Category: News

Former All Progressives Congress deputy spokesperson, Timi Frank, has called for the immediate freedom of ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and businessman Tony Ayeni. He asserts that a scheme is underway to assassinate El-Rufai, according to a statement he released on Sunday.

El-Rufai has been held by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission on corruption charges linked to his tenure. His family recently accused the ICPC of denying him food and medical care over the weekend.

Frank referenced unnamed security sources, alleging that senior officials in President Bola Tinubu’s administration are orchestrating the plan. He warned that any harm to El-Rufai after his release would be deeply concerning.

Frank also criticized judicial officers for imposing restrictive bail conditions that prolong detention. Regarding Ayeni, he argued that the businessman is being persecuted due to his political sympathies for the opposition, noting that courts have previously cleared him of similar charges brought by the EFCC.

At 89 years old, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has shared the strategies that have enabled him to live with diabetes for more than four decades. Speaking in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Obasanjo emphasized that a balanced diet, regular medical screenings, and intentional lifestyle choices have been key to his long-term management of the condition.

He urged people to pay closer attention to their health, noting that many individuals neglect their well-being. ‘One thing you must understand is that exercise is very important at every age, and even more important when you become a senior citizen,’ he said. ‘I’m officially 89 years old, but by the grace of God, I have been keeping fit and strong despite the fact that I have been diabetic for over 40 years.’

Obasanjo stressed that routine physical activity is crucial for maintaining health, especially for older adults. He made these remarks during a public event aimed at promoting healthy living.

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam, the Permanent Secretary for Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. Jalam passed away in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, while performing the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage.

Affectionately known as Turakin Dawakin Misau, Jalam succumbed to a short illness early Saturday morning during the sacred journey. His sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the state.

In a condolence message released by Mukhtar Gidado, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mohammed described the late official as an exceptionally dedicated and industrious civil servant whose contributions to Bauchi’s progress were immense.

The governor highlighted Jalam’s pivotal role in coordinating previous Hajj operations and executing various government assignments with precision. Mohammed noted that his death represents a significant loss to the state administration, his grieving family, colleagues, and the entire community.

Funeral arrangements are set to take place after the Zuhur prayer at the Holy Mosque of the Kaaba in Makkah. The governor extended heartfelt condolences to Jalam’s family, the Office of the SSG, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, and the Misau and Dambam Emirate Councils.

Mohammed prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the departed, seeking forgiveness for his shortcomings and granting him Aljannatul Firdaus.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has voiced its shock and anger following the well-planned assault on three educational institutions in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The group has called on regional authorities to take decisive measures.

In a statement delivered on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, the group offered condolences to the affected families and those who lost loved ones.

DAILY POST gathered that on Friday, heavily armed terrorists on motorbikes targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esinele, and L.A. Primary School—all within the same local government area.

Reports indicate that at least 45 students were taken captive during the raids.

Ajayi revealed that Afenifere’s leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was deeply troubled by the news, especially as it coincided with the week he celebrated his 100th birthday. “He extends heartfelt sympathy to the victims and their families, and prays for the swift recovery of the injured. He also insists that a permanent end to the country’s deadly insecurity crisis must be achieved without any further delay,” Ajayi stated.

According to Ajayi, these latest attacks reinforce the growing fear that terrorists are making determined moves to overrun the South-West and eventually the entire southern region.

He criticized the current actions of South-West governors, suggesting they fail to grasp the full weight of their security obligations. “The primary duty of any government is the safety and well-being of its citizens. Governments in the South-Western states must demonstrate that they are fully aware of their constitutional duties. Everything possible must be done to ensure no part of this region suffers another attack from kidnappers or bandits,” he emphasized.

Ajayi warned that Yorubaland has been infiltrated by these criminal elements and urged the six governors in the region to make the security of their people their utmost priority. “We must take every necessary step to deny terrorists any presence or foothold in Yorubaland—from Lagos all the way to Kogi, including Edo and Delta states,” he said.

He added that while the federal government bears the heavy responsibility of national security and welfare, the governors have a sacred duty to deploy available resources to protect their people and guarantee their well-being.

At a recent gathering reviewing the 2026 World Hepatitis Summit outcomes in Bangkok, key stakeholders demanded an immediate and substantial expansion of treatment services for individuals infected with hepatitis B and C. They also emphasized the necessity of increasing the coverage of hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination to meet global elimination objectives by the decade’s end.

