Category: Nigeria

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Tinubu, CAN, others mourn Rev Ukpai

President Bola Tinubu, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria have joined  the Christian body to mourn the death of the founder of the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association and co-founder of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Dr Uma Ukpai, who died on October 6, 2025, at the age of 80.

In a personal tribute issued on Monday, Tinubu described the late evangelist as “an anointed crusader of the faith and a firebrand,” whose life and ministry shaped generations across Nigeria and beyond.

“With a heavy heart, I mourn the passing of one of God’s generals, Dr Uma Ukpai,” the President said. “Reverend Ukpai was not just another preacher; he was an anointed crusader of the faith, filled with fire and ice for the gospel, restoring humanity to discipline, love, and good neighbourliness.”

Tinubu recalled that the renowned evangelist, born in Asaga, Ohafia, Abia State, overcame humble beginnings and many challenges to answer God’s call, leading powerful revival movements in Nigeria and parts of Africa.

“He was one of the leaders in the Lord’s army who brought the fervour of revival sweeping across Nigeria in the 1980s. I recall his Greater Ibadan for Christ Crusade in 1982 and Greater Lagos for Christ Crusade in 1985, two phenomenal events in proportion and impact,” he said.

The President praised Ukpai’s lifelong efforts to unite the Christian fold, promote peace, and uplift the underprivileged through schools, hospitals, and charitable foundations.

“Dr Ukpai’s mission was clearly to unite the Christian fold and spread harmony. He was a builder—of men, bridges, and faith,” Tinubu added. “He fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.”

Tinubu extended condolences to Ukpai’s widow, Pastor Philomena Uma Ukpai, their children, and the entire ministry, praying that God grants them strength and solace.

The Christian Association of Nigeria described Rev Ukpai as “a towering figure in the Church in Nigeria,” whose evangelistic ministry spanned over six decades.

In a statement signed by CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the association said Ukpai’s life was dedicated to preaching the gospel, nurturing faith, and advancing the cause of Christ across denominations and regions.

“His unwavering commitment to the work of God and his passion for the salvation of souls left an enduring mark on the Christian community in Nigeria and beyond,” Okoh stated. “Generations of believers have been inspired by his message of faith, healing, and hope in Christ Jesus.”

CAN extended its condolences to his wife, family, the Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, and the global Christian community, praying that “the Almighty God will comfort them and grant the strength to bear this great loss.”

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, described the late evangelist as “a soldier of Christ who has gone to be with the Lord,” noting that his death created a massive vacuum in Christendom, the state, and the nation.

In a statement by his media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti said Ukpai was “a revered man of God and one of Abia’s most celebrated religious ambassadors,” recalling their long-standing father-son relationship.

“Our father in the Lord, Rev Dr Uma Ukpai, has, to the joy of the heavens and celebration of angels, gone to be with the Lord,” Otti said. “He was a generational teacher who yielded himself to Christ and became a potent instrument for healing the sick and salvation of souls.”

The governor described his passing not as death but as “a journey to higher glory,” praying that God would strengthen his family and uphold the enduring fire of faith he ignited in the vineyard of the Lord.

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria also paid tribute to the late cleric, describing him as “a father of faith, a trailblazing evangelist, and one of the founding voices of the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria.”

In a statement signed by its National President, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, the Fellowship said Ukpai’s passing came at a sensitive time, as preparations were underway for the PFN’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

“Pa Uma Ukpai was not only one of the founding voices of the Pentecostal movement in Nigeria but also a unifying force in the Body of Christ,” Bishop Oke said. “His tireless labour in soul-winning, revival crusades, and interdenominational harmony remains an eternal legacy.”

He added that the forthcoming PFN @ 40 Thanksgiving and Celebration would be officially dedicated to Ukpai’s memory “as a national thanksgiving unto God for the gift he was to our generation.”

Bishop Oke extended condolences to Ukpai’s family and ministry, praying that “the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, strengthen us all at this time.” (Punch)

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Renowned evangelist Uma Ukpai dies at 80

Renowned Nigerian evangelist and spiritual leader of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association, Rev. Dr. Uma Ukpai, is dead.

