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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday commissioned newly built 100 bed Mother and Child Specialist Hospital in Gombe State, a major healthcare facility designed to enhance maternal and child survival across the North East region.

The ultra-modern facility, named the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Mother and Child Specialist Hospital, was constructed and fully equipped by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs).

Describing the project as ‘more than just a structure,’ the First Lady said the hospital ‘represents care, compassion, and a commitment to the well-being of women and children.’

‘This hospital is a symbol of care, compassion, and commitment to the well-being of women and children,’ Mrs. Tinubu stated. ‘It aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises access to quality healthcare, particularly for the most vulnerable groups in our society.’

The First Lady commended Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and his wife Hajiya Asma’u Yahaya for their continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and for naming the hospital in her honour. She also expressed gratitude to Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), for spearheading the initiative and driving Nigeria’s progress toward achieving the global goals.

In her remarks, Princess Orelope-Adefulire emphasised that the new facility stands as ‘a vital step in Nigeria’s journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being for all.’

‘Today, we are not merely unveiling a health facility,’ she said. ‘We are reaffirming our collective commitment to delivering quality healthcare to the most vulnerable segments of our society. This hospital is not just a building; it is a promise fulfilled, a sanctuary of care, and a symbol of renewed hope.’

She further noted that the hospital, fitted with state-of-the-art equipment including operating theatres, recovery rooms, laboratories, and maternity wards, was built as part of efforts to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – ‘a vision grounded in social inclusion, equity, and the strategic acceleration of national development outcomes across the country.’

‘Every mother deserves a safe delivery. Every child deserves a healthy start to life,’ she stressed. ‘A baby’s first breath should never be their mother’s last. The sacred moment of birth must be a celebration, not a tragedy.’

In a statement released by Desmond Utomwen, the Special Assistant to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications, Orelope-Adefulire called on the Gombe State Government and local communities to ensure the sustainable use and maintenance of the facility, noting that it represents a shared investment in its people, which are the nation’s most valuable asset.

‘This hospital is directly linked to the achievement of SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being, as well as other cross-cutting SDGs,’ she said. ‘Our duty is clear: to safeguard the lives of mothers and children, restore dignity to families, and build a future where no woman pays the ultimate price for giving life.’

According to the SSAP-SDGs, the Gombe project is part of a broader series of Mother and Child Hospitals established across the federation. These facilities are designed to reduce maternal and infant mortality, improve access to essential healthcare services, and strengthen Nigeria’s progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

‘The hospital is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment. These include, among others: Operating Theatres; Recovery Rooms; Private and General Wards; a Scanning Room; Consultation Rooms; and a Laboratory. Others include an Ultra-Scan Machine; Vacuum Extractor Delivery Set; and an Emergency Cart with full complements. This facility is directly linked to the achievement of SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being for All, as well as other cross-cutting SDGs.’

‘OSSAP-SDGs has worked tirelessly to construct and furnish this state-of-the-art facility as a strategic tool for healthcare service provision,’ Orelope-Adefulire said. ‘It is expected that the beneficiaries will make judicious use of it in a sustainable way for the benefit of mothers and children.’

She reaffirmed her office’s commitment to prioritising impactful projects and partnerships that advance human capital development, social inclusion, and equitable growth across Nigeria.

‘Together, and with God’s help, we will continue to prioritise interventions with potential impacts on the lives of the poor and vulnerable members of our society, so that no Nigerian is left behind,’ she concluded.

The commissioning event was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, and representatives of women’s groups, reflecting a united front in support of maternal and child health.

Nigeria’s presidency has fired back at U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore after he labelled the country ‘the deadliest place in the world for Christians.’ Presidential aide Olusegun Dada called the claim ignorant and detached from reality.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Dada described the lawmaker as ‘ignorant’ of Nigeria’s religious dynamics.

‘Firstly, let me say, Congressman Riley, you are ignorant, if not more ignorant than Ted Cruz, about Nigeria,’ Dada wrote.

