with Northern Nigeria as a focal point for scalable deployment.

‘Our goal is not just to build projects but to build people and local capacity. Kano and the wider northern region are key to this vision,’ she said.

On his part, Ambassador Ibrahim, explained that Katar Communications’ decision to partner with PowerChina was influenced by the latter’s global certification standards and long-standing reputation for quality.

‘We are into renewable energy and we chose this pathway because of the quality and certification of PowerChina’s products. As a Rural Electrification Agency (REA)-certified company, any product we deploy must meet globally certified standards and PowerChina fits perfectly into that requirement,’ he explained.

He noted that the collaboration between both firms is not new, as they have jointly implemented various renewable energy projects, including a 250kW installation and ongoing mini-grid developments for rural communities in Northern Nigeria.

Ambassador Ibrahim further hinted that his firm’s strong customer base in Kano State provides a solid platform for the partnership’s expansion efforts.

‘We have a huge market covering the entire Kano State and its population. Our flexible payment system allows customers to spread payments over time, making renewable energy solutions more affordable,’ he said.

He was emphatic that after-sales service and customer satisfaction are central to the company’s operations, supported by a team of experienced local engineers trained under PowerChina I²-ESS’ supervision.

‘We’ve built a solid reputation since 2007 in telecommunications and we’re sustaining that integrity in the renewable energy space. With PowerChina I²-ESS as our OEM and EPC partner, we are confident of delivering durable, certified and high-performance systems,’ Ibrahim affirmed.

Both companies reiterated their shared commitment to promoting quality, sustainability, and capacity building in Nigeria’s renewable energy sector.

The PowerChina-Katar Communications partnership is expected to play a vital role in advancing Nigeria’s clean energy transition and bridging the electricity access gap across the northern corridor through reliable, affordable and locally supported solar solutions.

Singer Spyro has issued a fervent call to action, urging Nigerians, including celebrities and influencers, to stand up against foreign interference, external threats and demand accountability from the government.

In a statement on Instagram, Spyro warned that foreign countries are not coming to save Nigeria but to destroy.

He emphasised that now is not the time for silence, and that individuals with platforms have a responsibility to speak out against these threats.

The ‘Who’s Your Guy’ hit maker urged celebrities and influencers to use their platforms to demand action from the government to prevent the country from descending into chaos.

The singer also cautioned against the idea that external forces have Nigeria’s best interests at heart, warning that ‘the Devil always disguises as an angel of light.’

He stressed that the ultimate goal of these external forces is to ‘steal, kill, and destroy,’ and that Nigerians must be vigilant and proactive in defending their country.

He hammered the importance of using one’s platform to make a positive impact, noting that ‘without the people, no platform/influence’ exists.

As such, he urged individuals to use their platforms to demand action from the government and to protect the country from harm.

He wrote: ‘This is a very critical moment in this country and it’s not a time for anyone with platform to keep quiet. There is no need to be forming now.

‘WAR in a country threatens everyone. Guess what superstar, every surviving person will be too busy looking for what to eat and no one will have time to listen to music, watch movies/ contents,go to Church/ Mosque, talkless do business.

‘So Mr and Mrs Celeb, Pastor, lmam, Business owner, Content Creator, now is the time to use your platform to demand accountability from the government, WHAT ARE THEY DOING ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION ???

‘No one is coming to save US, they are only coming to KILL, STEAL AND DESTROY.

‘Remember war takes the people and without the people, no platform/ influence, so use the PLATFORM now while it counts’.

He added: ‘I know it looks like a savior is coming but the Devil always disguises as an angel of light. His actual aim is to STEAL, KILL and DESTROY o. What better time to use our platforms than now to demand that the government do the necessary to avoid this danger looming.’

Students under the auspices of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) have asked President Bola Tinubu to protect the Dangote Refinery from saboteurs.

The students, who marched through the streets of Benin City in protest, said the Dangote Refinery was not a business venture but a symbol that the country was capable of producing what others said it could only import.

They said actors within PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and DAPMAN aligned with fuel importation cartels to protect a fuel importers built on Nigeria’s weakness.

National President of NAPS, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, called on the Federal Government to defend and protect the Dangote Refinery as a national strategic asset.

Comrade Oghayan said any sabotage against the refinery must be treated as economic terrorism.

He urged the federal government to ensure 100% crude oil supply allocated to the Dangote Refinery.

