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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has reaffirmed its commitment to national cohesion and supporting government efforts to build a better country.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by Aminu Kabir of the NAHCON Information and Publication Division.

Kabir said the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, gave the assurance in his Independence Day message to the government and people of Nigeria.

Usman described the day as a reminder of the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding fathers who fought for freedom, dignity, and unity. He noted that 65 years after independence, the country continues to show resilience and the collective will to overcome challenges while holding on to the hope of a more prosperous future.

‘As an institution saddled with the sacred mandate of coordinating the spiritual journey of Nigerian Muslims to the Holy Land, NAHCON remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and service excellence in the discharge of its responsibilities. We will continue to align our efforts with national values of unity, peace, and progress,’ he said.

The Chairman also urged Nigerians to pray for peace, stability, and prosperity, and encouraged citizens to embrace patriotism, brotherhood, and sacrifice in their daily lives.

‘On this special occasion, I congratulate every Nigerian and wish our dear country continued progress. Together, we can build the Nigeria of our dreams,’ he added.

The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has reported an impressive N30.47 billion operating profit for the year ended 2024, a significant increase from N13.75 billion in the previous year.

Also, NEXIM Bank has been assigned a Bbb+ rating by leading credit rating agency Agusto and Co. Limited, affirming its satisfactory financial condition and strong capacity to meet obligations relative to other development finance institutions (DFIs) in Nigeria.

The Bank’s growth underscores its financial resilience and operational efficiency.

Established to promote Nigeria’s non-oil exports and support import-substituting businesses, NEXIM is fully owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through equal shareholding by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).

The Bank has maintained strong liquidity and capital adequacy ratios, with notable growth in its loan book and equity instruments.

Key sectors supported include manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals, and services.

According to Managing Director Mr. Abba Bello, NEXIM has intensified its intervention in the non-oil export sector, disbursing over N495 billion, which has led to the creation and sustenance of over 36,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Key initiatives currently being driven by the Bank include: ‘The Regional Sealink Project: A public-private partnership aimed at improving maritime logistics across West and Central Africa. Promotion of Factoring Services: Providing alternative export financing options for SMEs.

‘Joint Project Preparation Fund (JPPF): Launched in partnership with Afreximbank to enhance the bankability of export projects.’

Additionally, NEXIM is developing tailored financing schemes for the mining sector, including Contract Mining, Equipment Leasing, and Buyers’ Credit/ECA Financing, designed to unlock export potential and boost foreign exchange earnings.

NEXIM Bank said it remains committed to building local processing capacity and advancing Nigeria’s position in global trade by moving up the commodity value chain and enhancing non-oil export revenue.

The Sokoto State Police Command has commenced the enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permits Law, warning motorists across the state to ensure full compliance or face arrest and prosecution.

The exercise, which began on Thursday, October 2, is currently ongoing in Sokoto metropolis with the support of a mobile court to handle offenders on the spot.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ahmad Rufai, said only vehicles with valid Tinted Glass Permits (TGP) obtained through the official portal – www.possap.gov.ng – will be allowed to operate. He noted that violators risk arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.

Rufai assured residents that the enforcement would be carried out with professionalism, fairness, and respect for human rights, stressing that the Command has zero tolerance for harassment or extortion by officers.

‘The Commissioner of Police has directed strict monitoring of the exercise to ensure officers do not abuse their powers. Members of the public are encouraged to report any misconduct to the Police Complaint Response Unit (PCRU) through the dedicated hotlines,’ the PPRO stated.

He appealed for cooperation from motorists and the general public, noting that the operation is part of efforts to enhance public safety, law, and order in Sokoto State.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Kayode Olasehinde, popularly known as Ajirebi, has opened up on his relationship with filmmaker and producer Funke Akindele after the actress’ support during his trying times.

Speaking on Gbenga Olohunlana’s podcast show called ‘ Osupa’ on Osaga TV on YouTube, Ajirebi praised Akindele’s generosity, recalling how she provided him with financial assistance when he was struggling to secure accommodation.

However, Ajirebi expressed sadness that the relationship took a different turn afterwards, adding that while Akindele prefers to give quietly without drawing attention, her silence and withdrawal have left him feeling neglected.

Ajirebi also acknowledged other colleagues who have stood by him, including Kunle Afod, whom he described as consistently supportive.

According to him, Afod mobilised others to assist him during his difficult period, enabling him to build a house within three weeks.

He further appreciated comedian Woli Agba and Ambassador Muritala Adeyemo, CEO of Pelican Company, who made him an ambassador of the Company, gifted him a car and allocated land for another house project.

He said, ‘Funke Akindele is a very good person, I pray her parents live longer to enjoy the fruits of her labour.

‘I appreciate her so much. She saved me when I was struggling. She did not buy an apartment for me. What hurt me is that she does not pick my calls since she helped me, we did not have any misunderstanding.

‘What I notice about her is that she does not like to help and make it known. When it happened, she gave me money to rent an apartment and I did.

