Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

‘None of us is as smart as all of us.’ – Ken Blanchard

Last week, the Council of State, a constitutional body whose advice the Nigerian President is not compelled to accept, endorsed President Tinubu’s nomination of Professor J.O. Amupitan from Kogi State as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Senate will duly approve the nomination, as it is in its character. I had written a few months ago that it would be a miracle if any nomination by President Tinubu is not greeted with controversy. The president has acquired a deserved reputation for elevating partisanship and his identity to very high levels of criteria in many of his sensitive appointments. It would have been disappointing if President Tinubu had swum against the tide in the case of a very important appointment of the head of an institution which by design and practice, should encourage the development and quality of our democratic system but does not. This reputation is not entirely deserved, but it is not without solid foundations either. Nigerian politics is notoriously corrupt and corrupting. Only a person with the skin and character made of metal, or a thoroughly compromised character and disposition to begin with, will be stepping up for the job of INEC chairman without some trepidation. In many ways, INEC reflects today’s Nigeria in many disturbing ways.

Professor Amupitan will be stepping into an office where only a little stain is a major asset. He is smeared even by default by a nominating President whose campaign for a second term is already well and truly on its way, violating the letter and spirit of the legal and sensible separation of campaign and governance periods. His predecessor had blown the whistle against this premature display of ambition. Will he insist that a line is drawn by the president and a whole army of political entrepreneurs who are spending fortunes erecting ‘x2’ billboards and posters all over the country? Amupitan is Yoruba from Kogi State, which makes him just marginally outside the core catchment area for Tinubu’s favourite hunting ground, but Nigerians who see only in black and white will ignore his state of origin and tick off another nepotism at play in a key position.

It has not helped the professor that his name and credentials had also assumed household status for many months as Tinubu’s frontrunner for the position. Nigerians will say he was just waiting for Yakubu to move out, irrespective of the quality of other candidates. There were other sources of hostility: his competition; a comment he had made that padding (read: budget fraud) is not a crime in Nigeria; his appearance for the APC in a high-profile election case and his academic career which does not sit comfortably with some spoilers. You could say everything negative will be thrown at Amulitan, but he will be cleared by a legislature that should be honoured if described as a poodle. More by default than by design, the office of the Chairman of INEC has been given a status far in excess of its requirements and roles. Basically, all a Nigerian needs to be qualified for Chair of INEC is evidence that (s)he is not a member of a political party; has tons of personal integrity and solid record of competence in careers. And, oh, there is also the unwritten requirement that the nominating and approving authorities do not suspect that the nominee will be hostile to them, at least.

Since 1998, every chairman has met at least the non-partisan and evidence of competence requirements. Justice E. Akpata led an INEC that had to make the military administration add the letter ‘I’ for Independent to a new National Electoral Commission (NEC) as a condition to serve. Members of the Commission wanted the world to know they will be independent in name and in responsibility. He served as Chairman of the INEC which conducted the 1999 elections that President Obasanjo won. He died in 2020 and was succeeded by Dr A. Guobadia, who led the same Commission to conduct the 2003 elections. This Commission is on record for creating an electronic voters register, a major development in the process of improving the integrity of the elections by eliminating multiple voting. Its history will be incomplete without a mention of the scandalous senatorial elections in Anambra State, and its insistence that one of them resigned over an infraction that could have fatally smeared lifetime reputations and the elections themselves. Professor Maurice Iwu led the Commission which conducted the infamous 2007 elections, producing President ‘YarAdua who vowed to prioritize an improvement in the electoral process that gave him victory. Professor A. Jega’s INEC conducted two elections, in 2011 and 2015. One was widely disputed (in many parts of the country, violently), and the second has made history as the only Presidential election result which was not contested by the loser. Professor M. Yakubu served two terms and his jury is still out.

History has been unfair to both Chairmen and Members of the Commission. Leaders of the Commission, on many instances, have also failed to live up to the demanding requirements of conducting credible elections in a vast and complex country like Nigeria. Chairmen, National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECS) all had to meet specified qualifying criteria. In truth, most chairmen have had massive challenges leading a Commission made up of powerful and assertive members with thinly-veiled partisan interests. Not all members of the Commission had the same commitment to fair play and standards of personal integrity. RECS tend to have lower levels of non-partisan interests and although not members of the Commission, they wield huge powers. All told, INEC knows it does not have the final word on winners and losers. A reliable estimate suggests that at least 70% of all election results are decided by the judiciary. This gives the judiciary massive powers, and serves as a registered disincentive for INEC to cover the distance on integrity of elections.

