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Ahead of the February council polls in the Federal Capital Territory, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has pledged support for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dr. Moses Paul, stating that he would join him in campaigns across the FCT.

Obi gave the assurance on Wednesday at the Merit House in Abuja during a special Independence program organised by Dr. Paul to sensitise AMAC residents before the official campaign flag-off.

Speaking at the event, Obi said: ‘Dr. MO will not change, but because human beings can change, I will be shocked if he changes.’

In his remarks, Dr. Paul restated his pledge to restore dignity, prosperity, and service to governance if elected.

He said: ‘The bitter truth must be told: AMAC has failed. Our markets are trapped in endless litigations, waste management has collapsed, schools were abandoned for months, our health centres are non-functional, insecurity is widespread, businesses are burdened by multiple taxation, and infrastructure is largely absent. This is not governance. This is abandonment.’

He further promised that if elected Chairman, his administration would modernise AMAC markets into centres of economic activity, adding, ‘If AMAC works, Abuja works. If Abuja works, Nigeria works.’

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, announced the endorsement of Dr. Paul at the event, which was themed ‘We Don Tire.’

Stakeholders in Edo State have laminated what they described as the continuous loss of revenue to neighbouring Delta State through taxes.

The people made the claim at a stakeholders meeting, organised by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), on Wednesday in Benin

The interactive session of the one day programme had in attendance top government functionaries, heads and representatives of ministries, departments and agencies

Engr Stainless Ijeghede, Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency, said he had made reports on the payment of taxes of oil company workers in Edo State to Delta, noting that the Edo State government was yet to take any action.

He said, ‘When I was working at that place, at the end of the month, I saw in my pay slip that the tax was paid to Delta.

‘What that means is that those people who work in Oben pay tax to the Delta State Government.’

While agreeing with Ijeghede, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Samson Osagie, said many of Deltans came into Edo State as settlers but because the people of the state were fond of migrating to the city, the settlers claim ownership of those places and that led to lose of revenue for the state.

He, however, said that several meetings on the boundary issues have been held and adjustments made, noting that he expects the National Boundary Commission to visit the areas and ratify the boundaries to stop the revenue loss.

Osagie also said his ministry is proposing a revenue court Law that would create specific courts to try tax offenders.

‘There is the need for Revenue Court Law that will see to the setting up of a specific court to try offenders.

‘The whole idea is to ensure that the entire gamut of our tax system is put together in a way that enforcement and prosecution of tax offenders are easy.

‘As I speak, we are proposing a draft using our neighbouring Delta State as a model to have revenue courts law of Edo State so that all tax offenders will be sent to those courts and make trials fast and easy.’

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of EIRS, Barr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun, said though, the EIRS was making progress in terms of revenue collection, there was the need for all the stakeholders to work together and increase the state’s revenue base.

He said that a fundamental tool for achieving this is the Single Treasury Account which the state have begun to institutionalise.

He noted that this would ensure a transparent flow of resources into a centralised account thus eliminating cash handling, reducing leakages, and, most importantly, improving accountability.

Bankole-Balogun added, ‘So going forward, we want to encourage that all revenue streams be remitted into the state IGR account with proper digital records and accountability.

‘Remember that revenue is not an end in itself. It’s just a means to enable the state to provide better roads, stronger health systems, vibrant education and safer communities.

He said the state was waiting for the commencement of the new national tax law which the state would key into.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has released a list of 101 products that have been withdrawn, suspended, or cancelled in Nigeria.

The agency said the affected products are no longer permitted for manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, or use in the country.

Tribune Online reports that the product includes Artemether/Lumefantrine 40mg/240mg Tablets, Amaryl M SR Tablets, Abacavir Sulfate/Lamivudine Dispersible Tablets 60mg/30mg, Aprovasc 150mg/5mg tablets, ASAQ(Artesunate amodiaquine Winthrop) 100mg/270mg Tablets, Betopic Eye drop, Efavirenz 600mg Tablets and Flagyl Suspension.

