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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerians to embrace the nation’s unity in diversity and resist external narratives that misrepresent the country.

‘Our unity is our strength. We must be strong enough to tell our own stories against others’ narratives about us,’ Obasanjo said on Wednesday in Sokoto at the commissioning of the St. Bakhita Catholic ICT facility, equipped with 250 computers and 50 tablets for children aged 5 to 10.

The former president stressed that Nigeria must leverage its diversity to drive inclusive governance and prepare for its rapidly growing population, projected to reach 400 million in the next 25 years.

He warned that failure to create opportunities for the youth could worsen current security challenges, noting that education remains the foundation for national service and progress.

Commending Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah for spearheading the ICT project, Obasanjo described it as a facility for all Nigerians, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or gender.

‘Education, knowledge, and learning are basic drivers to unite us, not divide us,’ he added, while recalling his past educational initiatives in Sokoto through the UPE and UBE programmes.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, represented by his Chief of Staff, Aminu Halliru, hailed Obasanjo’s contributions to national unity and reiterated the state government’s commitment to expanding ICT infrastructure across its three senatorial districts to boost digital literacy, cybersecurity, and software development.

Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar also praised the project, noting its potential to transform lives and foster peaceful coexistence. He emphasized that education is the best legacy for future generations.

Obasanjo lightened the mood with a playful exchange about Bishop Kukah, describing him as a tireless voice against societal ills.

‘He is a Bishop, I am not. I once teased him that I would enter the kingdom of heaven before him,’ he quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.

The event highlighted education and technology as unifying forces for Nigeria’s development, with leaders urging collective responsibility to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.

‘It is the only long term repayment benefit to the people of Sokoto state for they’re generosity’, The Bishop said noting that the world was moving as Nigeria is.

He pointed out that a large number of Nigeria’s and northern population were poverty stricken with 70% to 90%bof children hovering the streets.

‘Nigeria is not expanding but we can only expand if we help to grow together. Build bridges for the younger ones by teaching them the skills to do better in various trades irrespective of differences’, he pointed out noting that Nigerians were born in different environments not by accident nor by fault hence geography should not be defining factor for their future.

‘So is the world not bounded by where you come from ‘, the Bishop explained emphasising that Nigeria had all it took to full the stomach of citizens yet in hunger.

Colonel Emmanuel Ola Arogundade (Rtd)is dead.

He died in the early hours of Friday September 19, 2025, according to a statement on behalf of the family by David Seyi Arogundade.

It reads ‘ It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother Colonel Emmanuel Ola Arogundade (rtd) whose kindness, love, and impact touched many lives’

‘Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.’

This is an unusual time – a dreadful one. We are not used to it. Lives are at stake. The anxiety is justified, and there is no dismissing people’s experiences and feelings – not by any inch.

Some have said we are in a state of war. It is their own way of saying it. However, in honor of the dead and to save everyone, this is a time to major only in the major.

So much has been said about the statement of the Nigerian Air Force which was issued yesterday. It has degenerated into arguments. Two things are at issue here: was there a statement on Monday September 29 by the NAF announcing an air strike on enemy position? Yes. The Air Force shared the statement on its official WhatsApp platform at 1:54pm yesterday. Some people claim the statement was not posted on their Facebook or other social handles. Does that invalidate its authenticity? No. Has the NAF disputed it issued the statement since it went viral yesterday? No. There is absolutely no basis for the disputations. Was there a security operation last night in the area of interest? Yes. There are pictures from the secret police, which was heavily involved in the operation last night.

Attached herewith are pictures from the DSS on the operation between Kogi and Kwara, in which several criminals were eliminated, and a screenshot from the NAF WhatsApp platform with editors.

What does the government gain in saying there was an operation if there was none? Many operations happen without getting to the media, legacy or new. When things are shared with the public, it is sometimes to keep our people at ease in times of tension. Nothing more. It serves no general good if we do not operate with minimal trust in times of crisis.

We should focus on the real issue, unite in the outrage against the enemies, and leave ‘fine, fine details’ for the good days. No one should have time for petty partisan bickering and twaddle now.

The other issue is the picture, which accompanied the NAF statement on different platforms. Yes, the NAF didn’t share its statement with the picture. But hey, what does that matter in the context of whether the operation happened? The problem would be if there was no engagement or airstrike at all, and someone just wrote a fiction and attached the picture. The strike happened. It did.

The news reporter in me took it further. At 3:11p.m. this afternoon, September 30, I spoke with the NAF spokesman Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame to confirm to me if he issued the statement. He confirmed he issued it! My call was to satisfy ‘all righteousness’. Multiple authoritative sources had earlier told me the airstrike took place.

News media (including Sahara Reporters) have used pictures from thousands of kilometers away to illustrate their stories – attached herewith are screenshots of news media using old pictures to illustrate new stories. What is the fuss about a picture of a previous air strike in Borno or Alabama accompanying the statement?