According to him: ‘If we feed the refinery fully, it will crash fuel prices, strengthen the Naira, and stop the bleeding of foreign exchange.

‘We call on the Federal Government to halt the importation of fuel entirely.

While we appreciate the 15% slash in fuel importation approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we insist that half-measures cannot deliver full recovery.

Nigeria must refine what we use.

‘We demand national priority for locally refined fuel in government procurement, transport, aviation, power and military sectors.

‘We urge Mr. President to dismantle the importation cartel and support genuine national industrialization.’

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe on Thursday presented a budget proposal of N515.58 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

Presenting the appropriation bill in Damaturu, Buni said the budget, tagged: ‘Budget of Economic Growth and Infrastructural Transformation, was to complete ongoing projects and initiate new ones to accelerate the development of the state.

He said the proposal consisted of N192.13 billion (37.3 per cent) for recurrent expenditure and N323.46 billion (62.7 per cent) for capital expenditure.

According to him, the budget will be financed through receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), aids, grants, and the Capital Development Fund (CDF).

Buni said the 2026 fiscal plan was designed to sustain the state’s development momentum in spite of global economic challenges.

He said that emphasis would be on infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, and rural electrification.

‘The state government will focus on completing all ongoing road projects, including township roads and drainages in Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru, Gashua, Geidam, and Buni Yadi.

‘New roads will also be constructed in Ngelzarma-Mashio, Bayamari-Geidam, Geidam-Bukarti-Dumbol, Nangere-Kayeri, and Buni Gari-Teteba, among others, ‘ he said.

Buni disclosed that the Damaturu Flyover project, awarded at N22.81 billion, had reached 55 per cent completion and would be commissioned in the first quarter of 2026.

He also said that N17 billion was invested in agricultural empowerment materials and inputs in 2025 to enhance food security.

According to him, N27.27 billion was also spent on education to improve access and quality education across all levels in the state.

‘Government equally expended N11.21 billion on solar street lighting in major towns and sustained investments in health-care delivery.

‘This earned Yobe government commendation from BudgIT for implementing 80 per cent of its 2025 health budget, ‘ Buni said.

He commended the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dangote Foundation, Federal Ministry of Health, and other development partners for their support to the state’s health-care initiatives.

Earlier, the Speaker of the Yobe House of Assembly, Alhaji Chiroma Mashio, described the budget presentation as a constitutional exercise reflecting the state’s commitment to accountability and prudent financial management.

Mashio said that the presentation fulfilled Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

According to him, the provision mandates the governor to lay before the House estimates of revenue and expenditure before the commencement of each financial year.

He commended the state government for remarkable progress in infrastructure, agriculture, and empowerment, describing the construction of Yobe’s first flyover in Damaturu as a milestone in urban renewal.

‘The distribution of modern farm implements and inputs has improved productivity, enhanced food security, and strengthened economic resilience,’ the Speaker said.

Mashio lauded the state’s empowerment schemes, skill acquisition programmes, and payment of workers’ arrears, which had promoted social stability and citizens’ welfare.

He assured the governor that the legislature would continue to collaborate with the executive and judiciary through effective lawmaking, oversight, and public engagement.

The Speaker urged his colleagues to deliberate on the budget with fairness, patriotism, and commitment for public interest and ensured it reflected the aspirations of Yobe citizens.

Actress Biola Bayo has apologised to friends and family for declining to buy Aso Ebi for upcoming events, citing financial strain.

In an Instagram video, she explained facing eight Owambes by year-end, with Aso Ebi costs totaling around N2m.

Bayo stated that she has been mentally, emotionally and financially drained, noting that expenses extend beyond fabric to include sewing, makeup, shoes, bags, fuel, and spraying money.

She said: ‘Hello everyone. I had wanted to make this video before now but I’ve been mentally, emotionally, and financially down. But that’s not why I’m here.

‘I’m here because of this Aso Ebi disaster. Between now and the end of the year, I have about eight Owambe. The cost of Aso Ebi should be approximately like two million.

‘Dear friends and family, I am sorry I can’t afford it. I can’t. I cannot afford it. It’s another thing to buy Aso Ebi. I’ll sew it. I’ll do makeup.

‘I’ll look for a matching shoe and bag. I’m going to drive down there, fuel my car. I am going to spray money, right? On N100,000 that I spray you, I’m probably paying 25,000 or 30,000 on it.