The chairman is the Returning Officer of the presidential elections. His job also includes leading the Commission to conduct all federal and state elections at 176,846 polling units and hundreds of collation centres including 36 at state levels and Abuja. At every polling or collation point, something could go wrong, and they do. The Commission is accountable for the conduct of millions of ad-hoc persons entrusted with contributing to credible elections, and has to depend on persons with direct interests in election outcomes to nominate these persons who undertake sensitive jobs directly related to integrity of elections. This is where outright change of figures, violence and vote buying find accommodation. Truth is, INEC is expected to conduct credible elections in a context that has learnt to frustrate it to the level of an art.

Presumably, Amupitan knows he is stepping into an office with, quite possibly, the most difficult job in the world. Those who appointed him will expect him to ‘deliver’. The opposition will suspect him all the way, unless it wins the elections. He will inherit a huge task of pushing vital reforms well before the 2027 elections in a very challenging environment. These reforms are vital for the conduct and credibility of the 2027 elections. Whether they successfully survive a bitter political environment with massive stakes for the administration and the opposition will not depend on their utility to credible elections. The administration, with a huge and frightening muscle and war chest, and an asset in a pliant legislature, will look to see if the reforms will help or hinder its return in 2027. Some National Commissioners will leave during the elections. He has to prepare to deal with the gaps they will leave. If he is eventually sworn-in as Chairman, he will have to live every day of his tenure with the knowledge that he will lead INEC to conduct what will quite possibly be the most challenging and decisive election in Nigeria’s history. 2027 will not be about who leads Nigeria, but whether the democratic system has any future in Nigeria.

Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, also known as Evans, was on Monday re-arraigned before the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, for alleged murder.

The convict is facing a five-count charge, including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Evans, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was arraigned in court by the Lagos State Government for his alleged involvement in the deaths of two police officers during a kidnapping operation in the state.

The matter was transferred to Justice Oyindamola Ogala from Justice Adenike Coker of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

The State Prosecution Counsel, A. O Azeez, announced appearance for the State government when the case was called up, while Charity. O represented Chief Emefo Etudo, on behalf of Evans and L.C Onyejiakor represented his co-defendant, Joseph Ikenna Emeka.

O. A. Azeez acknowledged that the case was a transferred matter and noted that the defendants should be re-arraigned, regardless of any plea bargain applications filed by the first defendant before Justice Coker. The defendants are standing trial for an amended five counts of murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to commit felony, kidnapping and attempt to murder.

Consequently, upon appearance, the charge was read to them, and both defendants pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge.

During the proceedings, the defendants were alleged to have killed Peter Nwaeke on March 27, 2013 around 10:00pm along 3rd Avenue, Festac Town, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of Lagos State.

The offences contravene Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2011.

Evans is currently facing five different criminal cases involving kidnapping and murder, and has already been convicted in just two out of five cases.

Justice Ogala adjourned the matter to November 19, 2025, for hearing and issuance of witness summons.

In a depiction worth a thousand words, Daily Trust cartoonist Mustapha Bulama, captured the reality of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms. One side shows the President gleefully smiling, while the other shows him disapprovingly frowning – both in response to World Bank Report released last week. The reforms – hailed internationally as bold and necessary – has delivered a painful paradox for millions of Nigerians, especially the poor in the North. The World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update (NDU) report of October 8, 2025, titled ‘From Policy to People: Bringing the Reform Gains Home,’ paints a grim picture of worsening poverty, rising inflation, and eroded purchasing power despite claims of macroeconomic stability. While the reforms may have corrected past policy missteps and helped Nigeria avoid a looming fiscal crisis, their social cost has been devastating. The removal of petrol subsidy (raising prices from about N250 to nearly N900 per litre), foreign exchange liberalization, and tax recalibration have all contributed to surging living costs. Inflation, especially food inflation, has pushed basic survival out of reach for many families. T-Pain is real.

In 2023, the northern poor wondered about the meaning of the emblem on President Bola Tinubu’s cap. Today, they know that it is a shackle symbolizing renewed hardship. According to the World Bank, the number of poor Nigerians rose from 81 million in 2019 (40% of the population) to 139 million in 2025, representing 61% of the population. By next year, the figure could reach 141 million, with the poverty rate stabilizing around 61-62% through 2027. Tragically, the majority of these poor Nigerians live in the northern region. The northern states – already grappling with insecurity, weak infrastructure, low industrial base, and fragile education systems – are now witnessing an unprecedented erosion of livelihoods. The reforms, though nationally intended to restore fiscal balance, have translated into a harsher economic reality for ordinary northern households. Food prices have skyrocketed, transport costs have multiplied, and small businesses dependent on cheap energy and stable exchange rates have collapsed. For millions of subsistence farmers in Kano, petty traders in Azare, artisans in Jos, and low-income earners throughout the North, the so-called ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ has so far brought Renewed Hardship.

