BREAKING: Imisi wins BBNAIJA 10/10 Season

Imisioluwa Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, has emerged as the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10/10.

The 23-year-old actress and fashion designer won the coveted N80 million cash prize, an SUV, and other rewards after a fierce competition with nine other finalists.

Following closely was Dede who emerged runner-up for the season.

Imisi’s journey on the show was marked by her unique energy, humor, and drama, making her a fan favorite among viewers.

The grand finale, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu on October 5, featured performances from popular artistes Adekunle Gold and Iyanya, adding to the excitement and nostalgia of the evening.

With her win, Imisi cements her place as one of the most memorable contestants of the season.

FULL LIST: US H-1B visa approvals for Nigerians since 2018

The H-1B is a classification of non-immigrant visa in the United States that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, as well as fashion models, or persons who are engaged in Department of Defense projects who meet certain conditions.

The regulation and implementation of visa programs are carried out by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Foreign nationals may have H-1B status while present in the United States, and may or may not have a physical H-1B visa stamp.

H-1B visa status holders typically have an initial three-year stay in the U.S. They are entitled to a maximum of six years of physical presence in H-1B status.

After reaching certain milestones in the green card process, H-1B status can be extended beyond the six-year maximum.

The number of initial H-1B visas issued each fiscal year is capped at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas available for individuals who have earned a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution, for a total of 85,000.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new rule for foreign professionals, including Nigerians seeking opportunities in the United States.

Under the policy, American companies that hire foreign workers through the H-1B visa program will now be required to pay $100,000 (about ?150 million) per worker every year.

Here is a full list for US H-1B visa approvals for Nigerians since Fiscal Year 2018:

The Fiscal Year (FY) is October 1 to September 30. FY 2018 is October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018.

1. 2018 – 391

2. 2019 – 385

3. 2020 – 232

4. 2021 – 198

5. 2022 – 588

6. 2023 – 740

7. 2024 – 880

Villa maintain momentum with hard-fought 2-1 win over Burnley

Donyell Malen scored twice as Aston Villa stretched their winning run to four matches in all competitions with victory over struggling Burnley.

Having created several early opportunities to take the lead at Villa Park, Unai Emery’s side eventually got their noses in front when Boubacar Kamara’s defence-splitting pass released Malen, who found the bottom corner.

It was the Dutchman’s first goal of the season, having last netted at Southampton in April.

Returning Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who pulled out of Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League win over Feyenoord with a calf problem, produced a marvellous one-handed save to tip Josh Cullen’s low shot away as Burnley sought a reply.

Villa remained on top, though, and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Morgan Rogers went to ground under the challenge of Axel Tuanzebe, but referee Andrew Kitchen waved away protests for a pull on the England midfielder.

The second half was a more subdued affair, but the hosts deservedly doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute when Malen – who was about to be taken off – slammed Rogers’ pass into the far corner for his second of the afternoon.

Lesley Ugochukwu nodded home his first Burnley goal to reduce the arrears with 12 minutes left, but Emery’s men held on to clinch back-to-back league successes after their winless start to the campaign.

Villa are in 13th spot, while Scott Parker’s side are third from bottom after a fifth game without a league victory.

DSS apologises, releases wrongfully arrested Journalists

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released two reporters of Jay 101.9 FM, Jos, Plateau State, wrongfully arrested during the visit, on Saturday, of President Bola Tinubu, who was in the state for the burial of mother of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwadta Goshwe.

According to a credible security source, on hearing that some overzealous operatives had arrested Ms. Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, who work for the radio station,

the Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, ordered their immediate release.

According to the source, the Service also immediately contacted the national president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, and conveyed the DG’s apologies.lesde

‘The Director assured the NUJ President that the new DSS leadership treasures the importance of a free press in a democracy, and has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. He further assured the NUJ President that any officer found culpable will be appropriately sanctioned.

‘The new DG is correcting the wrongs he inherited. One of them is overzealousness. This is why the new DG has not failed to admit so whenever the Service makes mistakes. We are witnesses to several instances when the Service apologized and even compensated victims of wrongful arrests.

‘The DG is an absolute lover of human rights and press freedom. You may recall that sometime ago, the DSS DG apologized to the management of TVC over the alleged harassment and intimidation of a reporter,’ added the source.

Medplus, Mobihealth to launch telehealth hubs across Nigeria

Health and wellness retail giant Medplus has partnered with Mobihealth International to launch nationwide telehealth hubs aimed at providing Nigerians with convenient and affordable access to licensed doctors.

Announcing the collaboration in Lagos, both partners described the initiative as a visionary step toward bringing quality healthcare closer to millions through Medplus outlets across the country.

According to the partners, the Medplus-Mobihealth Telehealth partnership bridges the gap between pharmacy visits and doctor consultations, enhancing patient care and convenience.