‘It’s expensive and then it’s another thing that I’ll probably have to cancel jobs, cancel appointments, make sure that that day is for you. I’ll come to your party.

‘I can wear what I have if you don’t mind. But if you tell me it’s strictly by Aso Ebi, that means you’re telling me that if I don’t have Aso Ebi, I should not come. That the Aso Ebi is more important than me.

‘And I would not bother, I’ll just stay. But if you don’t mind, I’ll come. It’s expensive. I don’t have it. I’m doing this video in case you have been talking to me and I’m saying I can’t buy it. I cannot afford it.

‘It’s because I cannot afford it. It’s too much. The cheapest is about N150,000, N200,000, N250,000, N300,000. And it’s not for one person. I cannot. If you give me, I’ll take it. I don’t mind’.

According to her, attending parties is not relaxing for her; stating that she only participates to honor loved ones.

In her caption, she urged no one to take it personally, stressing she has enough responsibilities without spending heavily on rarely reused clothes.

‘Please nobody should take this personal with me. I cannot afford it please!

If you give me, I’ll gladly make my Iro and Buba to come honor you. I have enough responsibilities than spending so much on clothes that I can hardly wear twice.common!

‘Party has never been a form of relaxation for me, if I’m coming to your party, it’s just because I want to honor you and I can honorably do that without spending so much,’.she added.

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, and the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) have warned against foreign interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, describing such moves as dangerous to national sovereignty.

Gumi, in a statement on his official Facebook page, berated some Christian intellectuals for openly supporting foreign intervention, saying their action was ‘unpatriotic, shameful, and obnoxious.’

He expressed disappointment that those he expected to show stronger patriotism, given the South’s advancement in Western education, appeared more inclined toward ‘subservience to Western powers.’

According to him, the reactions by some southern Christians to recent comments and threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump reflected a ‘slave mentality’ toward the West.

The cleric argued that Nigeria’s internal conflicts, including herder-farmer clashes and indigenous-versus-settler crises, were products of poverty, poor education, moral decay, and bad governance, not religion.

He condemned what he called the act of ‘inviting a liar, a genocidal supporter, a racist, a supremacist, and a colonist’ to interfere in Nigeria on behalf of Christians, warning that such behavior could inflame national divisions.

‘Inviting a liar, a genocidal supporter, a racist, a supremacist, a colonist to interfere on the side of Christians specifically is unpatriotic, shameful, and obnoxious,’ Gumi wrote. ‘Can’t they see that the fight will take another dimension?’

While questioning whether such attitudes were driven by theological bias, Gumi said: ‘Is it their theological construct that makes them so naive and hateful? Unfortunately, the common denominator of these unpatriotic individuals is Islamophobia.’

He, however, praised the majority of Christians in the country, describing them as ‘good Samaritans living peacefully with their Muslim countrymen,’ and prayed: ‘May Allah protect us all from the Antichrist (Dajjal-the liar). Amin.’

In a related development, the Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accelerate the implementation of the newly approved Forest Guard and State Police initiatives to strengthen internal security and prevent any justification for foreign military intervention.

The group, in a statement by its Chairman, Isaac Abrak, said the Federal Government must demonstrate that Nigeria has the capacity to secure itself and manage its own affairs as a sovereign nation.

NCYP described reports that the U.S. government, under Trump’s influence, was considering troop deployment to Nigeria as ‘unnecessary and counterproductive,’ urging instead that America should support Nigeria through technical assistance, training, and intelligence sharing.

The group recalled that the Forest Guard, approved by President Tinubu in May 2025, was a key element of his Renewed Hope Agenda to tackle violent groups in forests, but lamented the slow pace of implementation and the exclusion of local communities from the process.

According to NCYP, community-driven recruitment, guided by traditional rulers and local leaders, would make the initiative more effective and sustainable, while providing employment for rural youths and strengthening national security.

The organisation insisted that the Forest Guard and State Police represented Nigeria’s true answer to terrorism and insecurity, not foreign troops, emphasizing that ‘Nigeria can secure itself if its leaders act with sincerity, urgency, and national pride.’

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Southwes has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over creation of Development Commissions in all the nation’s six geopolitical zones of the country.

In a statement by its Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ayobami Afolabi, the party said the step would facilitate speedy growth and development to all the geographical components of the country.

Afolabi described the idea of geopolitical zone development commissions as a subtle way of acceding to the popular demand for true federalism as all the each zones are being given a veritable platform for partnership, collectivism and unity of purpose.