This was confirmed in a statement on Monday by his family, who said he passed away on October 6 2025 at the age of 80.

The family described his passing as a “glorious transition” from a life of devoted service to eternal rest.

Ukpai, widely recognised as a spiritual general and founding father of faith, dedicated over six decades of his life to evangelism, dynamic teaching of the Word, and prophetic demonstrations of God’s power.

His ministry impacted millions of lives in Nigeria and around the world, shaping destinies and nurturing spiritual growth across generations.

“He was a faithful soldier of the cross who devoted his life to spreading the gospel with passion and integrity.

“His teachings, prophetic insights, and mentorship have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire believers for years to come,” his family said.

Over the course of his ministry, Ukpai became known for his fiery evangelistic campaigns, transformative teachings, and commitment to empowering both clergy and lay leaders.

Beyond his spiritual work, he was also celebrated as a loving husband, devoted father, and mentor to countless individuals who regarded him as a guide in faith and life.

The family expressed gratitude for the life and work of Ukpai, highlighting that while they mourn his physical absence, they rejoice that he has “finished his race and is now resting in eternal praise.”

They assured the public that details of his obsequies would be shared in due course.

Ukpai’s ministry, spanning over sixty years, leaves behind a profound spiritual and social legacy, with churches, educational initiatives, and humanitarian efforts that continue to influence communities globally.

His life, the family said, was a testament to the biblical truth that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). (Punch)

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Tinubu’s presidential pardon undermines justice, emboldens criminality – Atiku

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has openly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s latest use of the presidential pardon, describing it as a reckless action that undermines the principles of justice and accountability.

In a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday, Atiku Abubakar noted that the presidential prerogative of mercy is intended to balance justice with compassion.

However, he criticised the most recent round of pardons, saying it has reduced the process to a mere triviality.

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, granted clemency to 175 convicts and former convicts, including notable figures such as the late Major General Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and the other members of the Ogoni Eight.

According to a statement from the Presidency, the decision was based on recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

The presidential pardon also extended clemency to individuals convicted of various serious crimes, including homicide, illegal mining, and fraud.

Reacting to this, Atiku condemned the inclusion of such offenders, arguing that it undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system and, in his words, “emboldens criminality.”

He maintained that the exercise of clemency should never serve as an accomplice to crime or erode the foundations of justice.

“Ordinarily, the power of presidential pardon is a solemn prerogative, a moral and constitutional instrument designed to temper justice with mercy and to underscore the humanity of the state. When properly exercised, it elevates justice and strengthens public faith in governance.

“Regrettably, the latest pardon issued by the Tinubu administration has done the very opposite. The decision to extend clemency to individuals convicted of grave crimes such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption not only diminishes the sanctity of justice but also sends a dangerous signal to the public and the international community about the values this government upholds.

“At a time when Nigeria continues to reel under the weight of insecurity, moral decay, and a surge in drug-related offences, it is both shocking and indefensible that the presidency would prioritise clemency for those whose actions have directly undermined national stability and social order,” the statement said.

Atiku specifically pointed to the number of individuals convicted of drug-related offences among the pardoned, describing the move as especially concerning in light of Nigeria’s ongoing battle against drug abuse and the vulnerability of its youth population.

“Particularly worrisome is the revelation that 29.2% percent of those pardoned were convicted for drug-related crimes at a time when our youth are being destroyed by narcotics, and our nation is still struggling to cleanse its image from the global stain of drug offences.

“Even more disturbing is the moral irony that this act of clemency is coming from a President whose own past remains clouded by unresolved and unexplained issues relating to the forfeiture of thousands of dollars to the United States government over drug-related investigations.

“It is, therefore, no surprise that this administration continues to demonstrate a worrying tolerance for individuals associated with criminal enterprise.”

The former Vice President further stated that “A presidential pardon is meant to symbolize restitution and moral reform. Instead, what we have witnessed is a mockery of the criminal justice system, an affront to victims, a demoralization of law enforcement, and a grave injury to the conscience of the nation.”

