The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has approved a one-year moratorium on new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics.

He, however, exempted health institutions due to low enrollment challenges.

This was contained in a statement by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje, on Thursday in Kaduna.

Bugaje said the moratorium which takes immediate effect means that all new applications for polytechnics and monotechnics are put on hold for 12 months.

He, however, said institutions currently being assessed will be required to pay specific fees to continue the registration process.

He said, “Polytechnics awaiting ministerial approval will be required to pay an application fee of N4 million and a processing fee of N2 million per programme of study.

“Monotechnics, on the other hand, will pay an application fee of N2 million and a processing fee of N1 million per programme of study.

“Applicants have 30 days to pay these fees, failure to which will result in the termination of the registration process.

“New health institutions, which are exempted from the moratorium, will pay the same fees as Monotechnics for registration.”

According to the NBTE executive secretary, the objective of the move is to ensure that tertiary Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions are properly populated within their approved carrying capacities.

NAN

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna on Thursday ordered that a 36-year-old driver, Mustapha Aminu, receive 15 strokes of the cane for assaulting a police officer on duty.

The convict, who resides in Ungwan Sanusi, Kaduna, was found guilty of hitting a police officer, Sergeant Adamu Maigari, on the head with a log of wood.

Aminu pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Emmanuel, who issued the order, said the punishment was intended to make the convict fully understand the gravity of his offence.

“This will also serve as a warning to others who may consider committing such crimes. I hereby order a court official to administer 15 strokes of the cane,” he ruled.

Emmanuel warned Aminu to desist from such acts and focus on his job to become a responsible member of society.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo, told the court that on January 29, at about 2 p.m., the driver assaulted and injured a police officer while he was performing his duty.

Leo explained that the driver had been driving recklessly, and when the officer stopped him, he struck the officer with a log of wood.

He added that the offence contravened Section 237 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.

(NAN)

A confrontation recently erupted at a checkpoint in Jeddo, Delta State, between personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force, creating a chaotic scene that drew widespread attention.

Clarifying the cause of the altercation in a post on X.com on Thursday, the state police spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, said the incident occurred when policemen were transporting a suspect found in possession of substances suspected to be codeine, Indian hemp, and Canadian loud.

However, upon reaching the checkpoint, Air Force personnel, who allegedly knew the suspect, intercepted the police officers and demanded the suspect’s release.

Edafe wrote: “The policemen attached to QRS were on their way with a suspect found in possession of substances suspected to be codeine, Indian hemp, and Canadian loud.

“But Air Force personnel, who happened to know the suspect, intercepted them and insisted that the policemen release him before proceeding. When the officers refused, the Air Force personnel attacked them unprovoked.”

Edafe described the clash as unfortunate and assured the public that the matter was being addressed.

He added: “This issue is being handled. We recognise the cordial relationship we have with the Nigerian Air Force in Delta State. The Delta State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, and the Air Force authorities are looking into the incident and putting measures in place to ensure that such a shameful event does not happen again.”

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a clarification on the allegations raised by the Senate on the purported disappearance of 3,907 firearms from its armoury.

On Tuesday, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun appeared before the
Senate Committee on Public Accounts to respond to audit queries flagged in the 2019 Auditor-General Report.

The report said the auditors could not account for 3,907 arms, thereby prompting the Senate to demand explanations.

Egbetokun, represented by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, Sulaiman Abdul, was also demanded to disclose ongoing efforts to track and recover them.

However, the police in a press release on Thursday, signed by its spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the audit report specifically used the term “unaccounted” and not “missing” as speculated by media organisations.

“The Force wishes to clarify that this report appears to stem from an assessment of the report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, AuGF dating back to 2019, likely reflecting records compiled prior to the current Inspector-General of Police’s tenure.

“In the report, according to Issue 3b, Sub (iii), it is stated that 3907 arms were unaccounted for and not “missing” as speculated by the news,” the police said, describing the reports as “misleading and inaccurate.”

In the statement, the police acknowledged the detriment of civil unrest on the lives of its officers where their arms are often carted away and their facilities and armouries looted, which could result in the loss of arms.

“However, every effort has been made to account for the arms that were taken, while many have been recovered back to the arms holding of the force at the moment.

“We also note that when auditors conduct visits to our armories, they may not find all arms present at the time due to the issuance of weapons to personnel for operational purposes, many spanning to months depending on the nature of such operations.