The World Bank report warned that while macroeconomic indicators may be stabilizing, the benefits have not ‘reached the people.’ It described the recovery as ‘timid’ and insufficient to reverse the devastating loss of livelihoods in the next two years. This situation is particularly acute in the North, where poverty levels are highest and economic diversification is weakest. Northern Nigeria contributes significantly to the national population and holds about 70% of Nigeria’s arable land but lags far behind in economic opportunities. The region’s heavy dependence on fuel and transport-sensitive activities has magnified the negative effects of subsidy removal. Commuting to the farm, irrigation, and harrowing, all require fuel. Rural markets now experience low consumer turnout, while urban centres face rising unemployment and informal sector collapse.

The reforms’ benefits are unevenly distributed – stabilizing fiscal metrics in Abuja and Lagos, but destabilizing kitchens in Kano, Katsina, and Maiduguri. A poor nursing mother in Damaturu may hear you say, ‘Renewed Hope,’ but her crying baby reflects Renewed Hardship.

Interestingly, the same World Bank report revealed a significant fiscal development: for the first time in recent history, state governments collectively received more revenue from the Federation Account than the federal government. In 2024, states got N5.3 trillion compared to the federal government’s N5 trillion. This windfall, largely a result of palliative funds and debt refunds, creates an opportunity – and a moral obligation – for state governments to cushion the suffering of their citizens.

If the federal reforms have strained livelihoods, state governments must now act as shock absorbers. They must design and implement poor-friendly economic policies tailored to their local contexts – from targeted food subsidies, youth empowerment programs, and small-scale industrial support, to improved agricultural productivity and social safety nets. States in the North, flush with increased allocations, can no longer hide behind federal excuses. They must invest strategically in agriculture value chains, rural infrastructure, and skills training to stimulate local economies and reduce dependence on federal interventions.

Behind every percentage point of inflation or poverty is a family in Yola unable to eat, a child dropping out of school in Gusau, a farmer unable to afford fertilizer in Lokoja, and a widow among the industrious people of Bida, losing her small business to rising costs. These are not abstract economic effects – they are human tragedies unfolding across the North. In Lagos, the statistics may invoke pity; in northern cities and towns, they confirm known reality.

Unless immediate corrective actions are taken, Nigeria risks deepening its regional inequalities, sowing the seeds of future instability. Last week, I had a four-day assignment in Ibadan. Every day around 8am, I commuted from the city to a university on the outskirts along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. I used the opportunity to observe my subjects – people going about their daily businesses. I couldn’t help comparing it with similar scenes in Kano City. The tale of the two cities is very revealing. Ibadan is cleaner, has more orderly traffic, fewer potholes on the road and complete absence of Almajiri on the street. The number of manufacturing and other companies along the expressway is staggering. The relatively higher prosperity of Ibadan over Kano is glaring. Inadvertently, I conducted a non-scientific field experiment on the economic disparity between the Southwest and the Northwest. This disparity must be considered for any sustainable economic adjustment in Nigeria. For the North, the economic reforms without social protection are like medicine without dosage – potentially curative, but immediately harmful.

President Tinubu’s reforms may indeed have been unavoidable to avert economic collapse. However, their hasty and poorly sequenced implementation has placed unbearable pressure on the most vulnerable citizens – particularly in northern Nigeria. The federal government must retool its approach to prioritize human welfare alongside fiscal balance. At the same time, northern state governments must seize this moment – not to spend recklessly, but to invest wisely in policies that directly improve the lives of their people. From food security initiatives to localized micro-credit programs and urban employment schemes, the path to recovery must be people-centered.

Reform without inclusion breeds resentment. And unless Nigeria’s economic transformation translates into tangible relief for its northern poor, the promise of ‘Renewed Hope’ will remain, for millions, a renewed hardship or a distant dream.Baba El-Yakubu is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University

The senator representing Bauchi North, Dr. Samaila Dahuwa Kaila, has dumped the leading opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

His defection was announced in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during plenary, on Tuesday.

Senator Kaila, in the letter, cited internal crisis in the PDP as a major reason for his defection.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to urgently address what it described as the growing tendency by some judges to undermine Nigeria’s democracy through controversial court rulings targeting opposition activities.

In a statement on Monday signed by the caucus leader, Hon Fred Agbedi, the lawmakers expressed deep concern over what they termed a disturbing pattern of judicial interference in the internal affairs of political parties.

They warned that if unchecked, such judicial actions could weaken Nigeria’s multiparty system and endanger democratic governance.

The caucus’s position followed a recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declined to grant an interim injunction stopping the PDP from holding its planned meetings and national convention.

However, the court also made pronouncements suggesting that any decisions taken by the party while the suit is pending could be null and void.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by some PDP members – including Austine Nwachukwu, the Imo State chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia State chairman; and Turnah George, South-South secretary – seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to halt all PDP meetings, congresses, and conventions until the case is determined.

Although the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, refused to grant the restraining order requested by the plaintiffs, the PDP caucus said his pronouncements amounted to ‘judicial overreach’ and could embolden anti-democratic elements intent on destabilising the opposition.

The lawmakers described the judge’s remarks as contradictory and capable of being misinterpreted to support those opposed to the PDP’s national convention, which they warned could jeopardise the party’s ability to field candidates in the 2027 elections.

‘These pronouncements clearly empower those who do not want the PDP National Convention to hold. It is worrisome that while the court declined to grant a restraining order, it still made statements that could be interpreted as halting the PDP’s democratic process. This, in our view, constitutes judicial overreach,’ the caucus stated.

The caucus urged the NJC to act decisively to prevent further abuse of judicial authority and protect the judiciary’s integrity from political exploitation.

‘The survival of our democracy depends on the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary. The NJC must ensure that no court becomes a willing tool for the subversion of the people’s will or the destabilisation of political institutions,’ the lawmakers concluded.

Leadership is often spoken about in abstract terms – vision, influence, and motivation. Still, for Dr. Adil Quraish, leadership was forged in a particular crucible: the United States Air Force Officer Training School. Long before he became a private investor, strategic advisor, and mentor to executives, his formative years in the military instilled values and lessons that continue to shape his professional mission today. For Dr. Quraish, leadership is not just about making decisions from the top. It is about service, humility, and clarity in times of uncertainty.

This article explores how his Air Force experience taught him practical lessons that extend far beyond the military, guiding how he approaches business, mentorship, and personal legacy.

Courtesy as the Foundation of Respect

One of the first lessons Dr. Adil Quraish learned at Officer Training School was the importance of courtesy. Rising to greet an instructor, waiting until everyone was seated before beginning a meal, or acknowledging peers with formal greetings seem like small rituals. Still, they established a culture of mutual respect.

SPONSOR AD

For Dr. Quraish, this early emphasis showed that leadership is not about commanding from above – it is about treating people with dignity, regardless of their rank or title. In boardrooms and advisory sessions today, he draws from this mindset, fostering environments where respect builds cohesion, even when pressure is high.

The Power of Presentation

Appearance and presentation were not optional in the Air Force, and Dr. Quraish quickly absorbed that lesson. Uniforms had to be precise, grooming immaculate, and posture sharp. These details communicated discipline and seriousness long before a word was spoken.

Today, whether advising an executive team or addressing future leaders, Dr. Adil Quraish emphasizes that leadership begins with how one presents oneself. A leader sets the tone by modeling excellence, and those around him or her naturally rise to that level. In his view, presentation is not vanity – it is a reflection of standards.

Discipline in the Details

Even the most minor tasks, such as folding laundry to exact specifications or rolling socks the right way, were treated as essential training in discipline. While some might dismiss these routines as trivial, Dr. Quraish understood them as micro-tests of character.

To this day, he carries that discipline into his professional life. For him, the small things – answering messages promptly, preparing thoroughly, and following through – are what build credibility. Leaders who neglect the details eventually find their organizations slipping in larger ways. Dr. Adil Quraish believes consistency in the little things creates momentum for big achievements.

Integrity First

The Air Force’s core value of ‘Integrity First’ became the compass that guided Dr. Adil Quraish through his military years and continues to steer his business decisions. Leadership without integrity, he often notes, is unsustainable. Whether someone is watching or not, a leader’s decisions must align with principles.

Integrity, for Dr. Quraish, is not about perfection but about honest intention. Mistakes happen in any organization, but if the foundation is built on truth and accountability, recovery and growth remain possible. He brings this value into every advisory relationship, knowing that trust is the bedrock of long-term success.

Service Before Self

Another Air Force principle that shaped Dr. Quraish was the idea of service before self. This perspective shifted how he viewed leadership – not as a position of privilege, but as a responsibility to others. Even as a CEO and later as a private investor, he continues to see his role as one of service: to clients, to teams, and to the next generation of leaders.

In his words, authentic leadership is not transactional. It is about giving more than you take and prioritizing the mission over personal gain. That belief has guided his career trajectory and his mentorship philosophy.

Excellence in All We Do

From the smallest task to the most complex mission, the Air Force standard was always excellence. Mediocrity was never acceptable, and that mindset remains with Dr. Quraish. Excellence is not about grand gestures; it is built on small, consistent acts performed with diligence.

For Dr. Adil Quraish, this principle informs everything from how he structures investments to how he engages with mentees. He knows that when leaders demand excellence of themselves, it sets a cultural tone that inspires others to give their best as well.

Learning from Mentors and Role Models

During his service, Dr. Quraish was mentored by experienced commanders whose leadership was not only taught but embodied. These figures didn’t just deliver lectures on leadership; they lived it daily through humility, decisiveness, and clarity in the face of pressure.

The influence of those mentors gave Dr. Adil Quraish a living example of the kind of leader he aspired to be. He has carried that lesson into his civilian career by offering mentorship to others, believing that leadership is multiplied when shared.

Understanding People with DiSC

One practical tool that stood out during his training was the DISC personality assessment. It revealed the diversity of human behavior and motivation. For Dr. Quraish, it was an eye-opening moment that not everyone thinks, feels, or responds in the same way – and that diversity makes teams stronger.

In his advisory work today, he uses similar principles to help leaders understand their people more deeply. Effective leadership, he explains, requires adapting to individual personalities while maintaining clarity of mission.

The ‘Why’ Behind the Pain

Training was both physically and mentally exhausting, often pushing cadets to their limits. But when an instructor explained that attention to detail could one day save lives in combat, everything made sense. For Dr. Adil Quraish, that moment crystallized the importance of understanding the ‘why’ behind effort and discipline.

In business, he applies the same principle: when people understand the purpose behind their work, they find motivation even in difficulty. Purpose turns struggle into growth.

Humility as True Strength

Perhaps the most profound lesson of all was humility. While movies glorify bravado, the true heroes Dr. Quraish encountered were humble and grounded. They listened more than they spoke, admitted mistakes, and made decisions with clarity.

This humility became what he now calls his ‘superpower.’ Dr. Adil Quraish believes humility opens the door to growth, innovation, and trust. It tempers confidence with awareness and creates a kind of leadership that inspires loyalty rather than fear.

Carrying Military Lessons into Civilian Life

Today, as a private investor, advisor, and mentor, Dr. Quraish still hears the echoes of Officer Training School. Courtesy, presentation, discipline, integrity, service, excellence, mentorship, empathy, clarity, and humility – all are woven into how he leads, invests, and builds his legacy.

For him, the military was not just preparation for a career. It was preparation for life. These principles guide him in his mission to empower others, build generational impact, and serve with conviction.

Conclusion

The lessons of the Air Force are timeless, and for Dr. Adil Quraish, they have become the pillars of his personal and professional journey. With respect to humility, from discipline to service, these values are not confined to the military – they apply in every boardroom, classroom, and community.

As he often reminds others, leadership is not about being at the top. It is about living with integrity, serving others, and striving for excellence in all things. Those principles, forged in uniform, continue to define Dr. Adil Quraish’s legacy today.

Two siblings have been swept away by floods following a downpour in Eligbolo community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, while trying to assist someone who was trapped in the flood.

The two brothers, identified as Emma and Peters, were said to be between the ages of 17 and 16 as of the time of their death.

Residents of the area told Daily Trust that the incident happened on Sunday after a heavy downpour.

According to them, the siblings successfully assisted the person trapped to safety, but on their way back, Emma’s footwear slipped off, and as they tried to retrieve it, the strong current swept them away.

Meanwhile, some residents in the area blamed the tragedy on an overflowing canal along G.U. Ake Road in Obio/Akpor LGA, which they said has caused constant flooding in the area and called on the state government for assistance. The manager of a guest house, simply identified as Augustina, said all rooms in the facility were ravaged by the floods, which damaged many items.

‘I have never experienced this type of flood before in my life. Everything inside the hotel have been soaked in water. The government should come and help us,’ she said.

Police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said an investigation was ongoing, even as she condoled with the families of the boys.

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State was at the House of Representatives, on Tuesday, to witness the defection of three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Kaduna lawmakers whose defections were announced by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary include Abdulkarim Hussain Mohammed, Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi and Sadiq Ango Abdullahi.

Uba Sani alongside members of the entourage was ushered into the chamber after the House suspended its rule to allow him witness the session.

SPONSOR AD

Speaker Abbas announced to the House that the governor was in the chamber to witness the defections of the PDP lawmakers. The lawmakers, according to their separate letters read by the Speaker, hinged their decisions on the lingering crisis within the PDP.

Shortly after the announcement of their defections, the governor led the decampees to the Speaker for handshake and group photographs shortly after which he and his entourage took their leave.

Meanwhile, the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, has kicked against the defections, urging the Speaker to declare their seats vacant in line with Section 68 (1g) of the 1999 Constitution.

Lance Corporal Akenleye Femi, a serving soldier at the 221 Battalion, Wawa Can-tonment, Borgu LGA of Niger State, has reportedly committed suicide after alleg-edly killing his wife.

The Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Captain Stephen Nwankwo, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting it happened on October 11, 2025.

He said the tragedy caused a tense atmosphere, leaving barracks residents in shock as to the circumstances that could have led to such an incident.

The statement read: ‘The 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army (NA), is aware of the news in respect of its personnel, Lance Corporal Akenleye Femi, serving at 221 Battalion, Wawa Cantonment who is suspected to have killed his wife and com-mitted suicide. The tragic incident, which occurred on 11 October 2025 at Wawa Cantonment, Niger State, has caused a tensed atmosphere, leaving the barracks residents in shock as to the circumstances that could have led to such unfortunate incident.

‘Lance Corporal Femi and his wife were suddenly found dead in their apartment at Block 15, Room 24, Corporals and Below Quarters, Wawa Cantonment. Prelimi-nary investigation revealed that the soldier was on duty within the Cantonment, and had sought permission from his superior to attend to personal needs and re-turn to duty. This followed the discovery of the dead bodies lying in their apart-ment,’ he said.

Captain Nwankwo said the remains of the deceased have been preserved, and an in-depth investigation has commenced to ascertain the circumstances surround-ing the tragic incident.

‘The NA deeply regrets this, while it commiserates with the family, colleagues, and friends of the deceased over the painful loss. The army also prays for the peaceful repose of their souls.

‘The Commander 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Ezra Barkins, assures the general public that the circumstances that led to the sad incident will be thor-oughly investigated, and the outcome relayed to the general public accordingly.

‘The NA anticipates maximum understanding and cooperation of the public as al-ways, assuring that the outcome of the investigation will not only be made public, but will be further scrutinised, and measures put in place to avoid future occur-rences,’ he added.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has once again sanctioned Kano Pillars FC, bringing the club’s total financial penalties to a staggering N46m over the past six years.

The latest punishment – a N9.5m fine following violent scenes during their Match Day 8 fixture against Shooting Stars FC on October 12, 2025 – has reignited debate over the club’s persistent disciplinary troubles.

In a Summary Jurisdiction Notice issued on October 13, 2025, the NPFL found Kano Pillars guilty of multiple breaches of league regulations after their supporters invaded restricted areas at the Sani Abacha Stadium, assaulting match officials and visiting players.

The league described the incident as ‘a grave breach of security and sportsmanship,’ emphasizing its commitment to curbing violence in Nigerian football. The latest sanctions include N1m for failure to provide adequate security, N1m for throwing dangerous objects onto the pitch, N1m for failure to control supporters’ conduct, and another N1m for misconduct bringing the game into disrepute. Additionally, the club faces N2m for assaults on players and officials, N2m in compensation for medical and treatment costs, and N1.5m as compensation to match officials.

Beyond the financial penalties, the NPFL also deducted three points and three goals from Kano Pillars’ league tally and closed the Sani Abacha Stadium indefinitely – or for at least ten home matches – relocating their home games to Katsina. The club has been ordered to identify and prosecute the culprits involved and submit a revised crowd-control and security framework within seven working days.This latest sanction adds to a long list of penalties stretching back to 2019, underscoring a troubling pattern of indiscipline. The club was fined N8m in 2019, N2.5m and N9m in early 2022, N2.25m in June 2022, N1m in October 2023, and a record N12m in January 2024. By October 2024, another N2m fine followed for fan-related misconduct.

The incident has reignited discussions around crowd control and stadium safety in Nigerian football, as the NPFL continues its efforts to enforce discipline and professional standards across all participating clubs.