He added, “Clemency must never be confused with complicity. When a government begins to absolve offenders of the very crimes it claims to be fighting, it erodes the moral authority of leadership and emboldens lawlessness.
“Nigeria deserves a leadership that upholds justice, not one that trivializes it.” (Channels)

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EFCC probes two suspects over undeclared foreign currency at Lagos Airport

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, are investigating two travellers, Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi, over alleged failure to declare foreign currencies in their possession at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The suspects were apprehended on Saturday, October 11, 2025, by operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) during a routine check. According to preliminary findings, the duo were found with undeclared sums of $6,180 and £53,415.

The EFCC disclosed that the suspects had just arrived from Dubai via Addis Ababa and were scheduled to board a connecting flight to Abuja when they were intercepted.

Also recovered from the suspects were three mobile phones, which have been taken into custody as exhibits.

The suspects and the recovered items were received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Ahmed Ghali. (Nation)

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Tinubu grants Herbert Macaulay, Vatsa, 173 others presidential pardon

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted presidential pardon to 175 persons, including Nigeria’s foremost nationalist, Herbert Macaulay and former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Maj.-Gen. Mamman Vatsa (rtd), following the approval of the National Council of State at its meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

The decision, taken at the instance of the President’s recommendation based on the report of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, was presented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.

The Council also ratified key national appointments and approved the conferment of national honours on 959 Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.

A source at the meeting confirmed that the late nationalist, Herbert Macaulay, and the executed poet-soldier, Mamman Vatsa, were among the major beneficiaries of the clemency.

Members of the Ogoni Nine were also said to be listed among those pardoned.

Macaulay, often hailed as the “father of Nigerian nationalism,” was twice convicted by colonial authorities — first in 1913 for alleged misappropriation of estate funds, and in 1928 in connection with the “Gunpowder Plot” following his Lagos Daily News publication during the Eleko agitation. Both convictions have long been subjects of historical controversy.

Vatsa, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and was a member of the Supreme Military Council under General Ibrahim Babangida, was executed on March 5, 1986, after a secret tribunal convicted him of treason in connection with an alleged coup attempt.

His trial and execution have remained deeply controversial, with repeated public calls for a posthumous pardon.

Briefing journalists at the State House, Abuja, after the Council of State and Police Council meetings, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said the approvals underscored President Tinubu’s commitment to justice reform and humane governance.

“Eighty-two of the inmates were granted full presidential pardon, sixty-five had their sentences reduced, while seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment,” he disclosed.

According to him, the gesture is aimed at decongesting correctional facilities and promoting restorative justice, in line with Section 175 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, or commute sentences.

He said the exercise followed careful recommendations of the Advisory Committee, which considers factors such as age, health, good behaviour, or miscarriage of justice.

Governor Sani also revealed that the Council ratified several key appointments presented by President Tinubu, including Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Dr. Aminu Yusuf as Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC).

The Council also approved Alhaji Tonge Betara Bularafa as Federal Commissioner representing Yobe State at the NPC.

Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma, who chairs the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), described Amupitan’s appointment as “a constitutional responsibility diligently discharged by the President,” adding that the nominee was “a serious-minded scholar, a man of integrity, tested and trusted, who has never participated in partisan politics.”

In another major decision, the Council approved President Tinubu’s request to confer national honours on 959 eminent individuals for the 2024–2025 cycle.

Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, Dr. Emanso Umobong, who briefed journalists on the development, said the awards included 824 successful applications and 135 special recognitions.

She explained that the reconstituted National Honours Award Committee, chaired by the Emirates of Lafia, Justice Mohammed Sidi Bage, had screened over 5,000 applications before submitting its final recommendations.

Among those honoured or set to be honoured are Bill Gates for contributions to public health and humanitarian causes, Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu, veteran journalist and publisher, and Professor Mahmood Yakubu, immediate past INEC Chairman, for service to Nigeria’s democratic process.

Posthumous honours also went to the Ogoni Nine and the Ogoni Four for their environmental activism and sacrifice, while the Super Falcons and D’Tigresses received national recognition for their excellence in sports.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, also disclosed that he presented proposals to the Police Council for strengthening the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF).

He sought approval to repeal and reenact the NPTF Establishment Act 2025 to remove its six-year lifespan limitation and make it a permanent agency.

