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About six months to the deadline for the conclusion of the recapitalisation programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for all deposit money banks to raise minimum capital, banks are intensifying their capital raising drive to meet the target.

One of the expected fall-outs of the ongoing capital raising programme of the CBN is what industry analysts call MandA known in full as merger and acquisition. While some banks may be acquired outright, others would merge to become an entity strong enough to meet the recapitalisation.

The Providus-Unity Bank followed the latter in an effort to form a strong synergy not only to meet the recapitalisation but to strengthen the financial system, boost investors’ confidence and give value to the shareholders.

Recently shareholders and boards of Providus Bank and Unity Bank overwhelmingly approved a business combination of the two institutions at a court-ordered Extraordinary General Meeting, marking a significant moment for Nigeria’s banking sector.

In a joint statement, both banks expressed deep appreciation to the apex bank for its foresight, determination and steadfast support of a stronger financial system.

According to them, the regulator’s backing of the transaction underscores its commitment to resilience, stability, and customer confidence.

‘This regulatory support is not only shaping healthier banks, but also inspiring the confidence of businesses, investors, and everyday Nigerians that our financial system is ready to serve as a cornerstone for sustainable growth,’ the statement noted.

The vote was also a signal to the markets, to regulators, and to the wider public that Nigeria’s banking sector remains robust and forward-looking.

In affirming the merger, the statement said shareholders have helped to reinforce the confidence that underpins economic stability.

‘It is a statement that Nigerian banks are prepared to adapt, consolidate, and grow in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s vision of a stronger and more resilient financial system-and ultimately, its aspiration to support Nigeria’s transition into a trillion-dollar economy.’

The merged institution will launch with a solid capital base, a nationwide footprint of approximately 230 branches, and the capacity to serve businesses, households, and government agencies across the country.

Unity Bank brings to the table an age-long legacy of seamless service to customers while Providus adds a reputation for innovation and excellent digital banking platforms, creating a combined bank capable of competing at the highest level.

‘The enlarged bank will provide the backbone for businesses to thrive and communities to prosper’, the statement assured.

The statement added that the merger of the two institutions, when completed, would secure jobs, protect livelihoods, and create new opportunities within a bigger, stronger, and future-oriented institution. ‘The success of this merger rests not only on systems and balance sheets but on people-and their contribution will be safeguarded and celebrated.’

‘This historic transaction is not simply about numbers; it is about confidence in the Nigeria financial system. By combining Providus Bank and Unity Bank, we are creating an institution of scale and substance- that will give confidence to customers, strength to the financial system and create opportunity for our people,’ the statement added.

Following the deal, Providus climbed into the top tier of Nigeria’s lenders, emerging as the ninth-largest bank by assets after its merger with Unity Bank, bringing stronger capital adequacy, broader reach, and more enhanced digital footprints.

Analysts say the merger represents not just the unification of assets but also a strategic step towards creating a stronger, healthier and more competitive financial institution ready to take on bigger exploits in no distant future.

‘This merger represents stability, confidence, assurance and sends a strong message to the investing public that the new entity is ready for business.

At a time when the Unity Bank brand struggles to maintain a strong balance sheet, the merger with Providus provides an opportunity to scale up and boost customers’ confidence.

The Providus-Unity deal also represents a test of the industry’s ability to inspire confidence. By prioritising transparency, safeguarding shareholder interests, and building a culture of accountability, analysts say the new entity is expected to play a central role in deepening financial inclusion and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s banking system.

The success of this merger could well determine how future business combinations are perceived-not merely as survival strategies, but as platforms for lasting value creation.

In addition, the merger ushers in a new chapter – a bank that is bigger in ambition, broader in reach, and stronger in capacity.

With enhanced technology platforms, deeper capital strength, and a commitment to customer service, the enlarged bank will stand as both a guardian of stability and a catalyst for growth in Nigeria’s journey toward a trillion-dollar economy.

Providus Bank began operations in June 2017. It is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide banking services to individuals and businesses. The bank has a strong IT infrastructure and digital channels which it deploys to provide exceptional service to our customers so they can achieve their objectives.

Providus Bank is an innovative ?nancial institution that provides personal, private, corporate, commercial and digital banking products and solutions.

