Category: News

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has been declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election, following a consensus arrangement during the party’s primaries.

The selection process saw party members and supporters across various wards in the state coming together to unanimously back Lawal as the APC’s standard-bearer for the upcoming gubernatorial race.

In remarks delivered to journalists after the exercise, Lawal expressed gratitude to party faithful for the trust they have placed in him. He vowed to continue and expand developmental initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents of Zamfara State.

This development coincides with Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State securing his party’s ticket for a second term bid on Thursday. Both Lawal and Radda are vying for re-election under the APC banner, reflecting a coordinated push by the party to retain key states in the region.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Hard Copy program, Adewole Adebayo, who was the Social Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the previous election, addressed the issue of government infiltrators within his party. He pointed out that it is a long-standing tactic for ruling parties across different administrations to plant moles in opposition parties. Adebayo emphasized the importance of leadership in guiding party members to recognize the difference between principled politics and transactional dealings, where individuals can be co-opted for short-term gains.

He warned that those who allow themselves to be used by the government for petty benefits or fleeting fame will face consequences that extend beyond their own lives, affecting future generations. Adebayo stressed that Nigeria is grappling with severe challenges and cannot afford distractions. He called on politicians to participate in ways that lead to positive outcomes for the country.

Highlighting the current hardships, Adebayo noted that hunger in the Southwest region fuels anger, and citizens paying three times their salary for petrol cannot be satisfied. He urged party members to stay focused on the broader goal of national development rather than succumbing to opportunistic maneuvers.

The Nigerian Army has announced a significant shift toward modern warfare capabilities, with drone surveillance technology now at the forefront of its operational strategy. This commitment was solidified during a recent strategic conference held in Abuja, where senior military leaders assessed current missions and outlined future responses to the nation’s complex security landscape.

Lieutenant General Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff, detailed the service’s trajectory in a statement released via official channels. He emphasized that the conference served as a forum for critical evaluation of ongoing campaigns and the formulation of adaptive tactics. The discussions at the Army Conference Centre in Asokoro focused on honing combat readiness, revamping training approaches, and embracing technological advances essential for modern conflict.

According to General Shaibu, the resulting resolutions aim to forge a more agile, combat-ready, and technologically adept force capable of addressing emerging threats with precision. A cornerstone of these reforms is the increased investment in cutting-edge warfare tools, notably the acquisition of additional tactical drones and the repurposing of Army aviation assets for direct combat support.

Shaibu explained that these technological enhancements have already improved intelligence gathering, target accuracy, troop mobility, and casualty evacuation across various operational theaters. He also pointed to ongoing upgrades in recruitment practices, advanced training programs, professional military education, and leadership development, underscoring that discipline, competence, and merit are foundational to a stronger institution.

Reiterating his “soldier-first” philosophy, the COAS asserted that troop welfare remains a non-negotiable priority. He stated that well-motivated soldiers in conducive environments are essential for mission success. He called on senior officers to ensure conference resolutions are fully implemented in field operations, stressing that tangible battlefield impact is the true measure of the gathering’s value.

Describing the scope of the reforms, Shaibu remarked, “We are not just reforming the Army; we are building a lethal, technology-driven fighting force where only discipline, merit, and mission success matter.” The Army Chief expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support, as well as to the Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, and intelligence agencies for their continued cooperation. The conference concluded with the award of commendation plaques to senior officers recognized for outstanding contributions to operational effectiveness.

A prominent education activist, Alex Onyia, has urged for a formal inquiry into a series of disturbing accusations leveled against Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University. The call was made public through a statement issued via Onyia’s official social media channels.

Onyia’s statement highlights that the institution has been repeatedly linked to grave allegations including academic fraud, extortion, threats, armed robbery, sexual assault, and even murder. These claims, he asserts, have persisted over time without adequate intervention.

Specifically, Onyia has called on the Anambra State Government to quickly set up a panel to investigate these serious claims. He argues that the current university administration, led by the Vice Chancellor, has been accused of forcing students to pay a mandatory N15,000 fee for a mobile application, with a N35,000 penalty for non-compliance.

“Students should not be made to suffer any longer. The situation demands immediate change,” the statement emphasized. Onyia stressed that the alleged misconduct must be addressed to restore integrity and safety within the academic environment.

Financial analyst and educator Kalu Aja has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu for attributing Nigeria’s escalating insecurity to former beneficiaries of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange systems. In a statement made through former governor Olusegun Osoba during the launch of a book titled The NADECO Story in Lagos, Tinubu suggested that those who profited from these corrupt regimes are fueling the nation’s unrest.

Reacting on social media platform X, Aja argued that the President is simply looking for scapegoats rather than tackling the actual sources of violence. He dismissed the link between insecurity and fuel subsidy or forex policies, pointing to recent attacks in northern Nigeria as evidence. Aja highlighted that even the United States has bombed ISIS in the Northeast, questioning whether those militants were motivated by fuel subsidies. He warned that misdiagnosing the problem could lead to further deterioration, stating, “If one does not know the problem, one can’t fix the problem. Now I am really quite worried.”

Aja’s comments underscore growing frustration with the administration’s approach to security, which many see as insufficient and misguided.

In a coordinated effort involving multiple security agencies, the Vice Chairperson of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Mrs. Ogunleye Grace, has been freed from captivity unharmed. She was taken by unidentified assailants on May 20, 2026, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.

The Ekiti State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Abutu Sunday, confirmed the successful rescue on Thursday in Ado Ekiti. He stated that a joint task force comprising police, military units, local security operatives, and other agencies worked together to intensify pressure on the criminals, leading to her safe release.

