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The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is firmly committed to policy continuity and governance stability, being a moral obligation necessary for Nigeria’s sustainable development.

Akume noted this in Abuja on Tuesday at the inauguration and maiden lecture of the Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement (RHGM), where he emphasized that President Tinubu believes continuity is not merely a governance principle but ‘a moral obligation to secure sustainable development and prosperity for all.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the SGF, Mr. Nadunga Gagare, Tue SGG said the President’s conviction is rooted in the belief that one of Nigeria’s greatest developmental setbacks has been the tendency to abandon policies, projects, and programmes whenever a new administration takes over.

‘This cycle of discontinuity has often stalled progress, wasted resources, and slowed down the pace of development. Sustainable development, however, thrives on consistency. A road started by one administration should be completed by the next,’ Akume said.

According to him, Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is anchored on ensuring stability in governance by strengthening national institutions, implementing reforms that outlive individuals, and building systems that deliver results for citizens irrespective of leadership changes.

Akume described the RHGM as an initiative that considers the yearnings of the masses for inclusive and accountable governance.

‘The Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement has a duty to mobilize, sensitize and ensure that citizens not only understand but take ownership of government policies,’ he added, stressing that democracy cannot thrive without the active involvement of the grassroots.

In his welcome address, the National Leader of the RHGM, Ambassador Isaac Chigozie Udeh, said President Tinubu has solidified his position ahead of the 2027 elections.

He noted that the movement was established to rally support for Tinubu’s policies and prevent what he called ‘experimentation’ by other political contenders.

‘We are here because we are comfortable with the policies of President Bola Tinubu and don’t want anybody else to come and carry out any experiment with us.

‘Nigerians need to be patient because what we are going through is like pregnancy; there will be joy very soon,’ Udeh said.

On her part, the National Women Leader of the RHGM, Mrs. Soaga Abiola, said the movement’s efforts would not be in vain, insisting that President Tinubu must be retained in 2027.

She also emphasized the importance of women’s involvement in governance, advocating for women to be considered for deputy positions in leadership.

Goodwill messages from RHGM members in the Diaspora, patrons, zonal and state coordinators, as well as leaders from the six geo-political zones, emphasized the importance of Nigerians rallying behind the government’s policy continuity and governance sustenance drive for the benefit of future generations.

The event also featured the inauguration of national officers, zonal and state coordinators, the national youth leader, and the presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians.

Ademola Lookman made his first start of the season for Atalanta as the Italians came from behind to beat Club Brugge in the Champions League.

The England-born Nigeria winger was left out of the Italians’ squad for the first three Serie A games of the season after handing in a transfer request at the start of August.

Lookman was reported to have been a target for Inter Milan but a move failed to materialise.

He looked sharp on his return to the first-team fold and had an early shot blocked, but it was Belgium’s Club Brugge who took the lead against the run of play when Christos Tzolis curled in a fine effort just before half time.

Atalanta dominated the second half and substitute Davide Zappacosta went close with a low drive that flew just wide of the target.

They got the equaliser their dominance deserved when Nordin Jackers was adjudged to have brought down Mario Pasalic inside the box, and Lazar Samardzic stepped up to convert the penalty.

That prompted an open end to the game as both sides had chances to snatch a winner, but it was Atalanta who got it as Pasalic headed home with three minutes left.

The result secured Atalanta their first win in this season’s Champions League while it was Club Brugge’s first loss after thrashing Monaco 4-1 in their opener.

Actress Regina Daniels caused a stir on social media on Monday with a video of herself and her husband, Senator Ned Nwoko, using the restroom.

The viral video captured the look on Ned’s face as he seemingly showed his displeasure before going on to pee.

Regina, who’s a mother of two, was seen quickly blocking the camera’s view as her husband appeared to be using the restroom.

According to the timestamp on the video, the incident occurred around 5:30 am.

The playful moment has since generated a flurry of comments from fans, with many praising Regina for her swift and protective gesture, while others found humor in the early morning recording.

While some praised the actress for her protective gesture and sense of humor, others criticised the video as being inappropriate and disrespectful.

One social media user commented: ‘He saw the video recording and still brought it out. I didn’t even see anything, so everyone should rest. If he had a problem with it, he would have asked her to delete it.’

Another critic wrote:’So disrespectful.’

A third user added: ‘It’s shameful! To showcase a serving senator this way is completely unacceptable.’

The Abuja Youths Forum has expressed grief over the death of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, an anchor with Arise TV, who was reportedly killed during an armed robbery at her Katampe residence in the early hours of September 29.

In a statement signed by its president, Comrade Ayuba Danladi, the group described her death as a tragic loss and urged authorities to intensify efforts in addressing insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The forum stressed that the incident highlighted the urgent need for improved safety measures across Abuja, adding that if such crimes could occur in Katampe, residents in other parts of the city may be at greater risk.

