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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.

The federal government has officially withdrawn the controversial pardon earlier granted to Maryam Sanda and several convicts of serious crimes, including drug traffickers, kidnappers, and corrupt officials, following a backlash.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a revised and final list of 120 beneficiaries of the presidential prerogative of mercy, drastically reducing the initial 175 names earlier publicised. Those delisted include convicts for murder, corruption, kidnapping, human trafficking, and drug-related offences.

The final list was released on Tuesday in a statement by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), titled ‘Presidential Prerogative of Mercy Exercise Concluded with Issuance of Instruments of Release.’

The latest announcement also includes some reforms such as the president directive for the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice in line with best practices and the compulsory consultation with relevant prosecuting agencies to ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements benefit from future exercises.

Of the 120 gazetted beneficiaries, 15 were granted clemency, 15 granted pardon, four commuted from death sentence to life imprisonment, and 86 had their sentences reduced.

A source in the justice ministry said the 30 could be released immediately, while persons whose sentences were reduced, would complete their sentence before regaining freedom.

The statement reads: ‘It is to be recalled that following consultations with the Council of State, the President received concerns on the recommended list and consequently initiated a due process review. This exercise has been completed and approved by the President. This exercise was to ensure that only persons who met stipulated legal and procedural requirements would benefit from the prerogative of mercy.

‘During this final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise.

‘This exercise underscores the President’s desire to balance justice with compassion and the belief that justice must not only punish, but also reform and redeem. The review was undertaken with meticulous commitment to due process to reinforce the administration’s broader commitment to justice reform and humane correctional practices in line with international standards,’ he said.

Those whose death penalties were commuted to life imprisonment include Emmanuel Baba, Abubakar Usman, Khalifa Umar and Mohammed Umar.

Those granted pardon include Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar, Ayinla Saadu Alanama, Hon. Farouk M. Lawan, Herbert Macaulay, Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, Ken Saro Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuale, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel and John Kpuine.

On the list of those granted clemency are; Oroka Michael Chibueze, Adesanya Olufemi Paul, Daniel Bodunwa, Hamza Abubakar, Buhari Sani, Mohammed Musa, Muharazu Abubakar, Ibrahim Yusuf, Saad Ahmed Madaki, Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa,Richard Ayuba,Adam Abubakar, Emmanuel Yusuf, Chinedu Stanley and Johnny Ntheru Udor.

Continuing, Fagbemi said the directive for the immediate relocation of the Secretariat of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties to the Federal Ministry of Justice will ensure that future exercises meet public expectations and best practices.

‘This will ensure that only persons who fully meet the stipulated legal and procedural requirements will henceforth benefit from the issuance of instruments of release’, he said.

How public outcry forced a review

The new list, which was shrunk to 120 from the 175 announced by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, followed public outcry over the individuals contained in the list.

Some of controversial names on the list for presidential clemency included Maryam Sanda, sentenced to death in 2020 for culpable homicide; Abiodun Elemero, sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014 for cocaine hawking. Also, a notorious kidnapper, Kelvin Oniarah’s sentence was reduced from 20 years to 13 years while several drugs dealing convicts also benefited in one way or the other.

Politicians, civil society organisations, media organisations and lawyers had criticised the clemency and pardons as having the potentials to cause a miscarriage of justice.

Particularly, the family of the late Bilyaminu Bello expressed disappointment over the presidential pardon granted to Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of her husband.

In a statement released on signed by Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed (Dangaladiman Gwandu) on behalf of the family, the relatives of the deceased described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to grant Sanda clemency as a ‘cruel reopening of healing wounds’ and a grave injustice to the memory of their loved one.

Bilyaminu’s family said they were deeply hurt by Maryam’s release, describing it as an attempt to appease her family while disregarding the lasting anguish inflicted on the victim’s relatives, friends, and associates.

Maryam Sanda’s conviction for the culpable homicide of her husband, whom she stabbed to death during a domestic dispute in their Abuja home, remains one of Nigeria’s most high-profile cases of domestic violence and spousal murder.

