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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Senator Osita Bonaventure Izunaso on his birthday.

The President described him as a steadfast public servant whose commitment to national development and democratic growth has remained consistent over the years.

In a birthday message yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President extolled the virtues of the Imo West senator for his enduring contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and to Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

President Tinubu recalled Senator Izunaso’s strategic role as the party’s former National Organising Secretary and his active involvement in strengthening the APC’s electoral fortunes in 2015, 2019, and 2023.

He also praised the legislator for his sustained support for the administration’s reforms and policies, particularly his efforts in rallying legislative backing for government programmes.

The Committee of friends of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Mr. Fatiu Akiolu, has described as a welcome development, the recent conferment of the Fellow of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria on him.

In a congratulatory message signed by the committee, including Fuad Atanda-Lawal, Mayor Dele Oshinowo, Babatunde Surakat, Adedamola Aderogba, Temilolu Adamolekun, SAN, the group said the conferment was not only well-deserved, but also very inspiring.

They said the latest honour to Akiolu was as a result of his dedication, professionalism and contributions to Out of Home Advertising in Lagos, the centre of excellence and the country at large.

The committee of friends, who urged him to ensure the new feather added would spur him to redouble his efforts, noted that the milestone was worth celebrating with pride and wished him continued success and greater achievements ahead.

Akiolu was appointed by Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LASAA in September 2023.

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has raised the alarm over what it described as widespread illegal drug distribution practices in several federal hospitals, calling on the Federal Government to investigate and sanction those involved.

The association accused some pharmaceutical companies and their superintendent pharmacists of violating existing laws by running unregistered pharmacy operations within Federal Health institutions (FHIs), often with the consent of hospital managements and regulatory bodies.

The association urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to address the alleged irregularities, warning that the current situation is jeopardising patient care and public confidence.

In a statement on Friday, the National Chairman of the association, Pharm. Ezeh Igwekamma, criticised the Federal Ministry of Health for allegedly allowing private pharmacy operators to dominate drug distribution under what he described as a questionable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements and a breach of public trust.

According to him, experiments such as the Medipool model created systemic loopholes and undermined the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) mechanism established under Decree 43 of 1989 (now Cap 252 LFN 2004).

Igwekamma noted that the DRF, when properly managed by pharmacists, has proven effective in ensuring steady drug supply and financial sustainability, citing the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, as a model where the pharmacy department built a ?200 million facility in 2014 without disrupting the fund’s operations.

He lamented that the success of such pharmacist-led initiatives is now being eroded by irregular PPP arrangements in hospitals including UCH Ibadan, UDUTH Sokoto, AKTH Kano, National Hospital Abuja, NAUTH Nnewi, JUTH Jos, and several Federal Medical Centres.

Citing the Public Procurement Act 2007, which requires transparent and competitive tendering processes, the body accused the hospitals and their private partners of violating sections of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022, which prohibit private pharmacies from operating inside public facilities and mandate that all pharmacies must be duly registered and under the control of a superintendent pharmacist.

According to Igwekamma, more than 20 pharmacy premises currently operating under PPP models are unregistered, with one company in Lagos allegedly taking over the pharmacy unit of a major teaching hospital while invoking the names of senior officials to justify its activities.

The association warned superintendent pharmacists whose licences are being used to legitimise such operations to regularise their status by the end of 2025 or face disciplinary actions.

It said further sanctions may follow under the Consumer Protection and Trade Malpractices Act.

Igwekamma reaffirmed ACPN’s commitment to ethical practice, local drug production, and protection of DRF funds, stressing that transparent procurement and adherence to Good Pharmacy Practice are key to national drug security.

‘We must restore legality and professionalism to Nigeria’s drug distribution system. The health of our people depends on it,’ he stressed.

A popular and the leading governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has said all the governorship aspirants seeking the ticket of the party at next year’s election, have pledged to work together for the victory of the party.

He noted that the resolve of the aspirants to work with a view to defeating the ruling party in the state was gladdening because of the unity ”being forged by them in this direction.”

He said it was reassuring that the APC would sail through at the 2026 polls because of the renewed determination of the aspirants and members of the party to ensure the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was sent packing.

The governorship hopeful, who spoke during the continuation of his statewide ward-to-ward visit to Ede North, South, Olorunda and Osogbo local governments where he hit wards, appealed to members of the party not to cause division among the aspirants, a development, he warned, was capable of affecting APC’s fortunes.

Across the 10 wards visited in the four councils, he said the aspirants eyeing the ticket of the party were 14, pleading with the APC supporters not to cause division among them and members of the party.