Its tailored ?nancial services delivery includes: Business Advisory, Portfolio Management, Personalised Relationship Management, Fast-tracked Service delivery and Self-service solutions. Providus Bank competitive advantage in Private, Institutional, Business and Personal Banking is driven by the philosophy to create support and value for Institutions, Agencies, SMEs and HNIs.

Its business development strategy also focuses on developing expertise and collaborating to improve the non-oil (emerging) sector of the Nigerian Economy, which includes but not limited to Agriculture, Mining, Hospitality, E-commerce, and Art and Entertainment.

Providus Bank believes that the New World of Fast, Smart, Personal, and Borderless banking relationship is here. We are therefore inspired by our Future Forward Banking ethos to make life (at work and leisure) more exciting for our partners with the use of cutting-edge technology that delivers best-in-class customer satisfaction.

In less than 10 years, Providus Bank has emerged as one of the fastest-growing financial institutions in the country.

Through this merger, Providus aims to transform from a niche player into a national bank, leveraging Unity Bank’s over 211-branch network spread across all 36 states and the FCT.

Speaking recently following the bank’s recognition as one of the best workplaces in banking in 2025 by the Great Place to Work (GPTW), the Managing Director/CEO, Providus Bank, Walter Akpani, attributed it to the quality of staff at the financial institution.

‘Our people are at the very heart of what we do. This recognition is a tribute to their hard work, creativity and dedication,’ he noted.

Also, the Group Head of Human Resources at ProvidusBank, Kingsley Ogirri, said the recognition reflected the experiences of employees themselves.

‘It is proof that the policies and programmes we have put in place are making a difference, from opportunities for growth, to wellness initiatives, to creating a space where everyone feels valued,’ he added.

Confidence building, stability

Proshare analysts say the Unity-Providus Bank business combination ‘will undoubtedly strengthen Nigeria’s banking sector by supporting further stability and building confidence in the industry; however, fixing a crack by plastering over a house wall does not resolve the underlying foundational defect.’

In a report titled, ‘Unity-Providus Business Combination Maths: Between Expediency and Technical Financial Logic,’ the analysts stressed that ‘regulatory discretions need to be structured to eliminate the unintended signalling of bias and fiscal indiscretion.’

The University of Calabar has been officially named the host of the 2026 Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games, marking the return of the country’s premier university sports festival to Calabar after 35 years.

The announcement was made by Dr. Michael Ajibua, Acting President of NUGA, alongside Mr. Yunusa Bazza, Secretary-General, and Prof. Musa Yakasai, Chairman of the Technical Committee.

The formal presentation of the hosting rights took place at the office of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, in the presence of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by Papa Enamhe and other key stakeholders.

Before the official declaration, the NUGA delegation conducted a comprehensive inspection tour of proposed venues, including the U.J. Esuene Sports Complex, St. Patrick’s College, and several facilities within the University of Calabar campus such as the Abraham Ordia Stadium, tennis and basketball courts, multipurpose halls, and swimming pool.

One of the highlights of the tour was the unveiling of the university’s newly constructed tennis court, which Dr. Ajibua described as ‘the best in any Nigerian university.’ He praised the university’s preparedness, noting that ‘the institution already has world-class facilities capable of hosting the Games within six months.’

Prof. Yakasai echoed this confidence, revealing that ’90 per cent of the facilities are already in place,’ and expressed optimism that UNICAL would deliver ‘the best NUGA Games in history,’ just as it did in 1990.

The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Agnes Atsu, who pledged the state government’s full support under Governor Bassey Otu. She described the return of the Games as ‘a welcome innovation aligned with the administration’s people-focused agenda.’

In her remarks, an elated Prof. Obi thanked NUGA for the trust reposed in the institution, assuring that the University of Calabar would continue upgrading its facilities to international standards. She promised that ‘the 2026 Games will exceed expectations and reaffirm UNICAL’s place in Nigerian university sports history.’

Across the world, governments are rethinking the role of digital devices in classrooms. Digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches are electronic tools that enable communication, information access, and interactive learning. While they have become central to modern education, their overuse is now under scrutiny. Countries once hailed for their rapid embrace of technology are now reversing course, citing evidence of declining attention spans, concentration, difficulty with information retention and a rise in what experts call digital dementia, a condition where overdependence on screens leads to memory lapses, poor focus, and a decline in cognitive abilities once strengthened by handwriting, deep reading, and sustained attention.

