Category: News

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has commenced the disbursement of 123 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim as a refund for foreign exchange differentials. The announcement was made by the Executive Chairman, Malam Salihu S Abubakar, after the Zuhur prayer at the Ibrahim Khalil residence.

According to Malam Salihu, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) initially set the Basic Traveling Allowance (BTA) at $500 per pilgrim, with an exchange rate of N1,143 per dollar. This resulted in a total payment of N721,500 per pilgrim. However, the naira appreciated by the time pilgrims were airlifted, with the exchange rate dropping to N1,350.74 per dollar. Consequently, the naira equivalent of the $500 BTA decreased to N675,370 per pilgrim, creating a difference of N46,130 per pilgrim.

The agency then converted this balance at an exchange rate of N375 per Saudi Riyal, yielding 123 Riyals per pilgrim, plus an additional N5. The refund process began after the Asr prayer on Monday, starting with pilgrims from the first flight. The remaining N5 will be paid to those who wish to collect it upon their return to Nigeria.

Pilgrims have expressed appreciation for the transparency and accountability demonstrated by the Malam Salihu-led Special Hajj Committee in managing the pilgrimage and the agency’s operations.

In a significant milestone for Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, Ogun State has been recognized as the second-highest performing state in Nigeria according to the 2025 State Performance Index (pSPI) released by Phillips Consulting. This achievement highlights the positive outcomes of the ISEYA development agenda on the region’s residents.

The index, which evaluates all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, placed Ogun just behind Lagos State. Kaduna, Adamawa, and Niger secured the third, fourth, and fifth positions respectively. The pSPI methodology blends 70% objective performance metrics with 30% citizen perception surveys, offering a balanced view of governance effectiveness.

Objective criteria include fiscal management, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic performance, while the perception component captures public sentiment on service delivery. Ogun’s strong showing is attributed to its growing industrial sector, sustained infrastructure investments, and strategic position as a manufacturing hub adjacent to Lagos.

Phillips Consulting noted that the state has attracted substantial investments in logistics, agro-processing, housing, and industrial parks, bolstering its economic profile and improving its national ranking. The pSPI serves as a governance scorecard for policymakers, investors, and citizens to assess state administration outcomes. The 2025 edition emphasizes evidence-based governance by combining audited public data with citizen feedback for a comprehensive evaluation.

This ranking reinforces Ogun’s reputation as a top destination for investment and sustainable development, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure, economic opportunities, and quality of life for its people.

During a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, encouraged Nigerians to voice their concerns and propose ideas to the government. He emphasized that officials are not omniscient and cannot be expected to address every issue without input from citizens.

Wike stated, ‘You can alert us when something is wrong, and please share your recommendations. The government does not know everything. I am only human.’ He stressed the importance of constructive feedback rather than mere fault-finding, adding that no one has yet approached him with suggestions. ‘What good citizens should do is bring issues to the government’s attention,’ he concluded.

The Police Service Commission has issued a warning to the public regarding a fraudulent list circulating on social media, which falsely claims to be a shortlist of candidates for medical examinations in the ongoing police recruitment exercise. The commission categorically denies releasing any such list.

In a statement released on Monday, Torty Njoku Kalu, Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, clarified that the evaluation of the written examination is still in its final stages. Successful applicants will receive invitations for medical screenings through official channels, including email, SMS, the recruitment portal at npfapplication.psc.gov.ng, and other verified platforms.

The commission reiterated its commitment to a transparent, merit-based recruitment process, emphasizing that the effectiveness of the police force relies on selecting qualified personnel. It urged applicants and the general public to remain vigilant against fraudsters spreading fake news and to rely solely on official communications from the commission.

According to the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), a staggering 94.7% of data breaches and cyber attacks – especially within government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) – succeed primarily because of a shortage of skilled cybersecurity personnel. The National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, made this known during the launch of a specialized drill on data protection for IT administrators in Abuja.

Dr. Olatunji emphasized that the consequences of data breaches extend beyond financial losses to severe reputational harm. Attackers target networks for various motives, including embarrassing the government, monetary gain, or simply for amusement.

He pointed out that as society moves more activities online, the risk grows: a breach occurs every 39 seconds globally, costing billions of dollars. A major contributing factor is the human element – 94.7% of breaches worldwide are linked to insufficiently trained personnel, and Nigeria faces an even steeper challenge.

To address this, the NDPC has launched an awareness campaign aimed at network administrators, data protection officers, and data handlers. The goal is to equip them with the necessary technical and organizational measures to safeguard networks and databases from unauthorized access that could lead to serious negative outcomes.

In a further step, the Commission announced plans to train Permanent Secretaries and heads of agencies on data protection, ensuring leadership understands and prioritizes cybersecurity.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned the public against accepting speculative results from its recent primaries. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., issued a statement Sunday urging citizens to ignore unverified claims on social media.