‘The important thing is for our party, the APC, to win the forthcoming election. We are 14 individuals currently vying to be picked as the candidate of APC. However, it’s only one of us that will eventually become the party’s standard-bearer for the 2026 governorship election. So, our unity as a family should not be sacrificed on the altar of self-centredness,’ he said.

Those who spoke at the places visited praised Babayemi’s team spirit, saying they would take his advice by ensuring a sustained unity among members of the party.

Among places visited at Ede North include Ward 7-(Sabo Agbongbe 2), Ward 4- Olusokun and Ward 5-Alasekere, while in Ede South, he was at Ward 1- Baba Nla Agate and Wrad 2-Kuye.

The places visited at Olorunda Local Government were Ward 9 in Oba-Ile and Ward 10 in Oba Oke, while he visited the following wards in Osogbo Council: Ataoja B, Jagun B and Otun Jagun A.

The Action Alliance (AA) has collapsed its structure into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.

The opposition party, led by its former state chairman and 2024 governorship candidate, Fred Akinuli, announced the formal defection yesterday in Akure.

Akinuli, who was received alongside the AA structures across the 18 local governments by APC state Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, said the decision was driven by his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

He said his move to collapse the AA structure into the ruling APC followed his appointment as the Deputy Director-General of the Progressives Network for Tinubu (PNT), under the leadership of Pastor Olumide Obadele and financed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Akinuli described the defection as a significant milestone in his 20-year political journey, noting that it was his first-ever defection since joining politics in 2005.

Receiving the new members, Adetimehin hailed them for joining what he described as a ‘progressive family’, urging them to return to their wards and contribute to the development and growth of the party.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who welcomed the defectors, lauded the cohesion within the state’s APC leadership and expressed confidence that Ondo State would deliver over 90 per cent of votes for President Tinubu in the next presidential election.

Tunji-Ojo, represented by the Director-General of the Asiwaju Mandate Group, Olumuyiwa Asagunla, said the support group would intensify efforts to attract more defectors to the APC and rally stronger grassroots backing for the President.

TMPL Motion Pictures, a subsidiary of creative powerhouse, The Temple Company has announced the launch of an exciting new TV show, ‘Japada.’

The new TV show explores the inspiring journeys of Nigerian returnees from abroad.

The show celebrates their achievements and promotes a sense of national pride at a time Nigeria is challenged with brain drain and other adverse economic effects of mass migration.

Hosted by the multi-talented media personality, actor and brand influencer, Mimi Onalaja, the show kicked off on primetime Television nationwide on Friday, October 3, 2025.

The weekly airing schedule includes Fridays on NTA 2 Lagos from 7:30pm to 8pm on, Sundays on TVC News from 12:30pm to 1pm and Mondays on NTA Network from 5:30pm to 6pm.

The host takes a deep-dive into the reverse-migration journey of the guests illustrating the transformative impact of their global experiences on national growth and development. It also spotlights intimate stories, challenges, and triumphs of passionate citizens representing an inclusive demography of guests that appeals to a diverse audience.

The inspiring guests are drawn from different sectors such as healthcare, entrepreneurship, information and technology, arts and social advocacy. Among the guests are the duo of Prof Kofo Ogunyakin and Dr Yemi Johnson who returned from the United Kingdom and United States to establish First Cardiology Consultants, the foremost heart care facility in Nigeria.

In separate episodes, multiple award-winning actresses, Shaffy Bello and Osas Ighodaro also sat with the charismatic show host, Mimi Onalaja to speak about leaving their allure of greener pastures to make their mark in the Nigerian movie industry.

Speaking about the show, Kolawole Fashola, Supervising Producer, said ‘Japada is an inspired idea. The production of the TV show was essential, and the story was eagerly awaiting its telling. We at The Temple Company and our subsidiary, TMPL Motion Pictures, took on this project as a national assignment to kick-start conversations about nation-building, especially among young people. We hope to spark optimism and encourage a collective effort toward building a better Nigeria.’

Producer and music executive Michael Collins Ajereh popularly known as Don Jazzy has revealed why he nearly abandoned the music industry and relocated abroad following the 2012 collapse of Mo’Hits Records, the label he co-founded with singer D’banj.

In an interview with ‘Rolling Stone’, Don Jazzy disclosed that the abrupt dissolution of Mo’Hits, triggered by irreconcilable differences between him and D’banj, left him convinced his career was over.

‘When Mo’Hits ended, I thought that was it. I almost packed up to move abroad. But friends encouraged me to stay and start again, and Mavin Records was born. Since then, I’ve learned not to let anything break me’, he said.

The split marked the end of one of Afrobeats’ most successful partnerships, which had produced hits like ‘Tongolo,’ ‘Why Me,’ and ‘Fall in Love.’

