Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Armed Forces, Police, and other security agencies to immediately reinforce deployment and strengthen joint operations in Kebbe and Tambuwal Local Government Areas of Sokoto State to protect lives, property, and farmlands from persistent bandit attacks.

This followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Abdulsamad Dasuki, who decried the worsening insecurity in the affected communities. The House commended the courage of security personnel defending communities nationwide and condoled the families of victims of recent attacks.

Lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue abducted persons, investigate the recurring violence, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure swift justice.

They further called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other humanitarian bodies to provide urgent relief materials to displaced persons who have fled to neighboring towns and villages.

Leading the debate, Dasuki highlighted the recent surge in attacks across Kebbe and Tambuwal Federal Constituency, which have led to widespread killings, abductions, and displacement of residents.

He noted that the assaults have crippled economic activities, forced farmers off their lands, and left many communities deserted.

He recounted that on August 12, 2025, bandits invaded Fakku Ward, killing five residents, abducting 28 others, and rustling 37 cows. Similar attacks occurred on August 15 in Sangi Ward and on August 18 in Ungushi Ward, resulting in additional deaths, kidnappings, and livestock losses.

Dasuki warned that continued insecurity in these areas could lead to further humanitarian crises and deepen distrust between citizens and the government.

He added that the proximity of Sokoto to the Niger Republic has exacerbated the threat, with cross-border movements of arms and insurgents worsening the situation.

He emphasised that ensuring the safety of border communities is crucial to stabilizing the Northwest and safeguarding Nigeria’s national security.

Social commentator and influencer, Reno Omokri, has challenged United States Senator Ted Cruz and others to name and shame those allegedly perpetrating Christian genocide in Nigeria.

Omokri, ehile affirming that there was no case of genocide in Nigeria, added that he believes the Senator’s comments were based on misinformation, misunderstanding and miscommunication.

He also blamed the United States for the insecurity challenges faced by Nigeria, adding that some of the policies of the US government fueled insecurity in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at a press conference, Omokri said: ‘Saying that there is genocide is against common sense. Saying that there’s a genocide in Nigeria is like saying that in the United States, every year, close to 30,000 people are murdered and disproportionately, they are black people. Can we in Nigeria start to use our media power and say there is a genocide against black people in America?

‘The claim is not true, but if you think it is true, don’t just come and make accusations, name them and shame them. Mention a name. So we have to go by facts and not by emotions.

‘A genocide is when you have a deliberate act of policy by a state actor or by people who are connected to state actors against a particular ethnicity, against a particular religion. However, in Nigeria, due to policies unleashed by the Obama administration, we have had security issues and we are fighting them. We’re doing the best that we can.

‘So, if you ask me if there is a genocide in Nigeria, of course there’s not. However, if you believe that Nigerian state officials are facilitating terror, mention them, name them. Help us name them.

‘I believe Senator Cruz means well, that’s my personal belief, but that he doesn’t have the right information. If he knows the names of the Nigerian officials who are facilitating this genocide, he should name and shame them. Because he did say that he knows and that he’s aware of them’.

He also hinted that deaths recorded in Nigeria, according to the Global Terror Index, reduced from 7,512 in 2015 to 565 in 2024.

The Secretary-General of the Jama’at Nasril Islam (JNI), Prof. Khalid Aliyu, also dismissed the claim as baseless and strange.

He said: ‘It sounds really very strange for such an unverified claim that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria. I think it is really very dangerous to change the paradigm and the narrative from the act of criminality, and identify it with ethnic nationality or religious inclination.

‘I think lumping a baseless claim onto certain people does not hold water. I think this claim is intended to create bad blood and to further extend the challenges we are going through in this country. And I think there may be a sinister motive behind such claims, to really draw us back from going out of the quagmire we are passing through.

‘And so this claim, to me, is baseless. They don’t hold water. There’s no truth in them. And we hope we’ll see the truth in the light of its worth and value’.

African youths model and visionary entrepreneur, Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu, has hailed Seyi Tinubu on his 40th birthday, describing him as a bridge builder, a peace agent and a supportive son every parent would love to have.

The chairman of the Stanel Group and The Delborough Lagos gave the description in his birthday felicitation message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s son on Monday.

Uzochukwu said that Seyi Tinubu, in his public dispositions, has put some growing regional pressure under control by his tours across the country not minding the President’s critics.

According to him, such passionate moves naturally build bridges and unite the nation to remain one entity despite perceived differences.

‘Congratulations on your 40th birthday, my dear brother, Seyi! Closely, I considered your virtues as that of a bridge builder and a peace agent,’ he said.

‘Age 40 is a starting point in life and I have no doubt in your ability, humility, determination and commitment to Nigeria’s unity and peaceful coexistence, Dr. Uzochukwu added while praising Seyi’s contributions to nation building at such an early age.

‘Thank you for supporting Mr. President. We are proud of you. Happy birthday!’.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday urged the Senate to consider and confirm Hon (Mrs) Ayo Omidiran from Osun State as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

The Senate also forwarded the names of 28 other nominees for confirmation for appointment into the agency.