He further proposed an increase in the statutory deduction from the Federation Account from 0.5 percent to 2 percent, aimed at expanding funding for police training, welfare, logistics, technology, and emergency response systems.

The Minister said Council approved an increment to 1 percent of the deduction from the Federation Account.

According to him, all the proposals, including the repeal and reenactment of the NPTF Act, received the Council’s full approval.

“The purpose of establishing the Nigerian Police Trust Fund was to support training and retraining of police personnel. The second one is to provide financial resources to enhance police equipment, logistics, and infrastructure.

“It was established also to support modernization of the police through investments in technology, vehicles, communications, and crime fighting tools, improve welfare and morale of police personnel, promote accountability, transparency, and governance, also to enhance crime prevention and public safety, strengthen capacity for emergency response and disaster management, fund ongoing training, specialized courses, and skill development, foster public-sector and private sector engagement, channel contributions through individuals, corporations, and civil society into police enhancement programs.

“The concerns we had in the Police Trust Fund, the sunset close of six years in the current act limits the lifespan of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund, and impedes long-term planning thereby constraining sustainable police reform.

“The deduction of 0.5 percent from the federation account needs to be reviewed upward to two percent of the federation account.

“So we also prayed that the council should approve the repeal and the reenactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Establishment Act 2025 in order to remove the sunset close and transition it into an agency.

“Second, the council to approve 2 percent deduction from the Federation Account. And the last one, direct the Honorable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to input all the approvals of the council in the proposed executive bill. All these prayers have been approved without any omission”, he said.

Both meetings, which were chaired by President Tinubu, had high-level attendance.

The Council of State meeting was attended virtually by former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd).

Also in attendance were the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; state governors, and other statutory members of the Council.

Also in attendance were four former Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJN), including Alfa Belgore, Mahmud Mohammed, Walter Onnogen, and Oluwakayode Ariwoola. (Nation)

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Revered statesman Christopher Kolade dies at 93

Renowned Nigerian statesman Dr Christopher Kolade has died aged 93, his family announced in a statement.



“We are thankful for his incredible life of faith and service; and are grateful for God’s abundant blessings,” the statement read in part.

The statement said the late broadcaster died peacefully on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Born on December 28, 1932 in Erin-Oke, Osun State, Dr Kolade had a distinguished career as a diplomat, academic, advocate for integrity and corporate governance, among other things.

He was the son of an Anglican missionary and completed his secondary-school education at Government College, Ibadan after which he studied at Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

He holds honorary doctorate degrees of McPherson University (2016), University of Sierra Leone (1976) among others.

Kolade embarked on a diverse career path, becoming a veteran broadcaster and rising to the position of the Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

He later served as the Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc and held the esteemed position of Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

After his posting in London, Dr. Kolade continued to share his expertise by teaching Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management at the Lagos Business School (LBS), as well as Leadership and Conflict Management at the School of Media and Communication (SMC) — both institutions under the Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos.

He also played key roles in the university’s governance, serving as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council.

Dr. Kolade’s distinguished service extends across both national and international organisations. He has led prominent institutions including the Nigerian Institute of Management, the Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, the International Institute for Communications, and the World Association for Christian Communication.

Notably, he was awarded the prestigious Order of St. Augustine medal by the Archbishop of Canterbury and was appointed Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Board by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

As an advocate of business integrity, Dr Kolade also chaired organizations such as Integrity Organization Ltd GTE and The Convention on Business Integrity Ltd GTE. (Channels)

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Police arrest 20 Osun Amotekun men over killing

At least 20 operatives of the Osun State Amotekun Corps were on Wednesday arrested by a special squad of the Nigeria Police Force in connection with last week’s killings in Akinlalu, a community in Ife North Local Government Area of the state.

The police team, said to have been deployed from Abuja, reportedly stormed the corps’ operational bases in Oke-Fia, Osogbo, and Ife Central Division, Ile-Ife, where they arrested operatives and sealed the facilities.

Sources told The PUNCH that the officers arrived unannounced and whisked away all Amotekun personnel found on the premises.