Others are Iliadin Adult 0.05% Metered Nose Spray, Invanz 1g Injections and Invega (Paliperidone) 3mg extended release tablets.

In a statement on NAFDAC’s X handle, ‘A product’s Certificate of Registration is considered withdrawn when its use is discontinued at the request of the Market Authorisation Holder.

‘A registration certificate may be suspended when the conditions under which it was issued are no longer met, pending a determination by the agency.

‘It is regarded as cancelled when NAFDAC revokes the registration license entirely.’

The agency urged the public and stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and food sectors to take note of the latest decision and comply accordingly.

The Business and Hoteliers Stakeholders Forum (BHSF) in Edo, on Wednesday, decried the dearth of their businesses, owing to the unwarranted arrest and harassment of their customers by law enforcement agents, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Addressing newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Benin, the state Chairman of BHSF, Bishop Omogiade Edokpolo, urged the EFCC to desist from indiscriminate arrest of their customers and lodgers, claiming over 93 young people were arrested in various hotels in the state recently.

He added that the whereabouts of the 93 lodgers arrested by security agents remain unknown to the families of their customers, who are allegedly in EFCC custody.

Edokpolo appealed to the Chairman of the EFCC to swiftly address the issues of unwarranted arrests by its operatives in Edo State, adding that any sort of arrest that the EFCC wishes to carry out should at least be backed by the provision of a legal warrant.

He also called on the EFCC Chairman to redeploy the Edo state EFCC Zonal Director to other states, as businesses and economic activities in the state are suffering, owing to their style of operations targeting hotels and businesses only in Edo.

According to Edokpolo, EFCC has, by its actions, so far shown a calculated attempt to suffocate businesses in Edo.

He said, ‘What we will no longer accept as business owners is the EFCC oppression and depression of businesses in Edo State.

‘Our biggest fear is not that we don’t want them to do their jobs, but they have successfully created a runaway mentality in people from owning and operating businesses in Edo State. ‘

Responding to the allegation via telephone, EFCC spokesman, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said the Business and Hoteliers Stakeholders Forum (BHSF) in Edo State has no understanding of the operations of the agency on its mandate to tackle all economic and financial crimes in the country.

He said that the EFCC investigates cases of economic and financial crimes, including corruption, money laundering, and other related offenses.

The Imole Progressive Network (IPN) has congratulated the people of Nigeria and Ondo State as the nation celebrates its 65th independence anniversary.

The group paid tribute to the country’s founding fathers, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, for their visionary leadership and unrelenting struggle against British hegemony.

Their efforts, the group noted, culminated in Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960, following the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates.

In a statement released by the group, its leader, Mr Mike Adeyanju, emphasised the significance of the national milestone as a moment for both celebration and reflection.

‘This is a celebration of national freedom, unity and progress, a reflection on the achievements of our forefathers and a pointer to a hopeful future,’ the group declared.

The statement highlighted the importance of continued unity and collective effort in nation-building.

‘This day renews our aspirations for a stronger and more prosperous nation. It refreshes our minds and encourages us to uphold patriotism, bridge divisions and work together for the betterment of our country, focusing on our collective potential and shared dream of greatness,’ it said.

Reaffirming its commitment to national development, the group added: ‘The members of Imole Progressive Network, under the leadership of Engr. Mike Adeyanju, wish our dear country fruitfulness and success in all her endeavours.

‘We will continue to contribute to nation-building through unity, solidarity, resilience, enduring strength, the spirit of perseverance and hope for the future.

‘We remain committed to promoting patriotism, celebrating our rich culture and heritage, supporting economic reforms and advocating good governance.

‘We see a greater Nigeria in our unity and willingness to serve selflessly.’

Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has inaugurated a new Pension Committee tasked with ensuring fairness, transparency, and timely settlement of arrears owed to retired civil servants in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Auwal Tukur, performed the inauguration on Monday at the State Secretariat Complex in Yola on behalf of the governor.

Tukur said the administration remains committed to easing the financial burden of retirees who have faced delays in receiving their entitlements.