Some of the newly nominated federal commissioners for FCC are Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi (Kwara State), Babangida Bwala (Bauchi State), Mrs Eunice Thomas (Akwa – Ibom State), Obinna Oriakwu (Abia State), etc.

After reading the letter, Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Inter- governmental Affairs to report back in two weeks.

The Senate on Wednesday called on the authorities of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to collaborate with Libyan authorities to secure the release and repatriation of female Nigerian inmates currently languishing in Libyan prisons, many of them with children born in detention.

The resolution of the red chamber followed its consideration and adoption of a motion on the ‘urgent need to safeguard Nigerians from trafficking, slavery, and human rights abuses in Libya,’ sponsored by Senator Aniekan Bassey.

The prayer for the release of the women was moved by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who decried the plight of the victims, many of whom she said were trafficked under false pretences and later imprisoned after escaping forced prostitution.

‘These women were victims twice over; first of traffickers, then of a broken system,’ she said. ‘Several were sexually assaulted in detention, leading to pregnancies. Their children, born behind bars, must not suffer for crimes they did not commit.’

Leading debate on the motion, Bassey described the continued use of Libya as a migration route as ‘a corridor of death and despair’ for many desperate Nigerians, despite the well-known dangers.

According to him, about 1,000 Nigerians were repatriated from Libya in the first quarter of 2025 alone, with many survivors recounting harrowing ordeals of torture, sexual abuse, and forced labour.

‘One survivor, Mercy Olugbenga, sold her family’s property to fund her trip to Libya, only to be held captive for over a year while her blood was repeatedly drained against her will,’ he said, adding, ‘It is a chilling reminder that slavery still exists in our time.’

Bassey also cited data from Amnesty International and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which documented widespread abuses, including rape, arbitrary detention, and killings, in both state and militia-run detention centres in Libya.

In its resolutions, the Senate urged the Federal Government, through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Humanitarian Affairs, as well as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), to develop a robust reintegration and protection programme for returnees. The proposed plan should include psychosocial support, skills training, and start-up assistance.

The Senate further called for stronger diplomatic engagement with Libyan authorities and regional action through the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, and the United Nations to ensure the protection of Nigerians in detention and accountability for human rights violations.

It also mandated its Committees on Diaspora, Judiciary, Human Rights, and Foreign Affairs to investigate human trafficking networks and unlicensed travel agents facilitating illegal migration, with a view to tightening existing laws and enforcement mechanisms.

In addition, lawmakers urged NAPTIP to play an active role in both the repatriation and rehabilitation processes, while collaborating with the Senate committees to expose trafficking rings. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and related institutions were also tasked to intensify public awareness campaigns on the dangers of irregular migration.

Contributing to the motion, Senator Victor Umeh condemned Africa’s silence on the ongoing abuses, saying, ‘We are members of the African Union, yet Africans are treating fellow Africans worse than animals. The AU must act; no country should be allowed to get away with such cruelty.’

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor the implementation of the resolutions. He also cautioned Nigerian youths to be patient and cautious in their quest for a better life abroad.

‘Home is home. Many who leave in search of greener pastures only find pain abroad. Let us build our nation together, for there is no greater pride than being safe and free in one’s homeland,’ Akpabio said.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen delivered a masterclass performance on Tuesday night, netting a hat-trick as Nigeria thrashed Benin Republic 4-0 in their FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter.

The Galatasaray forward opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, finishing off a brilliant assist from Samuel Chukwueze after a swift attacking move.

Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 37th minute, again teed up by Chukwueze.

The Super Eagles continued their dominance after the break, and Osimhen completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to make it 3-0.

Substitute Frank Onyeka put the icing on the cake in the 90th minute with a fine finish, sealing an emphatic 4-0 victory for the Super Eagles.

With the victory, the Super Eagles have secured a place in the playoffs of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers (#FIFAWCQ2026), keeping their hopes of reaching the global tournament alive.

Meanwhile, South Africa, who defeated Rwanda 3-0, top the qualifying group and have already booked their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Federal Government has announced that Mathematics will no longer be a compulsory subject for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions to study Arts and Humanities-related courses.

The new policy, unveiled on Tuesday by the Federal Ministry of Education, applies to entry requirements for universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Institutions across the country.

A statement signed by the ministry’s Director, Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, said that the revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions aim to eliminate unnecessary barriers while maintaining academic standards.

Under the new framework, students seeking admission into Arts and Humanities programmes will only be required to present credits in relevant subjects, including English Language, while Mathematics will remain compulsory for Science, Technology, and Social Science disciplines.

For the polytechnic level, candidates must obtain a minimum of four credit passes, including English Language for non-science courses and Mathematics for science-based programmes. Mathematics and English remain compulsory for candidates at the Higher National Diploma level.