South Korea recently passed a landmark law to ban mobile phones and digital devices in classrooms beginning March 2026, after surveys revealed that more than a third of students admitted social media disrupted their daily lives and a fifth reported feeling anxious when separated from their devices. Brazil followed suit earlier this year, passing federal legislation that restricts smartphones in both public and private schools, a move already showing benefits in improved social interaction. Madrid is going even further, from September 2025, computers and tablets in primary schools will be capped at just two hours a week, with no screen-based homework. Meanwhile, the Netherlands outlawed mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches in classrooms from January 2024, and Italy expanded its classroom bans in 2025 to cover high school students, requiring devices to be locked away during lessons.

Importantly, these policies are not blanket rejections of technology. Exceptions are made for students with disabilities or specific learning needs, where digital devices serve as assistive tools to aid communication, comprehension, and inclusion in the classroom. When used thoughtfully, technology can even scaffold learning just as psychologist Lev Vygotsky emphasised in his theory of the ‘zone of proximal development.’ With proper guidance, devices can provide the right level of support to help children grasp new concepts, build skills, and bridge learning gaps.

The challenge, however, is balance. Nigeria is moving in the opposite direction of these global shifts. Instead of limiting device use, our schools are pressing forward with greater integration, encouraging students to type assignments and use screens as their primary learning tool. Handwriting, once central to cognitive development, is being quietly phased out. Yet research shows that handwriting engages multiple areas of the brain, strengthens memory, develops fine motor skills, and cultivates patience and concentration in ways typing cannot replicate. By sidelining it, we risk raising a generation that types faster but remembers less, focuses less, and thinks less deeply.

The problem is not limited to the classroom. After school, many Nigerian students return home and pick up the same devices, this time for endless scrolling through social media. What starts as three or more hours of structured device use in class extends into many more hours of unstructured use at home. This ‘double shift’ of screen exposure fragments attention, creates dependency, and gradually undermines the brain’s ability to process information in depth. Worse still, digital devices in schools are not always used for learning. Increasingly, reports from teachers worldwide draw attention to how students misuse them for bullying, gaming, or social media chats, sometimes even while lessons are in progress. Instead of enhancing focus, devices can become a gateway to distraction, ridicule, and cyber-harassment, eroding the safety and seriousness of the classroom.

Educational psychologists warn that unregulated device use in childhood and adolescence has long-term implications. They point to rising cases of poor impulse control, reduced face-to-face social skills, shortened attention spans, and sleep disorders, trends strongly linked to screen overexposure. ‘The brain is like a muscle,’ one psychologist explains. ‘When children stop exercising their memory through handwriting, storytelling, or deep reading, those neural pathways weaken. Devices give quick answers, but they do not train the brain to think critically or remember deeply.’

Global studies reinforce these concerns. School-aged children now spend an average of four to six hours daily on electronic devices, while teenagers often exceed nine hours, far above the recommended one to two hours for healthy development. This heavy use also exposes them to the hidden toxicity of blue light, which suppresses melatonin and disrupts sleep cycles. As a result, many children and teens stay up late at night, glued to glowing screens, sacrificing the deep sleep essential for memory, emotional balance, and focus.

So, what can parents do? Educational psychologists recommend setting healthy digital boundaries at home, encouraging ‘device-free zones’ such as bedrooms and dinner tables, monitoring nighttime use to prevent sleep disruption, and balancing screen time with handwriting, outdoor play, physical activity, and family conversations. Parents are also urged to model responsible digital habits themselves, since children often imitate adult behaviors. Most importantly, families can reinforce the value of handwriting by encouraging journaling, letter-writing, or note-taking, ensuring that children develop cognitive depth alongside digital literacy.

What we are witnessing is not simply a battle over teaching tools. It is about the kind of learners and citizens; we are shaping for the future. If children are trained to rely on devices for both learning and leisure without boundaries, they risk losing the very skills education is meant to build: focus, memory, patience, and critical thinking.

