Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The Oodua People’s Congress reformed (OPC-R) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve the engagement of local security outfits in combating crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry in parts of the southwest region.

Speaking during a press briefing held on Thursday in Lagos, President of the group, Comrade Dare Adesope, also urged Tinubu to equip local security outfits to complement the efforts of the law enforcement agencies.

Adesope noted that like Ondo, Oyo, and Ogun have witnessed a recent surge in insecurity, especially along highways and remote villages, leaving residents in fear and economic activities disrupted.

‘The federal security agencies are overstretched. The OPC (R) has the grassroots advantage, but they lack adequate weapons, training, and logistics to operate effectively.

‘Yoruba people in Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti States are being oppressed on their own soil; the police force is trying its best but OPC- R members can complement their efforts because they are more familiar with their communities like the back of their palms and can fish criminals out from their hideout,’ he said.

Adesope further said that his members have deep-rooted connections with their people, understands their terrain, language, and the hidden dynamics of their communities, making them valuable assets in tackling local threats such as banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

He argue that supporting local security outfits with proper legislation, funding, and modern equipment will complement federal efforts and enhance quick response to threats.

‘As a Yoruba son, President Tinubu is being urged to show leadership by ensuring that the South-West does not slide into lawlessness. Ignoring these warning signs may escalate the crisis beyond control if urgent steps are not taken. It is also important to recognize and formally include traditional rulers in the nation’s security architecture. As custodians of culture and community leadership, traditional rulers have long played a stabilizing role in local conflict resolution, intelligence gathering, and peacekeeping.

‘I want to advise our royal fathers to stay united in this sensitive period and team up to face this insecurity that is ravaging their territories. We, members of OPC reformed are ready to defend our people but we shall need their support.’

Youth leaders of All Progressives Congress(APC) from Osun West Senatorial District on Saturday differed over agitation to zone the guber ticket of the party to the district ahead of December 13, 2025, primary.

About 40 youth leaders of the party from five out of ten local government areas, including Ola-oluwa, Isokan, Ede North, Ede South and Ayedire, alleged that their signature were forged in a communique used to seek for West guber candidate.

Addressing newsmen, Hon. Alimi Bakare stated ‘We never signed any document for guber ticket to be zone to Osun West. Not all youth leaders attended the said meeting, many signatures of those that never attended were forged.

‘In Ede North, it was a single person who signed for all 10 youth leaders,’ appealing to APC party leaders to give the ticket of the party to the best aspirant and not the West aspirant.

Hon Amos Amindiya from Ola-Oluwa, Raji Rafiu from Isokan, Idris Aderibigbe among others said ‘the youth leaders were coerced to agitate for zoning of guber ticket to Osun West rather than the best candidate.’

But Osun West APC leader, Imran Mojeed, reacting to the claim denied allegation of forgery affirming ‘We all agreed before signing the communique to seek for zoning of guber ticket to Osun West. There is a video evidence as to that.

‘I can tell you categorically that those people who are opposing to our positions are just two LCDAs youth leaders, which are not the main council. They attempted to cohorts some leaders even in my own LGA, Ede, by using money to induce them to come and oppose to our stand, I have the evidence and our people rejected.

‘We had earlier agreed to plead with the president to zone the gubernatorial ticket of APC to Osun west, so why would they now go back there to backtrack. We didn’t agitated for a particular candidate from the west senetotial district rather, we made it know to the president that we have capable hands in the district.’

He noted that the youths only laid credence to the position of the senatorial party chairman, Gbenga Omolaoye, who had pleaded that the ticked should be zoned to the district.

Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle faces a potential setback ahead of next month’s crucial World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon, with Fulham winger Samuel Chukwueze still recovering from an injury sustained earlier this month.

Chukwueze was unavailable for selection in Fulham’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend after sustaining a calf injury while on international duty during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Benin’s Cheetahs on October 14.

Scans have revealed that the injury is worse than initially feared, with Fulham boss Marco Silva confirming during his pre-match press conference on Thursday that the AC Milan loanee will not travel to Newcastle United on Saturday.

