Category: News

Dr. Bayo Olugbemi, a prominent figure on the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has called on Christians to seize the potential offered by digital platforms and artificial intelligence. Speaking at the Regional Men’s Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Mount Zion Cathedral in Ibadan, he emphasized that these technologies provide pathways to financial independence and stability.

According to Olugbemi, there is a wealth of opportunities both within and outside church communities that believers can leverage for economic empowerment. He argued that embracing digital tools and AI could significantly reduce poverty rates if people actively pursue them.

“The digital space and artificial intelligence are brimming with possibilities,” Olugbemi stated. “We must not hesitate. Procrastination is a dream killer. Act now, today, because life demands risk-taking for survival and success.” He encouraged the audience to combine knowledge with decisive action, seek only genuine professionals for guidance, and put their whole hearts into their endeavors to inspire their generation.

Another speaker, social scientist Pastor Taiwo Babatope, emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare. “Don’t wait until you fall ill to see a doctor. Prevention is cheaper and better than cure,” he told the gathering, urging proactive health management.

Amnesty International has initiated a public investigation into the rising tide of gang violence and politically motivated thuggery in Kano State. This move comes after deadly assaults on May 5, 2026, which left at least five people dead in Kano and Gwarzo.

The organization, in a statement released on Saturday, confirmed that the probe is part of a broader effort to uncover those responsible for the attacks and to identify the politicians believed to be funding the violent groups commonly known as ‘Yan daba.

Isa Sanusi, Executive Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, emphasized that armed gangs linked to influential politicians and government officials are now a major threat to peace and human rights in the region. “The recent incidents of armed gangs working for certain prominent politicians and officials endanger the peace and fundamental rights of all Kano residents. The climate of fear is unacceptable,” Sanusi declared.

Amnesty International is calling on the public, civil society organizations, and families of victims to submit information through secure channels to aid the investigation and ensure accountability. Those found to be sponsoring or engaging in political violence should face consequences under both Nigerian and international law.

The group also urged Nigerian authorities, political parties, and politicians to consistently uphold the rule of law and protect lives and property before, during, and after political events. “The authorities and political actors must respect the rule of law at all times and ensure that lives and property are not endangered,” Sanusi added.

Looking ahead to future elections, Amnesty International called on politicians and parties to publicly distance themselves from the violent gangs that are terrorizing residents and undermining democratic processes. The organization warned that the escalating violence in Kano is eroding citizens’ ability to participate freely in social and political activities, and demanded urgent action to reverse this trend.

Sevilla manager Luis García Plaza expressed immense pride in Nigerian striker Akor Adams after his decisive contribution off the substitutes’ bench secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. The Super Eagles forward netted a stunning stoppage-time winner, sending the home crowd into raptures and lifting the club’s survival hopes in LaLiga.

Adams entered the fray during the second half and proved to be the game-changer, curling a magnificent shot into the bottom corner deep into added time to complete the comeback. The goal marked his ninth of the season, underlining his growing importance to Sevilla’s attack.

Earlier, Espanyol had taken the lead through Tyrhys Dolan after a defensive lapse from the hosts. However, Sevilla increased the pressure as the match wore on, forcing Espanyol to retreat. Their persistence paid off when Castrin leveled the score, setting the stage for Adams’ heroics.

In his post-match comments, García Plaza revealed his emotional reaction to the late winner. “I truly celebrated Akor’s goal. Although I have only been here for six games, I feel a strong connection with the team,” the Sevilla coach stated via the club’s official website. “The bench erupted in celebration, which is very significant. One must never stop believing. It was a testament to that.”

The victory provides a massive boost for Sevilla as they battle to distance themselves from the relegation zone in the final stretch of the campaign. Adams’ impactful display has further endeared him to supporters and demonstrated his knack for delivering in crucial moments.

García Plaza also highlighted the collective spirit shown by his side, noting that the team’s refusal to give up was key to securing the three points. The win moves Sevilla closer to safety, with Adams emerging as a pivotal figure in their fight for survival.

Policy analyst Baba Yusuf has cast doubt on the viability of a Peter Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso joint ticket for the 2027 presidential election. Speaking on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ program Friday, the CEO of Global Investment and Trade Company argued that while the pair might attract significant voter numbers, their support would lack the necessary geographic spread across both northern and southern Nigeria to meet constitutional requirements.

Obi and Kwankwaso recently left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), citing internal party crises and legal battles as reasons for their move. Yusuf noted that although around 70 million non-voters from the 2023 election might turn out, capturing the required majority across regions would remain elusive.

He stressed that a ‘me me’ attitude would not work and called for urgent consultations. Yusuf recommended that Obi and Kwankwaso engage elder statesmen like Atiku Abubakar to negotiate power-sharing arrangements. Without such collaboration, he warned, their effort will not yield positive results.

In a significant political development, Mr. Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate, and Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the National Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), have held a high-level meeting with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The closed-door meeting took place on Friday evening at Kwankwaso’s residence in the Maitama district of Abuja.

The gathering was confirmed through a statement issued by Hon. Saifullahi Hassan, who serves as a media aide to Kwankwaso. According to the statement, the discussions revolved around the current political landscape of the country, though the specifics of their deliberation were not disclosed to the public.

Notable figures present at the meeting, aside from Kwankwaso, included former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna; Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, who represents Kano Central; Buba Galadima, a prominent chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); and Yusuf Datti Kura, a member of the House of Representatives for the Kura, Madobi, and Garun Malam Federal Constituency. Additionally, several other key members of the Kwankwasiyya movement were in attendance.