Digital literacy is vital in today’s world, but balance is even more crucial. Other nations are not rejecting technology outright; they are setting boundaries to safeguard young minds. Nigeria must take heed. The task before us is to prepare our children for a digital future without sacrificing their cognitive, emotional, and cultural development. That means blending, not replacing, preserving handwriting, deep reading, and face-to-face learning while using technology thoughtfully as a scaffold for growth and inclusion.

If we fail to strike this balance, we may find ourselves raising a generation that is digitally savvy but mentally scattered, more connected online but less capable of sustained thought, problem-solving, or creativity. And that is too high a price to pay for convenience.

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 World Teachers’ Day, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and education experts expressed deep concern over the worsening state of the country’s education sector, citing an acute shortage of qualified teachers, poor welfare conditions, and inadequate funding.

Speaking at the celebration held at Eagle Square, Abuja, the NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, said statistics from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) showed that public primary schools across the country face a shortfall of 194,876 teachers.

It will be recalled that during the 2022 edition of World Teachers’ Day, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Audrey Azoulay, disclosed that the world would need 69 million new teachers by 2030 to achieve universal basic education.

‘It is alarming that Nigeria has a shortage of 194,876 teachers in public primary schools across the country. The situation in our secondary schools is not encouraging either. This manpower crisis has grave implications for the quality of education and learning outcomes in our schools,’ Amba said.

He warned that the acute shortage undermines Nigeria’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on inclusive and equitable quality education and urged all tiers of government to act decisively.

‘We add our voice to the global call to make teaching more attractive to younger generations. Government must employ the right number and quality of teachers to sustain effective education delivery in our school system,’ he added.

Pledges on teachers’ welfare unfulfilled

Amba also expressed frustration over unfulfilled promises to improve teachers’ welfare, despite commitments made since 2020. He recalled that the federal government, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, approved several incentives – including a special salary scale, harmonised retirement age, and low-cost housing for rural teachers – but lamented that many remain unimplemented.

‘It is worrisome that apart from the new retirement age of 65 years, which has been implemented by 22 states and the FCT, most of the approved incentives have not been fulfilled. We call on both federal and state governments to fully implement these welfare packages to restore dignity and pride to the teaching profession,’ he said.

On the implementation of the 2024 National Minimum Wage, the NUT President revealed that ten states had not fully implemented the new wage, while four were yet to begin.

The union also raised concerns about poor education funding, noting that Nigeria continues to fall below international standards recommending that countries allocate 4-6% of GDP or 15-20% of total public expenditure to education.

Amba disclosed that as of March 2024, about N54 billion in matching grants from the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme remained unaccessed by some states and the FCT due to failure to meet counterpart funding requirements.

‘The inability of states to draw down these funds has further crippled efforts to strengthen the basic education sub-sector and improve teaching conditions,’ he said.

The NUT also condemned the recent move by the Edo State Government to hand over some public schools to private institutions and voluntary agencies, describing it as a step that undermines the principles of free and universal education.

The union said such actions threaten accessibility and equity, particularly for vulnerable groups such as girls, children with disabilities, and those in rural areas.

It called on the Edo State Government to reverse the policy and uphold its constitutional obligation to provide inclusive and equitable education.

The union also reiterated the importance of teacher welfare, referencing a 2008 ILO/UNESCO report that highlights teachers’ well-being as key to attracting and retaining qualified professionals.

Teachers’ pay not encouraging

Mr. Bobby Winful of Federal Government Boys College, Abuja, attributed the shortage of teachers to several factors, including poor welfare packages and a declining number of certified teachers entering the profession.

‘We are having this shortage because the welfare package is not encouraging. The salaries are not forthcoming. Just imagine teachers going to work for three years without salaries. And we have a decreased number of qualified and certified teachers as most students avoid studying education in the university, and that’s because they are aware of the poor working conditions, welfare package and salaries,’ he said.

The Director of Chalcedony Group of Schools, Dr. Mary Chinwuba, attributed the worsening shortage of teachers in the country to burnout and poor working conditions, calling for urgent measures to improve teachers’ welfare.

‘We are facing acute shortages because teachers are burning out easily due to low pay and high attrition rates. To address this, salaries should be increased alongside improved working conditions and adequate support. There should also be deliberate efforts to recruit more teachers into training programmes and retain experienced staff through better policies, enhanced professional autonomy, and a more positive school environment,’ she said.

The Director of Tekash Group of Schools, Abuja, Mrs. Adadazu Nengi, blamed the situation on the influx of unqualified and disinterested individuals into the teaching profession.

‘The teaching profession has this shortage because people are not interested in the job. Even those in it are there because of a lack of jobs. Most are not qualified to teach. Also, those who are qualified don’t want to teach because the pay is poor, coupled with the poor economy. Most have gone the route of japa after obtaining the necessary teaching qualification,’ she said.

Similarly, Ms. Adaora Nwafor of Funtaj International School observed that the teaching profession has lost its prestige, as many people feel reluctant to identify as teachers due to the low pay and poor perception of the job.

‘Teachers are faced with poor numeration as they go home with peanuts. To bridge this gap, teachers should have health insurance scheme, housing allowance and other incentives. It is said our reward is in heaven, but it will be nice to enjoy the reward on earth. What if a teacher doesn’t make it to heaven? At least he should enjoy it on earth. We are nation builders and we should be paid well,’ she said.

Govt urges teachers to collaborate

In his keynote address, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, reaffirmed the government’s recognition of teachers as the foundation of national progress.

‘Teachers remain the bedrock of human capital development and the cornerstone of national progress. Rewarding teachers is not just an act of recognition-it is an investment in quality education, student achievement, and the future of our nation,’ Dr. Alausa said.

Dr. Alausa outlined several reforms aimed at revitalising the profession, including the National Teacher Policy, TRCN’s regulatory oversight, NTI’s continuous professional development, and UBEC’s capacity-building initiatives.

‘The ministry is leveraging ICT to connect teachers across states and provide access to global best practices. Peer support structures are being encouraged nationwide to promote shared learning and innovation,’ he said.

Dr. Alausa urged teacher unions, parents, community leaders, and development partners to work together to achieve the goals of the Education for Renewed Hope Agenda and SDG 4.

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, highlighted ongoing government efforts to enhance the teaching profession through digital literacy initiatives and professional learning communities.

‘The realities of modern education demand that teachers work together-sharing expertise, supporting one another, and learning collectively,’ she said.

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, called for renewed efforts to support teachers through professional development and policy implementation.

‘When Nigerian teachers collaborate and thrive, our children learn better, our schools become stronger, and our nation is assured of a brighter future,’ he said.

4 govs honoured for improving teachers’ welfare

Meanwhile, four governors were honoured for their exceptional contributions to improving teacher welfare and education delivery in their respective states.

The award ceremony, held at Eagle Square, Abuja, recognised the Governors of Katsina, Adamawa, Kogi, and Delta States for implementing teacher-friendly policies, expanding access to education, and enhancing the teaching and learning environment.

In Katsina State, Governor Dikko Umar Radda was celebrated for recruiting 7,325 teachers to bridge manpower gaps in schools, approving and implementing a N70,000 minimum wage, and constructing over 3,000 classrooms and staff quarters in hard-to-reach areas.

In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri was recognised for employing 5,000 teachers, constructing model schools across all 21 local government areas, and renovating an additional 6,000 classrooms.

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, also received accolades for acceding to teachers’ long-standing demand for 100% salary payment and promptly implementing a N72,500 minimum wage since October 2024.

His administration appointed classroom teachers as education secretaries and permanent secretaries, and rehabilitated over 4,000 classrooms across the 21 LGAs.

Similarly, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, was honoured for his administration’s remarkable progress under the M.O.R.E. Agenda, including the full implementation of the national minimum wage, unconditional approval of teachers’ retirement age extension, and recruitment of 5,000 teachers between 2022 and 2023.

The state was also commended for the prompt promotion and regular salary payment of teachers and the appointment of qualified principals as permanent secretaries.

Nigerians across the United States on Saturday turned New York into a sea of colour, music, and patriotism as they celebrated the 2025 Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Carnival.

The event brought together thousands of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from across the US and beyond.

The parade procession, which stretched from East 38th Street to East 24th Street along Madison Avenue, shut down the busy midtown corridor to traffic.

It was led by the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), in collaboration with the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York and other partner organisations.

Uniformed contingents from the New York Police Department, the New York City Department of Correction and other diaspora groups marched alongside Nigerian cultural associations, professional bodies, religious organisations and youth groups.