Politicians do not miss opportunities to wrong-foot their opponents. Average citizens who are concerned about all of us getting out of this crisis stronger and better as a community should not join such chitchat. It is not worth it.

Finally, and this is in good faith, there is no truth to the claim that DSS withdrew weapons from the forest guards at any time. The leadership of the forest guards has disputed this claim. The DSS, for its part, has expressed strong reservations about the demoralising, albeit false, claim which was made in a viral video. We pray to God to console the bereaved woman- and every other ones – but her claim is not true. This clarification does not in any way delegitimise her grief. Not at all. May God uphold her and others in her position.

We will get out of this stronger and safer. Let us remain United and calm, and refuse to be at daggers-drawn with ourselves. That will be a road to the Golgotha.

Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick and reached 60 Champions League goals as Real Madrid thrashed Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan.

The France captain slotted a penalty into the bottom corner early on after home goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza came flying out of his area and took out Franco Mastantuono.

He doubled his tally in the 52nd minute when he latched on to Thibaut Courtois’ ball over the top and dinked it over Kalmurza.

In the 67th minute Valeri Gromyko appeared to be fouled by Dani Ceballos, with a penalty awarded to Kairat, but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.

Despite missing an excellent chance to seal his hat-trick when he sent the ball wide with the goal gaping, Mbappe did eventually finish from close range to complete his treble.

Substitutes Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz both scored to complete the rout in the closing stages.

Camavinga headed home from close range and Diaz slotted into the bottom corner from Gonzalo Garcia’s pass as Kairat fell to their heaviest defeat in European competition.

It was a much-needed win for Xabi Alonso’s side after a 5-2 humbling by city rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Saturday.

Mbappe’s goals were his 58th, 59th and 60th in the Champions League and meant he overtook former Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller to become the sixth highest scorer in the competition’s history.

Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold has released his tracklist ahead of his highly anticipated album ‘FUJI’ on October 3.

The album will feature 15 carefully crafted tracks that showcase his personal journey, lessons learned, and stories of love, loss, and identity.

In a statement on Instagram, Adekunle Gold invited listeners to experience the music with open ears, allowing the songs to speak for themselves before revealing the features on October 6th.

Adekunle wrote, ’15 songs carefully crafted for your ears. I want you to experience the music with open ears first, feel the stories, the emotions, the journey.

‘The features will be revealed on October 6th, but until then, let the songs speak for themselves. FUJI out October 3rd’.

The album promises to be a cultural statement and a deeply personal project that blends traditional Fuji music with modern Afrobeats.

With ‘FUJI,’ Adekunle Gold aims to redefine Afrobeats and bring traditional Nigerian sounds to the global stage.

A foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has faulted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s push for Nigeria to secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja ahead of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Okechukwu described Nigeria’s quest as a bold and visionary move, aligning with Vice President Kashim Shettima’s call at the UN for fairness, African representation, and institutional reform.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s contributions to global peace, including its role in World War II, justify its claim for a permanent seat and representation on behalf of Africa.

Okechukwu urged political stakeholders to support the initiative as a unifying national aspiration rather than framing it around domestic challenges.

‘In the 2023 presidential election, they erroneously breached zoning, an unforced error, hoping to harvest northern voters they quarantined in a dormitory. They paid dearly with voters’ punishment.

‘Penultimate week again, ADC recklessly dismissed the time-tested convention of rotation of the presidency – a glue that binds our fragile 4th Republic democracy. Even when their mother party, PDP recanted.’

He also cited the false claim of Tinubu’s Life Presidency Agenda, recalling, ‘Last week, they hallucinated by alleging that Mr. President was plotting for a life presidency, as if Nigeria operates in a banana republic without a constitution or institutions to check such excesses.

‘Yesterday, they incongruously derided Nigeria’s push for a permanent UN Security Council seat, speaking as though the seat is President Tinubu’s personal property, instead of a lifetime strategic gain for Nigeria and Africa.’

Reacting to ADC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi’s vile statement condemning the country’s request for a UN permanent seat, Okechukwu stressed that asymmetrical security challenges should not be used to undermine Nigeria’s hard-earned international seat, noting that every great nation balances political parties’ ambition with patriotic goals.

‘Methinks that this UN Security Council seat is not for Bola Tinubu’s Emilokan, but a strategic asset for Nigeria and Africa. Albeit a step towards resorgimento, where our voice is heard and we participate in shaping global peace and security.

‘For ADC to ridicule such a quest is not only a short-sighted, unforced error, but purely unpatriotic to our collective national interest.’

Okechukwu concluded by appealing to ADC leadership that instead of divisive tendencies and unforced errors, to as a matter of urgent national importance, apologise to our sister political party – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), they demolished.

‘Sincerely, we in APC, in the interest of viable democracy in our dear fatherland, we want ADC to unite with PDP and form a formidable opposition party before they start playing blame games.’Okechukwu submitted

Former Big Brother Naija Season 10 housemate, Sabrina Idukpaye, has said she would have made it to the finals if not for her forced exit from the show due to health issues.