Sanda was arraigned before an FCT High Court, where she maintained her innocence throughout the trial.

After a protracted legal battle that drew nationwide attention, Justice Yusuf Halilu, in January 2020, found her guilty of killing her husband and sentenced her to death by hanging. She has spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.

But the Bilyaminu’s family said Sanda’s release represents ‘the worst possible injustice any family could be made to go through for a loved one,’ describing her as a ‘certified convicted murderer’ who had shown no remorse throughout her trial and appeals.

They said the presidential pardon has ‘painfully reopened old wounds’, describing Sanda’s release as a grave injustice that makes the victim’s life seem insignificant.

The family also faulted the rationale behind the pardon, allegedly influenced by appeals from Sanda’s family, stressing that Bilyaminu was equally a beloved son, friend, and associate who was ‘grievously denied the opportunity to live and raise his children.’

Beside the backlash and outrage that trailed the pardon granted Sanda, there was outrage over the clemency granted to high profile drug traffickers, cocaine pushers and cyber-crime offenders, which many argued, would demoralise the fight against drugs, corruption and cybercrimes.

Meanwhile, the AGF Fagbemi on October 16 announced that the exercise was not final.

‘The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued,’ Fagbemi said.

Acknowledging that the final list released on Tuesday reflected public outcry, the presidency, in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, said President Bola Tinubu ordered a further review of the initially approved list in exercise of his discretionary powers under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), following consultations with the Council of State and consideration of public opinion.

Onanuga explained that the review became necessary given the seriousness and security implications of some offences, the need to be sensitive to the feelings of victims and society at large, the importance of boosting the morale of law enforcement agencies, and the country’s commitment to bilateral obligations.

‘The concept of justice as a three-way traffic involving the accused, the victim, and the state or society also guided the review,’ the statement added.

Lawyers differ on final list of prerogatives of mercy

Meanwhile, legal practitioners have expressed divergent views over the final list of presidential pardons released by the federal government.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Tawo Eja Tawo, described the revised list as evidence that the president listens to public opinion and is willing to make amends when necessary. He said the action was within the president’s constitutional powers to exercise mercy.

‘He has the power to commute sentences, and after this, those whose sentences were commuted and have already served their terms will be released, while those with remaining years will not be released until they complete their terms,’ Tawo said.

He added that certain criteria guide the granting of presidential pardons, including good conduct, remorse, and the duration of time served. ‘I commend the president for listening to public opinion to review the list. For instance, Maryam Sanda’s sentence was only reduced, not cancelled, meaning she will continue to serve her term,’ he said.

‘What of countries where there is no death sentence? The essence of imprisonment is to correct and rehabilitate, not merely to punish,’ he added.

Similarly, another SAN, Dayo Akinlaja, noted that the president’s action was fully within his constitutional prerogative, and such discretion cannot be legally questioned. ‘Whatever is within the constitutional prerogative of the president cannot be challenged for whatever reason. In the eyes of the law, motive is irrelevant once a person has the right to act,’ Akinlaja stated.

However, some lawyers argued that aspects of the exercise raised legal and ethical concerns. E.M.D. Umukoro Esq warned that granting pardons to individuals whose convictions were not in error could undermine justice. ‘If the public finds that names on the list include persons rightly convicted without miscarriage of justice, it would be a travesty. Such actions weaken the administration of justice and discourage law enforcement officers who risked their lives to arrest and prosecute offenders,’ he said.

Another lawyer, Jibrin Jibrin Esq, described the latest development as a potential abuse of the provisions of Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution. He argued that the president cannot unilaterally alter the list after it had been presented to and approved by the Council of State.

‘The powers granted to the president under Section 175 are not absolute. The Constitution provides that he must consult the Council of State before exercising such powers. The pertinent question is whether the final list released by the presidency is the same one presented to the Council of State for approval,’ Jibrin said.

