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Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Information Aniekan Umanah has dismissed as false and misleading, reports alleging the withdrawal of security personnel attached to former Governor Udom Emmanuel or any other former Governor of the State.

Fielding correspondents questions last night, Umanah described the allegation as false and baseless fabrication intended to mislead the public.

According to him, the deployment, reassignment, or withdrawal of police officers is the exclusive responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Commissioner of Police in each State, and not the duty of any Governor.

‘ I can tell you on good authority that the Governor did not issue any directive to withdraw security operatives from the immediate past Governor,’ the Commissioner clarified.

He further noted that all former Governors of Akwa Ibom State are entitled to and continue to enjoy their security details as approved by law.

‘To the best of our knowledge, there has been no complaint or report from any former Governor or their media aides about the withdrawal of security personnel. The rumour exists only in the imagination of those peddling it,’ Umanah added.

The Commissioner urged members of the public to disregard the baseless propaganda, reaffirming that the peace loving Governor of Akwa Ibom State remains focused on promoting peace, unity, and good governance across the State.

He emphasised that Governor Eno will continue to ensure that all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, enjoy the full protection and benefits of the law.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Tacha, has expressed support for the disqualification of Faith Adewale from the ongoing BBNaija Season 10, stressing the need to respect the Head of House (HOH)’s position.

In an interview with TVC News, Tacha said, ‘As much as they say respect is reciprocal, you demand respect, but when e reach your turn, you no wan give respect.’

She noted that Faith, who had previously served as HOH several times, should have extended the same courtesy when another housemate, particularly a woman, held the position.

‘You have been HOH a couple of times; now it’s a woman being HOH. At least as much as everyone respects you, it does make sense for you to respect that office,’ she added.

Faith was disqualified on October 2, 2025, after engaging in a physical altercation with fellow housemate Sultana during a skincare task rehearsal.

The confrontation left Sultana with a twisted ankle and hand injury.

Big Brother Naija’s organisers described Faith’s conduct as a breach of the show’s rules against physical violence and ordered her immediate removal from the house.

Big Brother Naija’s housemate, Kaybobo has been evicted from the ’10/10′ season.

The remaining housemates Imisi, Dede, Kola, Jason Jae, Isabella, Mensan, Koyin and Sultana are now in a high-stakes battle for the ultimate prize.

The show host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced Kaybobo’s exit, marking a pivotal moment in the competition.

Big Brother Naija premiered on July 26-27, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude today, October 5, 2025.

The eviction set the stage for an intense finale, with the remaining four housemates vying for the top spot.

Leaders and stakeholders in Ibadanland have raised an alarm over the growing infiltration of bandits and terrorists into the Southwest region, calling on state governors, the Federal Government, and security agencies to take urgent action to protect the region.

The call was made in a joint statement issued by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiatives (ICPI), Mogaji Dr. Nurudeen Akinade.

The statement was also supported by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), monarchs, Baales, and other community leaders.

The stakeholders described the recent killing of Yoruba people and others in parts of Kwara State as a warning sign that the Southwest could be slipping under siege. They lamented the resurgence of violent attacks in some areas, stressing that the development should concern all levels of government.

They urged governors of the six Southwest states, alongside federal authorities and security agencies, to act swiftly before the situation deteriorates further.

‘If bandits can kill Yoruba people in parts of Kwara State, it shows that the entire Yorubaland is under threat,’ the statement read. ‘We call on all our Kabiyesis, traditional chiefs, Mogajis, Baales, market men and women, and political stakeholders – including lawmakers and governors across the Southwest – to take proactive steps to curb rising criminality.’

The statement further emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering and proactive security measures. It warned that due to Ibadan’s vast land area and proximity to Kwara State, bandits fleeing from security operations could easily take cover within its forests and villages.

‘Government must ensure that Ibadan, Oyo State, and the entire Southwest are well protected. People in the region must not remain silent but raise the alarm to prevent infiltration,’ it added.

The leaders also called on traditional institutions to strengthen internal security networks to identify and expose criminal elements.

‘As part of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiatives, we have been working discreetly with organized security agencies through intelligence gathering. Security strategies are better not discussed openly, but we have continued to discharge our duties effectively to safeguard Ibadanland,’ the statement concluded.

The federal government has directed key health research institutions in the country to provide full support, including financial backing, for ongoing studies into a potential treatment for brain cancer.

Institutions mandated to participate include the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT).

The directive follows encouraging reports about a promising compound believed to be effective against several cancer types, particularly glioblastoma multiforme – one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, issued the instruction during a virtual meeting with the leadership of the institutes and the Centre for Advanced Medical Research and Training (CAMRET), a research unit of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

Dr. Salako described the discovery as a potential game-changer for Nigeria’s healthcare system and a significant stride toward achieving President Bola Tinubu’s health sector transformation agenda.

He emphasised that the development underscores the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s phytomedicine industry as part of broader efforts to unlock the nation’s healthcare value chain.

The Minister further revealed that a ministerial committee has already been established to coordinate collaboration among researchers, investors, and industry partners to fast-track pharmaceutical innovation and ensure that Nigeria plays a leading role in global medical breakthroughs.

