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Officials of the Kwara state Fire Service on Wednesday recovered a lifeless male body from the Asa River along Emir’s Road, Ilorin, the state capital.

In a statement by the head, media and publicity of the service, Hassan Adekunle, he said that the discovery was made at about 11:06 am, adding that the victim was identified as a mentally challenged individual.

‘At about 11:06 hours on Wednesday, 8th October 2025, the Kwara State Fire Service recovered a lifeless body from the Asa River along Emir’s Road, Ilorin. The victim, identified as a mentally challenged individual, was discovered floating in the river.

‘The cause of the drowning could not be immediately ascertained. The recovered body was later handed over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, for further necessary action.

‘The Director, Kwara State Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, expressed sympathy over the unfortunate incident and advised members of the public to exercise caution and avoid risky movements around riverbanks and other water bodies to prevent similar occurrences,’ the statement read.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has arraigned two Abuja-based lawyers, Victor Giwa and Ibitade Bukola, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over alleged forgery and impersonation.

This follows previous adjournments for arraignment which subsequently led to issuance of bench warrant for arrest of the lawyers.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie sitting at Apo, Abuja, on a three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy to commit forgery, false personation and fraudulent execution of documents.

In the charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/150/25, both defendants were alleged, among others, to have on June 28, 2024, purportedly forged a letter using the official letterhead of Awa U. Kalu SAN and addressed same to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

The forged letter titled ‘Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023’ allegedly sought to influence the AGF to stop Giwa’s arraignment scheduled before Justice Samira Bature at the High Court, Maitama.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them in the open court.

Following their not-guilty plea, the prosecuting counsel, Asaph Eristo, asked the court to remand Giwa in prison custody, citing the need to prevent interference with investigations.

On his part, counsel for the defendants, Edwin Anikpenu SAN, while seeking the leave of the court to make oral amendment to the existing bail application before the court to include the second defendant, urged the court to admit both defendants to bail, adding that they are legal practitioners.

He added that apart being lawyers, the second defendant, Bukola is a nursing mother.

As for Giwa, Anikpenu urged the court to consider admitting him on self-recognition or to the custody of a reputable executive of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Garki Branch, promising that he would not interfere with the case.

The prosecutor, however, opposed the application on the ground that Giwa is a flight risk, noting that public funds were used to effect his arrest.

Justice Onwuegbuzie, however, expressed the court’s displeasure with the oral bail request, saying that, ‘It is shocking that a lawyer would come with an oral application and attempt to add another defendant without documentation. With 13 lawyers present, none deemed it fit to file a proper bail application.’

He subsequently refused bail for the second defendant and remanded her at the Suleja Correctional Facility in Suleja, Niger State.

The court then granted Giwa bail in the sum of ?30 million, with two sureties in like sum, who must be civil servants not below Grade Level 16, resident in Abuja, with verifiable addresses and valid ID cards. They must also submit their international passports.

The judge ordered that Giwa be remanded in police custody till he perfects his bail conditions.

He subsequently adjourned the case to October 15 for hearing.

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called on the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, to provide security support for polytechnic campuses facing threats across the country.

The appeal was made in a statement by the NAPS President, Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan, shortly after a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja.

Expressing concern over rising insecurity in some institutions, the NAPS leadership said, ‘I also used the platform to present the growing insecurity challenges affecting our students across campuses, especially in volatile environments where kidnapping and attacks have become threats to learning and personal safety.

‘Some visible examples include the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, and the State Polytechnic, which have recorded such incidents within a short period.’

The group urged the Minister, as stated in their position paper, ‘to strengthen joint security operations around educational corridors and to ensure that all criminal elements and their sponsors are completely displaced and made uncomfortable anywhere in Nigeria.’

NAPS also proposed a model called ‘Enhancing Security through Agriculture,’ encouraging the Ministry of Defence to collaborate with relevant agencies to create Military/Paramilitary Agro-Security Farms in border areas, forests, and other strategic locations.

According to the proposal, the initiative would help secure vulnerable areas, create jobs for youths and ex-servicemen, boost local food production, and turn ungoverned spaces into productive communities. It also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, national security, and economic diversification.

‘In his response, the Honourable Minister expressed appreciation for the proactive posture of NAPS and assured of the Ministry’s willingness to deepen partnerships with youth bodies and educational institutions in building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Nigeria.’

The statement added that the visit reaffirmed NAPS’ commitment to constructive engagement with government institutions to safeguard students’ welfare and contribute to national peace and development.

‘We reiterated that NAPS is not merely an advocacy platform for student welfare but a strategic partner in national development, committed to advancing technical education, innovation, national unity, and the protection of Nigeria’s human capital.’

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa on Wednesday emphasised the importance of empowering Nigeria as a gateway country to the black global community, highlighting the United Arab Emirate (UAE)’s support in achieving this goal.

