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The Chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, Alhaji Usman Yahaya, has promised to establish a drug revolving scheme in all functional rural health centers across the ten wards of the council if elected.

Yahaya, a three-term Secretary of the council, made the promise on Tuesday when he met with several village and district heads, and community leaders in Gurfata community.

He said setting up of the scheme would create a robust supply and accountability mechanism that would enhance rural dwellers’ easy access to healthcare services.

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has called on tax professionals to brace up for the realities of Nigeria’s evolving tax landscape following the enactment of four landmark fiscal legislations earlier this year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Virtual Legal Practitioners’ Conversion Training Programme, the President of the Institute, Mr. Innocent C. Ohagwa, urged practitioners-particularly those in the legal and financial sectors-to deepen their understanding of the country’s new tax framework and strengthen their technical competence in response to the far-reaching reforms.

He noted that the newly assented laws represent the most comprehensive tax reform initiative in Nigeria’s history, saying the initiative harmonised multiple tax statutes while simplifying compliance procedures, and enhancing institutional accountability.

He explained that while the reforms open new frontiers for professional practice, they also impose greater responsibility on tax experts to provide accurate advisory services and uphold the highest standards of ethical and technical excellence.

He emphasised that the CITN remains committed to ensuring that professionals are adequately equipped for the demands of the new tax regime through structured training, continuous professional development, and adherence to global best practices in taxation.

The CITN President further encouraged participants in the programme to engage actively and to leverage the Institute’s various learning platforms-including the Mandatory Professional Training Programme, Annual Tax Conference, and specialised workshops-to remain relevant in the rapidly changing fiscal environment.

‘Tax professionals are now expected to play a more strategic role, not only in understanding the provisions and implications of the new laws but also in ensuring their proper application and promoting fiscal integrity,’ Ohagwa stated.

The Legal Practitioners’ Conversion Training Programme, organised by the CITN Tax Academy, provides a pathway for lawyers seeking to become certified tax professionals and contribute effectively to Nigeria’s ongoing tax reform process.

Okeowo Taiwo, a Deputy Director with the Federal Inland Revenue Service in his presentation on the overview of Nigerian Tax System stated legal practitioners ‘are uniquely positioned to add value across the tax spectrum through tax advisory by advising ‘clients on compliance, structuring transactions for tax efficiency, and navigating complex tax laws; Dispute Resolution: Representing clients in objections before tax authorities, at the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and in courts.’

He stated that lawyers also have a role to play in statutory compliance by assisting clients with tax registration, filing returns, and ensuring adherence to all legal requirements while at the same time they contribute to the development of tax policy and legislation through professional bodies like the CITN and NBA.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will on Friday know whether it can proceed with its planned national convention slated for November 15 and 16, as the Federal High Court in Abuja delivers judgment in a suit seeking to halt the exercise.

Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after hearing final arguments in the case filed by three PDP officials: Austine Nwachukwu, Imo State chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia State chairman; and Turnah George, the party’s South-South secretary.

Listed as defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

The plaintiffs, believed to be allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, a vocal critic of the convention, are asking the court to stop the event, arguing that the party failed to comply with its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act in the build-up to the convention.

Their lawyer told the court that ‘no congress was conducted in 14 states,’ insisting that the issue before the court is whether the defendants violated the law and that it cannot be dismissed as an internal party matter.

The PDP, however, maintained that the suit concerns its internal affairs and therefore falls outside the jurisdiction of the court. The party said the claimants were attempting to destabilise preparations for a legitimate leadership transition process.

The case is seen as a major test of unity within the opposition party, which has been struggling to reconcile warring factions ahead of 2027.

Daily Trust reports that the convention controversy is compounded by other internal and legal challenges.

The party’s embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, also an ally of Wike, recently petitioned security agencies, alleging that his signature was forged on documents sent to INEC notifying it of the convention. The PDP’s NWC and Board of Trustees (BoT) have dismissed the allegation as baseless.

In a separate case, former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido has approached the court to challenge his alleged disqualification from purchasing the chairmanship nomination form, a move he described as an attempt to exclude genuine contestants.

Meanwhile, the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) has indefinitely postponed the screening of aspirants initially scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, a development many observers believe is linked to the party’s decision to await Friday’s court judgment before proceeding with further preparations.

The Kano State House of Assembly has approved the sum of N724.2 billion as the state’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for the 2026-2028 fiscal period.

The approval followed the consideration of a letter sent to the Assembly by the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, requesting legislative endorsement of the framework, which provides the economic and fiscal policy direction for the preparation of the 2026 budget.