‘The phytomedicine sector must be prioritized in unlocking Nigeria’s healthcare value chain. A committee has already been established to bring together investors, research institutions, and stakeholders to accelerate development in the pharmaceutical sector,’ he said.

Dr. Salako urged the CAMRET team to present a detailed proposal to the Ministry outlining its requirements and pledged the federal government’s support for further research and development.

He commended the scientists for their dedication and encouraged them to sustain momentum until the discovery yields a product that benefits Nigerians.

Presenting the research outcome, CAMRET team lead, Dr. Amina Jega, said the active compound was derived from a plant native to northwestern Nigeria.

Laboratory tests, she explained, showed that the extract destroyed brain cancer cell lines within 48 hours at a specific dosage, while noting that the substance is also being tested against other cancers, such as breast, liver, colon, cervical, leukemia, and lung, and early results have been encouraging.

Dr. Jega also noted that glioblastoma remains one of the most fatal brain cancers, with patients surviving an average of only 15 months due to poor drug response, underscoring the urgency of continued research.

In response, the Director General of NICRAT, Prof. Usman Aliyu, while welcoming the Minister’s swift intervention and affirming the institute’s readiness to collaborate fully, disclosed that NICRAT had already reached out to the researchers and would provide necessary institutional support.

‘As soon as the Minister received word of the discovery, he asked us to make contact with the researchers. NICRAT is committed to supporting this initiative in every possible way’, Prof. Malami said.

NIPRD’s Director General, Dr. Obi Adigwe, also confirmed that the Minister approved the inclusion of a CAMRET representative in a federal delegation scheduled to attend specialized biomedical training in China in early 2026.

He added that Stanford University will host a boot camp on translational research in Nigeria in February 2026, where a member of the research team will also participate.

‘The Minister has approved these engagements as part of national priority projects,’ Dr. Adigwe said.

Similarly, NIMR’s Director General, Prof. John Obafunwa, expressed interest in partnering with CAMRET on clinical studies and further analysis of the extract’s efficacy in human trials.

Stressing why NIMR’s full cooperation is assured, Prof. Obafunwa said, ‘If this research can extend brain cancer survival rates beyond the current 12 to 15 months, it will mark a major advancement.’

Big Brother Naija housemate, Isabella, has been evicted from the ongoing ’10/10′ season, narrowing the competition to the final set of contenders.

Her eviction, announced by the show’s host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, marked a pivotal moment in the high-stakes reality show as the remaining housemates – Imisi, Dede, Kola, Jason Jae, Mensan, Koyin, and Sultana – battle for the ultimate prize.

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

Isabella’s exit heightened the tension ahead of the grand finale, where the top contestants will vie for the coveted title and life-changing reward.

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has elected Nosa Ogieva as its new state chairman.

The factional executive emerged at a congress held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, with 576 delegates from the state’s 192 wards participating in the exercise.

The development comes a week after another PDP faction in the state held its own congress and re-elected Tony Aziegbemi as chairman.

Addressing delegates at the Wike-backed congress, the PDP South South Vice Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, blamed former Governor Godwin Obaseki for the party’s dwindling fortunes in the state.

Orbih said the PDP’s poor performance in recent by-elections reflected its declining popularity under Obaseki’s leadership.

He urged party members to elect capable individuals who could revive the PDP in Edo State, while dismissing critics who had advised members not to attend the congress.

‘Just yesterday, I saw a statement from some funny characters advising party members not to attend this event. Are you not here?’ Orbih asked. ‘Those who have no moral authority to speak on behalf of the party should keep their mouths shut.’

‘As we prepare to elect our executive, I will appeal to you to vote for those with the capacity to lead this party, not those who will sell out, not those who will deny members their legitimate right

‘As members of our great party. There is no doubt that PDP is going through a leadership crisis, both at the national level and in several other states.

‘Let us not deceive ourselves. For the first time in the history of our great party, we have elected governors of PDP and founding leaders, founding members of this party, leaving this party every day for one simple reason: failure of leadership.

‘Elected governors are leaving. Elected senators are leaving. Elected members of the House are leaving. In Edo state, we know the root of our problem. We had a united party where everybody related with one another as brothers and sisters, until Godwin Obaseki joined our party.

‘Obaseki destroyed our party. He sowed the seeds of discord, deep-rooted seeds of discord in our party. He sinned against the party. He sinned against the people. He sinned against the state.

‘Obaseki came into the party and destroyed everything good in the party. Today, our party’s umbrella is shattered, torn, and we are here today to rebuild the party.

‘What used to put us together as a family was destroyed by Obaseki. He fought every person except himself, and in the end, we are at a very disadvantaged position in the politics of Edo state.’

The new factional chairman promised to reunite the party, saying the PDP would soon begin to win elections again in the state.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a leading voice of Northern Nigeria, has condemned what it described as a ‘thinly disguised attempt to sabotage’ the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Company, cautioning that such actions pose a threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and investor confidence.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the forum expressed concern over the persistent challenges facing the refinery since its inception, including regulatory hurdles, crude oil supply constraints, pricing disputes, and labor unrest.

