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The Nigerian naira depreciated against the United States (US) dollar, trading at N1,366.7140 at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official foreign exchange (FX) window on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

The data shared on the CBN’s official platform shows that the naira traded at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) rate of N1,366.7140 per dollar and closed at N1,366.5000 per dollar.

The currency, which traded at an NFEM rate of N1365.5303 on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, slightly depreciated by at least N1.18 after trading activities on Wednesday.

At the parallel market, the buying rate appreciated by N2 while the selling rate remained the same when compared to the previous trading rate on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

According to Aboki FX, the Naira-to-dollar exchange rate at the black market on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, was N1,407 per dollar for the buying rate and N1,415 per dollar for the selling rate.

Fifty-two Nursing Science graduates of McPherson University have been inducted into the profession.

The induction, which held at the university campus in Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, was the university’s third nursing induction ceremony.

The university stated that the exercise not only marks the completion of the students’ academic and clinical training but also their transition into professional nursing practice.

The university further stated that the induction was part of its commitment to producing competent, ethical, and globally competitive healthcare professionals.

The Registrar and Secretary-General of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr. Alhassan Ndagi, represented by Dr. (Mrs.) Modupe Ayoola, administered the professional oath and charged the inductees to be worthy ambassadors of the nursing profession and McPherson University.

The provost of the College of Allied Health Sciences of the university, Professor Lucy Airauhi, encouraged the graduates to embrace continuous learning and uphold the highest standards of professional practice.

The Coordinating Dean of the Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Dr. Dorcas Shonibare, presented the 52 graduates to the council for induction and urged them to remain faithful to the ethics and values of the profession.

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Francis Adegbaye Igbasan, congratulated the inductees on the completion of their five-year rigorous academic and clinical training, describing their induction as the beginning of a lifelong commitment to serving humanity.

The vice chancellor reminded them that nursing is not merely a profession but a sacred calling that demands compassion, integrity, excellence, and selfless service.

Professor Igbasan also expressed concern over the continued migration of Nigerian nurses and other healthcare professionals to foreign countries, urging the newly inducted nurses to contribute meaningfully to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system.

He commended the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, parents, guardians, and the Faculty of Nursing Sciences for their support and contributions to the successful training of the graduates.

Representing the guest speaker, Professor Prisca Adejumo, Dr(Mrs) Iyanuoluwa Ojo delivered a lecture on the theme, ‘Commitment to Caring, Upholding Professionalism and Compassion in Nursing’.

Dr Ojo emphasised that compassionate care remains the cornerstone of quality nursing practice and encouraged the inductees to place patients at the centre of every decision while adhering to the highest ethical standards.

She further highlighted the importance of professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and continuous professional development in meeting the evolving demands of healthcare.

She urged the newly inducted nurses to uphold the dignity of the profession, embrace lifelong learning, and remain committed to excellence in practice.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, the valedictorian and best graduating student, Ayooluwa Deborah Abiodun, expressed gratitude to God, the university management, lecturers, parents, and colleagues for their support throughout the five-year programme.

She encouraged her fellow inductees to remain committed to integrity, excellence, and compassionate service while upholding the values of McPherson University throughout their professional careers.

The Osun State Governorship Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of allegedly attempting to influence security agencies to secure the release of a wanted criminal suspect reportedly arrested at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, made the allegation while addressing journalists in Osogbo.

He also claimed that some criminal suspects were receiving protection from influential political figures within the state government.

Omowaiye alleged that a wanted suspect, Abiodun Oladele Arowomole, popularly known as Abbey Ashipa, was arrested by the police and had been declared wanted in connection with several violent incidents, including the alleged killings of some APC members and supporters.

He called on Governor Adeleke to cooperate fully with security agencies and allow investigations to proceed without political interference.

Omowaiye also urged the governor to take decisive action over the development, including relieving the Secretary to the State Government of his appointment if investigations establish any wrongdoing.

The APC further maintained that the fight against crime should transcend partisan politics, stressing that every individual found culpable should be prosecuted irrespective of political affiliation.