Providing an injury update, the Portuguese tactician revealed that while some players have returned to contention, others, including Chukwueze, remain sidelined.

When asked if there was any positive injury news in his squad, Silva said: ‘Some good news or fresh news, and some others not so good, unfortunately for us.

‘Starting from the back, Kenny was already involved in the last game – not 100 per cent, but he was already on the bench. He has had a good week so far and he is going to be in contention for the game.

‘Joachim Andersen, as we expected and as I mentioned after the match, has a muscle injury. It’s not so serious, but he is going to be out and not available for the Newcastle match, Antonee Robinson neither, as well, and all the others still the same. Chukwueze is still out, Rodrigo out.’

When asked about potential return dates for Chukwueze and Rodrigo Muniz, Silva revealed that the Brazilian is expected to be back in action ahead of the Nigerian.

Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) has refuted viral reports claiming he has taken another wife, clarifying that the woman seen with him in a trending video has no personal connection with him.

In a statement on his official Instagram handle, the Delta North senator addressed the rumors, describing them as ‘false’ and ‘mischievous.’

‘A video recently brought to my attention shows a young woman who visited with her team under the Peace Ambassadors initiative, led by Ambassador Dr. Adejo Sule, and it is now being circulated online with false claims attempting to affiliate me with her. It is unfortunate what social media has become, a space where moments are easily twisted for clout and misinformation,’ he said.

He explained that the visit was purely formal and photos taken during the courtesy call were being misrepresented online.

‘During the visit, photographs were taken with members of the delegation, as is customary whenever I receive guests. This is not unusual; even in public places or outdoor events, people often request to take pictures with me, and I oblige. It is therefore mischievous and malicious for anyone to exploit such gestures to fabricate false narratives.’

Nwoko further stated that there was no personal relationship with the the woman in question.

He also warned those spreading the misinformation to desist or face legal consequences.

According to him: ‘I strongly caution individuals, groups, or media outlets spreading this fabricated story to desist immediately. Any further propagation of this false narrative will attract appropriate legal action. The Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 remains in full force and applies to anyone involved in the deliberate spread of falsehood or defamation in cyberspace.’

The statement comes amid ongoing social media chatter about the senator’s marriage to actress Regina Daniels, with fans speculating about a possible new wife after the video surfaced online.

The Mandate Secretary of Health, Human and Environment Services, Adedolapo Fasawe, on Friday disclosed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Executive Council has ratified a contract for the purchase of 12 new emergency ambulances at the cost of N1.74 billion to aid emergency responses.

Fasawe said this after a meeting of the FCT Executive Council at the FCT Minister’s official residence.

The contract ratification comes months after the Secretary, in July, announced the planned purchase of the ambulances, as well as the digitisation of emergency response units across FCT hospitals.

Speaking during a Community First Responders Training organised by the Health Emergency Initiative and the FCT Primary Health Care Board, Fasawe said, ‘I’m happy to announce that we will soon commission about 12 ambulances here.

‘Mr. Wike purchased new ambulances for us. And we don’t only want ambulances, we want ambulance services, where we will have a station, we will have pilots, and all our nurses are first responders.

‘Very soon, all our hospitals will accessible online. You will be able to know when there is a bed, when there is no bed, and which hospital is closest to you. Technology is very important,’ she said.

Speaking during the briefing on Friday, the Health Secretary stated that the buses were 12 units of Toyota Hiace, 2023/2024 models, purchased for a total sum of N1.74 billion, adding that the ambulances had been received and will be commissioned very soon.

Fasawe further explained that the Secretariat had partnered with the National Communications Commission to ensure that residents could dial the 112 toll-free line in cases of emergency, from where they would then be patched to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System, and the FCT Health Insurance Scheme.

She further said the FCT had zero tolerance for carrying dead bodies with the ambulances, adding that the administration was looking into buying hearses in the next budget.

The Management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has dismissed as false and malicious a viral AI-generated video alleging that the institution is developing nuclear weapons for Nigeria.