While the bases in Oke-Fia and Ife Central were later sealed, the corps’ headquarters at Powerline, Osogbo, remained open when our correspondent visited around 7:40 p.m.

Confirming the arrests, the spokesperson for Osun Amotekun, Yusuf Idowu, said the police action was connected to the Akinlalu incident.

“Some policemen came, but they didn’t seal our headquarters. They burst our operation base in Oke-Fia and the Ife Central Command. They also arrested about 20 of our operatives. We don’t know where they took our personnel,” Idowu said.

The Osun Police Command spokesperson, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest but said only five Amotekun men were taken into custody, not 20 as claimed by the corps.

He added that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had taken over investigation into the killings and the reported assassination attempt on the Amotekun Commander, Brig. Gen. Isaac Omoyele (retd.).

“The IGP has ordered the elite investigative body of the Force, the IRT-FID, to take over the case,” Ojelabi said.

“Investigation revealed that the attackers were members of Amotekun Corps. Five suspects have been arrested, while others remain at large.”

Ojelabi also disclosed that Omoyele was invited to explain his role in the attack but failed to honour the invitation.

“Efforts to reach him on phone proved abortive as his line has been switched off. He later went on social media on October 6, 2025, claiming he was attacked by unknown armed men wearing masks, which preliminary investigation shows to be a figment of his imagination aimed at derailing justice,” the police statement read in part.

The command urged the public to disregard the alleged assassination claim and remain law-abiding, assuring that peace had been restored in the state.

The arrest of the operatives came in the wake of the September 29 invasion of Akinlalu, where Amotekun personnel allegedly opened fire on residents, killing three people and injuring several others.

The victims were identified by police as Ibrahim Oyebamiji (26), Sefiu Oyebamiji, and Abiola Olutayo, while those injured included Adeagbo Kadijat (22), Oke-Ila Oyebamiji (60), and Fayomi Toheeb (19).

Police said the corps operatives took away the corpses of the deceased after the incident.

Amotekun, however, claimed that its men were ambushed by hoodlums while on a mission to recover two rifles earlier seized from its operatives, insisting that the deaths occurred during a crossfire.

The incident triggered outrage across the state, with residents and families of the victims demanding justice and a thorough review of Amotekun’s operations.

On Sunday, the Deputy Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Gbenga Oyewusi, led a delegation of lawmakers to Akinlalu, where he sympathised with the families of the victims.

Speaking at the palace of the Alakinla of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, Oyewusi assured residents that the state government and security agencies were investigating the killings and would ensure justice.

“Ife North is a peaceful region. We want to assure our people that the government and the police have begun investigations, and justice will be served,” Oyewusi said.

He appealed to the community’s youths to remain calm and allow due process to take its course, adding that the government would support the affected families. (Punch)

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Benin monarch warns against using market women for politics

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has warned against dragging market women in the kingdom into partisan politics, stressing that such interference undermines Benin’s traditional market structure and could lead to unrest.

This came amid controversy over the recent installation of Pastor Josephine Ibhaguezejele as the Iyaloja of Edo State by the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Osuma of Benin, Chief Norense Ozigbo-Esere; the Secretary, Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor; and four other palace chiefs, said the monarch will meet with all Iyekes (market heads) across Benin markets to provide further clarification on the issue.

Although details of the meeting were not immediately disclosed, palace sources said it was convened in response to the tension generated by Ibhaguezejele’s purported installation.

During Tinubu-Ojo’s visit to the palace last Thursday, Oba Ewuare II had explained that the Iyaloja concept was alien to Benin culture, noting that each market in the kingdom is traditionally headed by an Iyeki—a woman chosen by traders and spiritually connected to the palace.

“In Benin, there is nothing like an ‘Iyeki-General,’ which this Iyaloja title seems to suggest,” the BTC statement clarified.

“Each Iyeki emerges from among the market women, is presented to the Palace for confirmation, and once approved, is installed by her peers. Every Iyeki is independent, culturally and spiritually tied to the Palace, and performs specific rituals for the well-being of the market.”

The palace strongly cautioned against the politicisation of market leadership or the use of trade associations as political tools.

“These twin factors are antithetical and inimical to the essence of our market tradition in Benin culture,” the statement read.