According to Director, the official outcomes remain under the authority of the National Executive Council (NEC), which is the only body empowered to release them. He emphasized that any other sources are not credible.

This clarification follows the primaries held on May 28 and 29, 2026. The NEC is set to convene in Abuja this week after a directive from the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson. Members are expected to arrive Tuesday for a pre-meeting session, with the main NEC meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

The NDC assured stakeholders that the authenticated list of candidates for the 2027 elections will be made public once internal procedures are completed and submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the meantime, some social media users have pushed narratives about who should be declared winner. For instance, a user named Dylan claimed Hon. Utomi Nwanne is the preferred candidate in the Delta North Senatorial primary. However, the party insists that only NEC’s announcement carries legitimacy.

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly responded to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s recent assertion that the former Vice President would fail to secure even 10% of votes in Rivers State during the 2027 general elections.

Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, issued a statement declaring that the people of Rivers State are fully capable of determining their own electoral destiny. He emphasized that no politician, no matter how powerful or well-connected, can claim ownership over an entire state’s electorate.

Shaibu accused Wike’s comments of revealing growing anxiety within the Tinubu administration following the emergence of a strong opposition coalition under the ADC banner. He argued that everyday Nigerians are far more preoccupied with skyrocketing living costs, deteriorating security, and economic struggles than with the predictions of a minister who seems obsessed with campaigning instead of governing.

Calling the minister’s remarks both amusing and troubling, Atiku’s camp insisted that Rivers voters are not political assets to be distributed at will. “The votes of Rivers are not yours to command. Rivers citizens are not enslaved politically. They are intelligent and independent individuals who will decide based on their own experiences and hopes for their children’s future,” Shaibu stated. He reinforced that no single individual, regardless of federal influence, can impose a voting pattern on an entire state.

Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso recently convened with candidates from the National Democratic Coalition (NDC) in Benue State to discuss the path forward for the upcoming elections. The interaction was highlighted in a statement released through his media aide, Hon. Saifullahi Hassan, on social media platforms.

The delegation included the NDC’s governorship candidate for Benue, along with senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly aspirants. They gathered at Kwankwaso’s residence in Maitama, Abuja, where the dialogue focused on reinforcing party cohesion, enhancing grassroots engagement, and fine-tuning electoral preparations.

According to the official communication, the meeting facilitated meaningful exchanges on fostering unity within the party, mobilizing support at the local level, and devising effective approaches to achieve favorable outcomes in the forthcoming polls.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has criticized Governor Bassey Otu for his reported statement that opposition figures in the state would be “crushed” before the 2027 elections.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday night, Archibong labeled the remark as irresponsible, disappointing, and unfit for a democratic leader, asserting that it reveals an inability to tolerate dissent and an effort to scare political rivals.

The PDP standard-bearer voiced particular worry that such words came from Governor Otu, who is widely regarded as a Christian and often referred to as an apostle. He accused the governor of resorting to political coercion instead of demonstrating the ethical principles expected from a person of faith.

Citing Proverbs 22:22-23, Archibong advised the governor to avoid actions or statements that could silence dissenting voices, reminding him that democracy depends on accountability and constructive feedback.

He vowed that the opposition would not be frightened by threats and committed to a peaceful, issue-driven campaign centered on the welfare of Cross River residents. The period leading up to the 2027 elections, he said, would allow for a thorough review of the current administration’s performance, arguing that a government with real achievements would welcome public scrutiny.

Archibong further argued that the administration’s own policies and actions had opened it to criticism, adding that a truly successful government should be measured by its accomplishments, not by efforts to muzzle opponents. He urged the governor to focus on “crushing” poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment through effective governance and strategic investments instead of targeting opposition members.

The PDP candidate also called on the administration to address issues raised in the recent SBM Intelligence report, which he claimed had harmed the state’s reputation. Reaffirming his dedication to a peaceful campaign, Archibong insisted that no amount of intimidation would prevent the opposition from holding the government accountable. He stressed that the people of Cross River deserve real wealth creation and measurable progress, not just the signing of memoranda of understanding.

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, has described the 2026 primary elections conducted by Nigeria’s political parties as the most poorly executed on record. He made this assertion during an interview on Arise Television, which was monitored by DAILY POST on Sunday night.

Amadi argued that the situation has regressed compared to the 2022 primaries, attributing the decline to a lack of accountability. According to him, when political actors face no serious repercussions for flouting procedures, there is no incentive to improve. He noted that rules are often ignored because violators rarely face consequences.

He further explained that if parties and candidates consistently lost elections due to unfair or opaque processes, they would be compelled to adopt better practices. However, the current climate encourages what he termed “political banditry,” where individuals believe they can circumvent due process without penalty. When such conduct goes unpunished, it undermines democratic institutions and emboldens further violations.