He warned the governor against allegedly mounting pressure on the police to release Arowomole, insisting that the suspect should be allowed to face the full weight of the law.

According to Omowaiye, the suspect was among individuals allegedly linked to previous attacks in parts of the state, including an incident at Egbatedo in 2024 in which a passerby reportedly lost his life.

The APC campaign spokesman maintained that any attempt to interfere with ongoing police investigations would amount to an assault on the rule of law and the integrity of the country’s criminal justice system.

The party therefore called on Governor Adeleke to immediately relieve the SSG of his appointment if the allegations surrounding the arrest are substantiated and allow law enforcement agencies to conclude their investigations without interference.

‘It is our position that no government genuinely committed to peace and security should be seen shielding criminal suspects or obstructing lawful investigations,’ Omowaiye said.

The campaign council further urged security agencies to ensure that anyone found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation, is arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

It also commended officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police’s special squad for what it described as their professionalism and commitment to tackling criminal activities in Osun State.

Police in Abia State have arrested a barber in Umuahia over allegations that he kept customers’ hair for ritual purposes after officers allegedly found a clay pot filled with human hair and other suspected fetish items in his room.

The barber, identified simply as Emeka, was arrested on Tuesday after his neighbour, Mr Johnson Ikenga, reported to the police that the suspect had threatened him.

During the arrest, police reportedly searched Emeka’s one-room apartment and found a clay pot containing human hair and other items believed to be used for rituals.

When questioned, the suspect admitted that the pot belonged to him but could not explain what he used the items for or where he got the hair.

The discovery has raised concerns among residents, with many claiming the hair may have belonged to customers who visited the barber for haircuts.

The Abia State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The suspect was taken to the Central Police Station, Umuahia, where police have begun further investigation into the case.

Sustained intelligence-led operations by joint security forces in Imo State have reportedly neutralised key commanders of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), identified as Solomon Akarachukwu Alisiobi, popularly known as ‘Maddox’, and Chima Azubuogu, alias ‘Akajiofor’.

The two suspected commanders were killed during raids on camps linked to suspected commanders Ifeanyi Okorienta-Eze, also known as ‘Gentle de Yahoo’, and Monday Oluchi Ogu, nicknamed ‘B44’.

Security sources said the operations had dealt a major blow to the group’s operational structure and thrown its camps into disarray.

The sources also said the coordinated offensives, spearheaded by the Department of State Services (DSS) in collaboration with other security agencies, had significantly degraded the fighting capacity of the suspected militant group, resulting in a noticeable decline in violent attacks across the state.

They recalled that security operatives had, within the past month, neutralised several suspected ESN fighters during separate operations.

According to the sources, the operations had disrupted the network’s command structure, depleted its ranks and forced surviving members to abandon or relocate several camps, leaving the group struggling to coordinate attacks and maintain its operational foothold in the state.

The recent successes were attributed largely to sustained intelligence gathering and operational coordination by the DSS in Imo State, whose intelligence-driven strategy had continued to support joint operations involving other security agencies.

Security stakeholders said the approach had not only dismantled key elements of the suspected militant network but had also contributed to the relative peace witnessed across many parts of Imo State in recent weeks.

Residents of the state have also acknowledged the improved security environment, commending the efforts of the DSS and other security agencies for restoring confidence and enabling communities to resume normal economic and social activities.

They, however, urged the security agencies to sustain the ongoing operations until all criminal elements were flushed out and lasting peace was fully restored across the state.

Many content creators and upcoming musicians in Nigeria always try to get expensive equipment to set up a studio to achieve clean audio. However, with a few clever tweaks, your cheap USB or lapel microphone can produce clear, professional sound.

In this article, Tribune Online explains five practical audio tricks that turn everyday budget gear into high-performing recording tools.

Build duvet sound booth

Room echo is the biggest enemy of cheap microphones. You can eliminate room reflection by draping heavy blankets or a thick duvet behind you and around your microphone.

Experts advise that controlling room acoustic reflections improves vocal clarity far more than buying a costlier microphone.

Use DIY sock pop filter

Popping noises from words with ‘P’ or ‘B’ sounds can easily ruin cheap microphone recordings.

You can fix this instantly by stretching a clean nylon sock or tights over a wire hanger in front of your mic.

This simple shield breaks up harsh air blasts before they hit the capsule, keeping your voice smooth and natural.

Master proper mic positioning

Placing your mouth directly against a cheap microphone creates muddy bass and unwanted distortion.

Position your microphone roughly six inches away from your mouth, angled slightly toward your cheek rather than directly at your lips.

This simple physical shift prevents plosives while capturing a balanced, crisp vocal tone without electronic manipulation.

Tame background noise with free VST plugins

Generator noise and street traffic often spoil recordings in typical homes.

You can clean this up by downloading free noise-suppression software like Reaper’s ReaFir or Audacity’s built-in noise reduction filter.

Setting a quick noise profile eliminates steady background hums without making your voice sound robotic.

Apply equalisation and compression

Budget microphones often lack depth and crispness in their default state.

Applying a subtle high-frequency boost using free Digital Audio Workstation software adds airiness, while gentle compression balances your quiet and loud words.

This final digital polish gives your budget mic the rich presence of a studio condenser.

The Forum of Local Government Chairmen in the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said governors in the governing party has nothing against compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court on full autonomy for local councils.

Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Council of Niger State, who incidentally is the Chairman of the Progressives Local Government Chairmen Forum, Dr Mustafa Jibril Alheri made the clarification while addressing journalists in Abuja.

Checks revealed that the Supreme Court had, in a judgment in July 2024, affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local governments.

In the unanimous judgement of its seven-member panel, the Supreme Court upheld the suit brought by the federal government to strengthen the independence of local governments in the country.

A member of the panel, Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the court’s lead judgement, held that the local governments across the country should receive their allocations directly from the Accountant-General of the Federation.

He ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to receive and withhold funds allocated to Local Government Areas (LGAs) in their states.

Further checks revealed that the states have since prevaricated on their compliance with the judgement.

President Bola Tinubu, while speaking last December at the APC National Executive Committee meeting held last December, threatened the governors with the use of an executive order to ensure compliance with the judgment of the apex court.

But addressing journalists shortly after a meeting with the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Honourable Alheri, who led members of the Forum to the party national secretariat, declared that the governors were already complying with the judgment, submitting that the process has been gradual.

He maintained that the relationship between local government chairmen and the state governors in APC-controlled states has been very cordial and encouraging.

He said, ‘I want to also use this opportunity to assure you that we have the support of our governors. My own governor, the Governor of Niger State, Farmer Mohammed Umar Bago, is a strong supporter of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and one of the greatest leaders we have had regarding the issue of local government autonomy.

‘The President has been pursuing this for a very long time, and a lot of our states, especially the progressive states, are enjoying full autonomy. A lot of states are enjoying full autonomy, and this is a gradual process. It’s a transition process. It’s something that has been going on for a very long time.

‘The APC, as a party, has taken it upon itself, through the leadership of the President, to ensure that we get complete and full autonomy.

‘In Niger State, we are having all the support that we need from our governor, and most of the states under the Progressive Local Government leadership are also having very good support from their governors. We are transitioning jointly, slowly but surely, towards complete and full autonomy.

‘We are in collaboration with our governors. All the things that our governors are doing, we are signatories to them. It’s all for the development of the state, and we believe that surely the dream of Nigerians to see complete and full autonomy will come to pass across the whole of Nigeria, especially if all the other governors who are yet to join the APC eventually join the APC.’

The Obidient Movement has dismissed false reports alleging that its National Coordinator, Dr Yunusa Tanko, was removed from office by its presidential leader, Peter Obi, describing the claim as fabricated and intended to mislead the public.

In a statement signed by Onyeka Dike on behalf of the Media and Communications Directorate Team, the movement said the publication, attributed to an individual identified as Francis Nnoli, falsely claimed that Obi removed Tanko on the directive of an alleged Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement.

The group said Obi neither removed Tanko from any position nor authorised anyone to issue such a statement on his behalf.

According to the statement, the report was entirely false, and members of the public, supporters and the media were urged to disregard it.