Commissioner of Police, CP Falade Micheal, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the abduction to identify the perpetrators and uncover the circumstances behind the incident. The police chief commended the collaborative effort and reiterated the command’s commitment to public safety.

Mrs. Grace’s rescue marks a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in the region, highlighting the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

In a decisive move to bolster security management across Taraba State, Governor Agbu Kefas has officially sanctioned the creation of a Security Advisory Committee. This development was disclosed through a statement issued on Thursday in Jalingo, signed by Chief Barrister Gebon Timothy Kataps, the Secretary to the State Government.

The newly formed committee comprises seasoned retired senior security personnel drawn from various branches of Nigeria’s security apparatus. Their primary responsibility will be to furnish the state government with expert guidance on emerging security threats and recommend effective response strategies.

Among the appointees are notable figures such as Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services; Boniface Robert Sinjen; Henry Tafida Wesley; Abubakar Adamu; J. Akila; Kabir Aliyu; Hassan Hosea Karma; Edward Bobsom Umar; S.S. Garba; Gani Danyaya; and DT Audu.

The state government has indicated that Governor Kefas will formally inaugurate the committee in the near future. It further stated that the panel will commence its duties promptly, advising on policy options and operational tactics aimed at protecting lives and property throughout Taraba.

Omoyele Sowore, a well-known human rights advocate and former presidential contender, has voiced allegations that the Department of State Services (DSS) is obstructing the release of social media influencer Justice Chidiebere, who is widely recognized as Justice Crack. In a recent statement published on Sowore’s official platform, he claimed that the DSS is deliberately holding back the fulfillment of bail conditions granted by a court.

According to Sowore’s remarks, Justice Crack has managed to satisfy nearly all the requirements for his bail, with one notable exception: the submission of his international passport. Sowore asserts that this passport is currently in the possession of the DSS and has not been handed over to his legal team, thereby preventing full compliance with the court’s order.

The activist further suggested that the bail terms might have been intentionally crafted to be nearly impossible to meet, effectively keeping Justice Crack behind bars despite the judicial ruling. “It now appears that the bail conditions themselves may have been deliberately designed to make compliance impossible in the first place,” the statement emphasized, highlighting concerns about the integrity of the judicial process.

This development has sparked renewed debate about the actions of security agencies in Nigeria and their adherence to court directives. Sowore’s allegations add to ongoing discussions about the treatment of detainees and the transparency of legal proceedings in the country.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the Sokoto Zone has issued a stark warning about a potential new wave of industrial action across Nigeria’s public universities. The union attributes this looming crisis to the federal government’s persistent failure to honour agreements it signed with the academic body.

During a press briefing held in Sokoto on Thursday, the union’s Zonal Coordinator, Abubakar Sabo, voiced deep frustration over the slow pace of implementing the 2025 FGN-ASUU Agreement. He noted that while the pact was officially endorsed in January 2026, the government has yet to set up the Implementation Monitoring Committee required to oversee its rollout. This delay, Sabo argued, is sowing seeds of discontent and unsettling the academic environment.

“If these issues are not tackled urgently, we risk plunging the university system into an avoidable labour conflict,” Sabo warned. He highlighted that many universities have not adopted the agreed 40% salary increase tied to allowances such as Consolidated Academic Tool Allowances (CATA), Earned Academic Allowances, and Professorial Allowances.

The list of unresolved grievances is extensive. According to ASUU, lecturers are still waiting for arrears linked to the 25–35% salary award, promotion backlogs, salary shortfalls from the IPPIS payment platform, withheld wages from the 2022 strike, and unpaid pensions for retired academics. State-owned universities are not exempt either; the union pointed to unpaid allowances, failure to remit deductions or union dues, missing annual increments, and the absence of governing councils in several institutions.

Beyond bread-and-butter issues, ASUU expressed alarm at the federal government’s plan to establish a Nigerian campus of Coventry University under the Transnational Education framework. The union fears this move could undermine local universities. Additionally, it strongly opposed proposals to phase out certain humanities and social science courses, insisting every discipline plays a vital role in national growth.

The union also raised the alarm over rising insecurity across Northern Nigeria, noting that banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes are disrupting academic activities in numerous institutions. ASUU called on both federal and state authorities to tackle insecurity, poverty, and joblessness, while reiterating the demand for full implementation of all agreements to prevent further turmoil in the education sector.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Professor Segun Aina to lead the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), succeeding Professor Is-haq Oloyede, whose term ends on July 31, 2026. The announcement was made on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Here are essential details about the incoming JAMB registrar:

Professor Aina is a Computer Engineering professor at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife. He is widely recognized as a distinguished academic and systems expert with deep expertise in examination systems, digital infrastructure, and institutional reforms.

His connection with JAMB began during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program, where he acquired early exposure to national admissions processes and data management. This experience is believed to have shaped his subsequent contributions to examination reforms and system optimization.

Aina earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Kent, UK. He went on to obtain an MSc in Internet Computing and Network Security, as well as a PhD in Digital Signal Processing from Loughborough University, UK. He also completed the Senior Management Programme at Lagos Business School.

The new JAMB chief has collaborated with major examination bodies such as the National Examinations Council (NECO), the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and several state education ministries. He brings over 15 years of post-graduation experience to the role.

Turning 40 in July, Professor Aina has been celebrated as one of Nigeria’s youngest professors of Computer Engineering. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).