In a statement by the university’s Director of Public Affairs, Auwalu Umar, the management described the video, which has been circulating on social media, as the handiwork of ‘unscrupulous persons’ bent on misleading the public and tarnishing the image of the university.

The video had claimed that Nigerian scientists at ABU secretly enriched weapons-grade uranium in the 1980s using sophisticated centrifuges obtained from Pakistan’s AQ Khan network, and that they were close to producing a nuclear device by 1987.

But the university said the claims were ‘baseless fabrications,’ pointing out that most of the scientists at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), ABU, were still undergoing training abroad in the 1980s and only returned to the country in the early 1990s. ‘How could it have been possible for trainee scientists to enrich uranium?’ the statement queried.

It clarified that ABU and Nigeria have never had any connection with the AQ Khan network or any foreign source of nuclear weapons technology, adding that the only operational nuclear facility at the time was a 14 MeV Neutron Generator commissioned in 1988.

According to the university, the country’s first major nuclear project, the Nigeria Research Reactor 1 (NIRR-1), was only initiated in 1996 under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical cooperation programme and commissioned in 2004 under a tripartite partnership involving China, Nigeria, and the IAEA.

ABU stressed all its nuclear activities have been transparent and conducted in line with international safety and non-proliferation standards.

It explained that the NIRR-1 reactor, initially powered by highly enriched uranium, was converted to low enriched uranium in 2018 as part of global efforts to reduce nuclear threats.

The university reaffirmed that Nigeria, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) since 1968 and the Pelindaba Treaty since 2009, is legally bound not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons or enrichment plants.

‘ABU and Nigeria have always pursued peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology for national development,’ the statement noted, recalling that the university’s founder visited the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States in 1960, even before ABU was established, to promote peaceful use of atomic energy for humanity.

The management urged the public to disregard the video and warned against the spread of false information capable of undermining national institutions and Nigeria’s reputation before international partners.

The Elders Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday united the 13 governorship aspirants of the party ahead of the December 13 primary election.

Ten out of thirteen aspirants were present for the meeting, while three of them, including the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru; the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO); and the ex-APC scribe, Senator Iyiola Omisore, were absent.

Among the aspirants present are: Ex-Deputy Gov, Benedict Alabi, Senator Jide Omoworare, Senator Mudashiru Hussein, Akin Ogunbiyi, US-based Professor, Rafiu Durodoye, Engr Dideolu Falobi, Dotun Babayemi, Peter Babalola, Prince Hareter Oralusi, and Kunle Adegoke, SAN.

The meeting, which was presided over by the Chairman of the Elders Caucus, Chief Sola Akinwumi, lasted for one hour and 30 minutes in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State.

Addressing newsmen, Akinwumi disclosed that the meeting was the second follow-up meeting with the aspirants to unanimously resolve to work as visionary team members to win the Osun State guber election of 2026.

He said ‘All the guber aspirants in attendance spoke one after the other, and gave their words to remain abiding by the known tradition of the party as regards friction free modality of producing a flag bearer of the party for Osun 2026 guber election since any election is won based on political understanding among all key players which remains the driving spirit of this body.’

He noted that ‘There is no division at all within the 13 aspirants, which is why they are all here ahead of the primary for its success.’

Responding to the defection rumour of Adeleke, he disclosed that ‘Governor Ademola Adeleke has not spoken with any party leader to defect into the party, APC chairman is here, he is not aware of his rumoured political move.’

Wife of the Olu of Warri, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, has vowed ‘to bring the world’ to every child in Warri, Delta state.

Speaking at the second edition of ‘The Future of the Warri Child’ seminar, she announced she would be funding the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) of 300 students.

Declaring that ‘Warri will be the envy of the world in the next 10 or 20 years,’ if its young people dare to dream, despite the odds, the Queen said: ‘I had a dream at age five that I was going to be a queen. I had no idea that I was going to meet my husband. I always said: Don’t touch me anyhow, I’m going to be a queen. I am determined to bring the world to the Warri child and send the Warri child to the world.’