In an interview with The Beat FM, Sabrina expressed confidence in her performance and interactions during her time in the house, insisting she was destined to be a finalist.

Her exit followed hospitalization over undisclosed health concerns. Although later declared medically fit, she claimed the show’s organizers denied her re-entry.

Despite the setback, Sabrina expressed gratitude to MultiChoice and the Big Brother franchise for the platform and opportunity.

Hundreds of people trooped to the Emmanuel Iwanyanwu International Conference Centre (EIICC) on Tuesday to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Imo State.

By 8 a.m., excited residents had begun streaming into the venue to catch a glimpse of the President, who is set to commission four signature projects: the EIICC, Concorde Hotel, the new twin flyover at Assumpta Cathedral Roundabout, and the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road.

Security personnel worked tirelessly to manage the enthusiastic crowd, which included men, women, youths, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries.

Meanwhile, major roads such as Wetheral, Tetlow, and Bank leading to the Okigwe roundabouts were closed to vehicular traffic, causing some inconvenience as commuters trekked long distances to reach their destinations.

Five operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were knocked down by motorists while performing their duties on various roads across the country.

The Corps Marshal of FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, who announced this on Monday, September 30, directed immediate prosecution of the culprits to serve as a deterrent against future occurrences.

According to the Corps Marshal, the incidents occurred across five sector commands: Ekiti Sector Command on September 6, Ogun Sector Command on September 8, Taraba Sector Command on September 15, Jos By-Pass Unit Command on September 19, and Obollo Afor Unit Command on September 24.

‘Their deaths are not mere statistics, they represent human lives of dedicated fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and breadwinners, cut short in the line of duty while safeguarding Nigerian roads,’ Mohammed said in a statement issued through the Corps Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide.

The Corps Marshal noted with great concern the increasing hazards faced by FRSC operatives, whom he said beyond being exposed to speeding vehicles, now contend with kidnapping, violent attacks, and targeted assaults.

He stressed that the FRSC would no longer tolerate acts of recklessness that endanger its staff, warning that offenders would be made to face the full weight of the law.

The Corps Marshal urged personnel across formations nationwide to exercise more level of alertness and ensure their safety is highly prioritised, noting that they need to be safe and alive to save others.

Mohammed also directed stronger engagements with relevant authorities on the protection of its personnel and installations, emphasizing that the measure was not intended for aggression but as a ‘safeguard to deter assaults and ensure that officers can perform their duties without fear of attack.’

While commiserating with the families of the deceased officers and saluting their courage and sacrifice, the Corps Marshal urged Nigerians to ‘honour their memory by respecting traffic laws, showing regard for FRSC operatives on duty, and supporting the Corps in its mandate to end avoidable deaths on the nation’s highways.’

He warned that disregard for traffic laws and the safety of FRSC personnel would attract serious sanctions and legal consequences going forward.

HP Inc. has raised concerns over evolving cyberattack techniques that are making it increasingly difficult for traditional security tools to detect threats.

The company’s latest threat insights report highlights how cybercriminals are refining long-standing methods such as phishing and ‘living-off-the-land’ (LOTL) attacks.

LOTL attacks involve the use of legitimate system tools to carry out malicious activity, making them difficult to distinguish from normal operations.

According to HP Threat Researchers, attackers are now chaining multiple, often less common, binaries in single campaigns, complicating efforts to flag suspicious behavior.

The report, based on data from millions of endpoints running HP Wolf Security, identified several recent campaigns. One involved a fake Adobe Reader invoice that contained a reverse shell script hidden in a small SVG image. The file, disguised as a legitimate Adobe Acrobat Reader document with a fake loading bar, was geofenced to German-speaking regions to evade automated detection.

Another campaign hid malware inside pixel image files. In this case, attackers embedded an XWorm payload within Microsoft Compiled HTML Help files disguised as project documents. The infection chain used PowerShell and CMD scripts to extract the payload and erase traces of the attack.

Researchers also observed the continued spread of Lumma Stealer, one of the most active malware families in the second quarter of 2025. Despite a law enforcement crackdown in May, attackers used IMG archive attachments and LOTL techniques to distribute the malware through multiple channels.

‘Attackers aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they are refining their techniques,’ said Alex Holland, Principal Threat Researcher at HP Security Lab. ‘We’re seeing more chaining of living-off-the-land tools and the use of less obvious file types, such as images, to evade detection.’

Dr. Ian Pratt, Global Head of Security for Personal Systems at HP Inc., added that the challenge for organizations lies in balancing security and usability. ‘Living-off-the-land techniques are notoriously difficult for security teams because it’s hard to tell legitimate activity from an attack. Even the best detection will miss some threats, so defense-in-depth with containment and isolation is essential to trap attacks before they can cause harm,’ he said.

HP’s findings underscore how cybercriminals continue to adapt, using creativity and technical precision to stay ahead of security defenses.