This is as UAE unveiled plans to invest in Nigeria’s film, music, and fashion industries.

The Minister made this known in Abuja during an interactive session with the United Arab Emirates’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Musabbeh Al Mahyoub Al Shamsi, to discuss ways to strengthen tourism and cultural ties between the two countries.

She congratulated Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais, the Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, on her historic appointment as the first female Secretary-General, noting that she is opening doors for women, inclusivity, and the power of the global South.

‘It is very important for us now, as a country and as a gateway country to the black global community, to empower ourselves in a way that gives us a certain level of independence. Tourism now is power.

‘We all know the importance of Tourism globally but we need to have a more curative relationship with the United Arab Emirates. We want to empower ourselves in a way that gives us a certain level of independence,’ Minister Musawa said.

Barrister Musawa highlighted Dubai’s success in transforming tourism and the potential for alignment between Nigeria and UAE in tourism and culture.

The Minister also invited UAE officials to explore cooperation areas and assured them of Nigeria’s commitment to deepening ties.

In his earlier remarks, Ambassador Salem Saeed Musabbeh Al Mahyoub Al Shamsi welcomed the proposals and expressed commitment to strengthening ties.

‘The UAE has become one of the top five industrial countries so let us find a common interest in culture and tourism to build a stronger relationship.

‘I invite the Ministry to Abu Dhabi to see the development in Dubai to explore specific areas of cooperation in tourism and culture,’ the Ambassador said.

The discussion also touched on Sheikha’s upcoming visit to Nigeria and potential cooperation in culture, tourism, and creative industries.

The Federal Government has appealed to members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to shelve the proposed strike action, as the government is prepared to resolve all the lingering issues comprehensively and holistically.

Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, made the appeal in Abuja at a news conference held before the meeting of the high-level committee on FGN/ASUU 2025 proposed agreement on Wednesday.

Alausa said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that the ASUU proposed strike be averted, affirming the commitment and political will of the President to resolve all the contending issues that would be mutually acceptable and respectful to all the staff unions.

He said there was no basis for ASUU or any other staff unions in territory institutions to embark on industrial action, stressing that the directive of the President is clear, ‘strike must be averted for Nigerian children to be in school’.

Recall that ASUU, last week, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to meet its demands or face industrial action.

The decision was reached at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on September 28 at the University of Abuja.

Some of the demands of ASUU include the re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, sustainable funding and revitalisation of universities, an end to the victimisation of ASUU members at Lagos State University (LASU), Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University), and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), among others.

The Minister noted that the meeting on the ASUU proposed strike was a technical working group to finalise components of the condition of service for university workers and a counteroffer to ASUU.

He disclosed that by tomorrow (Thursday), the Yayale Ahmed-led Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiating Committee would meet with the leadership of ASUU to present the government’s offer to them.

He revealed that the committee has reached out to ASUU and other unions in tertiary institutions to start giving dates and times when they will meet.

‘The directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to us is that our children must be in school; that we should do everything humanly possible to avert a strike. That’s why what we’ve been working behind the scenes to ensure a holistic resolution of the issues. We’ve not been talking about everything we’re doing.

‘People at the highest level of government have been working several hours intensely to get a robust but affordable response back to our trade unions. These are issues that predate 10-15 years ago. They’ve not been surmounted, but this President has given us the political will to resolve these issues once and for all.

‘In the past, things were done in silos. There were three different Negotiating Committees that were set up. One for universities, one for polytechnics and one for the College of Education and those committees worked in silos. That’s not an efficient way to negotiate.

=’Despite the slight delay that we’ve had in putting the Expanded Committee together, we now have one Negotiating Committee that will talk with all tertiary institutions. That same committee will negotiate with academic staff and non-academic staff unions so that they can have a full grasp of what their needs are.

‘I have seen all the requests from all these unions at the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education; 80% of those requests are about the same, while the 20% of the requests are based on particular needs of the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education,’ Alausa said.

Alausa disclosed that the expanded negotiation committee was inaugurated on Monday and that the members held their inaugural meeting on Tuesday.

He added that the committee would work continuously and expeditiously to come up with a clean copy of agreements that the government would sign with the various unions.

He asked ASUU and all the staff unions not to use strike as the first resort, even though they have been patient over time, stressing that the contending issues have been ongoing for about two decades.

He emphasised that the President has given all the political will to resolve the problem once and for all.

‘And as I’ve said repeatedly, we will resolve it in a holistic, comprehensive manner that is mutually respectful to the unions in an affordable manner. Something the government can afford,’ he said.

The Minister noted that the government had commenced the implementation of the demands of the lecturers and other staff unions, saying the current administration of President Tinubu released N50 billion Earned Academic Allowance some months ago.