‘Through this strategic alliance, customers across more than 140 Medplus stores in 19 states can now walk in to consult doctors virtually, access genuine medications, and receive prompt primary healthcare,’ they said.

Founder and CEO of Medplus, Mrs. Joke Bakare, said the partnership represents a transformative step in healthcare delivery.

‘Our collaboration with Mobihealth ensures every Medplus store becomes more than a pharmacy – it’s now a gateway to timely, affordable, and trusted healthcare services,’ she stated.

Similarly, Dr. Funmi Adewara, Founder and CEO of Mobihealth, described the initiative as a major milestone in expanding healthcare access across Nigeria.

‘By embedding telehealth hubs in Medplus stores, we’re empowering people to consult doctors anytime, anywhere, at an affordable rate – with guaranteed access to genuine medications,’ Adewara said.

The partnership will feature in-store telehealth booths equipped with diagnostic tools for virtual consultations, e-prescriptions filled on-site or delivered to patients’ homes, and seamless access to medical care.

Designed to serve both busy urban dwellers and underserved populations, the initiative aims to reduce wait times, lower costs, and make quality healthcare accessible nationwide.

Reps Minority caucus summons emergency meeting over leadership crisis

Ahead of the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has summoned an emergency meeting to address the growing crisis within its ranks.

The move followed a lawsuit filed by the House Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda, against all minority parties, alleging a plot to remove him without due process in violation of the 1999 Constitution and the standing orders of the House.

Following the suit, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik, granted an interim injunction directing all parties, including the National Assembly and the House leadership, to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the matter.

A notice of the emergency meeting, signed by PDP Caucus Leader Hon. Agbedi Frederick, Labour Party Caucus Leader Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, NNPP representative Hon. Muktar Umar-Zakari, and YPP Leader Hon. Peter Uzokwe, scheduled the session for 8 p.m. on Monday, October 6, 2025.

The notice, addressed to all minority members of the House, reads in part:

‘You are hereby invited to an emergency meeting to discuss recent developments in the minority leadership, particularly to review the lawsuit instituted by Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, against all members of minority parties in the 10th House of Representatives.’

The agenda of the meeting focuses on preparing a ‘response to the lawsuit instituted by the Minority Leader’ and addressing any other business (AOB).

Earlier on Saturday, The Nation reported that the Federal High Court halted alleged moves by some Minority Caucus members to remove Chinda (PDP, Rivers) over his perceived closeness to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The court’s interim order, issued following a suit filed on behalf of Chinda by Dr. J.Y. Musa (SAN), restrained all parties from taking further action until the case is decided.

Defendants in the suit include the National Assembly, the Clerk to the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Speaker, the Clerk of the House, and the leadership of the PDP, NNPP, Labour Party, APGA, SDP, ADP, and YPP.

Chinda is seeking an order restraining the Defendants, their servants, privies, officers, agents, members, howsoever described, from removing him as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives without compliance with the due process of the law or accepting/recognising any exercise by any person(s) purportedly removing him from his position as the Minority Leader of the House.

In his ruling, the Judge said, ‘It is my considered firm opinion that to ensure all the parties listed in these processes have equal playing ground by virtue of their constitutional rights enshrined in Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended), as well as the need to protect the res sought in the application. It is hereby ordered as follows:

‘That the applicant shall forthwith serve on all the Defendants/Respondents the Motion on Notice with Suit No:- FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025 filed on 16th September 2025, along with all relevant processes filed in this matter, so as not to foist a fait accompli on the outcome of the reliefs sought in this application which are also same reliefs prayed in the Motion on Notice with Suit No:- FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025.

‘THAT the hearing of the Motion on Notice with Suit No:- FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/ 2025 filed on 16th September 2025, shall pursuant to Section 6 (6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) be EXPEDIENTLY resolved on its MERIT by this Honourable Court for the attainment of Justice in this matter.

‘That all the concerned parties listed in this application SHALL maintain STATUS QUO in respect of the res prayed on the face of the motion ex parte pending the hearing and determination on its merit of the Motion on Notice with Suit No:- FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025 filed on 16th September 2025.

‘That all the Defendants/Respondents SHALL be served with Hearing Notices in respect of this matter.’

FRSC confirms four dead in Kaduna-Abuja highway crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna Sector Command, has confirmed the death of four persons in a fatal crash along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Sunday evening.

Sector Commander, Corps Commander Iliyasu Tijjani, who confirmed the incident, said the crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. at Kakau, near Gonin Gora, on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis.

He said the accident involved a gas-laden tanker and a Toyota Hilux vehicle, both heading towards Kaduna, adding that preliminary investigations showed that the Hilux, which was on high speed, rammed into the moving tanker from behind.

‘The crash was caused by excessive speeding and dangerous overtaking,’ Tijjani stated.

According to him, five persons; four males and one female, were in the Hilux at the time of the crash.