“Consequently, this may lead to misconceptions regarding the accuracy of audit reports,” the police noted.

The police further said that they have a statutory and annual internal auditing process in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Police Regulations, administrative instructions and standard operating procedures (SOP) that ensure strict measures to the controlled movement and proper accountability of arms.

It said that throughout its audit sessions, there has been no outrageous record of unaccounted or missing arms, as speculated in the 2019 report of the AuGF, despite some incidents that have been documented and managed.

The police recall defending the audit queries, which it said hoped to help in reconciling the discrepancies in the reports.

“However, the hearing session presided over by the Senate Committee on Public Account has been postponed to Monday, 17th of February 2025, giving ample time for a proper cross analysis of records.

“Contrary to the make-believe and misleading reportage by some media houses, the IGP was not present when the senators were raising questions on the purported “missing” firearms.

“The IGP appeared briefly before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday 11/02/25.

“He was asked to take the usual oath and explain why he did not honour previous invitations by the committee

“The IGP responded to the satisfaction of the commitee members and was thereafter excused to take his leave while the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Police Accounts and Budget, stayed back to answer the queries of the committee,” the police clarified.

It added that the queries related to the period that predated the administration of the current IGP. “For emphasis sake, no such outrageous number of firearms is missing in the armouries of the NPF within the stated period,” it emphasised.

“Managing mischief and the spread of misinformation against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been a significant challenge in recent times.

“The NPF has, in recent times, made notable strides in stabilizing the internal security space, but malicious actors seek to undermine these efforts by striving to erode public confidence in the police through the spread of malicious contents

“It is important to note that the proliferation of misinformation, especially against institutions like the Nigeria Police have far-reaching consequences, including compromising public safety, damaging reputations, and hindering the NPF’s ability to effectively maintain law and order.

“However, the NPF remains committed to maintaining transparency and public trust and will continue to uphold the security of the nation while honouring the duty to account for all operational materials entrusted to us,” the police said.

Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, has become the first African female to join the ownership group of Major League Soccer’s San Diego Football Club.

The American club confirmed the inclusion of the two-time Grammy award winner to its executives in a statement on Wednesday.

Tems acquired a stake in the club through The Leading Vibe, her company.

The deal was also brokered through a partnership with Pave Investments, an African private investment firm that worked on driving investors for NBA Africa.

According to San Diego FC, the singer has become a club partner and shares a “commitment to excellence and community engagement.”

Tems, born in Lagos, described football as “a unique way of bringing people together,” adding that she looks forward “to helping build something special in San Diego.”

“I am thrilled to join San Diego FC’s ownership group and to be part of a club that celebrates creativity, culture, and the power of community,” the singer said.

“Football has a unique way of bringing people together, and I am excited to help build something special in San Diego, a city that thrives on diversity and innovation.”

Juan Mata, a former Chelsea player; Issa Rae, an American actress; and Jocko Willink, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, are other San Diego FC ownership group members.

According to the announcement, Tems’ influence as a global cultural icon aligns with the club’s mission to unite communities through soccer while promoting creativity and empowerment.

San Diego FC was founded in May 2023. The club will play its first season in the MLS 2025 campaign.

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has directed the Admiralty Marshal to arrest and detain the oil-carrying vessel MT Ostria until its owners provide a bank guarantee to cover the claims of NNPC Retail Limited regarding the non-delivery of 12,681,960 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, of which over nine million litres were found to be water.

The tanker, its owners, and the storage facility were alleged to have been negligent or in breach of contract of carriage or bailment. They discharged the missing petrol to another tanker out of the consignment it was to deliver to a tank farm at Koko Port, Delta State, and refilled the tank with seawater on the ship’s course to Koko Federal port.

Joined in the suit with the vessel as defendants are Orion Marine Limited, its bareboat charterer, and Taurus Oil and Gas Limited, the owners of the petrol storage called Taurus Storage, Koko,

Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the arrest order following “Admiralty Action in Rem” proceedings initiated by NNPC Retail Ltd’s lawyer, Mike Igbokwe (SAN), who sought the vessel’s arrest along with other legal actions due to the loss of the PMS.

The judge also ordered the Harbour Master of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos, to collect and deliver to the Admiralty Marshal or retain all trading and other certificates of the first defendant for safekeeping until the first and second defendants comply with the conditions attached to the order of arrest and detention issued by this Court.