Following the breakup, Don Jazzy founded Mavin Records in May 2012, quickly signing former Mo’Hits artists including Wande Coal, Dr SID, and D’Prince, alongside new talents such as Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, and Di’Ja.

Under Don Jazzy’s leadership, Mavin evolved into a powerhouse, launching global stars like Rema whose 2022 hit ‘Calm Down’ became the most-streamed African song on Spotify and Ayra Starr, whose 2023 single ‘Rush’ earned a Grammy nomination.

The label’s current roster includes Rema, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Crayon, Magixx, Boy Spyce, Bayanni, Johnny Drille, and DJ Big N.

In 2024, Universal Music Group (UMG) announced a majority investment in Mavin Global, a deal widely seen as validation of the label’s influence in the global rise of Afrobeats.

Gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey has reiterated his refusal to monetise the official YouTube channel for the Hallelujah Challenge, an online prayer movement he launched in 2017.

Speaking during a live session, Bassey warned participants that fraudulent channels are illegally cloning the official stream from NathanielBasseymain, the only verified page to siphon viewers and generate ad revenue.

‘There are people who join Hallelujah Challenge from fake pages on YouTube. Let me tell you why. Because of my personal concentration of not monetising ‘Hallelujah Challenge’, some criminals, crooks, and scams clone and pick the feed from our page to air it just to make money,’ he said.

The Hallelujah Challenge convenes twice annually, featuring prominent gospel artists and clergy in extended worship and prayer sessions that attract global participation.

Bassey acknowledged the criticism he faces on both sides on accusations of profiteering if he enables monetisation, and charges of pride when he does not.

‘They have dragged me all you can. When you monetise, they would say you are doing ministry for money. When you do not they would say you are trying to be proud. We will not monetise it. I am not led to do it. God will bless us some other ways,’ he added.

He urged viewers to verify the channel name and avoid unofficial links, emphasising that the initiative remains a free spiritual offering, not a commercial enterprise.

‘So, if you find out as you are watching this now and you are not on NathanielBasseymain. That is the official YouTube page. Any other page is a scam. Just trying to merchandise the grace of God’, he said.

Organisers have urged participants to report suspicious pages and stick strictly to the official handle.

No fewer than 650 members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), on Thursday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gobirawa Ward, Dala Local Government Area, and parts of Fagge and Ungoggo Local Government Areas of Kano State.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the defectors, who came in clusters under various leadership groups, were received by the Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Rabiu Bichi.

Bichi welcomed the new members, citing President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the APC’s commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and democratic dividends.

He highlighted the successes of the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the students’ loan scheme, agricultural initiatives, and youths and women empowerment programmes.

The managing director stated that his authority was collaborating with the Bank of Agriculture to provide soft loans to farmers for maximum food security.

Bichi assured the defectors of equal rights and privileges as existing APC members, emphasising the party’s commitment to fairness and national development.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alhaji Ahmad Gobirawa said their decision to join the APC was inspired by the visible achievements recorded by President Tinubu in less than two years in office.

They expressed optimism that their defection would further strengthen the party’s support base in Kano and beyond.

The event, which attracted party stalwarts, community leaders, and youth groups, was described as a major political gain for the APC in Kano, especially in light of its renewed grassroots mobilization efforts across the state.

The defection was seen as a significant win for the APC, highlighting its successful grassroots mobilization efforts across the state.

Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology has reiterated its commitment to promoting gender equity as a core pillar of its innovation and development agenda.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, stated this during a one-day workshop on Advancing Gender Mainstreaming in Science, Technology and Innovation in Abuja.

Represented by the Head of Gender Unit, Mrs. Dola Ronnel Gambo, Mrs. Asanye said the Ministry is working tirelessly to ensure that gender equality becomes an integral part of all its projects and programmes.

According to her, gender mainstreaming is not an afterthought but a deliberate and systematic approach to integrating gender perspectives into every stage of the Ministry’s mandates and operations.

‘Science, technology and innovation being the bedrock of national development, has the potential to transform all sectors of the economy. However, gender disparities still persist within the landscape as women continue to face barriers in access to funding, mentorship, and technology infrastructure,’ she noted.

She emphasised that the workshop provided an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to reflect, share experiences, and chart a practical pathway for implementing gender mainstreaming across the STI sector.

She added that the insights and recommendations from the deliberations would serve as a guide for institutional strengthening within the Ministry and beyond.

Asanye further urged participants to engage actively and exchange ideas that would help build a future where innovation serves everyone, regardless of gender.

In her remarks, the Gender Desk Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Eneh Fisayo Omawumi, described the workshop as timely and essential, noting that gender mainstreaming in science and technology is not only about fairness but also about driving efficiency, innovation, and sustainability for national development.