He added that N150 billion was allocated in the 2025 budget as a revitalisation fund for tertiary institutions, while the issues of promotion arrears would be captured in the 2026 budget.

Former Minister of Power and Steel and ex-Chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Elder Wole Oyelese, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, saying it is the best way for the Renewed Hope Agenda to make real impact at the grassroots.

Speaking from his experience as a long-time local government administrator, Elder Oyelese described local government autonomy as ‘the lifeblood of rural development and the surest way to restore citizens’ confidence in governance.’

He said the Supreme Court judgment delivered in July 2024, which ordered direct disbursement of funds from the Federation Account to the 774 local councils and banned caretaker committees, was ‘a long-awaited victory for the people.’

‘Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees a system of local government by democratically elected councils. That provision was designed to make government accessible and accountable to the people. Therefore, the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgment will not only deepen democracy but will also ignite development at the level where it is most visible – the grassroots,’ he said.

Drawing from his time as council chairman, Elder Oyelese lamented that local governments have lost much of their independence.

‘It is disheartening that a chairman elected by the people must apply for approval before repairing a culvert or building a classroom. That defeats the essence of democracy,’ he said.

He added that many projects credited to local governments are often handled by outside contractors unfamiliar with the communities, which leads to capital flight and deprives local workers of economic benefits.

Recalling his time in office between 1991 and 1993, he said local councils then had full control of their affairs, and the results were clear.

‘Those were the years when local government autonomy truly worked. Councils constructed roads, built markets, and provided boreholes and health centres. Rural economies thrived, and the people could see where their taxes and federal allocations went,’ he said.

Elder Oyelese noted that today many local government chairmen have become bystanders, unable to act on their communities’ needs or execute meaningful projects.

Without singling out any state, he commended those that have started complying with the Court’s ruling. ‘This is not about confrontation; it is about restoration. If we must renew hope, we must start from where people feel it most – their villages, communities, markets, and schools. Mr President has demonstrated enough political will to convince Nigerians that if he really wants this done, he knows what to do and how to do it,’ he said.

He warned that without direct access to funds, local economies will remain stagnant.

‘When money meant for local communities is trapped in state bureaucracy, it kills small businesses, slows rural development, and weakens citizens’ faith in democracy. The poorest of our people pay the price,’ he added.

Elder Oyelese reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for grassroots development, saying his position is driven by empathy for the people, not politics.

‘I have lived among the people, shared their burdens, and understood their aspirations. I know how much difference a functioning local government can make in their daily lives. That is why I speak, not against any person or administration, but for the people whose voices are being drowned by bureaucracy,’ he said.

He appealed to President Tinubu to lead efforts in enforcing the Supreme Court ruling across the country.

‘Mr. President has a historic opportunity to write his name in gold. The execution of the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy will be remembered as the true beginning of the Renewed Hope for the Nigerian people,’ Elder Oyelese declared.

Children who live in areas where electronic waste-from laptops, cellphones, and medical equipment to cars with electronic devices installed-is frequently thrown out and burned are at risk of developing childhood hypertension.

In a new study, they revealed that children in e-waste regions face a fourfold higher risk of hypertension, as toxic metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) alter gut-related metabolic pathways and disturb the body’s blood pressure regulation.

In a recent article in Environment and Health, researchers investigated the impact of children’s exposure to heavy metals and volatile organic compounds from electronic waste (e-waste) recycling on their blood pressure.

They found that children living in areas with e-waste showed elevated levels of VOCs and metal(loid)s and were about four times more likely to have hypertension, highlighting the risks of e-waste exposure during childhood.

In October 2022, 426 children without a history of hypertension who lived in an e-waste recycling area in China participated in a study that sought to understand the effects of VOC and metalloid co-exposure on children’s blood pressure and create a predictive model for identifying those at risk of hypertension.

Researchers collected fasting urine samples and blood pressure measurements. Children’s demographic and health data were recorded through questionnaires.

Urine samples were analyzed for 18 metal(loid)s, including lead, nickel, cadmium, and arsenic, as well as constituents suggestive of volatile organic compounds like benzene and styrene derivatives.

A hypertension prevalence of 12.7%, notably higher than national estimates, was recorded, suggesting ongoing health risks.

Statistical analyses identified significant associations between certain exposures and blood pressure. For example, urinary cobalt and gallium were positively associated with systolic blood pressure, while selenium and tin correlated with diastolic blood pressure.

Particularly in recycling countries where hazardous materials are discharged during disassembly and burning procedures, the global increase in e-waste has resulted in extensive environmental damage and rising health hazards.

Conventional theories cannot fully account for the increasing incidence of hypertension, despite the fact that it remains a significant modifiable risk factor for heart and brain problems.

