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Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, flagged off the Light Up Abuja programme, encompassing Lots I and II.

Lot 1 will take care of Maitama, Central Area, Wuse, Asokoro and Airport Expressway while Lot 2 is comprised of Katampe, Katampe Extension, Jabi, Garki, Gudu, Mabushi.

The Light Up Abuja Project, includes supply and installation (retrofitting) of integrated Hybrid Solar Street lighting fittings of 300W Zolar Powered lights luminous flux ranging from 7,500lm to 17,500lm ongoing Streets and Expressways with necessary accessories. The project is to be completed within six months.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Minister stated that the light-up project was the most challenging one he has ever embarked upon.

He stated that there was, however, enormous sabotage against achieving a well-lit Abuja, stressing that many vested interests were constituting a front against the programme, vowing he would ensure the initiative worked. Wike revealed that some of the interests sabotaging efforts to keep Abuja well illuminated at night stemmed from criminals who prefer darkness, dealers in vandalized streetlight installation parts, contractors, and others who push files for the maintenance of streetlights, claiming huge sums of money.

The Minister explained that the streetlights to be installed are embedded with security features that will send signals to security agencies whenever tampered with, thereby preventing vandalism.

He also stated that the new streetlight project includes a five-year maintenance plan, which will be handled by the contractors.

His words: ‘Today’s event is a very difficult one -difficult in the sense that this is a very important project but has given us a lot of headache. Headache not in the conceptualization, but headache in how it will work, knowing that in this country, people are always sabotaging government efforts.

‘It has been a source of concern for me and my team. But we felt that we must take up the challenge. When we came on board in August 2023, one thing anybody who visits Abuja or resides in Abuja will identify is that almost 80 per cent of the entire city was in darkness.

‘Secondly, there was this issue of insecurity when we came on board. So, we are trying to see how we can tackle this issue. If we continue to leave Abuja in darkness, obviously, insecurity will increase.

‘So, we decided to do what we can with what was available. Every time, you will hear of sabotage -cables have been removed, poles have been vandalized. Every time, you see papers coming in for the maintenance of streetlights, making us keep spending money.’

The Minister decried that sometimes, while rushing to receive the President at the airport at night, everywhere would be dark.

According to the Minister, as one responsible for solving the problems, it became a nightmare, and he started having minor migraines thinking about the way out.

He revealed that the solution was arrived at when he accompanied the President to Beijing, where he entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CGC and CCECC to provide not only streetlights but also water supply.

Earlier, in a vote of thanks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, appreciated the FCT Minister for his ‘unwavering leadership and vision,’ saying it continues to drive sustainable infrastructural development across the Territory.

Dr. Mahmoud stated that the project was not just about lighting up Abuja streets but also ‘about safety, security, sustainability, and service to the residents.’

She added: ‘It will promote clean and renewable energy, thereby reducing the city’s carbon footprint. More importantly, it will support the Administration’s Smart City Agenda, making Abuja a model for sustainable urban living.’

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Dauda, while providing an overview of the project, stated that it would provide integrated and hybrid solar streetlights in the districts and expressways.

He also stated that the programme would ensure uninterrupted lighting to enhance navigation at night, surveillance to guard against theft, reduced electricity bills, improved aesthetics, and job creation for the people.

A crisis is looming at the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), as members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over alleged unpaid salaries and arrears.

The union said it would join the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has been on strike since August over similar grievances, a development that has already halted academic activities on campus.

The Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in AAUA, Comrade Olutayo Ogungbeni, who addressed journalists on Thursday, accused the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration of failing to honour its June 2025 promise to clear salary arrears and increase subventions to state-owned universities.

Ogungbemi warned that ‘The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), AAUA, may commence industrial action if all outstanding salaries are not paid.

‘The last salary collected was in July, and now we are in October. Our members have been patient enough. We cannot continue to work without being paid.’

He lamented that the current subvention to the institution is ‘grossly inadequate,’ making it impossible to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage for university workers.

Ogungbeni further accused the state government of neglecting the university, saying the institution had been starved of funds for years.

According to him, SSANU’s outstanding demands include the payment of 54 months’ arrears dating back to 2019, 18 months’ arrears of the 25% and 35% salary increment, two months’ arrears of the 2024 minimum wage, as well as promotion arrears for 2022, 2023, and 2024.

He also demanded the immediate release of the August and September 2025 salaries, insisting that workers can no longer survive under the burden of unpaid entitlements.

‘This government promised to intervene, but we are still battling with old arrears, unpaid increments, and withheld promotion benefits. Staff are losing hope, and we are now left with no choice but to prepare for a showdown,’ he said.

The union leader stressed that while ASUU’s strike had crippled lectures and research, the looming SSANU action would shut down the heart of the university system.

‘If SSANU withdraws its services, all administrative and support operations, from the bursary to the registry and from health to security, will be grounded. Nothing will function,’ he declared.