He added that if the latest list differs from the one earlier approved, the presidency must clarify what transpired. ‘If the Council of State authorised the president to review and act as he deems just and in the best interest of the nation, then the action is proper. Otherwise, it raises constitutional questions. Nigerians deserve an explanation,’ he stated.

The Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) yesterday stated that the removal of fuel subsidy has ushered in a new era of deregulation in the downstream sector.

According to the group, this has paved the way for innovative business models such as Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS), integrated multi-energy hubs, Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), and peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading.

Chairman of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Mr. Huub Stokman, stated this at the OTL Downstream Week 2025 during a panel session themed: ‘Navigating the New Frontier: Competition and Market Access in the Downstream Oil and Gas Industry.’

He stated that the entry of the Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s import dependence and reshaping local supply dynamics.

However, he stressed that ‘greater regulatory clarity and stability’ are still required to reduce ‘investment risks’ and drive long-term growth.

According to him, significant capital is needed across refining, storage, distribution, and low-carbon infrastructure to support Nigeria’s energy goals.

The association urged industry leaders to adopt strategic investments, partnerships, and digital solutions to enhance competitiveness, improve efficiency, and support Nigeria’s drive toward a balanced and sustainable energy future.

Stokman stated that the current downstream landscape has significantly evolved, adding, ‘We are witnessing a redefined downstream environment. Policymakers are now recognising gas as a cleaner transition fuel, with rising demand for CNG and LNG.

‘At the same time, the industry is adopting sustainable and digital technologies – including solar, biofuels, and advanced monitoring tools, to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery,’ he said.

Stokman described Africa’s evolving energy landscape as a ‘dual reality,’ one that must simultaneously tackle energy poverty, affecting over 600 million people-and the global energy transition.

‘We must manage both traditional fossil fuels and the accelerated adoption of renewables. Natural gas-whether LNG, LPG, or CNG-remains a critical transition fuel for Africa, providing a cleaner alternative to heavy fuels and biomass, and supporting industrialisation and access to energy,’ he explained.

He added that decentralisation and digitalisation are reshaping the market, with renewable energy technologies driving distributed energy systems that can reach underserved populations.

‘The biggest frontier is addressing the 600 million people without access to energy. This represents a massive high-growth market for decentralised renewable energy solutions,’ Stokman said.

Stokman also called for regional energy integration through cross-border gas pipelines and harmonised regulatory frameworks within ECOWAS and SADC, to overcome single-country supply vulnerabilities and achieve economies of scale.

Stokman further encouraged industry players to adopt pay-as-you-go distribution channels, local micro-depots, and data-driven maintenance and monitoring tools to cut operational costs and boost efficiency.

‘Companies must pursue cross-border joint ventures, strategic acquisitions, and partnerships with financiers and technology providers.

‘The priority should be green hydrogen, decentralised solar in resource-endowed countries, and expansion into BESS as a service-offering bundled LPG, CNG, and hydrogen solutions that increase customer lifetime value,’ the MEMAN Chairman said.

A suspected motorcycle thief has been reportedly lynched by a mob near Kayada-Sabo village in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

A resident of Kayada-Sabo, Mukaila Usman, said the incident happened on Tuesday, around 5:23 pm.

He said the suspect and his accomplice, who is now at large, snatched a motorcycle from a resident who was returning from the farm and attempted to escape from the community.

He explained that during the chase, some villagers were alerted.

According to him, a mob mobilized themselves with sticks and hard objects and pursued the suspects.

‘Upon receiving the distress call, some youths immediately mobilized themselves with sticks and cutlasses and pursued them. As fate would have it, they took a wrong turn, which led to the arrest of the rider who was immediately lynched on the spot,’ he said.

Usman added that the second suspect, who was seated at the back, jumped into the bush and escaped. He confirmed that the first suspect was already lynched before the arrival of the vigilante group at the scene.

A member of the vigilante, Markus Bala, confirmed the incident, saying the vigilante group was still trailing the other suspect who escaped into the bush.

A police source who preferred anonymity also confirmed the incident, but condemned the lynching of the suspect by the mob.

He said the police are investigating the incident.

The stage is set for the Niger State local government elections scheduled for Saturday, November 1, with insecurity and internal wrangling within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) expected to play decisive roles in shaping the outcome across the 25 local councils.

According to the Chairman of the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), Engr. Mohammed Jibril Imam, 10 political parties are fielding a total of 805 candidates for chairmanship, vice chairmanship, and councillorship positions.

Imam disclosed that the APC has presented 25 candidates each for chairmanship and vice chairmanship, along with 274 councillorship aspirants. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) follows with 23 candidates for chairmanship, 21 for vice chairmanship, and 233 councillorship hopefuls.

Other parties in the race include the Social Democratic Party (SDP), with 16 candidates each for chairmanship and vice chairmanship and 144 councillorship contestants, while the Labour Party (LP) has five chairmanship and four vice chairmanship candidates, as well as 12 councillorship contenders. The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) fielded two councillorship candidates, while smaller parties such as the Booth Party (BP), Action People’s Party (APP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Action Alliance (AA), and Accord Party each presented one councillor.

The NSIEC chairman explained that although the law requires every chairmanship candidate to have a running mate, the commission had relaxed the rule to ensure inclusivity. He also said arrangements had been made to enable internally displaced persons (IDPs) to vote in the election, urging political actors to prioritise issue-based campaigns over propaganda.

Imam noted that ongoing court cases arising from disputed party primaries would not stop the commission from conducting the poll as scheduled.

Insecurity threatens voter turnout

Despite assurances of security, fears persist that thousands of voters in several councils may be unable to participate due to rising bandit attacks. Communities in Mariga, Kontagora, Borgu, Rijau, Magama and Mashegu LGAs have witnessed renewed violence, forcing many residents to flee their homes.

A resident of Magama told Daily Trust that ‘many of our people have continued to run away because of the attacks,’ adding that some polling units may remain deserted on election day.

The NSIEC chairman has, however, insisted that security agencies have been mobilised to ensure that residents in conflict-affected areas can exercise their franchise.

Feud over consensus in APC remains key

Beyond the security challenge, the APC is still battling internal divisions triggered by Governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s insistence on adopting consensus candidacy for the polls. While party leaders argued that the move would promote unity and prevent internal crises, several aspirants and stakeholders condemned it as undemocratic, warning that it could undermine grassroots participation, just months after the Supreme Court affirmed financial autonomy for local councils.

Aggrieved members accused party power brokers of hijacking the process and imposing loyalists as candidates. Allegations also surfaced that some aspirants paid to make the ‘consensus list’.

The fallout has been most visible in Paikoro and Mokwa LGAs, where party unity has fractured.

In Paikoro, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Aloma sued the incumbent chairman, Aminu Umar Yadayi, alongside the APC and NSIEC, over his exclusion from the consensus arrangement. On July 25, Justice Abdullahi Mikailu of the Niger State High Court ruled in Aloma’s favour, declaring him the valid consensus candidate and ordering the withdrawal of Yadayi’s certificate of return. But the defendant’s refusal to comply prompted the court to issue a contempt notice threatening imprisonment for disobedience of court orders.

Party loyalists say the lingering tension could fuel anti-party activities during Saturday’s polls.

In Mokwa, the crisis has taken a more dramatic turn. Angry residents reportedly set brooms, the APC symbol, on fire in Muwo town this week, pledging support for the PDP candidate, Usman Alhaji Gumba Muwo. Earlier in April, protesters had taken to the streets to oppose the selection of the incumbent chairman, Jibril Abdullahi Muregi, as the APC’s consensus flagbearer.

‘If our choice is not respected, we will work against the party,’ one protester told Daily Trust. ‘We have a zoning arrangement that the governor has ignored, and this is causing an unnecessary crisis.’

The controversy deepened after the arrest of Abubakar Isah Mokwa, a student union leader from Mokwa LGA, who criticised Governor Bago over the handling of the local flood disaster. His arrest, allegedly at the instance of the incumbent chairman, sparked outrage and renewed debate about the APC’s handling of dissent ahead of the elections.

Isah, a master’s student at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, was charged with cyberbullying, inciting disturbance, and defamation under the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2024 and the Niger State Penal Code. Analysts described the arrest as a misstep that could further alienate voters.

Tight contest in Gurara

In Gurara LGA, the race is expected to be closely fought between Jonah Ishaya of the APC and Attahiru Musa Abuja of the SDP.

‘It may be hard for the SDP candidate to win because of the incumbency factor,’ said a resident of Lambata, Mohammed Halilu. ‘But he enjoys strong grassroots support, and several SDP councillorship candidates are also popular. We’ll have to wait for the outcome.’

Meanwhile, as preparations reach the final stage, Governor Bago has declared Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31, as public holidays to allow citizens to participate in the exercise. Essential workers, including hospital, bank and security staff, are exempted.

Encouraging voters to come out en masse, Bago said the peaceful conduct of the election was crucial to Niger State’s progress.

It was matchday in Port Harcourt as Rivers United hosted Ikorodu City in a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clash.

The ‘Oga Boys’ lined up with a new midfield trio of Ibifubara Dagogo, Folarin Temitope, and Tomisin Adebayo, while Oparaocha Chidera led the attack. Gift Udoh continued at left-back in Ayo’s absence.

The game kicked off with both sides showing early intent. In the 6th minute, Folarin found Chidera in space, but his fierce strike was parried by the Rivers United goalkeeper. Fifteen minutes in, the visitors-maintained composure, pushing forward with confidence.

As the first half drew to a close, neither side could break the deadlock. The second half began with a substitution-Musa Maliq replaced Folarin Temitope as Ikorodu sought fresh energy in midfield. On 66 minutes, Goodluck Anuba came on for Taiwo Alao, signaling a tactical adjustment from the Lagos side.

Rivers United continued to press, but Ikorodu City’s defense held firm. In the 80th minute, goalkeeper Michael produced a stunning point-blank save to deny the hosts a certain goal-arguably the moment of the match. With four minutes remaining, Chidera Oparaocha and Tomisin Adebayo made way for Naheem Odugbemi and Emmanuel Matthais. After five minutes of added time, the referee’s whistle confirmed a hard-fought stalemate.

Following the outcome of the match, Ikorodu City move up to 5th place on the NPFL table with 15 points, while Rivers United, who still have two games in hand, sit in 9th position with 13 points.

A suspected motorcycle thief has been reportedly lynched by a mob near Kayada-Sabo village in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

A resident of Kayada-Sabo, Mukaila Usman, said the incident happened on Tuesday, around 5:23 pm.

He said the suspect and his accomplice, who is now at large, snatched a motorcycle from a resident who was returning from the farm and attempted to escape from the community.

He explained that during the chase, some villagers were alerted.

According to him, a mob mobilized themselves with sticks and hard objects and pursued the suspects.

‘Upon receiving the distress call, some youths immediately mobilized themselves with sticks and cutlasses and pursued them. As fate would have it, they took a wrong turn, which led to the arrest of the rider who was immediately lynched on the spot,’ he said.

Usman added that the second suspect, who was seated at the back, jumped into the bush and escaped. He confirmed that the first suspect was already lynched before the arrival of the vigilante group at the scene.

A member of the vigilante, Markus Bala, confirmed the incident, saying the vigilante group was still trailing the other suspect who escaped into the bush.

A police source who preferred anonymity also confirmed the incident, but condemned the lynching of the suspect by the mob.

He said the police are investigating the incident.

The rising incidences of building collapse have become a disturbing trend. Many structures collapse at the construction stage, while some collapse when fully occupied, resulting in fatalities. Nigerians now die or get maimed from either improperly constructed or ill-maintained buildings which collapse like a pack of cards.

The latest is the one that occurred at 54 Cole Street, Cemetery Bus Stop, Oyingbo in Lagos State, where two persons were confirmed dead and 26 rescued from under the rubble on October 28. On August 4, the nation woke up to yet another sad story that a mother and her five children died when their house collapsed on them in Dankama village of Kaita Local Government Area of Katsina State.

So far, data independently gathered by this newspaper show that about 44 people have died and more than 125 others injured in 29 incidents of building collapse since the beginning of this year, with Lagos State topping the list with 13 incidents, followed by other states across the country. The data further show that from 2023 till date, there have been 127 deaths, while more than 373 were injured in such incidents across Nigeria. In 2023, there were 49 deaths and 201 injuries in 37 incidents; in 2024, there were 83 deaths and 248 injuries; while in 2025, there were 42 deaths and 114 injured.

It is beyond doubt that shoddy workmanship is often behind structural failures. This is often facilitated by officials who compromise their site supervisory duties and property owners who, in their apparent ignorance or selfishness, want to get more for less. Many reports on building collapse have attributed such incidents to the use of substandard materials and the engagement of incompetent or unqualified artisans. Non-compliance with specifications and standards due to weak supervision could also be a factor. Also, lax enforcement of building codes and the endemic poor work ethic in some professions have been cited in many reports on building collapse in the country.

It is this culture of complete disregard for law and order and complacency that makes a Nigerian alter land-use regulations by building, say, a four-storey structure when he or she has been given approval to build a two-storey one. Unfortunately, relevant officials often turn a blind eye to the infraction. This, of course, brings upon us the tragedies we have been mourning for a long time now. Surely, a stop has to be put to this particular case of negligence, which has made it possible for just about anybody to put up any structure that is nothing more than a death trap for many innocent Nigerians.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, described the frequent incidents of collapsed buildings as a national embarrassment. According to him, the government could no longer afford to allow the crisis to continue unchecked. To avoid further loss of lives due to building collapse, he inaugurated a 14-man task team to address the growing crisis of building collapses nationwide on June 18 this year.

The committee is made up of representatives of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria; Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria; Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria; Town Planners Registration Council of Nigeria; and Surveyors Council of Nigeria. Others are the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria, and the Building Collapse Prevention Guild.

Daily Trust hopes that the recommendations of the expanded committee will be fully implemented to avoid further loss of lives.

At the national level, the government should ensure inspections at ongoing projects are professionally done. The procedure that allows only the architect and the surveyor to sign the appropriate documents to attest to the integrity of structures should be strengthened. Often, people submit plans to build a one-storey structure but illegally add more floors during actual construction. Effective supervision should eliminate this practice that puts lives at risk. Many architects act as building contractors when that duty properly belongs to structural engineers and building technologists. Before any development takes place on a parcel of land, soil tests and topographical surveys should be carried out to determine the suitability of the structure for the site; but this is seldom done.

Government should also license building contractors who must have a recognised qualification, as well as enforce an easily understandable building code. If the relevant insurance firms did their work properly, ensuring that every building adheres to the minimum standards, the spate of building collapses would be minimized, if not eliminated entirely.

But overall, we believe that this tragedy can only be averted when those responsible for such tragedies are fully brought to book. We should not spare any official or selfish property owner who continues to cause avoidable deaths in the country.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc yesterday released its Unaudited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements as of September 30, 2025, recording profit before tax of N900.8billion on the back of strong performance on the core earnings lines of interest income and fee income which grew y-o-y by 25.6% and 16.8% respectively.

In the disclosure to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE), the group’s strong core-earning performance continued to narrow the y-o-y dip in PBT to 26%, thereby cushioning the impact of the N523.2bn fair value gains recognised in Q3-2024, which did not recur in Q3-2025.