ACF lamented that despite the dedication of the refinery’s founder, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, powerful vested interests continue to undermine the facility in a bid to retain control over Nigeria’s oil sector.

‘The challenges confronting the refinery bear the imprint of entrenched cabals bent on sustaining their asphyxiating grip on the oil industry and the national economy,’ the statement said, describing the refinery as Nigeria’s ‘largest and most modern indigenous crude oil processing facility.’

The forum specifically criticized the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for allegedly defying a court order restraining it from disrupting refinery operations.

‘No law-abiding organisation should disregard a valid court order,’ the ACF added.

While affirming workers’ rights to unionize, ACF stressed that such rights must be exercised responsibly and supported calls from Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Ali Ndume that the refinery should stabilise before any unionisation activities commence.

‘Workers should focus on helping the refinery become fully operational before introducing union activities,’ the forum stated, adding that the facility should be treated as a strategic national asset deserving of protection from sabotage.

The ACF also warned that any attempt to cripple the refinery would send a negative message to both domestic and international investors. It urged the Federal Government to classify the Dangote Refinery as a strategic national security asset, and take measures to shield it from external and internal threats.

The forum expressed support for ongoing Federal Government-led negotiations with labour unions, but insisted that sanctions must be imposed on any group that violates lawful directives or acts in a manner that endangers national interests.

‘Putting down the Dangote Refinery is a potent disincentive to private investment and a blow to Nigeria’s industrial future,’ ACF warned, urging labour unions to act with patriotism and resist what it called ‘international machinations aimed at sabotaging indigenous industrial development.’

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CEOAFRICA, Prince Cletus Ilobanafor, has been honoured with the Sir Ahmadu Bello Platinum Award by the Council of Northern Youth Advocates of Nigeria (CNYAN) in Abuja.

The award, presented on October 4, 2025, recognizes Ilobanafor’s outstanding contributions to national unity and youth empowerment. He was also celebrated as Garkuwan Matasan Arewa (Shield of Northern Youths) and described as an ‘Icon and Cynosure of nation-building.’

Speaking at the event, CNYAN President, Mohammed Abdulrazaq, said the council remained committed to addressing pressing challenges in Northern Nigeria, particularly in education. He called on governments at all levels to increase funding to reduce the growing number of out-of-school children, noting that education is key to taking young people off the streets and making them productive members of society.

Commending Ilobanafor, Abdulrazaq said, ‘Having gone through your track record, we see your life as a blessing to this generation and the ones unborn. You have been instrumental in telling our stories better and inspiring the youth. We are ready to partner with you.’

Another member of the council, Muhammed, praised the CEOAFRICA chief for his role in positively projecting Africa’s image. He noted that the recognition followed a ‘thorough scrutiny’ of Ilobanafor’s achievements, adding that his contributions to national unity and peace stood out at a crucial time in the country.

The citation on the award reads, ‘In appreciation of your immense contribution towards a united, one indivisible Nigeria; being a vanguard of youth emancipation and serving as a bridge of national unity and consensus.’

In his acceptance speech, Prince Ilobanafor expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying, ‘I am so honoured to receive this award from the youth of the Northern extraction, the youth who are the future of tomorrow.’

He noted that beyond his work at CEOAFRICA in ‘projecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa,’ one of his most passionate causes remains the elimination of malaria. He pledged to make the CNYAN president an ambassador in the campaign against the disease.

Highlighting the Geneith Health Competition, backed by a ?1 billion donation from Geneith Pharmaceuticals, Ilobanafor said the initiative would empower students in secondary and tertiary institutions to become advocates for malaria prevention.

He called for more investment in youth development, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise the nation’s young population.

‘Nigerian youths are the biggest asset we have. All we are asking for is to give them opportunities to serve, and Nigeria will be a better country,’ he said.

The event, which drew youth leaders and advocates, ended with a renewed call for unity and national cohesion.

Prince Ilobanafor’s recognition, organisers said, was a testament to his consistent efforts in shaping positive narratives and championing the cause of young people across Nigeria.

Media personality Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze, has said that religion and misplaced priorities remain major factors preventing Nigerians from realising their full potential.

Speaking in a recent interview with Chude Jideonwo on YouTube, Daddy Freeze criticised the excessive religiosity of many Nigerians, arguing that most churches fail to inspire genuine transformation among their members.

‘Ten churches on a street, no love,’ he said, describing the situation as a reflection of spiritual hypocrisy in society.

He also referenced chef Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record-breaking cook-a-thon, praising her determination but questioning the crowd that gathered to watch her.

‘I understand Hilda Baci cooking the rice. I understand her trying to break a record. I appreciate that. I respect that. I support that. But you left your house to go and watch somebody cook rice. That part, I don’t understand,’ he said.

Freeze said that while it would have made sense if around 2,000 people attended, the turnout of over 20,000 Nigerians revealed misplaced priorities.

He urged citizens to channel their energy and enthusiasm into productive activities that would contribute to both personal growth and national development.