Efforts to get the state government’s reaction were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, went unanswered at the time of filing this report.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has been conferred with the traditional title of Sarauniyar Yaki, the Queen Warrior of Akko Emirate in Gombe State.

The honour, in recognition of her passion for defending the interests of the weak across the nation, was conferred on her by the Lamido Akko, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Atiku, during her two-day working visit to the state.

Acknowledging the recognition, the First Lady pledged to sustain her intervention for the girl child and further enlisted the support of traditional rulers in the state to drive her advocacy.

Her conferment ceremony was witnessed by the State governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo

While in the state, the First Lady will perform the national launch of Renewed Hope Initiative Flow With Confidence, a vital menstrual health intervention for school girls.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a suit filed against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu challenging the March 18, 2025 proclamation of state of emergency in Rivers state.

The declaration of the state of emergency by Tinubu led to the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers state House of Assembly for six months as well as the appointment of a Sole Administrator who took charge of running the affairs for the period.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed by Belema Briggs and four others against the emergency rule, Justice Omotosho held that, the five plaintiffs lacked the legal power to Institute the case. The Judge held that, such case as constituted can only be determined by the Supreme Court only.

Justice Omotosho held in the judgement that, none of the five plaintiffs claimed to be members of the State Executive Committee, members of the House of Assembly or suffered any injury greater than the rest people of Rivers state.

Worse still, the court held that none of the plaintiffs claimed to have the fiat of the Attorney General of the State to initiate the case.

Besides, Justice Omotosho said that the claim of President Tinubu that he imposed state of emergency to avoid looming break down of law and order was not challenged or disputed by the plaintiffs.

The Judge held that, the claim of breach of fundamental rights by the plaintiffs by Tinubu did not hold water because the appropriate law on emergency rule order was invoked by Tinubu to save unpleasant situation.

Justice Omotosho said the case was frivolous and baseless because the mandate of other people of Rivers was not obtained before instituting it on their behalf.

A section of the Zazzau royal family has dragged the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, before the Kaduna State High Court over an interview he granted to Radio France Internationale (RFI), alleging that a leaked succession information was leaked to their late father.

Recall, their late father was earlier announced by the kingmaker to have emerged as the new Emir following the death of the late Emir Shehu Idris.

However, Nasiru Bashari Aminu, son of the late Iyan Zazzau, Bashari Aminu, had filed a suit before the court alleging defamation.

In his petition, Nasiru had alleged that the Emir falsely suggested during the RFI interview that confidential details of the succession process had been leaked to his late father by the then-Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu.

He told the court that the family insist the remarks of the monarch were false, defamatory, and an assault on the dignity and memory of the late father, who was a Prince of the emirate.

The case has been slated for hearing on November 4, 2025, at the Zaria Judicial Division of the High Court of Kaduna State.

The Emir now faces two separate suits arising from the same interview. In addition to Dr Nasiru’s case, former Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, has also sued the Emir for defamation, challenging his description of him as ‘arrogant’ and for insinuating that he leaked sensitive information during the 2020 succession battle.

The suits, brought by two of the emirate’s most senior figures and their families, highlight the gravity of the Emir’s comments. Both plaintiffs argue that his words, aired internationally, carried the weight of authority but inflicted reputational damage on respected elders of the emirate.

For the family of the late Iya Bashari Aminu, the issue is especially sensitive. Though he secured the highest votes from kingmakers during the 2020 succession, he was not selected. Yet, the family notes, he never maligned the institution, instead urging his children and kinsmen to pledge loyalty to the newly installed Emir while he sought legal redress in court.

To now cast him in the light of impropriety, years after his death, they insist, is an injury too grave to ignore.

National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) and La Shipson Pharmaceuticals Ltd have stepped up plans to commence the local production of HIV drugs in Nigeria.

The move follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to produce life-saving medicines locally.

During the week, a delegation from La Shipson, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Godiya Shipi, visited NBRDA for further engagements on the project.

The delegation included the company’s Board Chairman, Dr. Handsome Momoh, as well as partners and investors, all of whom expressed strong commitment to supporting the initiative.

According to NBRDA, the project will be domiciled within its facilities and is designed to address the healthcare gap created by the withdrawal of international aid for HIV treatment.

Beyond improving access to affordable drugs, the collaboration is also expected to create jobs, drive technology transfer, upgrade NBRDA’s laboratories, and enhance staff research and analytical capacity.

Implementation steps are already underway, with both organisations working towards introducing the first batch of the locally produced HIV drugs into the Nigerian market by the first quarter of 2026.

The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command, Gbenga Agun, has reportedly died on Thursday in Benin.

Tribune Online gathered that the NSCDC Commander slumped at an event organised by a peace ambassador in Benin, where he was expected to be honoured with an award of excellence.