‘Sadly, the four male occupants were confirmed dead at St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, while the only female passenger is currently receiving treatment at the FRSC Clinic, Tollgate, Kaduna,’ he said.

Tijjani added that the impact of the collision was severe, leading to significant damage to the Hilux and disruption of traffic flow on the busy highway until emergency responders cleared the scene.

He warned motorists against speeding and reckless overtaking, stressing that most road crashes on the Kaduna-Abuja highway are caused by impatience and violation of safety rules.

‘Drivers must always obey speed limits, maintain safe following distances, and avoid dangerous manoeuvres. The Corps will continue to enforce traffic regulations to save lives on our roads,’ he said.

The Sector Commander commiserated with the families of the deceased and assured that the FRSC, in collaboration with other emergency agencies, remains committed to ensuring safer road use across Kaduna State.

Wike, Fubara, Amaewhule, Rivers elders, others meet in Port Harcourt

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, held a closed-door meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Saturday night.

Also in attendance were members of the Rivers State Elders Council, led by Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, and the Rivers caucus in the National Assembly.

The meeting, described as the full unification of Wike’s political family in Rivers, was seen as a major step toward ending the long-standing political rift in the state.

Pictures from the meeting were shared on Facebook by the Media Aide to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, who, however, did not disclose details of the discussions.

Olayinka simply noted that the gathering signified that the political family in Rivers State is now fully united.

He wrote, ‘FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule and other leaders in a meeting in Port Harcourt yesterday. The Political Family is fully united.’

BBNAIJA FINALE: Mensan evicted from BBNaija season 10

Big Brother Naija housemate, Mensan, has been evicted from the ongoing ’10/10′ grand finale.

The eviction, announced by show host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, marks a crucial turning point as the remaining housemates – Imisi, Dede, Kola, Jason Jae, Koyin, and Sultana – battle for the ultimate prize.

The reality show, which premiered on July 26-27, 2025, is set to conclude today, October 5, 2025.

Mensan’s exit adds to the tension, setting the stage for an electrifying finale where the top contenders will vie for the coveted title and grand reward.

Alake urges shift from raw mineral export to industrialization

Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG), Dr. Dele Alake, has called for a continental vision to transform Africa from a mere supplier of raw minerals into a global hub for mineral processing, innovation, and green industrialization.

Speaking during the African Mining Week in Cape Town, South Africa, themed ‘Vision and Strategy – Setting the Stage for Minerals Industrialization,’ Alake emphasised Africa’s strategic role in powering the 21st-century economy through its vast mineral wealth.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by his special assistant on media, Segun Tomori, the minister noted that Africa possesses some of the richest mineral deposits in the world – resources essential for clean energy, digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, and global security.

‘Africa’s minerals have powered industrialization elsewhere while our own economies remain under-industrialized. This paradox must end. Our vision must be clear: to move from extractive dependence to transformative industrialization,’ Alake stated.

He added, ‘Our youth should no longer seek jobs abroad while opportunities lie buried beneath their feet. The time to industrialize is now. Let us set the stage for an Africa that is not just a participant in the global minerals economy, but a driver of its future.’

Highlighting Nigeria’s ongoing mining reforms, Alake – represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Farouk Yabo – said the country is promoting local beneficiation from gold refining to lithium processing, revoking dormant licenses to attract serious investors, and strengthening transparency and governance to draw credible global partners.

He also disclosed that Nigeria is developing a National Critical Minerals Strategy as part of its broader plan to foster industrial growth and sustainable development.

In a related engagement, Alake addressed the ministerial roundtable of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) on the sidelines of the mining week, where he reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to building a $1 trillion economy by 2030 through value addition and strategic mineral development.

His words, ‘We are investing in digitizing mining processes from data accessibility to mineral traceability. We are also focusing on bequeathing strong institutions and the right policies to drive reforms, hence the ongoing efforts to amend the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act to provide a more robust legislative framework that will propel investments in the mining sector’.

He emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to ensure traceability from mining to monetization, affirming that the nation’s minerals are set to come from two sources: licensed holders or sellers and suppliers buying from Artisanal and Small-scale Miners (ASM) who are registered and formalized.

Echoing the sentiments expressed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Alake stressed that African countries must prioritize mapping their mineral resources to better understand the location and scale of deposits

‘After national mapping, it is the duty of countries to ensure only licensed operators are mining. We must also build adequate capacity for effective supervision,’ he said.

At the country’s spotlight session where the Permanent Secretary gave a presentation on Investment opportunities in the solid minerals sector, highlighting key reforms, incentives for investments, and a synopsis of the nation’s mineral endowments.

The African Mining Week was attended by Mining and Minerals Ministers from DRC, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone. Nigeria, Gambia, and Ghana sent representatives, whilst major private sector players on the continent also graced the conference.