The programme with the theme: ‘Beyond Limit: Unlocking the potential of the Warri child,’ and convened by the Sole Representative of the Olu of Warri and Liaison to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Prince Edema Collins, gathered over 1,000 students and professionals in a determination to shape the city’s future.

Prince Edema had earlier pledged to fund the WASSCE enrollment of 300 students.

In a keynote address, Deaconess Florence Ovweriavwose, Senior Lecturer at the College of Education, Warri, redefined the Warri Child.

She said: ‘The Warri Child is not confined only to children who are indigenes by birth, but to all who grew up in Warri, whether they are indigenes by heritage or residence.’

She lamented how the once-celebrated ‘Warri boys’ and ‘Warri girls’ have been weighed down by years of socio-economic decline, noting that the city’s true wealth lies not in oil, but in peace, unity, and innovation.

‘Our foremost priority for renewal is a permanent and non-negotiable commitment to the peaceful and shared identity of the Warri Region. Our focus must shift from the extraction economy to the intellectual and creative economy,’ she said.

Edema, who is also founder of the Cora Care Foundation, said the seminar was designed ‘to build a Warri where every child is inspired to pursue their passions, attain maximum potential, and refill the jar that has poured into them.’

‘This vision is not just a statement for us; it is a call to action. Too often, children grow up in environments that tell them what they can’t do. Cora Care Foundation is here to change that narrative. Together, we are planting seeds, seeds of hope, creativity, and resilience.’

Notable broadcaster, Chief (Dr.) Suo Chapele charged up the crowd, reminding them that the ‘Warri factor’ still commands respect nationwide.

‘People expect so much energy from you if you are from Warri. Warri has grit, brilliance and potential. If you passed through Warri, you will have confidence. Get educated, own your story and define yourself for you to excel,’ she stated.

Renowned entrepreneur Tara Fela-Durotoye, an art curator, Roli Otsemaye, award-winning designer Oghenetejiri Ogodo, Dr. Weyinmi David Ogbobine of Ruth Foundation and Coker Tuoyo, Executive Secretary of Cora Care Foundation, all encouraged the participants to seek knowledge and persist through failure.

The excited students drawn from 70 public and private schools across Warri South, Warri North, Warri South-West, Okpe, Sapele, Udu, and Uvwie LGAs, expressed thanks to the organisers, with promises to abide by what they had learnt.

The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has announced that an internal investigation has cleared a staff member of a fraudulent transaction allegation that recently went viral on social media.

However, the employee will still face disciplinary action for violating the agency’s strict ‘no cash’ policy and using a personal account for a transaction.

The controversy, according to a statement from the agency, began with a social media post alleging that a LASAA staffer, Olukayode John Adetifa, had improperly collected N45,000 from a client, MJ Beauty Salon, via his personal Opay account but only issued a receipt for N7,100.

Following the initial outcry, LASAA issued a press statement acknowledging the serious allegation and immediately directing Mr Adetifa, who was deployed to the Alimosho Branch Office, to report for an immediate investigation and disciplinary proceedings. The agency emphasised that all payments must be made only through officially designated government channels and reiterated its commitment to transparency.

The subsequent fact-finding by the Agency’s disciplinary panel, which included a visit to the business owner, paints a complex picture of the transaction.

Adetifa explained to the panel that the business had multiple unregistered signs and was slated for enforcement. During a final visit to encourage registration, the client, MJ Beauty Salon, agreed to pay.

She claimed she was feeling unwell and offered him cash, which he declined. The client then requested his assistance to make the official online payment, to which he obliged in an effort to secure the long-overdue revenue.

He collected N40,000 from the client, which he stated covered the full fees for the three signs: the Application Processing Fee of N7,140, the Permit Fee of N28,880 and payment gateway charges.

He then registered the signs online in the client’s presence, assuring her she would receive the official notification by email. Adetifa also reported receiving threatening messages later regarding the payment balance.

The owner of MJ Beauty Salon subsequently confirmed this version of events to the LASAA Management team, admitting that she was unaware of the viral post, and apologised for the misunderstanding. She specifically stated that Adetifa collected no gratification and disassociated herself from the X (formerly Twitter) handler who misrepresented the story.