The vibrant floats, traditional attire and dance troupes drew cheers from spectators lining the streets.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Abubakar Jidda; UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed; and the Acting Ambassador of Nigeria to the US, Amb. Samson Itegboje.

Following the parade, the event transitioned into a full carnival at Madison Square Park, featuring electrifying musical performances and cultural displays, including those by Chinese dance troupes.

Popular Nigerian artist Bella Shmurda headlined the entertainment, thrilling the youthful crowd and energising the festival atmosphere.

In his remarks, Jidda congratulated Nigerians in the diaspora and commended the organisers for sustaining the parade and carnival annually since 1991.

‘Nigeria remains a great nation, and 65 years of independence is worth celebrating in spite of its challenges,’ Jidda said.

‘Our people are our strength, and Nigerians have been a blessing to the world, particularly here in the United States, where our human resources continue to excel,’ he said.

Jidda noted that Nigeria remains the only African nation that hosts a full-scale Independence Day parade and carnival in New York City – a tradition that has positioned Nigerians as a visible and influential diaspora community.

Team Brazil yesterday claimed victory at the E1 Lagos Powerboat Racing Championship, securing their first win of the 2025 UIM E1 World Championship season.

Piloted by Timmy Hansen and Marit Strømøy, the team overcame stormy weather conditions that delayed the race for nearly two hours, powering through the turbulent Lagos Lagoon to take the top spot.

Owned by the Claure Group, Team Brazil amassed 38 points after dominating the qualifying session to claim pole position in what was the first-ever all-electric powerboat race held on African waters.

In a fiercely contested final, Team Blue Rising finished second with 30 points, while Team Drogba took third with 28 points.

After six rounds of the second E1 season, Team Brady maintains a narrow lead at the top of the overall standings with 154 points, just three points ahead of Team Rafa, while Team Blue Rising sits third with 145 points.

The championship now heads to Miami on November 7-8, where the season finale will determine whether Team Brady can defend their crown in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.

Rodi Basso, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of E1, described the hospitality and reception in Lagos as ‘warm,’ saying the event has unlocked economic potential for the state.

‘The warm welcome we have received in Lagos has been incredible. The people and passion of Nigeria have made this historic E1 Lagos GP, presented by FirstBank, possible, and I feel a great sense of pride that we have made racing here a reality.

‘Our ambition is to build a motorsport legacy in Africa. This weekend’s race is just the beginning, and today’s qualifying sessions have provided a thrilling taste of what’s to come on race day tomorrow,’ he said.

Lagos made history by becoming the first African city to host the E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing series.

The race drew thousands of spectators to the waterfront, as excitement built across Lagos. Among those in attendance were African football icon Didier Drogba and his partner Gabrielle Lemaire, who were instrumental in bringing E1 to the continent.

Suspected phone snatchers on a motorcycle have reportedly stabbed and injured a man identified as Lawal Ibrahim while escaping with his phone in the Dagiri community in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

A resident of Dagiri, Samaila Alhassan, said the incident happened on Wednesday, near the LEA Primary School in the area.

He said the victim was returning from a shop where he went to buy some items around 9:47 p.m. when two phone snatchers on a motorcycle attacked him with a knife.

He said he was inside his house when he heard the victim screaming through the window, and he quickly rushed out to find the victim lying on the ground in a pool of his blood.

‘It was at that point I quickly alerted some vigilantes who arrived at the scene. But by then, the hoodlums had already fled on their bike,’ he said.

Alhassan said the victim, who was stabbed in the right arm, was immediately rushed to the hospital by the vigilante.

A member of the vigilante, Dahiru Usman, also confirmed the incident to our reporter via telephone on Thursday.

He said the victim was attacked by two young men on a bike who later escaped with the victim’s phone, adding that the victim has since been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The vigilante member, who decried the frequent cases of phone snatching in the Dagiri and Bako communities, said, ‘In fact, there is no day that passes by without a report of hoodlums attacking residents and escaping with their phones.’

A police source in Gwagwalada who preferred anonymity also confirmed the incident, saying the police are investigating the matter and are working to track down the hoodlums.

The Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) has called on the federal government to immediately dismantle entrenched cabals within the oil and gas sector to enable the industry to achieve its full potential.