He further asserted that Nigeria is a ‘proud, sovereign nation built on the faith and resilience of its people,’ emphasising that ‘no faith is under siege, no community is excluded.’

‘Our churches, mosques, and traditional shrines stand side by side – not as rivals, but as symbols of the unity that binds us,’ he added.

Dada’s remarks came in response to a series of posts made by Congressman Moore on Monday, in which he labelled Nigeria ‘the deadliest country in the world for Christians.’

Moore had called on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’ o

He had said, ‘Since Boko Haram’s insurgency in 2009, more than 50,000 Christians have been murdered and more than 5 million displaced,’ while also claiming that ‘at least 250 priests have been attacked or killed in the last decade’ and that ‘more than 19,000 churches have been attacked or destroyed since 2009.’

Further, Moore alleged complicity on the part of some Nigerian state and federal officials, citing enforcement of anti-blasphemy laws and other incidents as evidence of state tolerance for religious violence.

A U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, had made a similar allegation in September as he accused Nigerian authorities of ignoring and facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists.

But in a pointed response, Dada said: ‘I hope #TuckerCarlson can ask #TedCruz these same questions again – but this time about Nigeria. Ted Cruz wanted the U.S. to go to war with Iran, but he didn’t even know its population or cultural makeup. Same level of total ignorance now applied to Nigeria.’

The 17 passengers abducted by gunmen along Calabar waterway have regained their freedom after 12 days in captivity.

A top Naval officer who pleaded anonymity disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Monday.

The Naval officer said that the 17 victims were rescued from the creeks on Monday without payment of ransom.

He said that the victims were successfully rescued by the Nigerian Navy following an intelligence report.

According to him, the Navy swung into action and blocked the only entrance to the creek, thereby preventing the kidnappers from taking away their victims to another location.

‘The kidnappers who had run out of foodstuff by this time had no choice than to let go of their victims.

‘We were careful not to engage them in order not to jeopardize the safety of the victims.

‘As I speak, the victims are presently at the Naval Reference Hospital in Calabar, while we are after the kidnappers.’

The source assured that the Calabar water remained safe for movement of goods and services.

NAN recalls that the victims were traveling from Calabar to Oron in Akwa Ibom state when their ferry was hijacked and the passengers taken away by the gunmen.

It also recalls that some passengers, including the Akwa Ibom Police command spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, were with the 17 victims but were not abducted due to lack of space in the kidnappers’ boat.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oba Maduabuchi, has described the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to stop former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election, as ‘an abuse of court process.’

Maduabuchi made this assertion on Tuesday during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show.

‘An abuse of court process occurs when someone tries to relitigate an issue that has already been settled by a court of competent jurisdiction,’ he explained.

According to him, the question of Jonathan’s qualification or disqualification had already been adjudicated in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. ‘Nobody has taken that issue on appeal,’ he said. ‘Until that judgment is set aside, it remains the law.’

The senior lawyer stated that any party attempting to reopen that settled issue in another court of coordinate jurisdiction was merely ‘abusing the process of the court,’ describing such litigants as ‘busy bodies.’

Maduabuchi further explained that what governs any legal situation is the law in force ‘when the act in question was done.’ He queried whether Section 137(3) of the Constitution existed in 2010 when Jonathan took the oath of office.

He noted that the provision was only enacted in 2018. ‘When Goodluck Jonathan was taking the oath of office, there was no statutory limitation that could inhibit him from running for two constitutionally guaranteed terms,’ he said.

The SAN questioned whether Jonathan took any oath after the 2018 amendment, comparing attempts to apply the new law retroactively to punishing someone under a law that did not exist at the time of the act.

Illustrating his point, Maduabuchi recalled that judges’ retirement age was previously 65 before being raised to 70, asking whether a judge who retired before the amendment could return to the bench under the new law.

He stressed that ‘the law demands certainty,’ adding that ‘in 2010 and 2011, when Goodluck Jonathan took the oath of office, the prohibition in Section 137(3) was not in existence and therefore not binding on him.’