The court further granted an order permitting either the Chief of Naval Staff to retain the Nigerian naval personnel already onboard the detained first defendant or to assign four of their personnel to ensure the security of the first defendant. This includes taking necessary measures such as regular patrols and surveillance around her location to prevent any escape from the judicial arrest and detention until the 1st and 2nd defendants comply with the conditions of this Court’s order.

The judge, however, directed the Plaintiff/Applicant to file an undertaking as to damages to indemnify the Defendants/Respondents in case this order should not have been made.

At the court’s last sitting, Mike Igbokwe (SAN) represented the plaintiff, while J.J. Usman (SAN) represented the second defendant; the third defendant was unrepresented.

Igbokwe informed the Court that the first defendant was arrested by the Admiralty Marshal of this Honorable Court on January 17, 2025, and that the second and third defendants had been duly served with the necessary originating processes filed in this case.

Additionally, Igbokwe brought to the Court’s attention that the learned counsel for the first and second defendants had approached him before the proceedings regarding the possibility of engaging in settlement discussions

Nigerian music sensation Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has proposed to Edo State lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru, in a moment that has set social media abuzz.

A viral video, which surfaced on Thursday, captured the emotional scene where 2Baba, while dancing with Osawaru, presented her with a ring, prompting cheers from onlookers. The couple then sealed the moment with a heartfelt embrace.

The proposal came shortly after 2Baba publicly confirmed his relationship with Osawaru, following his recent separation from his wife, Annie Macauley-Idibia. Their romance has been the subject of growing speculation after the singer was seen visiting the Edo State Assembly and later spotted at a Lagos club with Osawaru.

Amid the swirling rumours, 2Baba took to Instagram on Tuesday to clarify the situation, dismissing claims that Osawaru played a role in the breakdown of his marriage.

“Hon. Natasha has been dragged and called all sorts of names,” he stated. “She is a young, brilliant, amazing woman and had nothing to do with what happened between me and Annie. Yes, I love her, and I want to marry her.”

The announcement has since divided opinions online, with fans and critics weighing in on the singer’s new relationship. While some congratulated the couple, others questioned the timing of the proposal given 2Baba’s recent separation from his wife.

More than 20,000 people were killed or injured in violent incidents across Nigeria between 2020 and 2024, according to a new report highlighting the country’s worsening security crisis.

The report, published by Nextier, a non-governmental organisation, revealed that Nigeria recorded 5,291 violent incidents during the period, with 43 terrorist attacks and 1,306 bandit assaults in 2024 alone.

At a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, Nextier Managing Partner Dr Ndubuisi Nwokolo said the findings were based on data from the organisation’s Violent Conflicts Database.

Titled “Mutations of Terror and Conflict,” the report identified several external factors likely to shape Nigeria’s security landscape in 2025.

These include the war in Sudan, the expansion of terrorist groups across the Sahel, Nigeria’s strengthening ties with France, electoral outcomes in neighbouring countries, and Russia’s growing influence in Africa.

The report warned that illegal mining in the North West region was fueling armed banditry, making the area increasingly lawless and vulnerable to exploitation.

It also highlighted a surge in kidnappings, with 11,002 abductions recorded between June 2020 and December 2024, making the North West the most affected region.

Conflicts between farmers and herders have remained a major security challenge, particularly in the North Central and North West regions.

The report recorded 2,347 deaths from 359 violent incidents involving farmers and herders between 2020 and 2024.

In 2024 alone, 467 people died in 61 such clashes, with North Central accounting for nearly 90% of the casualties.

Other forms of violence identified in the report include cult clashes, communal conflicts, gunmen attacks, extrajudicial killings, and violent protests. Between 2020 and 2024, 2,988 cult-related clashes resulted in 695 deaths, with incidents peaking in 2022 before declining in 2023 and 2024.

The report urged the Nigerian government to strengthen both military and non-military approaches to tackling terrorism and banditry.

It called for better equipping of security forces and ensuring that increased defence spending translates into improved security outcomes.

It also warned that a newly emerging terrorist group, Lakurawa, could further escalate violence in 2025 and advised the government to enhance its regulatory and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

On the issue of secessionist tensions, the report suggested that the Nigerian government’s handling of the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), could shape the trajectory of separatist agitation. It urged the government to consider his release to distinguish Biafra activists from armed criminals.