Reacting to the two-day South West Stakeholders’ Dialogue/Summit in Akure, Ondo state, organised by Development Agenda for the Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission) in collaboration with Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and the governments of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo states, Afolabi urged Governors and other leaders from the zone to march word with actions.

He said they must ensure that all the developmental ideas and road maps generated from the recent regional summit are carefully worked out and Implemented for the benefit of all the six states in the zone.

His words: ‘The quality of representation and deliberations at the recently concluded Akure summit was a pointer to the fact that the good people of the South West are ready again to reinvent the zeal, courage and bravery with which the affairs of the defunct Western Region was piloted by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and other legendary personalities who mobilized little resources to generate unique ideas and actions which placed the Region at the forefront of good governance and enviable leadership.

‘The organisers of the Akure Summit also deserve applause as they were able to make the dialogue devoid of politics or sentiments as people from all divides were involved.

‘At the end of the dialogue, the whole world was made to see that sons and daughters of Yorubaland were mindful of the shared values, opportunities and prospects which could turn their land into an eldorado in no time.

‘However, the major challenge now is for the concerned individuals, groups and authorities to speed up action and ensure that the gains of the Summit are translated into unprecedented holistic development for the South West geo-politcal zone.’

The Cybersecurity Education Initiative (CYSED), has reaffirmed commitment to combating cybercrime during a United Nations gathering in Vietnam on October 25-26, 2025, marking the signing of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.

At the main plenary, Co-Founder of CYSED, Ayodele Oluwatobi (Tobi Mayana), emphasized Africa’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity and preventing cybercrime through youth engagement and proactive collaboration.

As one of Africa’s leading youth-driven nonprofits working to combat cybercrime and strengthen digital resilience, CYSED congratulated the member states on the historic adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.

Speaking from the perspective of on-the-ground realities in West Africa, Oluwatobi highlighted that while the new legal framework is essential, legislation alone cannot address the human factors driving cybercrime. Across the region, organized cybercrime groups exploit economic hardship and digital illiteracy, recruiting young people into global criminal networks.

He also challenged the misconception of Nigeria as an unsafe nation, emphasizing instead its emergence as a growing force in security, nation-building, and the digital future.

He said: ‘For too long, the international narrative has focused solely on cybercrime, overlooking the innovation, resilience, and ethical expertise of countless Nigerian professionals working to protect digital systems worldwide.’

At the main plenary session, CYSED presented a statement that underscored this reality, that Nigeria is not only part of the conversation but an active contributor to global digital safety. The experience affirmed that the world is beginning to recognize Nigeria’s growing leadership and commitment to building a more secure and collaborative digital future.’

He underscored that while the Convention equips nations with the legal tools for prosecution, its greatest strength lies in its preventive potential-particularly as reflected in Article 3. The measure of its success, he stated, will not only be the number of cybercriminals brought to justice but also the number of young people empowered to choose integrity and resilience over crime.

Addressing the efforts of the Nigerian government on fighting cybercrime, Oluwatobi stated that while various departments are working hard to prevent this menace, digital literacy and sensitization should be prioritized.

‘The Nigerian government has established a strong foundation in cybersecurity through the Cybercrime Act and the work of agencies such as the NCCC, EFCC, and FMoJ. The newly adopted Hanoi Convention now provides a global roadmap for the next phase, emphasizing a ‘whole-of-society’ approach to tackling cybercrime, one centered on prevention, as outlined in Article 53 of the treaty.

To move forward effectively, Nigeria must prioritize prevention through digital literacy and cyber ethics education at all levels, formalize partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society organizations actively engaged in the field, and ensure meaningful youth representation in shaping national policy. With the right coordination and commitment, Nigeria can strengthen its position as a leader in cybersecurity across Africa,’ he stated.

Oluwatobi stressed that youth stand at a critical crossroads: they can become victims, perpetrators, or defenders of digital trust. He called on Member States, as they move toward ratification and implementation, to fully realize the preventive measures outlined in Article 53-especially Paragraph 2, which emphasizes the indispensable role of civil society.

He urged governments to view organizations like CYSED not merely as stakeholders, but as implementation partners central to operationalizing the preventive programs envisioned under Article 53, Paragraph 3(f).

Following the signing ceremony in Hanoi, the Convention will remain open for signature at the United Nations Headquarters in New York until December 31, 2026, and will enter into force 90 days after the fortieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession is deposited.