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It was learnt ýthat Agun, who was a guest speaker at the event organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates, reportedly slumped shortly after delivering his keynote address.

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ýA source told Tribune Online that the Agun was immediately rushed to the Military Base hospital located on Airport Road for medical attention.

He said late Agun was confirmed dead at the hospital by the doctor on duty, who, according to him (the source), confirmed that the Commandant was brought In Dead (BID)

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ýEfforts to get a response from the state command was unsuccessful, as calls to the Command’s spokesperson, Mr Efosa Ogbebor, were not answered.

Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly called Odumeje, has ignited a storm of controversy across social media with a blistering critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he flatly described as ‘a businessman rather than a president.’

In a viral video that has drawn widespread attention and diverse reactions, the often-controversial cleric, who goes by the moniker ‘Indaboski,’ argued that the true measure of a leader lies in their commitment to national development and the welfare of their citizens, a standard he believes is unmet by the current administration.

Odumeje starkly contrasted President Tinubu with several global figures he hailed as exemplary nation-builders, including former US President Donald Trump, Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traoré, and China’s President Xi Jinping.

According to him, these figures represent true leadership dedicated to elevating their respective countries.

‘I don’t know who’s calling Tinubu president. Tinubu is just a businessman. If you want to talk about a president, call Trump, Ibrahim Traoré, Xi Jinping, and many others, they are all true leaders.

‘Leaders are people who develop their country so that their children and citizens can benefit, but the ones we have in Nigeria are busy acquiring wealth for their own children,’ he was quoted as saying.

Lamenting the country’s dire situation, Odumeje accused the political elite of focusing solely on amassing wealth for their personal families while neglecting the growth and prosperity of the nation.

He concluded his sharp condemnation by redefining Nigeria’s globally recognized status. Despite the popular tag of being the ‘Giant of Africa,’ the Prophet asserted that the country has devolved into what he bluntly called a ‘giant of f@ilure not a Giant of Africa.’

The fiery remarks from the influential cleric are expected to continue driving debate over the priorities of the current Nigerian leadership and the overall state of the nation.

All is set for the official commissioning of the Otakikpo Onshore Crude Oil Export Terminal in Rivers State, Nigeria, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, 8th October 2025.

The facility, established by Green Energy International Limited (GEIL) operator of the Otakikpo Field, PML 11, with its operational base in Ikuru Town, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State is the first indigenous onshore terminal to be built in Nigeria by a wholly indigenous company, and the only one constructed in the country in the last 50 years. The last onshore terminal before Otakikpo, the Forcados Terminal, was commissioned in 1971.

Tribune Online reports that the official inauguration will be attended by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara; top government functionaries at the federal level; as well as key stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, led by the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri.

A statement signed by the Executive Director of Legal and Corporate Services, Mr. Olusegun Ilori, and made available to Tribune Online on Thursday in Abuja, noted that the completion of the terminal is a strategic initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s determination to boost oil production in the country.

Operators in the oil and gas sector have identified evacuation challenges as a major barrier to achieving the Federal Government’s goal of producing three million barrels of crude oil per day. The Otakikpo Terminal is therefore expected to provide a lifeline to over 40 stranded oil fields, offering a ready evacuation outlet and unlocking millions of barrels of oil that would otherwise remain trapped in the wells.

The new $400 million terminal, with an initial storage capacity of 750,000 barrels, expandable to three million barrels, and a loading capacity of 360,000 barrels per day, is also expected to support the government’s objective of reducing production costs in the industry.

Speaking on the upcoming event, the Chairman/CEO of GEIL, Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, said:

‘What we have achieved here is not just a storage solution but a game-changing national infrastructure that has opened a new pathway for about 40 stranded oil fields to finally contribute to the economy.’

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Thursday embarked on a working visit to Diffa in the Niger Republic as part of renewed efforts to deepen security and economic cooperation across the Lake Chad basin.

The visit came against the backdrop of recent military gains in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, particularly around border communities where thousands of Nigerian refugees remain in camps in neighbouring countries.

Diffa, which lies about 17 kilometres from Damasak in northern Borno, is currently home to thousands of displaced persons who fled insurgent attacks in their ancestral towns and villages.

Governor Zulum, who led a high-powered delegation, was received by his host, the Governor of Diffa Region, Brigadier General Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma, alongside other senior Nigerien officials. Both leaders held a closed-door meeting that centred on strengthening joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and consolidating the fragile peace in liberated areas.

Speaking during the visit, Zulum explained that his administration was working to take advantage of the improved security atmosphere to return displaced farmers to vast and fertile farmlands around Dutchi in the Lake Chad basin. According to him, restoring farming activities remains key to the region’s recovery and food security.

On the governor’s entourage were a member of the House of Representatives, Engr. Bukar Talba, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and other senior government officials.