According to Nextier, the levels of kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, and political conflicts in 2025 will depend on several factors, including how well the government implements livestock reforms, manages ethnic tensions, and oversees upcoming elections.

It pointed to ongoing friction between Nigeria’s Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups, political rivalry in Rivers State, and the spread of hate speech as potential sources of instability.

Nigeria’s most prestigious music award, The Headies, has unveiled the nominations list for its 17th edition, with hip-hop artist Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as Odumodublvck, leading the pack.

The highly anticipated announcement, made on Wednesday via the award show’s official X handle, featured a mix of local and international artists who have made significant contributions to the music industry over the past year.

Odumodublvck secured the highest number of nominations with five nods, cementing his dominance in the Nigerian music scene. Following closely behind are Afropop sensation Oyinkansola Aderibigbe, a.k.a Ayra Starr, and street-hop star Crown Uzama, a.k.a Shallipopi, who both earned three nominations each.

Odumodublvck also stands out in the Best Collaboration category, where he competes with two songs alongside industry heavyweights such as Chike, Wizkid, Zlatan, Asa, and Tiwa Savage.

A poignant moment in this year’s nominations is the recognition of the late Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. Despite his tragic passing on September 12, 2023, Mohbad posthumously secured three nominations, reflecting the lasting impact of his music.

The nominations included categories such as Producer of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Best R&B Single, Rookie of the Year, Best Rap Single, Best Vocal Performance (Female), Music Video of the Year, and Best Collaboration.

Hereunder is the full list of the nominees:

Music Video of the Year
Charm – Rema, Oerlinks and Folarin Oludare
Metaverse – Jyde Ajala
Like Ice Spice – Perlinks and Emeka Shine Shine
Ojapiano – Mattmax
Egwu – Director Pink
Showa – TG Omori
Na Money – Dammy Twitch

Best Vocal Performance (Female)
Ayra Star – Last Heartbreak Song
Niniola – Level
Simi – Stranger
Liya – I’m Done
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

Best Rap Single
Cast – Odumodu Blvck and Shallipopi
Blood on the dance floor – Bloody Civilian, Wale and Odumodu Blvck
Hallelujah – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello
Canada – Magnito
Ije Nwoke – Jeriq

Rookie of the year
Zerry DL
Taves
Kaestyles
Llona

Best R&B single
Qing Madi – Vision
Jonny Drille – For You
Simi – Stranger
Tems – Burning
Ayra Star – Last Heartbreak Song ft Giveon

Songwriter of the Year
Simisola Kosoko – Stranger (Simi)
Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – Vision (Qing Madi)
Michael Ajuma Attah – Can’t Breathe (Llona)
Emoseh Khamofu – Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)
Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life (Wizard Chan)

Producer of the year
Sarz – Happiness
London – Ozeba
Magicsticks – Basquiat
Rema/Producer X/Cubeats/Deatz/Klimperboy – Hehehe
Dibs – Different Pattern

Best Recording of the Year
Tems – Burning
Seyi Vibez – Different Pattern
Burna Boy – Higher
Ayra Star and Giveon – Last Heartbreak Song
Sarz and Lojay – Billions

Best Collaboration
Emotions – Tiwa Savage ft Asa
Blood on the dance floor – Odumodu Blvck, Bloody Civilian and Wale
Cast – Shallipopi ft Odumodu Blvck
Egwu – Chike ft Mohbad
Ole – Qing Madi ft Bnxn
Twe Twe remix – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
IDK – Wizkid ft Zlatan

Best Street-hop artiste
Seyi Vibez – Different Patterns
Ayo Maff – Dealer ft (Fire Boy)
Shallipopi – Cast ft (Odumodu Blvck)
Zhus Jdo – Johnbull
Mohbad – Ask About me

Afrobeats Single of the Year
Big Big Things – Young John ft Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez
Twe Twe remix – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
Egwu – Chike ft Mohbad
Remember – Asake
Ogechi remix – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel ft Davido
Big Baller – Flavour

The Headies remains a benchmark for excellence in Nigerian music, celebrating the creativity and influence of artists both within and beyond the country’s borders. As the awards ceremony approaches, fans and industry stakeholders eagerly anticipate who will take home the coveted trophies.