He concluded that no ‘pyrotechnic argument’ could give life to a law that did not exist at the time, referencing a decision of the Court of Appeal which affirmed that Jonathan had the right to contest and that retrospective laws could not be applied against him.

Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu on Tuesday became the acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following the retirement of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood.

Below are 14 Astonishing facts about her.

1. Professional Experience: Seasoned legal practitioner with over three decades of experience working with diverse clients in both public and private sectors.

2. Origin and Early Education: Agbamuche-Mbu hails from Delta State, Nigeria; born in Kano and attended St. Louis Secondary School there.

3. Undergraduate Degree: Agbamuche-Mbu graduated from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1984 with an LLB in Law.

4. Bar Admission: She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985.

5. UK Legal Qualification: She attended the College of Law, London, and qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.

6. Postgraduate Degrees: Agbamuche-Mbu holds an LLM specializing in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, London; completed two additional postgraduate programs in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law.

7. Expertise in ADR: She is a recognized expert in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

8. Professional Membership: Agbamuche-Mbu is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom Nigeria branch, where she served as Secretary.

9. PPAC Role: She served on the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee (PPAC) from March 2010 to November 2011 as the sole solicitor, evaluating a nationwide portfolio of major unfinished public projects in Nigeria.

10. Ministerial Committee Appointment: Appointed in March 2016 as a member of the Ministerial Committee to prepare The Road Map for the Solid Minerals Sector.

11. Law Firm Leadership: Prior to her INEC appointment, she served as managing partner of her law firm, Norfolk Partners, in Lagos.

12. Editorial Role: Agbamuche-Mbu was the Editor of THISDAY LAWYER, a weekly legal pullout in one of Nigeria’s most widely read newspapers.

13. Column Contributions: She published 120 legal editorials from January 2014 to September 2016 under her column ‘LEGAL EAGLE’ in THISDAY LAWYER.

14. Public Advocacy: She built a reputable body of commentary and expert opinion through consistent exposure to public affairs and related projects; her work serves as a source of public advocacy on national and international issues.

In a move that could transform Nigeria’s domestic energy market, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has once again reduced the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas.

The new ex-depot price now stands at ?760 per kilogram, down from ?810 last week.

This marks the refinery’s second major price cut in less than a month, and it continues to position Dangote as the leading driver of affordability in the gas sector.

Industry watchers say the move will bring much-needed relief to millions of households struggling with rising living costs and inflation.

Compared to other major suppliers, Dangote’s price stands far lower. Matrix and Ardova depots currently sell at ?920 per kilogram, while A.Y.M Shafa and NIPCO are at ?910 per kilogram.

Stockgap Depot, one of the biggest players in the market, sells for as high as ?950 per kilogram.

The price gap ranging from ?150 to ?190 per kilogram-highlights Dangote’s strong market influence and its growing role in stabilizing Nigeria’s energy prices.

Experts in the petroleum and energy sector have described the refinery’s strategy as a deliberate attempt to reshape market dynamics and discourage unnecessary price hikes by other depots.

By offering cheaper LPG, Dangote is believed to be setting a new benchmark that could force competitors to reduce their prices and make gas more accessible to Nigerian consumers.

Industry analysts also say that the refinery’s latest move aligns with its broader mission to boost domestic energy supply, reduce dependence on imports, and support the federal government’s agenda for clean energy transition.

Many Nigerians have welcomed the development, expressing hope that the reduction will reflect at the retail level, especially in local markets where consumers often face inflated prices.

If sustained, the Dangote Refinery’s consistent price adjustments could not only stabilize the cooking gas market but also encourage more households to switch from firewood and charcoal to cleaner energy sources helping to protect the environment and improve public health.

Nigeria is rolling out one of the largest integrated vaccination campaigns in its history, aiming to protect around 106 million children against measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.

According to a statement by WHO on Monday, the nationwide initiative will combine multiple vaccines and child health services in a single drive, ensuring efficient delivery to children across the country.