While the exact topics covered remain confidential, this meeting is expected to intensify speculation about potential political alignments and alliances in the buildup to the 2027 presidential election. Observers have pointed to ongoing rumors of a possible coalition between Obi and Kwankwaso, which could result in a joint presidential ticket.

Ladan Salihu, a prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has raised alarms over ongoing legal battles, claiming they are strategically designed to weaken the party and give the All Progressives Congress (APC) a clear advantage in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today,’ Salihu expressed concerns about the leadership crisis within ADC as the nation approaches the next polls.

He emphasized that Nafiu Bala Gombe voluntarily resigned from his party position, and ADC possesses his signed resignation letter as evidence. According to Salihu, the court cases are part of a scheme to ambush ADC and create an unobstructed path for APC and its presidential candidate to coast to victory in 2027.

“This issue has been resolved. It’s all a setup to trap ADC and ensure that the APC and its flagbearer have a smooth ride to 2027,” Salihu stated.

He further added, “Our legal team is fully on top of this matter. The truth is that Nafiu Gombe resigned. We have his documents, his signatures, and everything. He is just a willing instrument in the hands of the APC and the government.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is poised to reclaim Oyo State in the 2027 gubernatorial election, according to former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu. He made this assertion in a statement released on Saturday, vowing that the APC would oust the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through unity and widespread support.

Adelabu, a gubernatorial aspirant under the APC banner, emphasized that his decision to contest again stems from a commitment to transformative governance. He noted that his formal declaration, slated for Tuesday in Ibadan, will herald a fresh political chapter aimed at restoring progressive leadership to the state.

Drawing on his experience as the APC candidate in the 2019 election—where he lost to incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde—Adelabu expressed confidence that the 2027 contest would yield a different outcome. He urged party faithful and residents to rally behind the APC to end PDP’s tenure.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan hosted Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a presidential aspirant for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at his Abuja residence on Friday. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two statesmen to exchange views on the current national challenges and the prospects for the 2027 general elections.

Hayatu-Deen, who recently obtained his nomination form from the ADC headquarters, used the visit to formally notify Jonathan of his ambition to contest the presidency. A statement from the aspirant’s media office on Saturday highlighted the long-standing professional relationship between both men, noting that Hayatu-Deen served under Jonathan in various capacities during the former president’s administration.

Specifically, Hayatu-Deen was a member of the National Council on Privatization and chaired the Bureau of Public Enterprises when Jonathan held the position of Vice President. He later served on the Presidential Advisory Committee during Jonathan’s tenure as Acting President and subsequently as President. The statement further revealed that Hayatu-Deen lauded Jonathan’s contributions to democratic governance and electoral integrity across Africa, describing him as a respected continental statesman.

In response, Jonathan greeted the ADC aspirant warmly and expressed his best wishes for Hayatu-Deen’s political journey. The media office also described Hayatu-Deen as a seasoned economist and banker with a four-decade career spanning both public and private sectors, which has contributed to job creation and institutional reforms in Nigeria. If elected, Hayatu-Deen plans to tackle insecurity, reduce the rising cost of living, and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

Jonathan’s engagement with Hayatu-Deen comes amid heightened political activities as the 2027 elections draw closer, with the former president himself facing speculation about a potential return to the ballot.

Ambassador-designates to South Africa and Mexico, Femi Fani-Kayode and Reno Omokri, have firmly stated that the presidency should not shift to the North in 2027. In a joint declaration issued on Saturday, the two appointees argued that Northern Nigeria already enjoyed two complete terms under former President Muhammadu Buhari, which was supported by the South. Therefore, they believe the South should retain power until 2031 to maintain balance and honor the informal pact that has guided Nigeria’s Fourth Republic since 1999.

The statement emphasized that the South’s current hold on power is not random but a deliberate outcome of the power rotation arrangement. They described any suggestion of returning power to the North after just one term from the South as unpatriotic and harmful to national unity and stability. The duo specifically backed President Bola Tinubu’s second term, noting that Tinubu was instrumental in returning power to the North in 2015.

According to the ambassadors-designate, the gentleman’s agreement that ushered in the Fourth Republic after 16 years of political turbulence requires a balanced rotation between North and South. They warned that disrupting this arrangement could undermine the country’s progress and cohesion. Their comments come amid growing political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections, with some northern leaders reportedly eyeing a return to power.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Imo State have jointly rejected reports claiming that pensioners are required to turn in their personal documents to the Secretary to the State Government’s office to receive gratuities.

In a combined press statement, NLC State Chairperson Uche Chigemezu Nwigwe and NUP State Chairman JB Ugochukwu labeled the news as fraudulent and deceptive, designed to trick unsuspecting members of the public.

Both labor organizations stressed that the report is unauthorized and did not come from either union.

“Discussions with the state government regarding the next round of gratuity payments are ongoing, and Governor Hope Uzodinma remains committed to fulfilling his promise,” the statement read.

“We urge all pensioners to ignore this fake news and not fall prey to scammers or unauthorized individuals demanding money or personal information related to gratuity payments.”

Pensioners seeking reliable information and official updates about gratuity are advised to contact or visit the NUP office or the NLC secretariat.

The organized labor leadership reiterated its dedication to safeguarding the interests and welfare of workers and pensioners at all times.