As part of the renewed effort, Fintiri approved ?8 billion for the payment of pension liabilities. Of this, ?5 billion is allocated to state pensioners and ?3 billion to local government retirees across the 21 LGAs. He noted that payments would follow a ‘first retired, first served’ system to prevent favoritism.

The SSG commended the work of the previous committee and expressed confidence in the new team chaired by Engineer Benson Jelani.

‘The selection of the committee members was based on their competence and proven track records,’ Tukur said. ‘We trust that under Engr. Jelani’s leadership, this committee will perform with diligence and integrity.’

In his remarks, Jelani thanked the governor for the trust placed in the committee and pledged to carry out its duties with fairness and accountability.

‘We assure His Excellency and the good people of Adamawa that we will execute our duties without fear or favour,’ he said.

The committee’s reconstitution comes as calls for pension reform grow nationwide, with many states still burdened by large outstanding pension liabilities.

Four housemates recently evicted from the Big Brother Naija house, Thelma, Kuture, Joanna, and Bright Morgan, have shared thoughts about the connections and relationships they built inside the house.

Bright Morgan, while speaking alongside others in an interview with Tribune Online, clarified his stance with fellow housemate Dede. According to him, his actions were about setting boundaries rather than hatred.

‘Mide and Dede are close, so I just wanted to set boundaries. I don’t dislike her, but we had an issue the other day. Moving forward, I know I don’t have to be friends with everyone. I’m intentional about my relationships. When I have eyes on someone, I just focus on them,’ he explained.

Responding to questions on whether there was more to their connection with KayBobo, especially after a ‘kissing spree’ during her time in the BBNaija House, which apparently shocked other evicted housemates, Thelma revealed she values trust above all else.

She recalled feeling uncomfortable when she learned Isabella had shared KayBobo’s bed before he moved to hers, which created a wrong impression.

She said, ‘I didn’t see the need to explain to anyone, but I wasn’t cool with how things looked. I’d rather KayBobo come outside the house and explain the context, especially after he told housemates when asked about him and Thelma that the house is a social experiment. I don’t owe them an explanation. I just want clarity.’

On her part, Joanna addressed her relationship with Faith, explaining that what viewers saw on the reality show was not a serious relationship but just a friendship.

‘Faith isn’t a relationship person, and we decided to remain true friends. For me, mental connection comes first before anything else,’ she said.

On another relationship drama, Kuture recalled an outburst involving Isabella and Imisi, where things got heated to the point that Isabella poured pepper on Sultana before it was later resolved in a surprising way.

‘They called me to be a witness when they decided to settle their fight with a kiss,’ Kuture added.

Nigerian hitmaker, T.I Blaze (born Akintunde Abiodun Timileyin in Ogun State) has unveiled ‘Porsche’, a single that pushes his signature mix of grit and Afrobeats melody into new territory.

Signed to Dapper Music and Entertainment and distributed by Dvpper Digital, T.I Blaze has steadily risen to prominence, building on a streak of impactful singles that showcase his consistency and cultural relevance.

Since breaking out with ‘Sometimes’, T.I Blaze has delivered records that speak to both the streets and the mainstream, from the charting success of ‘Beamer’ to fan favourites like ‘Dodge’, ‘Mario’, ‘Eko’, ‘Introduction’ and ‘Trenches Love’. With ‘Porsche’, he adds to this evolving discography, continuing a ‘car-themed’ creative thread that has become a signature mark of his artistry.

Speaking on the track, T.I Blaze explains:’Porsche represents balance – the enjoyment and the hustle. Songs like ‘Beamer’ and ‘Dodge’ opened doors and connected with people in their own way, and Porsche is me showing growth, proving that no matter how far I go, grace and balance will always drive everything I do.’

South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya have emerged as the top-performing parliaments in Africa, according to the 2025 Africa Open Parliament Index (OPI) report launched by the Africa Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations Network (APMON).

The OPI provides a comprehensive assessment of 33 African national parliaments, measuring their performance across three critical dimensions: transparency, civic participation, and public accountability.