‘Kunle Afod also tried for me, he has been doing things, he has been assisting people for long but not known to everyone, people just found out lately.

‘When life happened to me then, he was the one who told Funke and some other people, the money I got then was enough to get a car but I used the money to build a house. I built that house for three weeks.

‘Afeez Owo, Woli Agba and some others also assist. Someone from Abeokuta also stood up for me, Ambassador Muritala Adeyemo, the Pelican CEO.

‘He made me an ambassador of their company, he gave me a Car and gave me another land to build another house.’

The Nigerian Hydrological Services has advised Niger riverine communities the River Niger and Kaduna to relocate.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah and made available to journalists in Minna on Thursday.

The statement added that the Agency’s warning is coming as a result of the discharge of water from Kainji, Shiroro, Zungeru and Jeba hydro dams located in Niger state.

The NSEMA boss said, ‘The dams are releasing thousands of gallons of water per minute that could lead to the overflow of these rivers.

‘The state government hereby advise our communities to limit activities around River banks during this peak rainy season to avoid being flooded.

‘People living in riverine areas should relocate to safer grounds already identified. NiMeT’s latest prediction indicated that the end of the rainy season will be accompanied by a violent windstorm; as such, people should avoid standing under trees during rainfall and also avoid substandard structures.

‘The state is already experiencing the negative impact of the flooding with houses, farm lands, bridges, and linked roads washed away in some LGAs located upstream and downstream of the 4 dams, rendering many homeless and affecting the socio-economic activities of the communities.

‘The affected LGAs include Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie, Suleja, Shiroro, Mashegu, Agwara, Bida, Edati, Munya, Bosso, Chanchaga, Paikoro and Wushishi.

‘Loss of lives has also been recorded, stressing that the assessments of the flood impacts are still ongoing and periodic updates will be provided.

‘NSEMA, hereby, calls on all the stakeholders, the traditional institutions, well-meaning Nigerlites and the media to help in propagating this information to the general public.’

Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Simon Mwadkwon, has dismissed the insinuation that Nigeria may become a one-party state, stating that the country’s complexity cannot tolerate such political arrangements regardless of the strength of the political party in power.

The former lawmaker, who posited that one-party state is dangerous and worse than military regime, added that those attempting to coerce, or lure elected political office holders from opposition parties into the ruling party are wasting their time and that voters will have the final say when elections are held.

He told newsmen in Jos, Plateau State, that there is speculation that Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State and four other governors will soon join the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), saying however that Governor Mutfwang has repeatedly denied the speculation despite pressure from some quarters.

‘Attempting to establish Nigeria as a one-party state is futile. A one-party state can be much more deadly than a military regime. Governor Mutfwang is at ease in the PDP and would work with whoever becomes the president of Nigeria in 2027, regardless of party, to advance the nation; therefore, those calling on him to join APC would be better off burying the rumor.

‘The Plateau State Governor has publicly denied joining the APC on several occasions; therefore, I don’t think he has any interest in doing so. Despite several appeals, he has refused to back down on this issue,’ he stated.

He expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win elections at all levels in Plateau State come 2027, saying the party’s relationship with the people of the state has been symbiotic since the inception of this democratic dispensation.

On the insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the northern part of the country, Senator Mwadkwon maintained that state police will go a long way towards the myriad of security challenges, adding that those opposed to it have no compelling reason to support their position given the number of people killed, kidnapped, and properties destroyed.

He declared, ‘I am a strong supporter of the State Police. Nigeria will not be the first nation to implement this; at one point in time, when we had what was known as local government native authority police in Northern Nigeria, crime was at its lowest.

‘The idea was that the police should be close to the people, but my position is that those against it may have hands in the killings. If those opposing it had been victims, either directly or indirectly, they would not oppose it. Human lives are sacrosanct and should be protected.’

He implored the National Assembly and the government to go to the grassroots and sample the opinion of the people on whether they want state police or not instead of relying on the elites alone to discuss the issue.

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has stressed the need to strengthen the security measures across the Southwest and parts of Kwara and Kogi states to prevent recurring bandit attacks and loss of lives, describing the massacre, which recently took place in Kwara, as deeply tragic and condemnable.

The Yoruba generalissimo made the call on Thursday in a statement, in reaction to the recent killings in Oke Ode area of Kwara State, urging for increased security patrols, intelligence gathering, and community engagement to stem the tide of mindless killings of helpless citizens.

Iba Adams quickly recalled that no fewer than 12 persons, including the Baale of Ogbayo, were killed on Sunday morning when armed bandits attacked Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Besides, he also recalled that many communities in Kwara and Kogi states had, in recent times, been under incessant attacks from armed bandits, resulting in loss of lives and property, saying that they include Babanla, Bororo, Osi, Oro in Kwara State, and Ejiba, Egbe, Okoloke, Okunran, Odo-Ape, and Ole-bunu in Kogi State.

