A coalition of Gbagyi stakeholders in Kaduna has criticised former governor Nasir El-Rufai over what it described as self-serving attacks on President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, Benjamin George, the group’s leader, said El-Rufai’s recent criticism of the Tinubu administration is rooted in personal disappointment rather than any genuine concern for national development.

“We discovered that since former governor Nasir El-Rufai lost out on a ministerial slot in President Tinubu’s cabinet, he has remained inconsolable—launching repeated verbal assaults on the administration,” George said.

He accused El-Rufai of marginalising the Gbagyi people during his time as governor by demolishing homes without compensation, denying them political appointments, and excluding them from key development projects.

George also said the former governor ordered the demolition of market stalls, failed to address the growing insecurity in the state, and trampled on the rights of citizens, including journalists.

He warned that El-Rufai’s alleged efforts to form a political coalition to challenge Tinubu in 2027 were a thinly veiled act of revenge.

“It is very clear that his current move to mobilise politicians he had despised in the past to unseat President Tinubu in 2027, as a revenge for losing a ministerial position, is dead on arrival,” he said.

George pledged the group’s support for Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, noting that both leaders are working to resolve challenges inherited from past administrations.

“To this end, we have decided not to keep quiet and to tell the world categorically that the Gbagyi nation and the Middle Belt will never be part of any coalition orchestrated by Malam Nasir El-Rufai and his cohorts against President Tinubu,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to disregard what he called El-Rufai’s “utopian postulations and selfish machinations”, and expressed confidence that the current administration will succeed.

The coalition also accused El-Rufai of running an autocratic government for eight years, alleging that he marginalised Southern Kaduna communities, particularly the Gbagyi and Christian populations.

Minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that food prices are dropping and insecurity is declining under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Idris made the comment on Tuesday at the inaugural national dialogue on citizen engagement and national security held in Abuja.

The event, themed “One Voice, One Vision: Uniting Perspectives for a Stronger Nigeria”, was organised by the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

He said: “Just last week, we commemorated the second anniversary of the Tinubu administration with ample proof of its monumental positive impact.

“No preceding government has ever achieved what the Tinubu administration has achieved in two years: first, the courage to vanquish the monster of oil subsidy and the forex racket, and then massive road infrastructure, an unprecedented students’ loans scheme, and the CreditCorp – indeed, policies that are re-stimulating confidence in our young population.”

Idris said the administration’s efforts are beginning to yield results across critical sectors.

His words: “After a stormy start, food prices are falling, even as we are stemming the tide of insecurity.

“The impact of governance, for the first time in decades, is making a new headway through the local government autonomy, the creation of ministries for regional development, and the biggest boost in agriculture – the creation of the federal ministry of livestock development.”

He said more Nigerians are now uniting in support of President Tinubu, whom he described as “a man of vision and courage”.

He said the Renewed Hope Agenda is rooted in citizen engagement, where every Nigerian “must feel, be seen, heard, and valued”.

Idris urged greater synergy among stakeholders in government, the media, civil society and the security sector.

“This forum reflects that vision. It brings together government, media, civil society, and the security community – not in silos, but in synergy. Not to talk at each other, but to listen to each other,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event included ministers, security chiefs, heads of federal government agencies and former Chief of Army Staff,

Yusuf Tukur Buratai

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday evening played host to the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, at his private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, in what observers have described as a significant display of bipartisan engagement.

Governor Adeleke, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was accompanied by his elder brother, renowned businessman and philanthropist, Adedeji Adeleke, and his nephew, global Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, confirmed the visit via a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, @DOlusegun.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu receives in audience, H.E. Ademola Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State, and Chief Adedeji Adeleke at his residence in Lagos,” Olusegun wrote.

Photos from the meeting, which surfaced online, quickly gained traction, with Davido’s presence drawing widespread attention.

Although the specific content of the discussions was not made public, according to Vanguard, insiders described the meeting as warm and productive, hinting at Tinubu’s broader strategy of national cohesion and cross-party collaboration.

The meeting comes at a time when President Tinubu has been meeting with leaders from various political affiliations, reportedly to foster unity and national dialogue.

Governor Adeleke has recently praised President Tinubu’s leadership approach, particularly his emphasis on nation-building over party loyalty.

The Osun governor’s presence at the meeting has been interpreted in some quarters as a sign of improved relations between the presidency and opposition governors.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has received billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates and a delegation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in his office, on a landmark move for Nigeria’s technological advancement. 

The meeting had in attendance, Paulin Basinga, Uche Ofodile, and other senior members of the Foundation, centered around two strategic priorities, expected to expand connectivity and accelerate the responsible application of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria.

The visit coincides with the signing of a groundbreaking agreement to launch AI Scale Up Nigeria, a national initiative backed by $7.5 million in funding and technical support from the Gates Foundation. 

The program aims to harness AI solutions to drive improvements in healthcare, agriculture, and education, with a sharp focus on real-world impact for everyday Nigerians.