The World Health Organization’s Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis sets ambitious benchmarks: a 95% drop in hepatitis incidence, a 65% reduction in related deaths, and ensuring 90% of those infected are diagnosed and 80% receive proper care by 2030.

Held in Jalingo over the weekend, the meeting was coordinated by the Centre for Initiative Development (CFID). It drew participants from health, education, and professional sectors across Taraba State. Officials from the Taraba State Ministry of Health praised CFID’s consistent public health work, noting that its awareness campaigns and support services have significantly expanded hepatitis testing and boosted public knowledge about individual health statuses.

The ministry called for stronger ties with development partners to enhance the state’s hepatitis response. A World Health Organization representative highlighted hepatitis risks and urged collaborative global and local actions to hit the 2030 target. The official recognized CFID’s role in lowering hepatitis rates in Taraba and stressed ongoing training for health workers with up‑to‑date global data.

Institutions including the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Taraba State University, and Muwanshat College of Health and Technology committed to intensifying awareness drives within their campuses and deepening cooperation with CFID to improve community testing and treatment uptake. The Nigerian Medical Association’s Taraba chapter called for broader distribution of recent global hepatitis reports across health facilities, arguing that better access to current data will strengthen clinical responses and disease management. Meanwhile, the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria renewed its promise to promote routine hepatitis testing and counseling, stressing that early diagnosis is vital to reducing transmission and long‑term complications.

A lawyer identified as Barrister Gloria shared her personal experience, exposing widespread myths about hepatitis transmission—clarifying that the disease is not spread through sweat. She urged greater investment in prevention and treatment, noting that stigma continues to hinder testing and care access.

Presenting global figures, CFID’s founder and CEO, Prince (Dr.) Danjuma Adda, reported that roughly 237 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B, with two deaths occurring every minute. He added that about 46 million people have hepatitis C globally, causing one death every two minutes. Adda noted that 2.9% of the world’s population has chronic hepatitis B, and in 2024, 58% of the global hepatitis C burden was concentrated in ten countries, including Nigeria. Hepatitis B and C together account for over 95% of viral hepatitis‑related deaths worldwide.

According to him, around 1.8 million new hepatitis B and C infections were recorded in 2024, with approximately 1.3 million deaths during the same period, primarily from liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. He added that ten countries, including Nigeria, account for 69% of chronic hepatitis B‑related deaths, while another ten countries account for 58% of hepatitis C‑related deaths globally.

However, Adda noted progress, revealing that 85 countries have already met the 2030 target of reducing chronic hepatitis B prevalence among children under five to below 0.1%. “With all hands on deck, the dream of attaining the global elimination target of the virus can be achieved,” he said.

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has intensified its call for equitable representation and impartiality within Nigeria’s public administration. This renewed emphasis was highlighted during a recent oversight engagement with key government agencies.

Hon. Peter Eze, who chairs the FCC Committee on Works, Transport and Aviation, led the interactive session held at the commission’s Abuja headquarters. The meeting brought together officials from the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) and the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) to discuss compliance with federal character principles.

Eze underscored the committee’s dedication to fostering transparency, accountability, and balanced opportunities across all ministries, departments, and agencies. He noted that the dialogue aimed to reinforce constitutional mandates regarding appointments, recruitment, staff development, and resource distribution.

According to the committee chair, collaboration between the FCC and regulatory bodies is crucial for enhancing national unity and administrative equity. The session explored ways to improve institutional efficiency, strengthen compliance mechanisms, and promote inter-agency communication.

The SURCON delegation was headed by Surveyor Olugbemiro Kunle, while Dr. Bayero Salih Farah led the NITT team. Both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to professionalism, accountability, and adherence to government regulations in public service administration.

Committee members present included Hon. Halima Ahmadu Jabiru, Hon. Eludayo Eluyemi, Rt. Hon. Victor Sabor Edoror, Hon. Engr. Modu Mustapha, and Hon. Sani General Garba. They collectively stressed the need for stronger oversight and improved implementation of federal character principles across all sectors to ensure effective service delivery.

During the 2026 World Communications Day celebration, the Presiding Bishop of the Old Catholic Apostolic Church, Most Rev. Oluwaseun Fagbohun, issued a powerful appeal to journalists and professionals from all fields to prioritize truthfulness in their work, emphasizing that honesty is crucial for Nigeria’s progress and unity.

Speaking at the event in Ado Ekiti, Bishop Fagbohun underscored that truth is the essential cornerstone that can rescue society from moral decay, injustice, and national fragmentation. He insisted that no matter the obstacles, truth must never be sacrificed.