Adams extended his heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected by the senseless violence and killings, and also to the state government, even as he charged all government agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police and other security operatives, to intensify efforts in securing the lives and properties of citizens in Oke Ode and its environs.

He also called on relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively to bring perpetrators of the massacre to justice, and to provide support to the victims.

The Yoruba generalissimo said he was particularly pained that such mindless killings were still taking place in spite of the repeated calls he had made for heightened security alertness across the Southwest and parts of Kogi and Kwara states based on intelligence reports that the region had a heavy presence of terrorists masquerading as bandits.

Adams, however, urged the people of Oke Ode and neighbouring communities, and other Yoruba-speaking areas in Kwara and Kogi, to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with security agencies by providing timely information on suspicious activities.

The Yoruba generalissimo, while making the call, noted that security is a shared responsibility, maintaining that community partnership was s essential in combating crime and ensuring lasting peace.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday in Abuja by his spokesperson, Mr Stanley Nkwocha.

According to Nkwocha, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s national statement at the UNGA, where he called for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, advocated for Africa’s sovereignty over its estimated 700 billion dollars’ worth of mineral resources, and advanced strategic partnerships with the United Kingdom, the Gates Foundation, and other international stakeholders.

He added that the Vice President also met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who commended Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council.

‘The Vice-President also showcased the country’s 200 billion dollars energy transition opportunity to global investors. He also assured the Nigerian diaspora community of robust engagement in the President Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes before his engagements in Germany,’ Nkwocha said.

Tragedy struck in Bauchi on Friday when a middle-aged woman, believed to be mentally unstable, set herself ablaze inside the family house of Nigeria’s late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

The woman, said to be the daughter of a late Sharia court judge in Bauchi, was rescued by bystanders and rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where she later died of severe burns.

Eyewitnesses said the woman had arrived at the residence in a commercial tricycle carrying a gallon of petrol. Upon entry, she reportedly asked to see Yelwa Abubakar Balewa, one of the late Prime Minister’s daughters and Chairperson of the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA).

When told that Yelwa was not at home, the woman allegedly poured petrol on herself at the main entrance and struck a match. Attempts by onlookers to extinguish the flames worsened the fire, leaving her with extensive burns.

The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the incident. Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, described it as ‘most unfortunate,’ noting that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had ordered a discreet investigation.

‘On the 26th of September, at about 11:05 a.m., an unidentified woman, who is now deceased, went to the family house of late Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. After being told the person she sought was not at home, she brought out a gallon of petrol and set herself ablaze,’ Wakil said.

He added that the woman was rescued alive and admitted at ATBUTH, where police recorded her statement before her death. During interrogation, she reportedly claimed she did not know the liquid she carried was petrol, insisting she thought it was water.

Investigations later revealed that she had a history of mental illness, which developed after the birth of her last child, according to neighbours and acquaintances.

Her body has since been released to her family for burial. The Police Command expressed condolences, praying for the family’s strength to bear the loss.

All does not seem well within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, the lineage next in line to produce the Awujale of Ijebuland, as a new faction identifying itself as the ‘Original Fusengbuwa Ruling House’ has emerged.

The faction’s coordinator, Chief Fassy Yusuf, disclosed this on Thursday at the Oba Adesimbo Tunwase Museum and Hall, Agunsebi, Ijebu-Ode. He explained that the faction comprises the Jadiara Royal House, Bubiade Royal House, Tunwase Royal House, and the Fusengbuwa Royal House.

According to him, the term ‘Original’ was adopted only as a means of distinction and not to exclude other family members. He further noted that the mourning period of the late Awujale, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, GCON, who passed away on July 13, 2025, will officially end on Sunday, October 11, 2025-paving the way for the commencement of the succession process.

Yusuf, who is the Bagbimo of Ijebuland, read from the Declaration made under Section 4 (2) of the Chiefs Law 1957, which states that the four ruling houses entitled to present candidates are Gbelegbuwa, Anikinlaiya, Fusengbuwa, and Fidipote, with Fusengbuwa being the next in line.

He clarified that aspirants to the stool must belong to the ruling house and trace their descent through the male line, except in cases where succession devolves through the female line under the Abidagba principle.

Responding to claims by the Folagbade Adenuga group, Yusuf stressed that Folagbade is not listed as a ruling house in the declaration and therefore must align with one of the recognized branches.

The coordinator added that a family database and Expression of Interest forms for aspirants to the throne would be released in due course, noting that the forms would be free of charge. However, he said voluntary contributions of ?2,000 were encouraged to support the database exercise.

He also explained that, for now, the group is represented by himself as coordinator and Pastor Prince Bola Salami as secretary, while a formal family head will be announced later.

The event was attended by Otunba Odedina Emmanuel, Oloriebi of Jadiara; Prince Adewale Jadesinmi, Oloriebi of Bubiade; Prince Bolarinde Salami, Secretary; Chief G.A. Sanni, Balogun of Esugbon; and Oba Prof. Titilayo Hassan, Elesugbon of Esugbon, alongside other representatives of the four branches.