According to the Secretary General of APMON, Sammy Obeng, ‘The OPI is not just a ranking – it is a roadmap. It challenges parliaments to open up their work, engage citizens meaningfully, and demonstrate accountability.’ Obeng emphasised that the index highlights areas where urgent reforms are needed, while also showing encouraging progress in many countries.

The South African Parliament ranked first with an overall score of 79.69%, making it the most open parliament in Southern Africa. Ghana’s Parliament followed closely, ranking second with an overall score of 77.60%, and leading in West Africa. Kenya’s Parliament took third place with an overall score of 73.96%, and leading in East Africa.

In contrast, the Parliament of Comoros ranked 31st with an overall score of 29.69%, while the Parliament of South Sudan ranked 32nd with an overall score of 28.65%. The Parliament of Guinea-Bissau ranked lowest, with an overall score of 28.13%.

The launch event featured a panel discussion with civil society leaders, who shared strategies for co-creating reforms that will make African parliaments more open, responsive, and citizen-centred. APMON and its partners are calling on governments, parliaments, and development partners to work together to implement evidence-based reforms inspired by the index.

The OPI 2025 report is now available for download on (link unavailable). APMON will be engaging with individual parliaments, civil society organisations, and regional bodies to present country-specific findings and support the development of action plans that advance parliamentary openness.

Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has assured citizens that his administration is delivering tangible results across key sectors of governance, with more progress to come in the months ahead.

Speaking at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Akure, during the 65th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria, the governor said the state was witnessing a remarkable transformation under his ‘OUR EASE’ policy framework.

According to him, the government is executing projects simultaneously in health, education, agriculture, infrastructure and security, which include the dualisation of Akure-Idanre, Akungba-Ikare and Okitipupa-Igbokoda roads, the construction of jetties and walkways in the riverine areas, and the rehabilitation of five kilometres of roads in each of the 18 local government areas.

‘Roads are not just pathways, they are lifelines that will boost commerce, agriculture, reduce travel stress and encourage economic activities and the daily life of our people,’ he said.

On healthcare, Aiyedatiwa disclosed that his government had expanded the contributory health scheme, completed a pharma-grade warehouse to guarantee a steady supply of medicines, renovated hospitals and prioritised recruitment into the health sector.

‘Our people in rural areas will no longer need to travel far to access basic healthcare. Beyond this, we have resolved that all health facilities in the state would be upgraded to meet global medical standards,’ he added.

The governor also highlighted strides in education, including classroom rehabilitation, provision of instructional materials, bursaries and scholarships, digital learning opportunities, as well as the continued operation of free shuttle buses and boats for students.

In agriculture, he announced that the state had secured 26,000 hectares of land and earmarked ?7.5 billion for development to strengthen food security and create jobs.

On security, Aiyedatiwa said: ‘We have provided not less than 75 high-grade Hilux vehicles equipped with modern security gadgets to our security agencies to help them respond quickly and effectively to threats.

‘Our goal is that every citizen of Ondo State should feel safe in their homes, farms, markets, schools and places of work.’

Commending citizens for their trust and resilience, he pledged: ‘In the coming months, you will see more progress. Ondo State is moving forward, Nigeria is moving forward; and nothing is beyond our reach.’

Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, said the anniversary celebration was not only a reminder of Nigeria’s historical struggles for freedom, but also an occasion to highlight the achievements of the current administration.

‘In recent times, the state has witnessed unprecedented socio-economic revival and restoration. Mr. Governor has deliberately provided an ambience that opened up the industrial and economic frontiers of development in the state, thus strategically placing Ondo State on the world map,’ Fasoranti said.

He lauded Aiyedatiwa’s fiscal transparency and accountability, describing them as enablers of reforms and transformational programmes.

The colourful event featured a parade mounted by the Nigeria Police, schools, political and non-political groups, and was attended by top government officials, royal fathers, religious leaders, and other dignitaries, including Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, Chief Judge, Justice A.O. Odusola, and the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye.