Author: Gabby

The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) has announced its readiness to conduct the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for June 13. According to a statement made on Thursday, the election will take place in all 21 local government areas across the state.

Zenald Zidon Love, the commission’s Commissioner for Public Affairs, Planning, and Strategy, shared updates during a press briefing in Yola. He confirmed that all election materials are in place, ad-hoc staff have been recruited, and security agencies are fully involved in the process, including candidate screening.

A joint security meeting is planned for June 8, 2026, at the ADSIEC Secretariat to finalize security arrangements, as added by Love.

The election timetable indicates that campaigning, which began on May 1, 2026, will conclude on June 11. Results are expected to be announced between June 13 and June 14, with a possible rerun on June 20 if needed.

Love also confirmed that 11 political parties have been cleared to contest the polls. These include the Young Progressive Party (YPP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Peoples Party (APP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Boot Party (BP), and Accord Party (AP).

The Lagos State Government has confirmed that approximately 28,000 trucks have been enrolled in the Lekki-Epe electronic call-up system, a digital initiative designed to streamline truck movements along the corridor. Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi shared this update during a gathering with stakeholders, which included representatives from NUPENG, terminal operators, and transport unions.

Despite the high registration numbers, Osiyemi pointed out that some truck operators are still bypassing the platform to access the Lekki-Epe route without proper clearance. He cautioned that the government is preparing to roll out stringent enforcement measures to compel adherence to the system, ensuring that all operators comply moving forward.

The meeting, also attended by Permanent Secretary Olawale Musa, aimed to evaluate the e-call-up system’s performance and address challenges tied to its use around the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Zone, and Lekki Deep Sea Port corridor. The consultant overseeing the project reported that around 11,000 transport operators have signed up, with nearly 28,000 trucks now logged in the digital registry.

Key figures at the session included LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki, Director of Transport Operations Engr. Olasunkanmi Ojowuro, NUPENG officials, terminal operators, and other transport sector stakeholders. The state government kicked off enforcement of this electronic call-up system for tankers and articulated vehicles along the Lekki-Epe corridor in 2025, aiming to prevent the kind of severe traffic congestion that once plagued Apapa.

Instead of permitting haphazard truck parking, the system introduces a coordinated, tech-driven scheduling process. Truck operators must register online, submit their “Authority to Load” documents, and await electronic approval before entering the Lekki-Epe area.

The Ogun State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Republic of Korea, is set to roll out a comprehensive vaccination drive aimed at reaching children who have missed routine immunizations. The campaign, which runs through December, targets unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in selected communities, with a focus on boosting routine immunization coverage and reinforcing primary healthcare delivery.

During an orientation session on Thursday at Oke-Mosan, Elijah Ogunsola, Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Healthcare Development Board, emphasized that this initiative represents a significant step forward in enhancing child health outcomes. He expressed gratitude to development partners, especially UNICEF, for their ongoing support in strengthening immunization efforts. The campaign will prioritize children aged zero to 23 months, ensuring they receive essential life-saving vaccines.

Ogunsola noted that the outreach will be implemented in local government areas and underserved communities where immunization rates are low. The program will involve coordinated efforts among health workers, community mobilizers, and development partners to maximize reach and impact.

Micheal Oyediji, a UNICEF Local Vaccine Consultant, praised health workers and stakeholders for their dedication to improving immunization coverage. He highlighted that the ROK-UNICEF project will support selected health facilities, integrate regular outreach, and strengthen monitoring systems. It will also prioritize HPV vaccination, improve cold chain infrastructure, and enhance community mobilization to ensure no eligible child is left behind.

Celine Lafoucriere, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Lagos, stated that the intervention will strengthen Nigeria’s primary healthcare system, support routine immunization delivery, and rebuild public confidence in healthcare services, especially at the grassroots level. She underscored that reaching zero-dose children is a national development priority, as healthy children are crucial for human capital development, productivity, and social stability.

Lee Sang Ho, Consul General of the Republic of Korea, noted that Nigeria’s high number of unvaccinated children poses a serious threat to global health security, justifying Korea’s investment under the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator framework. He described immunization as a critical component of national development and urged mothers, community leaders, and healthcare workers to support the campaign, stressing that no child should be denied protection against preventable diseases due to distance, ignorance, or socio-cultural barriers.

In a swift response to a distress call, security operatives from Sector 7, Sub-Sector 71 of Operation Enduring Peace successfully disrupted a kidnapping plot along a highway in Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

According to information released by security analyst Zagazola Makama on his X platform, the event unfolded around 12:15 a.m. on May 21. Soldiers stationed at the Ungwan Gora checkpoint acted on a report of suspicious activity near Ungwan Dariya village.

The troops moved rapidly to the location, compelling the criminals to flee into the bush and abandon their scheme. A victim who sustained injuries during the incident was rescued and promptly taken to Confidence Hospital in Fadan Karshi for medical care.

Authorities have confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and capture the escaping culprits, while security presence along the route has been strengthened to avert any future incidents.

A fresh wave of discord has hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State following Senatorial aspirant Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi’s firm denial of withdrawing from the Zamfara North primary election.

In a formal letter to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Shinkafi dismissed claims that he stepped aside for a consensus candidate during the party’s May 19 primary. He insisted he never withdrew or issued any statement to that effect.

“I did not step down from the senatorial race. I neither wrote any withdrawal letter nor made any public or private declaration of withdrawal,” Shinkafi asserted.

The aspirant accused certain powerful party figures of scheming to exclude him from the primary process. He claimed that aspirants in Zamfara were told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had instructed all senatorial hopefuls to make way for incumbents—a directive he termed arbitrary and illegal.

Shinkafi argued that such an arrangement contravenes the Electoral Act 2026 provisions governing party primaries and consensus candidates. He warned that the APC risks repeating the internal implosion that cost the party all elective seats in Zamfara after the 2019 polls.

He further alleged that political thugs were deployed to disrupt senatorial primaries in some areas, deliberately clearing the path for an illegitimate consensus. Shinkafi said he instructed his supporters in Zamfara North not to take part in the affirmation of candidates, vowing to legally challenge his exclusion.

He also cautioned that rising insecurity, economic hardship, and deepening internal rifts within the APC could jeopardize the party’s performance in the 2027 general elections in the state.

The Nigerian Presidency has swiftly refuted claims circulating in certain quarters that President Bola Tinubu is plotting a constitutional amendment to rename the country as the United States of Nigeria. In a statement released on Thursday, the administration labeled the reports as baseless and fabricated, urging the public to disregard them entirely.

Bayo Onanuga, a media aide to President Tinubu, categorically denied the allegations, which also suggested a move to abolish Sharia Law in the northern region. Onanuga described the story, which relied on unnamed sources, as a deliberate attempt by certain political actors to sow discord and destabilize the nation ahead of upcoming elections.

He emphasized that the president has no intention of submitting any bill titled “Project True Federation” to the National Assembly, contrary to the false claims. Instead, Tinubu remains fully committed to advancing the economic reforms already initiated by his administration and delivering tangible benefits to Nigerians.

Onanuga cautioned citizens to be vigilant against consuming fake news, especially as political campaigns intensify leading up to the general elections scheduled for January 2026. He reiterated that the presidency is focused on governance and not on divisive agenda.

During a press conference in Abuja marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary, Rear Admiral Akinola Olatunde, the Chief of Policy and Plans at Naval Headquarters, outlined several pressing issues the force has encountered over its decades of service. Primarily, advancements in technology and research have emerged as critical areas needing improvement.

Olatunde explained that the Navy has evolved significantly from its early focus on simple policing to embracing broader diplomatic and military roles. He highlighted how the institution has grown from a small coastal patrol unit into a powerful symbol of national strength, regional stability, and global maritime capability, all through adaptability and strategic planning.

The Nigerian Navy was officially formed on June 1, 1956, initially called the Naval Defence Force. It started with 250 personnel and 11 ships transferred from the Royal Navy’s Colonial Marine Department. By 1958, it became the Royal Nigerian Navy, losing the ‘Royal’ prefix when Nigeria became a republic in 1963. The modern structure was legally established by Parliament in 1964, with Commodore JEA Wey becoming the first Nigerian to lead the force.

Olatunde pointed out specific areas where the Navy lags, such as cyber capabilities and adapting to new types of crime, like drug trafficking from neighboring countries. He also mentioned the challenge of autonomous systems, including drones. Regarding submarines, he noted that current threat assessments for Africa, up to 2030, do not prioritize underwater threats, but this is under constant review.

The officer emphasized the desire to be more independent in military production, recalling lessons from the Civil War. He stated that the Navy aims to improve self-sufficiency in shipbuilding, record systems, and other technology-driven fields to avoid reliance on foreign procurement during crises.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has urged young people to look beyond academic qualifications and prioritize acquiring digital proficiency to thrive in today’s economy. Speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the Techrise Cohort 3 programme, Otti said mere certificates are no longer enough to secure employment or sustain a career.

The governor, represented by Commissioner Uzor Nwachukwu, addressed 850 youths enrolled in the three-month training initiative. He emphasized that the programme aims to equip participants with entrepreneurial and innovative abilities, enabling them to become job creators rather than job seekers.

According to Otti, the modern workplace demands deep competence and practical problem-solving skills. He advised the youths to focus on building expertise in technology rather than relying solely on paper qualifications.

Permanent Secretary Oge Maduka explained that the training covers artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, product design, software development, data engineering, and other emerging tech fields. She noted that these skills are critical for the participants to succeed in a competitive global environment.