The Group recorded growths across all its Asset lines and continues to maintain a well-structured, healthy liquid and diversified balance sheet in all the jurisdictions wherein it operates a Banking franchise, as well as across its Payments, Pension and Funds Management business verticals.

Group’s total assets and shareholders’ funds closed at N16.7trillion and N3.3trillion, respectively.

Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained very robust and strong, closing at 36.5%, likewise asset quality improved as evidenced by IFRS 9 Stage 3 Loans which closed at 3.3% and 4.4% % at Bank and Group level in Q3-2025 (Bank 3.5%, Group 5.2% in December 2024). Cost of Risk (COR) also improved to 2.2% from 4.9% in December 2024.

In specific terms, the Group’s loan book (net) grew by 16.5% from N2.79trillion as of December 2024 to N3.24trillion in September 2025.

Similarly, deposit liabilities grew by 16.0% from N10.40trillion to N12.06trillion during the same period.

Commenting on the results, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Segun Agbaje, said: ‘Our third quarter performance underscores the consistency and resilience of our business model, as well as the continued strength of our diversified financial services ecosystem.

‘We are seeing steady, sustainable growth across our banking and non-banking businesses, supported by disciplined execution and a strong focus on operational efficiency. The improvements we have made to our digital and payments infrastructure are enhancing customer experience, deepening engagement, and driving greater integration across our ecosystem.’

He further stated: ‘Looking ahead, our focus remains on advancing our competitive edge through innovation, operational excellence, and a commitment to superior customer outcomes. With a clear growth trajectory and strong organizational alignment, we are well-positioned to sustain performance momentum and deliver another year of industry-leading results.’

Overall, the Group continues to post one of the best metrics in the Nigerian Financial Services Industry in terms of key financial ratios i.e., Pre-Tax Return on Equity (ROAE) of 39.5%, Pre-Tax Return on Assets (ROAA) of 7.6%, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 36.5% and Cost to Income ratio of 28.8%.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc is a leading financial services group with operations across Africa and the United Kingdom.

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, on Wednesday raised the alarm that the recurring bandits’ attacks and fear of abductions have turned universities to zones of anxiety.

It also warned that the tragedy of the Chibok girls must never be relegated to the past as if it were a closed chapter.

President of NASU, Makolo Hassan, stated this in Abuja while addressing delegates of the union at the opening session of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Hassan said the government should be accountable at all levels to ensure it protects students, teachers and the future of education in the country.

According to him, insecurity, from kidnappings, banditry to terrorism, threatens Nigerians including workers’ lives and livelihoods as well as every other person resident in the country.

He added, ‘It is unacceptable that, while public schools crumble, the political elite and their collaborators send their children to expensive private institutions or even abroad for their education.

‘We reject this two-tier system that privileges the few and abandons the many. Quality education must be a public good, not a privilege for the wealthy.

‘Equally, we can no longer treat the security of our educational institutions as an afterthought.

‘The recurring bandit attacks and the lingering fear of abductions have turned our schools into zones of anxiety rather than learning.

‘The tragedy of the Chibok girls must never be relegated to the past as if it were a closed chapter. It remains a painful reminder of the urgent need for government accountability and decisive action to protect our children, our teachers, and our future.’

The labour leader further explained that addressing insecurity in the country requires a comprehensive multi-dimensional approach, including but not limited to strengthening security and intelligence gathering, modern technology deployment, governance and political will, eliminating corruption in security spending, promoting justice and rule of law and addressing youth unemployment.

He also warned that Nigerian workers can no longer survive on their current wages, noting inflation, poor governance, and stagnated pay have eroded the dignity of labour.

On his part, NASU’s General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, condemned the persistent threat by government officials to invoke the ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, describing it as an attempt to intimidate and silence legitimate trade union actions.

Adeyemi stressed that strikes are never spontaneous decisions but last-resort measures triggered by government failures to honour agreements freely entered into with unions.