The movement maintained that its official communications are issued only through authorised channels, adding that Obi would personally communicate any significant development relating to the movement through his verified public platforms.

It also alleged that some individuals were attempting to exploit the popularity of the Obidient Movement by creating unauthorised groups and circulating false information for personal or political advantage as the country approaches another election cycle.

The statement further claimed that some of those behind such activities had previously left the movement and were now attempting to portray themselves as speaking on its behalf.

Reaffirming its organisational structure, the Obidient Movement said Dr Yunusa Tanko remains its recognised National Coordinator and that there has been no change in its leadership.

The group called on supporters to verify political information through official communication channels before accepting or sharing it, warning that misinformation could increase as political activities gather momentum ahead of future elections.

It also urged security agencies to investigate individuals responsible for disseminating false political information and cautioned against the unauthorised use of the names of Peter Obi, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso or the Obidient Movement in political communications.

The movement stressed that it remained ‘an organised, disciplined and value-driven movement’, adding that no individual or self-created group has the authority to issue directives on behalf of its leadership without authorisation.

Oyo State Governor and Presidential Candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Engr. Seyi Makinde, will on Friday inaugurate the party’s Oyo State Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The inauguration is scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the campaign council was constituted to coordinate the party’s presidential and governorship campaigns and strengthen grassroots mobilisation across the state.

According to the statement, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, has been appointed Oyo State Coordinator of the APM 2027 Presidential Campaign and Director-General of the party’s Governorship Campaign Council.

Other appointments announced include former Oyo East Local Government Chairman, Hon. Saheed Arowosaye, as Deputy State Coordinator of the presidential campaign; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Demola Ojo, as Deputy Director-General for Oyo South Senatorial District; Dr. Femi Ojo as Deputy Director-General for Oyo Central Senatorial District; and Alhaji Siju Lawal as Deputy Director-General for Oyo North Senatorial District.

Also appointed are Hon. Ramata Agberemi Dabo as Director of the Women’s Wing and former Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa, as Director of the Youth Wing.

Explaining the rationale behind the appointments, Makinde said: ‘These appointments are strategic and reflect our commitment to inclusive politics, youth engagement, women’s participation, and effective grassroots mobilisation ahead of 2027.’

The governor expressed confidence that the campaign team, led by Adeniran, would work towards securing victory for the party in both the presidential and governorship elections.

He added that additional members of the campaign council would be announced in due course to ensure representation across the state’s 33 local government areas and wards.

Makinde also urged the appointees to regard their appointments as a call to service and work together to advance the ideals of the APM and its development agenda for Oyo State.

Party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters from across the state are expected to attend Friday’s inauguration.

THE spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi, has expressed concern over the arrest and detention of several individuals said to be members of the Accord ahead of the forthcoming Osun State election, calling on the Nigeria Police Force to provide clarification on the circumstances surrounding the arrests.

Speaking to journalists after visiting the office of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja, Olajengbesi claimed that more than 80 persons linked to the Accord Party had been arrested in recent days and transported from Osun State to the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, members of the campaign council met with police officials but were unable to obtain detailed information regarding the basis for the arrests.

‘We are asking the police to explain why these people were arrested and why they have been taken to Abuja. We believe they deserve due process and clarity on their status,’ he said.

Olajengbesi further alleged that some of the detainees had been transferred to correctional facilities in Keffi and Kuje, describing the situation as troubling, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the election.

He also claimed that another senior official in the Osun State Government had been arrested, although the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest could not be independently verified.

The campaign spokesperson urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that security agencies remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process, stressing the importance of maintaining public confidence in the conduct of the election.

‘We want a peaceful, free and credible election where every eligible voter can exercise his or her constitutional right without fear or intimidation,’ Olajengbesi stated.

He appealed to the police hierarchy to investigate the reported arrests and ensure that policing during the election is carried out in accordance with the law and without political bias.

The campaign council also called on relevant authorities to safeguard democratic institutions and protect the rights of citizens as Osun prepares for the governorship election.

The Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report, and the claims made by the campaign council remain unverified.