Reading the letter during plenary, Speaker Alhaji Jibril Ismail Falgore explained that the MTEF outlines key fiscal parameters, including revenue targets, expected grants, debt servicing commitments, and capital investment priorities.

According to him, the proposed MTEF projects a total expenditure of N724.2 billion, with N321 billion earmarked for recurrent services and another N321 billion for capital expenditure. The remaining portion covers statutory and debt-related obligations.

Falgore commended the executive arm for early submission of the framework, noting that it would enable the Assembly to ensure alignment between fiscal policies and development priorities ahead of the 2026 budget presentation.

He, however, urged members to carefully scrutinise the document to ensure that the projections reflect the state’s current economic realities and development needs before transmitting it to the executive for assent.

After extensive deliberations, the Assembly unanimously adopted the MTEF document, pending the completion of other legislative processes required for its final approval.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday said it has, in the past 30 months, arrested 45,853 suspects in connection with illicit drugs and seized over 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs.

The Agency also said it also convicted 9,263 offenders and counselled, rehabilitated 26,613 drug users at its treatment facilities within the period.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), made this known when he presented commendation letters and awards to 220 personnel for outstanding performance and decorated 15 senior officers with their new ranks.

In his remarks at the event, Marwa said, ‘Today, we specifically recognize those who have gone above and beyond. We celebrate those who, despite facing immense danger and relentless temptation, chose the path of integrity, selflessness, and uncompromising adherence to our mandate.’

Marwa noted that the commitment of the personnel to the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu administration has yielded tremendous results in the past 30 months on the two major planks of drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction, leading to 45,853 arrests, seizure of over 8.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and conviction of 9,263 offenders.

He said over, ”26,613 drug users were counselled and rehabilitated in NDLEA treatment facilities and a total of 9,848 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities conducted.”

While noting that he has upheld the tradition of hosting the commendation and awards ceremony to appreciate and encourage officers who have distinguished themselves, he emphasized that the challenge of the drug scourge still remains monumental, requiring more work.

Commodore Jerry Omodara (rtd), representing Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Insurance, Hon. Ahmed Jaha, who were among the special guests, commended Marwa’s leadership style for positively impacting the Agency’s workforce and performance.

The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has dispatched a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to Rurum Ward in Rano Local Government Area following reports of a suspected diphtheria outbreak in the community.

The visit was in response to a directive from the Kano State House of Assembly, which called for an on-the-spot verification of the situation amid reports of increasing diphtheria cases.

The technical team, led by the Director General of KNCDC, Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, had earlier conducted a preliminary assessment and active case review on October 22, 2025 by the state’s epidemiologist.

It was revealed that the latest visit was to consolidate findings and ensure that accurate and evidence-based information was communicated to the public.

An active case search was also conducted across all health facilities visited, with no new deaths recorded apart from the four previously documented cases confirmed by both state and national response teams.

Speaking to journalists, the Director of Disease, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (DHEPR), Dr Abdulwahab Kabir Sulaiman, who represented the KNCDC Director General, outlined the major symptoms of diphtheria as sore throat, fever, breathing difficulties, swollen neck, and a thick grey coating on the throat and tonsils.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a no-case submission filed by suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his two brothers in the criminal case instituted against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The NDLEA filed 23-count charges against DCP Kyari, his brothers Mohammed Baba and Ali, before the court over his failure to declare properties allegedly linked to him in the asset form.

Dismissing the no case submission, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants, warranting them to open their defence.

‘In view of all the exhibits and the evidence of the prosecution, the defendants need to offer to exhaust their defence options before a final judgment,’ Justice Omotosho explained.

He further emphasised that the defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty, while the burden of proof rests on the prosecution to establish its case beyond a reasonable doubt, in line with Section 135(1) of the Evidence Act, 2011.

The NDLEA claimed the brothers failed to declare a property at Plot 1927 Blue Fountain Estate, Karsana, Abuja; an estate at Linda Chaulker Road, Asokoro extension, Abuja, a plaza under construction adjacent to No.13 Balin Suleiman Street, behind NNPC Petrol Station, Guzape Abuja; plot of land covered by Certificate of Occupancy No: 000271 issued by Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno State, and plot No, 33, Bama Road GRA Extension Maiduguri, Borno State covered by Certificate No: 80/4319 issued by Borno State Government by deposing to false affidavit at the Federal High Court Maiduguri in suit Number FHC/NG/CS/9/2022.

The charges are brought under sections 35(3)(a) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011(As Amended) and punishable under Section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended).

They pleaded not guilty to the charges, instead arguing that under Section 128 of the Evidence Act, transactions involving state land could only be proved through certified true copies of title documents, insisting that no other form of evidence was admissible.

The case has been adjourned to November 4, 5, and 6 for continuation of the trial.

There is a Hausa/Arabic colloquialism that offers a master key to understanding the Nigerian psyche: ‘Wa man taraka bati siddan. wa huwa jahilun.’ Roughly translated, it means, ‘Whosoever passes up a freebie bonanza is clueless.’ This isn’t merely a quaint cultural artifact; it’s the unofficial national motto, a philosophical blueprint that has so thoroughly permeated the Nigerian consciousness that it has become the operating system for everything from petty bribery to grand political theft. The sentiment has mutated from personal opportunism to a societal cancer, creating a bizarre reality where citizens not only condone corrupt leaders but actually applaud them with the enthusiasm of a studio audience, all while being systematically picked cleaner than last year’s Sallah meat.

At its heart, the ‘bati’ ethos is a get-rich-quick doctrine dressed in cultural attire. It champions the idea that any windfall, regardless of its origin or morality, must be seized. To do otherwise isn’t just foolish-it’s a violation of an unwritten social contract. This mindset provides the perfect cultural Petri dish for corruption to flourish. It transforms the act of passing up an illicit gain from an ethical choice into a character flaw.

This philosophy manifests in everyday life through a series of socially numbing adages. As an objective analysis of Northern Nigerian communities would reveal, sentiments like the one coined from the misrepresented Qur’anic quote ‘wa la tajas-sasu’ which translates into ‘do not insist on thorough investigation’ effectively train society to turn a blind eye to shady dealings. Similarly, ‘idan mutum ba zai fai al’khairi ba, ya kame bakin sa’-‘if you can’t say something good, then kindly shut up’ has been twisted into a conspiracy of silence that protects the morally compromised from criticism. These sayings collectively create an environment where curiosity is sinful, criticism is forbidden, and the only remaining option is to celebrate the very villains picking one’s pockets.

Nowhere is this Stockholm syndrome more visible than in Nigeria’s bizarre political culture, where alleged looters receive hero’s welcomes that would make a returning astronaut blush. When former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha-arrested in London with £1 million in cash and subsequently escaping disguised as a woman-returned to Bayelsa, he was met with jubilant celebrations from his people, the same people he robbed. Similarly, when James Ibori, another former governor, faced arrest for corruption, his people set up bonfires and roadblocks to protect him from EFCC operatives. More recently, Yahaya Bello, currently standing trial for alleged theft, made a triumphant return to Kogi State upon securing bail, turning what should have been a moment of shame into a spectacle of adulation. When the former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa was detained on suspicion of corruption, many people in Jega denied their eyes sleep for many nights so they could petition God on his behalf.

This phenomenon represents what psychologists might call freudenfreude-the pleasure derived from someone else’s good fortune, even when that fortune is stolen from you. For many Nigerians, corrupt politicians represent an aspirational ideal-they have successfully gamed a system that ordinary citizens find impossible to navigate. When we see a politician who has allegedly stolen billions, we don’t see a criminal; we see someone who has won the ultimate Nigerian lottery, and we celebrate them as we would a family member who hit the jackpot, hoping for a share of the loot.

Nigeria’s political history reads like an all-you-can-steak buffet for successive administrations, each outdoing the last in creative appropriation of public funds.

The ‘get rich quick’ syndrome has even spawned a distorted spiritual economy where traditional values have been replaced by what Catholic priest Fr. Michael Banjo describes as ‘neo-paganism’. Nigerian youths, facing desperate economic circumstances, increasingly abandon ethical pathways to wealth, sometimes resorting to ritual wealth practices in their desperation for quick money. This represents the ultimate perversion of the bati mentality-where not just moral boundaries but spiritual ones are crossed in pursuit of instant wealth.

Simultaneously, religious interpretations have been twisted to justify inaction in the face of corruption. Sayings like ‘Bakin da Allah Ya tsaga ba zai hana shi abinci ba’ or ‘God shall always provide’ have been misinterpreted to promote attitudes of indolence rather than encouraging hardwork and innovation. Similarly, ‘Jarrabawa ce daga Allah’ or ‘it’s a test of faith from God’ is routinely invoked to explain away everything from traffic accidents caused by recklessness to building collapses resulting from corner-cutting. In this theological framework, every misfortune becomes an ‘act of God,’ and every ill-gotten gain becomes ‘God’s blessings,’ effectively making the Almighty the divine accountant for the corruption balance sheet.

The tragic irony of Nigeria’s bati culture is that nothing is free. The cost is paid in crumbling infrastructure, in a healthcare system so inadequate that it is easier for lightening to strike the same spot twice than it is for the political elite to die in a Nigerian hospital.

The path to redemption requires nothing less than a complete rewiring of our national psyche. We must transition from a society that venerates wealth without questioning its source to one that celebrates integrity and hard work. This begins with rejecting the twisted interpretations of religious and cultural sayings that have numbed our moral senses. It requires holding our leaders-and ourselves-to account and recognising that the greatest bonanza isn’t a stolen billion but a functioning society where success is measured by contribution rather than accumulation.

Until then, we remain the hopeless ones-not for passing up batis, but for failing to see that the greatest thing we’ve collectively abandoned is our national dignity.

The World Bank and the Bank of Industry (BoI) have outlined a bold new framework for development finance designed to accelerate job creation, unlock private capital, and deepen financial inclusion across the country.

Speaking at the second edition of the Bank of Industry Development Lecture Series in Abuja, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Mathew Verghis, and Chairman of the BOI Board, Dr. Mansur Muhtar, emphasized the urgency of rethinking Nigeria’s development finance architecture to reflect changing global realities and domestic needs.

The event, themed, ‘Development Finance Imperatives: Rethinking Nigeria’s Path Forward,’ was attended by key stakeholders in the financial sector including the Director-General, African Development Bank, Nigeria Office, Dr Abdul Kamara; the Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Mr Ayo Sotinrin; and a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Sarah Alade.

Verghis said the country is at a turning point, with clear signs of macroeconomic stability emerging from the government’s ongoing reform efforts.

‘It is a signal that Nigeria’s anti-money laundering structures now meet international benchmarks,’ he said. ‘That single step enhances investor trust and strengthens the foundation for sustainable economic growth.’

However, Verghis cautioned that poverty and unemployment remain persistent challenges, noting that millions of Nigerians are yet to feel the benefits of macroeconomic reforms.

‘We are seeing progress in stabilization, but the purchasing power of citizens remains weak because inflation is still high,’ he said. ‘To sustain these reforms, we must focus on policies that drive job creation and increase access to finance.’

According to him, Nigeria must adopt a new model of development finance that mobilizes private capital and leverages digital innovation to fill existing gaps in infrastructure and enterprise funding.

On his part, BOI Chairman Dr. Mansur Muhtar called for deeper collaboration among public institutions, private investors, and development partners to create an environment conducive to inclusive and sustainable growth.

He said the BOI remained committed to its mandate of driving industrialization and supporting businesses through innovative and responsible lending.

‘At the Bank of Industry, we believe that inclusive and sustainable investment-led growth is not just a goal, it is a necessity,’ Muhtar said. ‘Our mission is to drive industrial transformation by supporting enterprises, deepening sectoral linkages, and embracing technology to unlock new opportunities.’

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the BOI Annual Public Lecture Series in Abuja, the Managing Director of the bank, Olasupo Olusi said the event reflects the institution’s evolving role as a strategic partner in shaping Nigeria’s development narrative.

The BOI chief noted that the annual public lecture, which began last year with the maiden edition titled ‘Creating Impact: The Role of MSME Support and Financing in Alleviating Poverty and Food Insecurity in Nigeria,’ has become a thought-leadership platform for generating ideas that strengthen Nigeria’s development ecosystem.

‘The Bank of Industry is not just a financial institution. We are a partner in shaping Nigeria’s development journey,’ the BOI boss said. ‘This year’s theme is both timely and urgent. The global economy is shifting rapidly-from climate pressures to digital disruption and from evolving trade patterns to growing demands for inclusive growth. Nigeria cannot afford to stand still.’

Farmers in Benue State are expecting a mixed outcome from their cowpea harvest as the rainy season gradually comes to an end, allowing farmers to soon begin activities in the fields.

Our correspondent, who spoke to cowpea farmers within the state, reports that while some are optimistic about achieving a bumper harvest in the weeks ahead, others expressed reservations about the persistent rainfall in October, which may negatively impact their production.

Margaret Elijah, a cowpea farmer in Otukpo, lamented that her crop may not yield the desired result this season due to disease and pest infestations on the field, despite applying the necessary chemicals to keep the crop healthy.

‘The rain appears to have ceased in my area, but my crop, which is now podding, shows disturbing infestations. I planted the crop at the right time, as I always do, and applied necessary chemicals; however, it’s not turning out well. So, I’m likely not going to have a good harvest,’ she said.

For a Makurdi-based cowpea farmer, Peter Agera, ‘It’s a mixed bag for me this season. This is because one of the varieties I planted is the 40-day type, which is expected to be harvested forty days after planting. Unfortunately, that seed type does not tolerate excessive rainfall, and the rains began when it was already flowering, so the persistent downpour affected it.

‘The pesticides we normally apply to ward off insects were consistently washed away by the rain. For instance, we would spray today, and the rains would wash it off the following day, which affected the crop.

‘However, I’m expecting that the harvest will not be too bad, though it won’t be as good as initially expected. I have other varieties that are not the 40-day type; they are flowering now, and since the rains are receding, it’s a positive thing for me because I believe what happened to the earlier ones won’t repeat itself.

‘Cowpeas do not like too much rain, except for some varieties meant for the rainy season. But this particular one is a dry season variety, so the excessive rainfall in October actually affected those that were supposed to produce during this period. Looking ahead, those now flowering do not have any issues because the rains are going down.’

In the same vein, Desmond Terngu, whose cowpea farm, situated in the Katsina-Ala area, would soon be ready for harvest, believes this year’s production will be better than the previous season.

‘As far as I can see, my cowpea is doing well on the farm and will soon be ready for harvest. I planted the crop at the right time and applied all agronomic practices. The plant is podding, and everything seems fine,’ Terngu posited.

Also, Vitalis Tarnongu, who is the Chairman of the Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN) in Benue, noted that as a big cowpea farmer, he was already expecting a fairly good harvest following the gradual exit of the rains.

He said, ‘Now that the rains are gradually exiting, we’re entering the harvest window. I’m expecting a fairly good harvest, especially if the rain stops at the right time. Cowpea doesn’t like too much rain at the pod-maturing stage. If it continues to rain, it can lead to pod rot, flower drop, or even mold development, which reduces the quality and quantity of the harvest.

‘If the rains exit gradually and give us some dry days, the pods will mature well, and we can harvest clean, healthy beans.’

Tarnongu, however, advised farmers that in order to get a bumper harvest, they must start harvesting immediately the pods turn brown and dry, adding that delaying can cause shattering and seed loss.

He also said that farmers should regularly inspect their produce after harvest for pest attacks like bruchids and that they should store them in sealed bags or use natural insect deterrents like neem leaves. As an agricultural expert who works with several agronomists, he urged farmers to pay attention to the tail end of the rainy season, as it is a critical phase for cowpea production.

On his part, Teryima Iorlamen, a Seed Systems Principal Investigator at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JOSTUM), formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), advised farmers to adhere to best agronomic practices and harvest in phases, beginning as pods mature, rather than waiting for uniform maturity.

‘People who followed our instructions and planted when we advised them to have no problems now; their crops are no longer expecting any rain. If the rain stops at this point, it’s the best time for us because when a crop matures under rainfall, the seed quality is not as good as when there’s no rain.

‘Once your crop starts podding and the rain stops, you won’t have issues, and the quality of the yield is usually better than when the rain continues. So, now that the rains are finally going, it’s fine for us. Even our Alkam Super variety is responding well as the rain reduces; it begins to flower because when there’s less rain, it channels more energy into flowering.

‘Farmers who planted when we recommended are no longer facing challenges if the rains stop now. But if the rains continue, we may have problems because the seed quality will be affected by moisture, especially when humidity is high. That’s why you sometimes see cowpea seeds turn black or have uneven colours.

‘We expect the rains to stop by now. The problem with some of our people is that as long as it’s raining, they keep planting. Even last week, someone was still asking me for seeds to plant. Such farmers are not part of our plan because every crop has a specific planting period. Those who planted when we advised have nothing to worry about,’ he said.

Iorlamen added, ‘Water usually affects seed quality because when moisture is high, microorganisms, diseases, and pests thrive better than in dry conditions. Cowpea is a sun-loving crop, which is why we plant it a bit late so it can flower and pod around this period.

‘The other issue is that during heavy rainfall, the buildup of insects is high. For example, if I spray today, it might rain in the evening and wash off or neutralise the chemical. So, at this stage of cowpea growth, it’s important that the rain stops or at least reduces. For those who followed our recommendations based on NIMET’s forecast, we are not expecting more rains again.’

Meanwhile, the agricultural expert recommended the three-bag technology solution to help store harvested cowpea properly without any fear of spoilage.

He said, ‘The three-bag technology helps to store cowpea properly without any fear of spoilage. The bag is air-tight. If the usage of this technology is well adhered to, the cowpea can stay in the store for two years, and nothing will happen to it.’

Iorlamen noted that before the adoption of this technology, farmers had worried about their inability to prevent weevils from spoiling their harvested cowpea, a development which had often led them to apply chemicals on their produce for safekeeping. He stressed that the application of chemicals on cowpea in a quest to curb wastages also leads to the rejection of the product in the export markets.