The campaign targets children aged 0-14 years for measles and rubella, and 0-59 months for polio.

It will be implemented in two phases: Phase One, launching today, covers 20 high-risk northern states and Oyo State in the southwest. Phase Two, beginning in January 2026, will expand to the remaining southern states.

To reach every community, health workers will deliver services through fixed posts, temporary outreach points, and house-to-house ‘sweep teams,’ ensuring that even children in the most remote and underserved areas are reached.

In addition to measles-rubella and polio vaccines, the campaign integrates routine immunisation and other essential child health services, including treatment for neglected tropical diseases and seasonal malaria chemoprevention in high-risk areas.

This holistic approach supports Nigeria’s ‘Primary Health Care Under One Roof’ strategy and advances the Health Campaign Effectiveness agenda towards universal health coverage.

The initiative responds to persistent outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) as well as measles and rubella outbreaks in Nigeria and across the Lake Chad Basin.

Nigeria is coordinating with Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger through a cross-border action plan to stop active outbreaks by the end of 2025 and eliminate remaining risks by the end of 2026.

‘On behalf of the Government, I want to express our deep respect and gratitude to Nigeria’s frontline health workers for their unwavering dedication.

‘I urge you to approach this campaign with the same resilience and commitment you have shown over the years.

‘As a parent myself, I know that no parent would ever refuse something that protects their child. Vaccines are safe, and they save lives,’ said Dr Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

This campaign builds on the success of two recent ‘In-between Round Activities’ in 11 northern states (August-September 2025), which reached over 3.1 million children with vaccines, provided nutrition supplements to 500,000 malnourished children, and delivered anti-malaria interventions to 150,000 children.

‘Nigeria’s integrated approach sets a strong example for the Region.

‘By uniting efforts against measles, rubella, and polio, and by working hand-in-hand with communities and partners, we are moving closer to the day when no African child suffers or dies from these preventable diseases,’ said Dr Mohammed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

In preparation for this nationwide rollout, Nigeria has also strengthened systems to ensure smooth implementation.

Trainers have been mobilised across states, payment processes for frontline workers have been redesigned for greater efficiency, and campaign systems have been upgraded to integrate data more effectively and safeguard integrity.

These investments will ensure that every health worker is supported and every child vaccinated is recorded accurately, bolstering accountability and trust in the programme.

Nigeria is also introducing a new combined measles-rubella vaccine to replace the measles-only vaccine.

Measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease, particularly for malnourished children, while rubella can cause severe birth defects (Congenital Rubella Syndrome) if contracted during pregnancy.

The campaign is led by the Nigerian government, with support from the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi – the Vaccine Alliance, Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious leaders.

Robust coordination mechanisms are in place for financing, social mobilisation, training, vaccines, and logistics to ensure success.

The Lagos State Government has honoured 750 public servants, including six permanent secretaries, for their unwavering commitment and decades of meritorious service to the state.

The recognition took place on Tuesday, 7 October, 2025, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, during the Year 2025 Long Service Merit Award Ceremony, one of the major events marking the Public Service Week Celebration.

Delivering his address at the ceremony, the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, said the initiative, which has been sustained for over two decades, is designed to recognise and reward diligence, loyalty and commitment among Lagos State public servants.

‘This programme, which has been consistently organised for over twenty years, is aimed at consciously recognising and rewarding diligence, commitment and loyalty amongst public servants in Lagos State.

‘Public servants deserve to be celebrated and appreciated for their long-term dedication to supporting good governance,’ he stated.

He said the long service awards not only honour those who have served for over 30 years but also motivate other officers to remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence and efficient service delivery.

‘While congratulating the proud recipients of today’s awards, I urge you not to rest on your oars. Continue to exhibit the high sense of responsibility, commitment to duty and loyalty that earned you this recognition,’ he said.

Agoro encouraged all public officers to embrace technological advancement and continuous learning in order to meet the evolving demands of governance.