It called on President Bola Tinubu and the FCT administration to prioritize security and ensure that criminal elements are swiftly apprehended.

The group also extended heartfelt condolences to Maduagwu’s family and the Arise News team, urging law enforcement agencies to bring her killers to justice without delay.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has officially launched ISO 37003:2025, a Fraud Control Management System designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, and governance across the country.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Abuja, SON Director-General, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, described the standard as a globally recognised framework that helps organisations prevent fraud before it occurs, detect it efficiently, and respond decisively to minimise damage.

He added that ISO 37003:2025 also fosters a culture of integrity by embedding fraud prevention into the core of organisational operations.

Dr. Okeke explained that adoption of the standard will benefit both the public and private sectors – reducing leakages and rebuilding trust in government while positioning Nigerian companies as credible and trustworthy partners to investors.

He further stressed that widespread implementation would improve Nigeria’s global rankings and attract foreign direct investment.

SON, he noted, will embark on awareness campaigns, training, and certification programmes to ensure effective adoption, calling for active participation from government leaders, industry captains, professional bodies, and civil society.

Also speaking, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Convener of ISO/TC309/WG8, highlighted that ISO 37003:2025 serves as a guardian for organisations managing fraud risks, noting that the process of developing the standard began during the ISO TC 309 plenary in Sydney, Australia, in November 2018.

‘There was awareness of fraud risks in organisations and existing fraud controls within the organisations, including internal fraud, whistleblowing, code of conduct, anti-fraud policies, fraud training, and management reviews to mitigate the impact of fraud.

‘With the existence of these internal mechanisms and statutory regulations, there was a clear need for an ISO standard dealing with fraud control. Research findings from the literature published by reputable sources show that fraud costs the global economy about $4 trillion per year. The chief executive of the Strategic Institute of Forensic Examiners put it at $4.7 trillion a year, so it is increasing.

He added that this Amounts to a total loss of 7% in the annual turnover of the organisations. Based on the findings, the leadership of TC309 in 2022 approved the proposal and established Working Group 8 to develop a fraud control management system standard. After going through all the different stages of development, from working draft to committee draft, draft international standard to final draft international standard, the document was published as an international standard on 29th May 2025.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of three new heads of federal agencies, underscoring his administration’s commitment to strengthening key institutions across different sectors.

In a statement on Tuesday by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, the President named Bello Bawa Bwari from Niger State as the new Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency.

His appointment is for an initial term of four years, effective September 18, 2025, in line with the provisions of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015.

Also, Hon. Barr. Aminu Junaidu from Zamfara State has been appointed Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Investment and Security Tribunal.

He will serve a five-year term beginning September 18, 2025.

Also appointed is Olayiwola Awakan, who will head the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) as Director-General for an initial four-year term with effect from September 2, 2025.

According to the statement, the appointments reflect President Tinubu’s determination to reposition strategic agencies to deliver effectively on their mandates.

The President tasked the new appointees to bring their expertise to bear in advancing the growth and development of their respective institutions, stressing that their performance would contribute significantly to the nation’s progress.

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) didn’t disarm vigilantes in Oke-Ode, a town in Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State Government has stated.

Gunmen on Sunday reportedly killed 12 and abducted an unspecified people with several others injured in the deadly incident.

In a viral video that trailed the attack, a lady who appeared distressed, was seen mourning her dead husband and brother.

She accused the DSS of disarming the town’s vigilantes prior to the attack, a move she claimed, gave the assailants undue firepower advantage.

However, the State Government, in a statement, described the claim as false, saying at no time did the DSS disarm vigilantes in any part of the state.

‘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,’ Rafiu Akakaye, who is Chief Press Secretary to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement came on a day the DSS and troops of the Nigerian Army eliminated several terrorists on the border between Kwara and Kogi States. According to top security sources, notable among those killed was a terrorist kingpin called Maiwada and several foot soldiers of his.

Kwara State Government regretted that security agencies in the state have ‘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 one – but her claim is not true,’ noted the statement, quickly adding, ‘this clarification does not in any way delegitimise her grief.’

Continued the State Government said: ‘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.

‘News media (including Sahara Reporters) have used pictures from thousands of kilometers away to illustrate their stories.some have said we are in a state of war. It is their own way of saying it,’ the state government added.

‘We will get out of this stronger and safer,’ assured the government, advising, ‘let us remain united and calm, and refuse to be at daggers-drawn with ourselves.’

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has increased the monthly subvention to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso by N35m to ease operational challenges.

He spoke in Ogbomoso on Tuesday while meeting with professional bodies at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, over the ongoing industrial action by the bodies.

The Governor, who later visited the Soun of Ogbomoso in his palace, assured the monarch and people of his administration’s readiness to commence the reconstruction of inner roads in the town.