Despite clearing Adetifa of fraudulent intent, LASAA confirmed that he still committed a serious offence. ‘It is glaring that our staff, though he had no fraudulent intent as seen from his explanation and that of the client, has still committed an offence by collecting the client’s money in his personal account contrary to the Agency’s policy,’ the management stated.

Adetifa will be dealt with in accordance with the Public Service Rules upon the conclusion of the disciplinary committee’s report.

LASAA used the opportunity to urge the public to always follow due process, specifically the ‘no cash policy or payment to personal account for no reason’ as the agency’s processes are self-service, seamless and automated. They also reiterated that they do not have any agents and implored clients to transact directly via the official website.

The agency urged the public to report genuine issues responsibly and warned against spreading false information that undermines government services.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list will strengthen investor confidence, ease cross-border transactions and restore the country’s reputation as a credible financial jurisdiction.

In its statement by Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN on Saturday, the Bank said the delisting will lower the cost of correspondent banking and international transactions, facilitate smoother trade and investment flows, and make Nigeria more attractive to foreign investors and development partners.

The CBN described the development as a significant milestone that will reduce perceived financial risk and support the nation’s broader efforts to deepen financial inclusion and economic growth.

The Bank added that Nigeria’s removal from the grey list will yield tangible benefits for businesses and households alike – lowering compliance costs, improving access to international finance, and making cross-border transactions faster and more affordable.

Over time, the CBN said, these gains should translate into smoother trade settlements, quicker remittance inflows and more predictable access to foreign exchange – measures that will enhance livelihoods, support enterprise growth and deepen financial inclusion.

The CBN said it played a central role in the process, noting that its contribution centred on enhancing supervision, governance and transparency across the financial system.

It explained that oversight of financial institutions was strengthened through updated anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) regulations, risk-based supervision and fit-and-proper assessments.

In addition, compliance reporting and monitoring were also expanded across remittance channels, bureaux de change and fintech platforms to improve traceability and transparency.

The Bank enhanced inter-agency data-sharing and enforcement coordination between itself, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law enforcement bodies. The CBN also implemented market governance tools, including the Foreign Exchange Code (FX Code) and the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS), which further improved the integrity and transparency of the financial markets.

The Bank said these measures were implemented alongside legal and operational reforms undertaken by other competent authorities and were crucial in addressing the strategic deficiencies identified by FATF and its regional body, the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso was quoted in the statement as praising the collective effort.

‘This is an important achievement for Nigeria’s financial system. Our strengthened AML/CFT framework and closer supervisory engagement with financial institutions have helped restore confidence internationally,’ the Governor said.

He added: ‘We remain committed to sustaining these reforms, deepening transparency, and working with domestic and international partners to prevent illicit financial flows and protect the integrity of our financial system.’

The CBN credited coordinated action across government institutions for the successful outcome, commending the NFIU for leading technical engagement with FATF, law enforcement agencies for enforcement work, and the Office of the Attorney-General and the National Assembly for the legislative amendments that enabled compliance with FATF requirements.

The Bank said it would not relent after the delisting. ‘Sustaining compliance with global AML/CFT standards is a continuous process,’ the statement said, adding that the CBN will continue to work closely with AML/CFT competent authorities to ensure that the gains are consolidated and that Nigeria avoids any future reclassification.

The CBN also argued that the FATF decision reinforces a broader restoration of global confidence in Nigeria’s economic management. It pointed to recent international assessments that reflect improving external balances and credibility in policy execution – developments the Bank said are consistent with the momentum from the delisting.

The statement identified the constructive credit outlook from major rating agencies and the International Monetary Fund’s 2025 Article IV findings, which noted improved reserve adequacy, greater transparency and a reform agenda increasingly aligned with global standards.

The Bank urged all financial institutions to remain diligent and to sustain high standards of compliance, corporate governance and internal controls so the country can fully reap the benefits of delisting.

It stressed that improvements in correspondent banking relationships and reduced transaction frictions should translate into easier international trade payments and more predictable access to foreign financial services for exporters, importers and remitters.