Similarly, the guidelines specify that for admission into Colleges of Education, English Language will be mandatory for Arts and Social Science courses, while Mathematics is required for Science, Vocational, and Technical programmes.

The same requirements apply to Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs) as Polytechnics for the National Diploma (ND) program.

The government also abolished the National Innovation Diploma (NID).

In addition, the government said that the National Industrial Diploma (NID) previously issued by Innovation Enterprise Academies will be phased out and replaced with the National Diploma (ND) to ensure uniformity, credibility, and progression opportunities for graduates.

It added that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) was currently re-accrediting all IEAs nationwide to align with the new ND standards. Institutions that fail to transition to full accreditation will be de-accredited.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the move was part of efforts to expand access and create a more inclusive tertiary education system.

According to him, the reform has become necessary after years of restricted access that left many qualified candidates unable to secure admission.

‘Every year, over two million candidates sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), yet only about 700,000 gain admission. This imbalance, he notes, is not due to a lack of ability but rather to outdated and overly stringent entry requirements that must give way to fairness and opportunity.

‘The reform is a deliberate effort to expand access to tertiary education, creating opportunities for additional 250,000 to 300,000 additional students to be admitted to our Tertiary Institutions each year. It reflects a firm commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian youth has a fair chance to learn, grow, and succeed, putting the Renewed Hope Agenda into action,’ the statement said.

It added: ‘The revised National Guidelines for Entry Requirements into Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are designed to remove barriers while maintaining academic standards. The new framework applies to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and Innovation Enterprise Academies (IEAs) across the country.

The minister added that harmonising admission guidelines will help reduce the number of out-of-school youths, strengthen vocational and technical training, and align Nigeria’s tertiary education structure with global and industry standards.

He reiterated that young people remain the heartbeat of the nation, and the government is committed to equipping them with the education and skills they need to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to national development.

‘The Federal Government remains steadfast in its commitment to inclusive education, human capital development, and youth empowerment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’ the statement added.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Yusuf Buba Yakub, have initiated plans to promote Nigeria’s technical expertise and capacity-building initiatives on the global stage.

The move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s international cooperation and development partnerships.

Since its establishment in 1987, NTAC, the agency responsible for advancing international cooperation, has deployed over 10,000 Nigerian professionals to more than 40 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.

According to a statement by Ojo Adetoun Olubunmi, Head of Information and Public Relations at NTAC, the collaboration plan was unveiled during a working visit by the NTAC Director-General to Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Abuja.

‘The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration and discuss ways to enhance Nigeria’s international cooperation and development. Both leaders exchanged views on how to further promote Nigeria’s technical expertise and capacity-building initiatives globally,’ the statement noted.

Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended Yakub for his leadership and the progress recorded by NTAC, reaffirming the Ministry’s support for the agency’s mandate.

The NTAC boss, in his briefing, outlined key achievements and challenges over the past two years and presented an account of his stewardship to the Minister.

Grammy-nominated Afrobeats singer Davido is set to bring the ‘5IVE’ tour to Nigeria, promising a cultural homecoming that celebrates his roots and the genre he’s helped globalise.

Following a successful North American tour, the artist, born David Adeleke, shared his excitement on social media, stating that while he carries Nigeria’s spirit worldwide, this leg is about bringing that energy back home.

Describing the tour as ‘for the culture’, Davido aims to deliver an unforgettable experience for Nigerian fans.

He wrote, ‘I’m blessed to perform all around the world, and everywhere I go, Nigeria goes with me. But this time. I’m bringing it HOME.

‘After an unforgettable North American tour, it’s only right that we bring that energy back where it all began. 5IVE TOUR NIGERIA, y’all ready??!! This one’s for the culture. This one’s personal. This one’s for US’.

The tour, tied to his fifth studio album, 5ive, released in April 2025, kicks off on October 26 in Akwa Ibom, with subsequent stops in Adamawa on October 29, Enugu on November 1, Ibadan on November 9, and a grand finale in Lagos on Christmas Day, December 25.

The album, featuring collaborations with artists like Odumodublvck, Becky G, and Shenseea, has already amassed significant global streams.

His international run included a landmark performance at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium alongside 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige, followed by sold-out shows across North America with rising Nigerian stars Victony and Morravey.

The Nigerian leg promises high-energy performances blending fan favorites with new hits, tailored to each city’s unique vibe.

From Akwa Ibom’s vibrant South-South energy to Lagos’s festive Christmas crescendo, Davido’s homecoming is set to unite fans across regions.

Afrobeats singer Adekunle Gold has gifted Imisi, the winner of Big Brother Naija season 10, a brand new iPhone 17 Pro Max.

The ‘FUJI’ crooner, who had been rooting for Imisi and co-housemate Mensan, expressed excitement about meeting the reality TV star.

Imisi, who was declared the winner of BBNaija season 10 on October 5, 2025, took to her Snapchat to share the news with fans, showing gratitude for the luxurious gift.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is a high-end device with advanced features, and its value ranges from N2,750,000 to N3,795,000, depending on the storage capacity.