Makinde, after listening to the demands of representatives of different bodies at the teaching hospital, announced immediate measures aimed at addressing the situation, including the plan to immediately constitute a Governing Council for the hospital, approval of a monthly stipend of ?80,000 for 65 non-staff security personnel working at the hospital while instructing that they should be integrated into the hospital’s system as adhoc staff.

Other measures announced by the Governor included the approval of the payment of accumulated promotion arrears totaling ?219 million, which is to be disbursed in three equal installments in October, November, and December 2025 and a promise to offset the arrears of the new minimum wage, covering the period from January to August 2025, in three tranches, also payable from October to December 2025.

The Governor also highlighted steps that the government would take to bring about long-term resolutions of the crisis and bring lasting solutions to the institution’s challenges, adding that the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Annex in Oyo would be completed before the end of his administration in 2027.

He stated that some demands involving the review of salary structures would be addressed by the Governing Council of the hospital once it is put in place, adding that the demands raised by students of Nursing would also be addressed.

According to him: ‘This engagement is in fulfillment of what I told you when I was going round asking for your support, which you gave to me and I thank you for that. You have done your part and we are doing ours. You don’t have to beg us before we do what you want.

‘Some of the challenges that you raised have been noted. They are things I thought had been solved but they have not. That is the nature of challenges; when you are faced with challenges, if you solve the problem, it will go away, and if it is not solved, it will come back, and you have to take another go at it.

‘There are major things recurring and one of them is the issue of the Governing Council for LAUTECH Teaching Hospital. I want to assure you that before the end of this week, you will have a Governing Council. They will be here all the time and we will also give them a mandate, and a timeframe within which to achieve those things.

‘We will give the new Governing Council a list of things that we want them to accomplish within a period of time. And, for us, we will support them. You should also support them.’

Makinde maintained that the industrial action and most of the demands by the professional bodies centred on the issue of welfare and that his administration would never shy away from putting in place sustainable efforts towards addressing the issue of welfare.

He noted, however, that workers must also recognise the paramount need to develop the infrastructure of the state and ensure that it is liveable for residents and the coming generations, hence the need for those in government to manage resources with a view to ensuring a balance in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Edo Assembly has refused to clear a former lawmaker Christopher Okaeben, as a Commissioner.

Okaeben was among seven Commissioner-nominees that appeared before the Assembly.

Others cleared and confirmed were Mr. John Akhigbe, Festus Ebea, Dr Elizabeth Ebosele, Dr Jerry Uwangue, Dr Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien and Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie.

Okaeben was told to attend to a petition before the Department of State Services (DSS) and appear for screening.

Edo Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, who spoke while addressing the emergency plenary, said Okaeben, who represented Oredo West Constituency, had issues to settle with the DSS.

The Speaker said the report was submitted by the screening committee.

According to him: ‘Six out of the seven commissioner-nominees before us today have been cleared and confirmed, except one, who is our former colleague, Hon Chris Okaeben, who has a question to answer with DSS. So I think he has to report to the DSS office for clearance.

‘That is the report before me. The report is from the screening committee and I am not a member of the committee. The committee submitted a report.

‘After his appearance with the DSS. They can take him and clear him. That is not a problem at all.’

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has instituted a new lecture series to be held in collaboration with leading tertiary institutions across the country over the next three years.

A statement from the CBN on Tuesday said, ‘This initiative is designed to be a platform for thought-leadership discourse on national economic development.’

The CBN considers the initiative central to its strategy of deepening public understanding and strengthening the transmission of monetary policy.

Cardoso is scheduled to deliver the landmark inaugural lecture at the Lagos Business School on Friday, October 3, 2025.

The lecture, titled ‘Next Generation Leadership in Monetary Policy and Nation Building,’ will serve a dual purpose.

The CBN stated that the inaugural edition will commemorate the second anniversary of ‘Team Cardoso’s’ leadership at the apex bank, a period defined by a renewed focus on price stability, institutional transparency, and anchoring monetary policy to the everyday realities of Nigerians.

The CBN stated that the lecture series also ‘aims to foster dialogue, promote innovation, and advance an inclusive financial system that works for all Nigerians, while positioning the country as a leader on both the African and global stages.’

Since assuming office in September 2023, Cardoso has consistently stressed that the Bank’s core mandate, safeguarding price stability, is essential to driving sustainable economic growth and protecting livelihoods. He had previously spoken about the necessity of adaptive policy in a changing world.

‘Nigeria is at a pivotal moment, where technology, global financial realignments, and the energy of its youthful population are reshaping its economic future. Innovation must be harnessed intentionally and confidently, particularly by institutions like the CBN,’ Cardoso noted in an earlier engagement.

The lecture is expected to draw a high-profile audience, including senior policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and students, thereby emphasizing the crucial role of monetary policy in fostering stability, growth, and national development.