Studies show that people who reside near e-waste sites are more likely to have hypertension, especially children, whose early blood pressure elevation can increase their long-term cardiovascular risks.

Major pollutants from recycling e-waste include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metalloids, which are known to be harmful to the cardiovascular system. Through similar oxidative stress pathways or chemical processes, their combined exposure may enhance toxicity.

Since the return to democracy in 1999, Nigeria has witnessed several high-profile ministerial resignations, often driven by integrity challenges or political ambition.

The recent resignation of Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, following the established precedent set by Kemi Adeosun in 2018, underscores the intense public and media scrutiny now focused on the credentials of public officials. Ministers who resigned from office due to such scrutiny demonstrate the evolving landscape of accountability.

These exits generally fall into two categories: those involving allegations of misconduct or scandal (like certificate forgery) and those motivated by the pursuit of higher political office (as seen in the run-up to the 2023 elections). The pattern of ministers who resigned from office exhibits a critical juncture in career and ethics.

In this article, TRIBUNE ONLINE chronicles key resignations by ministers, highlighting their ministries, years, and primary reasons for leaving.

The worsening security situation in Kwara State, particularly in the Kwara South Senatorial District, dominated discussions in the Senate on Wednesday as lawmakers called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in the area.

The Senate’s resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the Senator representing Kwara South, Oyelola Ashiru.

In his motion titled ‘Urgent Need to Address Insecurity in Kwara South Senatorial District, Particularly Ifelodun Local Government Area: Call for Immediate and Comprehensive Federal Intervention,’ the Senator recalled ‘that within the last month, no fewer than twelve (12) forest guards and local vigilante members were killed in an ambush by armed bandits in Oke-Ode, including Baale of Ogba-Ayo community, and several other traditional and community leaders were among those slain in separate incidents in Babanla, Sagbe, Oro Ago, Ganmu-Alheri, etc., in Ifelodun, Isin, Ekiti and Oke Ero Local Government Areas.’

He also informed his colleagues that ‘at least 142 persons have been kidnapped and over 70 killed in the last twelve months across Kwara South, with no fewer than 25 communities deserted due to recurring attacks-leading to severe humanitarian displacement and disruption of social and economic life. Farms have been abandoned, roads have become unsafe, local economies are paralyzed, and schools have closed, thereby worsening poverty and increasing youth vulnerability to crime.’

The lawmaker raised the alarm that farms have been abandoned, roads rendered unsafe, schools shut down, and local economies paralysed.

He cautioned that the sustained insecurity in Kwara South, if not urgently addressed, poses a potential threat to national stability, as it could spread to other states in the North Central and South West geopolitical zones.

He noted that most local security volunteers have been overwhelmed as they ‘lack adequate equipment, mobility, protection, or insurance, yet continue to sacrifice their lives in defence of their communities.’

While adopting the motion, the Senate urged the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in Kwara South, particularly near the forest belts of Ifelodun Local Government Area, to serve as a rapid response hub.

The lawmakers also mandated the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to deploy additional troops and special units to comb the forests for bandits.

They further directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately provide humanitarian relief to displaced persons in the affected areas and urged the government to compensate the families of forest guards and vigilantes who lost their lives.

The Senate also instructed security agencies to identify and prosecute local collaborators aiding the bandits’ operations and mandated its Committees on Defence, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities within two weeks.

The Minister of Defence, Chief of Army Staff, and Inspector-General of Police were also invited to brief lawmakers on coordinated federal responses.

Two suspects, Abayo David and David Bori, both from Itedo-Ijowa, Isanlu, Yagba East LGA, of Kogi State, have been arrested for providing logistics and supplying food to bandits terrorising Yagbaland.

The Press Secretary to the Yagba West LGA Chairman, Adeyemi Babarinde, on Wednesday, said the suspects were arrested in the early hours of Wednesday at about 4:00 a.m. during a routine patrol conducted by members of the Local Government Hunters and Vigilantes.

This operation marks a crucial breakthrough in the local authorities’ efforts to combat those who facilitate and support criminal activities within the community.

The timely intervention of the security forces has been hailed as a proactive measure in the fight against banditry and related crimes that have plagued the area.

Babarinde Sunday, stated, ‘This arrest is a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against those aiding and abetting insecurity in our communities..

We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of our communities and will continue to take decisive action against those who threaten our peace.’

The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to uncover further details about their operations and any potential connections to larger criminal networks.

Residents of Yagba West have been enjoined to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

The statement reads in part: ‘Security operatives in Yagba West have arrested two suspects for allegedly smuggling food supplies and other logistics to armed bandits hiding in the forest.

‘The suspects, Abayo David and David Bori, both from Itedo-Ijowa, Isanlu (Yagba East LGA), were apprehended around 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday during a routine patrol by members of the Yagba West Local Government Hunters and vigilantes.’