Bosun while reflecting on the moment, said his relationship with the Foundation began shortly before his ministerial appointment, when he moderated a conversation between Bill Gates and young African innovators. 

According to him “This moment means a lot, personally and nationally

“I’m grateful for the trust, collaboration, and shared belief that Nigeria can lead not just in adopting technology, but in shaping it to solve real problems”.

He said the visit comes midway into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, reinforcing the government’s commitment to driving innovation, digital inclusion, and global partnerships.

The Minister therefore appreciated Mr. Gates and team for marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s digital development.

Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has described the current coalition talks as hollow, lacking ideological substance and purpose.

Naija News reports that Sowore’s comments come amidst growing political realignment as various actors position themselves for the next presidential race.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, have been leading the opposition front.

However, Sowore, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, warned Nigerians that current coalition efforts lack vision and ideology, and will only strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election rather than challenge it.

Sowore said Nigerians should stop relying on political elites, stressing they could be in a worse situation if they get distracted by the current coalition talks.

He said, “It is what they [the coalition] are doing that will make it easy for him [Tinubu] to rerun and return to office. They are preventing the real, organic coalition of the oppressed from emerging. People are getting distracted — Nigerians actually think these guys are fighting for them.

“I’m not a lone voice the coalition is what is lonely. That’s why they can’t even hold meetings or find a party to join.

“Now they say they want to register a party — that’s loneliness. Any coalition without ideology is a lonely coalition. There’s no coalition without conviction, character, or integrity.

“The people need to understand that the only way out is the one they design for themselves. There has to be a different direction.

“If you keep letting them do what they are doing with you — and you get distracted by all these conversations about coalitions — you are going to find yourself in a worse situation than now. That has been Nigeria’s story since the emergence of civil rule.”

When asked whether Nigerians should place their hope in the current government and its policies amid the biting economy, Sowore countered that Nigerians are suffering and should never have been in this situation.

He added, “No, I don’t think so — and I have warned Nigerians. The more you hope, the more you lose, regarding this government. It’s up to them to decide whether they want to keep suffering. No one should be in the situation Nigerians are in now.

“There is nothing to look forward to. Everything that’s going to happen to you in the next two years has already happened in the last two years. I’m not a prophet of doom, but if we continue on this trajectory, they’re not going to do anything meaningful regarding governance.”

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Adm Ibok-Ete Ibas, has appointed 11 new permanent secretaries.

The appointment was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The three-paragraph statement was signed by the Acting Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown and sent to newsmen.

The statement said the newly appointed permanent secretaries would be sworn in by the sole administrator on a date to be made known.

The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Adm Ibok-Ete Ibas, has appointed 11 new permanent secretaries.

The appointment was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

The three-paragraph statement was signed by the Acting Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown and sent to newsmen.

The statement said the newly appointed permanent secretaries would be sworn in by the sole administrator on a date to be made known.

The statement reads, “His Excellency, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd), the Administrator of Rivers State has approved the appointment of the under-listed persons as Permanent Secretaries.

“They include: Imaonyani Roselin Ephraim-George, Dr. Mina T. Ikuru, Dabite Sokari George, Soibitein Duke Harry, Lauretta Davies Dimkpa, Uche R. Ideozu, Chimenum Mpi, Jeremiah Egwu, Nicholas Iminabo Wokoma, Vera Sam Dike and Aleruchi Akani.

“The newly appointed permanent secretaries will be sworn in by His Excellency, the Administrator of Rivers State, on a date to be announced.”

A yet-to-be-identified man has reportedly fallen from one of the top floors of the 26-storey Cocoa House building in Ibadan, Oyo State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident, which threw the entire business community into panic, occurred in the early hours of Monday.

One of the eyewitnesses who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity said, “When the incident happened, I initially thought it was a large bird falling from the sky.

“It was only when the person landed that I realised it was a human being.

“I had my phone with me but I couldn’t even record anything because I was completely shocked.”

Another eyewitness said, “The victim first hit a roof beside the security post of the building before landing on the ground. It was a terrifying sight.”

As of press time, the circumstances behind the unfortunate incident were still sketchy as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, a statement released by the Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the firm managing Cocoa House, on Tuesday, in Ibadan, the state capital, confirmed the incident.

The Head of Branding and Communication of the company, Victor Ayetoro, who authorised the statement, said, “The individual involved was swiftly attended to by the emergency response team and taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for urgent medical attention.

“The company expressed deep concerns over the development and assured the public of its full cooperation with authorities investigating the cause of the fall,” he added

Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman has described his decision to switch international allegiance from England to Nigeria as one of the most defining choices of his football career, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year, said choosing to represent Nigeria changed everything for him, both personally and professionally.

“Without doubt, it changed my career and my life,” Lookman said in an interview with ARISE TV.

“People know that. This is my home. This is my place. I enjoy it here. I am the son of the soil.”

Born in London, Lookman played for England at youth level before pledging his international future to Nigeria.

That decision has coincided with a dramatic rise in his profile, culminating in a historic Europa League final hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen which helped Atalanta win their first-ever European title.