‘The changing nature of public policy and technological innovations require higher levels of skills and competences. As you remain dedicated to your duties, also focus on personal development and take advantage of the latest ICT tools to improve yourselves,’ he advised.

He assured that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration remains committed to improving staff welfare and providing a conducive environment for optimal performance.

‘Government will continue to prioritise staff welfare and create the right atmosphere for the attainment of public policy objectives,’ he affirmed.

Agoro urged awardees and other officers to continue upholding the values of dedication, integrity, and professionalism that define the Lagos State Public Service.

‘Let us celebrate in moderation and continue to uphold the spirit of excellence that defines the Lagos State Public Service,’ he added.

Afrobeats queen Tiwa Savage has made a surprising revelation about one of Mavin Records’ biggest anthems, ‘Dorobucci.’

The award-winning singer disclosed that when she first heard the early version of the track, she thought it sounded terrible and had no idea it would later become a continental hit.

Speaking in an interview with NotJustOk, Tiwa recalled that Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy played the unfinished version of ‘Dorobucci’ while they were in a hotel in Dubai for her wedding.

‘Don’t know if people know this, but Don Jazzy played ‘Dorobucci’ in the hotel when we were in Dubai for my wedding, and honestly, I thought it was such a crap song,’ she confessed.

However, Tiwa said her perception changed completely when she returned to Nigeria and heard the final version of the song in the studio.

‘When I got back to Nigeria, and I got to the studio, and I heard the song that I heard him play in Dubai, I was flabbergasted. I was so angry, like, I don’t know, because this had happened with Eminado too, and I did not like it,’ she said.

The ‘Somebody’s Son’ hitmaker admitted she was reluctant to record her part and was the last among the Mavin stars to lay her verse.

‘I was the last person to record my verse because I was looking at everybody and I was like, ‘Do you guys really like this?” she added.

Despite her initial hesitation, ‘Dorobucci’ went on to become a massive hit across Africa, dominating airwaves and cementing Mavin Records’ legacy in Afrobeats history.

Reflecting on the track’s success, Tiwa credited Don Jazzy for his creative brilliance and foresight.

‘We all know what happened to the record. I don’t know what Don Jazzy does, but yeah, that was. I heard it, and I didn’t want to tell him. I was like, man, who. I was like, is it Reekado he’s doing this song for? Is it Korede or Dija? Not knowing I would be on the song too, and it turned out to be phenomenal. Shoutout to Don Jazzy too,’ she said.

Released in 2014, ‘Dorobucci’ became one of Mavin’s defining records, featuring the label’s all-star lineup, including Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, Dr Sid, D’Prince, Korede Bello, Reekado Banks, and Di’Ja

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has strongly criticized Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and current lawmaker representing Edo North, for his recent comments about the disagreement between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the management of Dangote Refinery, PM News can report.

Recall that last Friday, Oshiomhole appeared on Arise TV and faulted the strike action by PENGASSAN against the Dangote Refinery, which led to a nationwide shutdown of oil facilities.

He described the strike as hasty and unfair, saying that unions should defend workers’ rights without worsening the country’s economic situation.

In response, NUPENG leaders, Comrades Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, issued a statement expressing disappointment in Oshiomhole’s remarks.

They accused him of betraying the labour movement and defending corporate interests instead of workers’ rights.

‘We are deeply disappointed to see a former labour leader now defending the same corporate oppression he once fought against,’ the statement read. ‘His comments misrepresent both Nigerian labour laws and international labour standards.’

NUPENG argued that PENGASSAN’s action was legal, citing Section 31 of the Trade Unions Act, which allows workers to go on strike in solidarity with others.

‘The principle that an injury to one is an injury to all is the foundation of trade unionism,’ they added.

This reaction followed Dangote Refinery’s public appreciation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others for helping to end the strike.

The refinery described itself as Nigeria’s biggest private employer and largest taxpayer.

PENGASSAN had gone on strike to protest the mass dismissal of Nigerian workers at Dangote Refinery.

The strike, which lasted two days, ended after the Federal Government intervened and both sides reached an agreement.