“We advise that the function of Iyeki should not be politicised. Any deviation from this age-old cultural system may lead to a breach of peace. The BTC therefore urges the state government to take cognisance of this warning to avoid a breakdown of law and order.”

The palace also warned politicians and market leaders to stop invoking the name of the Oba to legitimise their political activities.

“We hear comments such as ‘the Oba’s word is final’ in this Iyaloja saga. But were these words respected in the past when some leaders used market women as political pawns?” the BTC queried.

“The former market leader, Blacky Ogiemien, was once advised by the Palace to desist from such practices but continued despite warnings.”

Meanwhile, reacting to the ongoing controversy, Ogiemien said market women in Edo State are apolitical and would continue to support any government in power while remaining loyal to the Oba.

Speaking by phone on Wednesday, she said, “We work with any government in power. It was Lucky Igbinedion who handed us to Senator Oserhiemen Osunbor; when Osunbor left, we worked with Oshiomhole, and he later told us to work with Governor Obaseki. There’s a process for leadership selection, and no one can just appoint themselves coordinator.”

On the Oba’s planned meeting and the directive against politicisation, she added, “We are all one. Anytime the Oba wants us, we will be there. If the Oba says we should not be involved in politics again, there’s no problem about that.” (Punch)

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Innovation minister Nnaji resigns amid allegations

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet amid controversies surrounding his academic records and allegations of certificate forgery.

Nnaji, who was appointed in August 2023, announced his resignation in a letter to the President on Tuesday, expressing appreciation for the opportunity to serve.

Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following some allegations against him. President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.

“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria. Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.”

Nnaji’s resignation comes amid a lingering controversy over alleged certificate forgery and questions surrounding his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Nnaji and the Enugu State Government had traded words over allegations that he presented forged certificates.

The dispute intensified after the Federal High Court in Enugu rejected Nnaji’s bid to stop the University of Nigeria from releasing his academic records.

The court had ruled that the institution was within its rights to release the minister’s academic details in response to a freedom of information request, a decision that fuelled further public scrutiny.Nnaji, however, maintained that he was being blackmailed by political opponents determined to tarnish his reputation. (Punch)

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Kwara scraps payment of PTA levy

Kwara Government has scrapped the Parents Teachers Association levy in public primary schools, approving annual school grants instead.

Chairman State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, announced this at the opening of the bid for the 2024 (3rd and 4th quarters) UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects.

PUNCH Online reports that the PTA levy is a fee collected from parents in Nigerian schools to supplement school funding, with the collected funds used for projects, facilities, or activities not covered by the government’s allocation.

While the fee is often minimal compared with charges at private schools, it can impose financial burdens on average families.

In place of the PTA levy, Adaramaja said the state government will provide running costs for the 1,717 public schools.

‎‎”The Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved the stoppage of the payment of PTA in all public primary schools in the state, from primary 1 to 6, no more payment of PTA in Kwara State,” he said.

‎The SUBEB boss also announced the approval of the procurement of English and Maths textbooks by the governor for free to the pupils in primary schools in the state.

Speaking on the bid opening, the Chairman said the intervention would cover projects, including the construction of a block of two classrooms with an office and the construction of toilets.

”The intervention also covers the remodelling and renovation of classrooms, drilling of solar-powered boreholes with tank stands, and rehabilitation of digital literacy across the state.

”It also covers the procurement of foundation literacy teaching and learning materials for primary one, fabrication and distribution of 2-seater pupils/students’ furniture and safe schools initiative in some selected local governments, among others,” he said.

Adaramaja said that the governor had equally approved the payment of 2025 counterpart funds for the UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects.

‎He urged contractors, who would get the jobs, to execute them in line with the specifications, warning that shoddy jobs would not be condoned.

‎‎ Adaramaja lauded the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba and other key stakeholders for contributing to the success of the programme.

‎Responding on behalf of the bidders, Alhaji Maroof Ahmed, who is the Secretary to the Indigenous Contractors Association, thanked the government for allowing them to showcase their talents.

He pledged that their members would deliver quality services and would not let the government and the people of the state down. (Punch)