Now regarded as one of Europe’s most in-form attackers, the 27-year-old credited his success to discipline, consistency, and relentless hard work.

“I think it was just self-belief and working hard every day, when you work hard every single day, you gain confidence and grow in what you do. You know that eventually, your hard work will pay off,” he said.

Lookman said that mindset was crucial during the tougher moments in his career, including when he missed a crucial penalty during a loan spell at Fulham.

“Every day, I try to improve myself, both on and off the pitch. That consistency and mindset have really helped me,” he added.

Winning the African Footballer of the Year award, he said, was a deeply personal moment. “It’s amazing. Honestly, I won’t lie to you, it’s a privilege to have it,” he said. 

I take it with real pride. I’ve seen the great players who have received this award, some of the biggest names in football. For me to be among them is a blessing.”

Lookman recently returned to Lagos to present the CAF award to President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describing it as a meaningful homecoming.

Sanwo-Olu hailed him as a symbol of the “Greater Lagos Rising” spirit and a shining example for millions of Nigerian youths.

He also visited Phase 2, a community where he spent much of his childhood with his grandmother and father.

“It was really important for me to bring this award back home. I’ve been cradling it all day. Bringing it back to Lagos means everything. That’s where I brought it back to, and today, I had the honour of presenting it to the President. That meant a lot.”

When asked if he would feel fulfilled if he retired today, Lookman gave a firm response.

“Definitely not. Retirement is nowhere in my thoughts. Not even close. There’s still a long journey ahead. So much more to achieve,” he said.

“This is just another chapter of that journey. There’s a long road still to go.”

His exploits have attracted the attention of top Premier League clubs, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly preparing bids.

Atalanta have placed a €50 million price tag on him as one of their star player, whose current form and maturity make him one of the most valuable forwards in European football

The Police Command in Niger, says it has detained for prosecution a dismissed soldier for alleged impersonation, fraudulent act.

This is contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun on Tuesday in Minna.

According to him, on May 27, at about 2:30pm, a case of criminal breach of trust, fraud and theft was referred for Police investigation from a magistrate court to Tudun-Wada Police Division.

He said the matter was reported by three victims.

He said that on May 12, at about 10am, a suspected soldier went to a Point of sales (PoS) shop around Musa Bello Primary School, Bida and allegedly deceitfully collected N120,000 from the operator and escaped.

“Similarly, on May 23, at about 9.30am, the same suspect dressed in military camouflage went to a PoS attendant at Kataeregi, and collected N300,000 and equally escaped.

“While on May 29, at about 4pm, the same situation occurred at a PoS shop along Mandela road and N500,000 was taken from the victim. 

“However, in the course of the investigation, Police detectives with the aid of technical intelligence arrested the suspect who resides Michael Musa of Mandela Road, Minna in connection with the case.

“During interrogation, the suspect who was arrested in military uniform confessed to these incidents.

“He claimed he was a dismissed soldier in 2022 in Benin, Edo,” he added.

“Meanwhile, the case is under investigation, and more victims have been coming forward to lay similar complaints.

NAN

The West African Examinations Council , Nigeria, has debunked claims that the English Language paper written during the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates, 2025, has been cancelled.

A viral press release, dated Friday, May 30, 2025, and circulated widely on social media platforms, falsely claimed that the May 28 English Language examination had been cancelled and that a new date would be announced.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, WAEC described the release as fake and the work of “mischief-makers.”

“The management of the West African Examinations Council would like to state that the press release being circulated did not emanate from the council.

“The said examination has not been cancelled,” the statement signed by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, read.

Although the origin of the false document is still unknown, WAEC emphasised that its communication with the public is strictly through verified channels.

The statement added, “The council is certain that the false claim is being peddled by mischief-makers who are bent on bringing the council to disrepute, to cause confusion and panic for candidates who sat the examination.” 

WAEC further urged the general public, including candidates, parents, and schools, to disregard such unverified information and rely solely on official communication.

“All pieces of information from the council are disseminated via our official and verified social media handles, as well as accredited media platforms across the country.

“In the same vein, all press releases are issued and signed by the Public Affairs Department of the Council on behalf of the Head of National Office,” it stated.

Reassuring stakeholders, the council thanked the public for their continued trust over the past 73 years, adding that it remains committed to improving service delivery to Nigerian students.

“Once again, we thank all stakeholders for the confidence reposed in us… and we promise to always seek innovative ways to render quality services to the Nigerian child,” WAEC said.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that the examination was conducted late at night, far beyond the scheduled time, on May 28, 2025.

This, according to multiple reports, may have fuelled speculation that the exam had been cancelled. 

The examination body, however, blamed the delay in the conduct of the paper on heightened efforts to curb examination malpractice, particularly the leakage of question papers.

In an exclusive report, Sunday PUNCH gathered that some officials of the exam body might be connected to the leakage, particularly the circulation of the English Language paper to the public four days before the examination.