The bishop urged not only media professionals but also lawyers, judges, doctors, artisans, politicians, and clergy to practice integrity in all circumstances. He stated, “Let journalists, lawyers, judges, doctors, clerics, politicians, artisans, and every citizen speak the truth, even at the point of death. Truth alone can save our nation.”

He noted that World Communications Day serves as a yearly reminder of communication’s vital role in shaping a just, peaceful, and accountable society. He further encouraged media practitioners to remain steadfast in ethical journalism, objectivity, and factual reporting, despite the challenges they face.

Concluding his remarks, Bishop Fagbohun appealed to all Nigerians to promote honesty in everyday interactions, asserting that a society founded on truth will experience sustainable peace, development, and unity.

Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the upcoming August 15 election in Osun State, has pledged to bring back approximately 2,000 teachers and health workers who were let go from their positions if he emerges victorious at the polls.

In a statement released on Sunday from Lagos following a gathering with over 1,500 educators and 515 medical staff who lost their jobs in 2022 under the state government, Oyebamiji characterized their dismissal as unjust and lamentable. He pointed out that many had dedicated years of faithful service only to be terminated without receiving owed salaries, benefits, or any assurance of employment stability.

He argued that any administration genuinely focused on progress would never turn away trained professionals eager to contribute to the public sector. Oyebamiji emphasized that such terminations erode trust in the civil service apparatus and dampen motivation across the educational and healthcare fields.

The APC candidate assured those affected that his administration would make their reinstatement a top priority, alongside resolving unpaid salary arrears and overdue promotion entitlements.

Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, who represents Ogun Central in the Nigerian Senate, has called for urgent reforms to modernize the country’s legal and administrative frameworks, noting that many existing laws remain rooted in an analogue era despite the rapid growth of the global digital economy.

Speaking at the conclusion of a two-week digital skills training program held in Abeokuta for about 350 youths from his district, the lawmaker—who also chairs the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity—emphasized that technology is now the foundation of modern economies and that citizens lacking digital skills risk being left behind.

The training, organized in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, covered cybersecurity, content creation, and other digital competencies. Participants underwent one week of virtual instruction followed by a week of hands-on practical sessions before receiving laptops, a measure Salisu said was designed to prevent recipients from simply reselling the devices.

On the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill currently before the National Assembly, Salisu described it as a key legacy initiative of his first term. He explained that the bill would establish a regulated environment for electronic transactions, compel government agencies to digitize their operations, and create a national digital exchange system to enable seamless data sharing among public institutions.

“The society has gone digital; our laws are still analogue,” Salisu stated, underscoring the need for legal clarity in electronic dealings. He expressed confidence that the legislation would be passed and signed into law before the National Assembly’s recess later this year.

Commenting on Nigeria’s digital progress, Salisu pointed to the technological systems used by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), noting that officials from other African countries have visited Nigeria to study its admission processes. He acknowledged that more work remains but said ongoing investments in broadband infrastructure, including the federal government’s fiber optic expansion project, will enhance digital connectivity nationwide and support future electronic voting systems.

In a strongly worded address at the NDC aspirants’ summit held in Abuja on Saturday, chieftain Buba Galadima accused the ruling APC of deliberately crafting the 2026 Electoral Act to hobble opposition parties. He asserted that the legislation was conceived to make it nearly impossible for rival political groups to field candidates fairly.

Galadima, a prominent figure in the Nigerian Democratic Congress, claimed that the APC formed a committee well before the bill reached the National Assembly, ensuring the final law would overwhelmingly favor the ruling party. He criticized the speed at which President Bola Tinubu signed the bill, suggesting the president had a prearranged version ready for endorsement.

“The moment the National Assembly concluded its work on the draft, the president assented within an hour,” Galadima stated. “Did he truly examine that bill? It’s evident a prewritten document was waiting for him.”

He focused his criticism on clauses regulating candidate emergence, which limit methods to either consensus or direct primaries. According to Galadima, the APC wagered that opposition parties would fail to achieve consensus and would be forced into direct primaries—a process he believes is inherently flawed for them.

“No opposition party can conduct direct primaries without major irregularities,” he warned. “Therefore, I urge all party members and aspirants to avoid direct primaries for the 2027 elections and instead pursue consensus arrangements.”

Galadima’s remarks underscore deepening concerns about Nigeria’s democratic processes and the perceived manipulation of electoral laws to entrench one-party dominance.