CIFCFIN’s Chairman, Governing Council, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, made the call in a statement to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day anniversary, urging a four-pronged approach to eliminate systemic obstruction and economic sabotage in the sector.

He said the government should invoke all relevant legal instruments, including the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to classify such obstructive actions as economic sabotage. He also advised the government to assert its executive authority against individuals or groups holding the economy to ransom and eroding public trust in governance.

According to him, strategic national assets such as the Dangote Refinery should be designated as critical infrastructure deserving maximum protection.

He further urged the government to encourage more private sector investment in the oil and gas industry to foster competition and efficiency, as seen in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

Gashinbaki said forensic analysis conducted by the institute exposed how powerful cabals operating through proxy institutions and unions have continued to frustrate progress, perpetuate scarcity, and sustain import dependency.

The CIFCFIN chairman disclosed that investigations confirmed Nigeria’s vast resources of over 37 billion barrels of oil and 208 trillion cubic feet of gas-enough to power and industrialize the economy for generations. Yet, he lamented that the nation’s domestic refining history remains marred by chronic inefficiency and failure.

‘The Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries now stand as failed monuments, forcing the country to export crude oil while importing refined products-an economic paradox that has drained national wealth,’ Gashinbaki said.

He declared CIFCFIN’s support for the Dangote Refinery amid its recent standoff with PENGASSAN and commended the federal government for intervening.

Describing the 650,000-barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a transformative breakthrough, Gashinbaki said it demonstrates what private enterprise can achieve where public institutions have failed.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians and the Federal Government to defend the promise of private sector-led energy independence and ‘finally declare freedom from the cabals that have long undermined national progress.’

Vigilantes have arrested a suspect, identified as Peters Shina, for allegedly vandalizing high-tension electricity cables along Ashara village in the Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

A member of the vigilante, Yunusa Saidu, said the suspect was arrested on Thursday, around 4:23 pm., after some villagers saw him and immediately raised an alarm.

He said the suspect ‘confidently went to where some of the high-tension cables had fallen down and started cutting the cable.’

He added that the vigilante quickly mobilized to the scene and arrested him.

He said the suspect, who is a native from Kabba, Kogi State, but resides in Gwako village near Gwagwalada, confessed to the stealing of the cables, adding that he has been handed over to the police in the Danagra Division.

Abuja Metro also reliably learned that three suspected vandals were also apprehended with stolen high-tension cables near Piri village, also in the Kwali Area Council.

A police source who preferred anonymity confirmed the arrest, saying the suspects were conveying a large quantity of high-tension cables inside a Golf car when they were arrested at a checkpoint near Piri village on Wednesday.

‘Actually, the police officers became suspicious when the driver, upon sighting the police at the checkpoint, parked by the roadside and fled into the bush. While three other occupants of the car also attempted to flee, one of the police threatened to shoot and they could not escape,’ he said.

The source said the suspects were later taken to the Kwali Division alongside the vehicle, and that investigations were ongoing to trail the driver.

Abuja Metro recalled that some suspected hoodlums were reported to have vandalized high-tension electricity cables between Manderegi village near Abaji town two weeks ago, which has thrown Abaji and its environs into darkness since then.

The spokesperson of the FCT police command, SP Adeh Josephine, did not respond to both text messages and calls put across to her over the incident up till the time of filing the report.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) FCT Command says it apprehended more than 250 commercial vehicles in just two days for overloading, as it begins full enforcement of safety regulations in the territory.

The FCT Sector Commander, Corps Commander Felix Theman, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Education Officer, Mrs. Helen Ntaji, on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the enforcement, which started on Oct. 2, specifically targeted the practice of carrying two passengers in the front seat of taxis.

Theman said that the two-day figure demonstrated the scale of violations in the FCT, in spite of months of sustained engagement and education to transport unions.

He explained that his top priority since assuming office had been restoring passenger dignity and safety, noting that enforcement was the most civil way to ensure compliance. (NAN)

According to him, overloading makes the use of seatbelts impossible, weakens vehicle suspension and tyres, and limits driver control in emergencies.

Theman added that the Command’s operation was being carried out in collaboration with mobile magistrate courts to ensure immediate prosecution of offenders.