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The Federal Government says Nigeria has so far lost more than N1.3 billion to the outbreak of Tuta absoluta, commonly known as the tomato leaf miner or “Tomato Ebola” in three states.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said this at the ongoing four-day capacity-building workshop for financial institutions on Wednesday in Abuja.
The workshop is organised by HortiNigeria in collaboration with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending Plc.
Kyari said the outbreak had consequently led to the surge of a 50-kilogramme basket of tomatoes from N5,000 to N10,000 and approximately N30,000, thereby exacerbating food inflation and straining household budgets.
According to him, the states where the losses were recorded include Kano, Katsina and Kaduna.
He explained that tomato ebola had underscored the fragility of the country’s horticultural systems, adding that the invasive pest could decimate tomato crops within 48 hours, leading to catastrophic yield losses.
According to him, this crisis highlights the urgent need for integrated pest management strategies, investment in resilient crop varieties and enhanced support for farmers to safeguard the country’s food supply chains.
He said, “Tomatoes and peppers, essential ingredients in virtually every Nigerian kitchen, serve as baseline commodities for daily cooking.
“When the prices of these staples spike, they set off a chain reaction that affects the cost of meals across homes, restaurants and food vendors.
“According to the 2024 National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), tomatoes led the food price index with a staggering 320 per cent year-on-year increase, followed by peppers and other produce.
“These spikes disproportionately affect low-income households, underlining the urgent need for more stable production, better storage and accessible finance across the horticulture value chain.”
The minister said horticulture, often described as the “sleeping giant” of Nigerian agriculture, held immense promise that the country must awaken.
According to him, in doing that, we must ensure access to sustainable and well-structured financing.
Kyari, who identified horticulture as the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, flowers, and ornamentals, described it as far more than a sub-sector of agriculture.
According to him, it is a dynamic engine for rural transformation, job creation, improved nutrition and trade diversification.
”With increasing urbanisation and growing awareness of healthy diets, consumer demand for fresh and diverse produce is rising rapidly. Horticulture is well-positioned to meet this demand,” he added.
He added that in spite of the challenges in the horticulture sector, it remained one of the most promising frontiers for agricultural transformation.
He noted that, unlike staple crop farming, horticulture offered higher value per hectare, ideal for smallholder commercialisation, shorter production cycles and allowing multiple harvests annually.
He further said that the sector had greater labour absorption, creating year-round employment, especially for women and youth, strong linkages to processing, packaging, retail and export markets.
“The sector also offers climate resilience through protected cultivation and irrigation systems, urban food access through peri-urban farming and logistics integration.
“Horticulture is a high-impact, high-return opportunity sitting at the intersection of agriculture, health, industry, and trade,” he emphasised.
The minister listed key contributions of the sector to the country’s agricultural transformation as diversification of agricultural production and incomes, food and nutrition security, employment and youth engagement.
Other contributions, according to him, include import substitution and export potential, climate adaptation and resilience, as well as urban market integration.
Kyari explained that the sector enabled smallholder farmers to diversify their production portfolios and earn steady incomes outside traditional grain cycles.
“Crops like tomatoes, pineapples, cucumbers, citrus and plantains have huge domestic demand and are increasingly becoming important commercial crops.
“On food and nutrition security, horticultural crops are rich sources of vitamins A, C, iron, zinc, and folate nutrients vital for child development, maternal health and disease prevention.
“Scaling up their production and affordability is key to ending malnutrition in all its forms,” he added.
He urged financial institutions to map and understand the horticulture value chain from seed to shelf.
He further urged them to move beyond generic lending and develop tailored products that aligned with the specific stages of the value chain.
He also urged them to develop fit-for-purpose financial products, including seasonal credit lines, equipment leasing, invoice discounting, and trade financing.
Horticulture is not only a farming activity; it is a vibrant agribusiness ecosystem with scalable investment opportunities that can drive inclusive growth and food system transformation in Nigeria.
“Together, we can unlock the power of horticulture to nourish our people, build wealth and drive inclusive, sustainable growth.
“By building your capacity and investing wisely in the horticulture value chain, you are not just financing crops, you are financing livelihoods, nutrition, resilience, and inclusive growth and sowing the seeds for a healthier, wealthier, and more resilient Nigeria,” he further said.
NAN
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said politics remains a game of interest, but interest of all concerned must be factored in any political move.
Naija News reported that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, in its last meeting in Ibadan, dissociated the party from any coalition ahead of 2027.
Speaking with the Nation, Makinde said the party was not well informed on what it stands to benefit from coalition to unseat the current administration.
“Politics is a game of interest. You must be interested; you must have alignment with the wider organs of your party before you go out to meet other people. If you remember in 2019, even here in Oyo State with my election, we went into coalition with parties. But, the organs of the party in Oyo State and myself, as the candidate of the party were in agreement. And when we became successful, it was not difficult for me to cede positions to parties that were within that coalition. That was possible because we followed the process.
“We didn’t just wake up and say me as xyz in the party, just draw the party into any arrangements when the party organs do not have clue on what you are doing. They have no clue of what is in this coalition for them. They also have no clue whether this is personal or you are doing this in the best interest of the party and the people of Nigeria. Those are critical,” he said.
The Governor of Oyo refuted that the governors opposed the coalition move because they were working for President Bola Tinubu‘s second tenure.
While not dismissing the rights of individual members of the party to associate with any group, he said the party has yet to be informed what it would gain from the coalition.
“I totally disagree with those insinuations. First, there must be a process. If the managers of the party, the organs of the party are going into a merger or coalition, there’s a need for the managers of the party to know. But, it is still within the right of individuals to associate with whoever they want to associate with. But, as a party, we haven’t gotten there,” he stated.
Police Arrest 2 High-profile Fugitives Wanted For Human Trafficking, Armed Robbery In Belgium, UAE
AFOLABI
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has said that it has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against transnational organised crime with the arrest of two international wanted fugitives: Felix Omoregie alias “Eghosa Johnson Omoregie,” a suspected ringleader of a human trafficking syndicate wanted by Belgian authorities, and Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje, a key member of a Dubai-based armed robbery gang.
Felix Omoregie, the alleged mastermind of a large-scale human trafficking operations, had been declared wanted by the Belgian authorities through an INTERPOL Red Notice issued on December 19, 2023, and was arrested in Benin City, Edo State, following diligent intelligence and enforcement efforts by Police operatives. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Federal High Court in Benin City.
Omoregie is accused of trafficking young Nigerian women—including minors—to Italy and subsequently dispersing them across Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Victims were subjected to voodoo-based oaths and psychological coercion, with fabricated debts ranging between €20,000 and €50,000 used to manipulate and control them.
A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Wednesday, said Omoregie’s criminal network involved handlers in Brussels and France who managed the victims’ activities and remitted proceeds to him.
“Following a conviction in absentia in Belgium in 2021 for multiple counts of aggravated human trafficking and criminal organization leadership, Omoregie fled to Nigeria. Upon his arrest, a search of his premises revealed incriminating materials, including a photocopy of a passport intended for a planned relocation to Canada,” he stated.
ACP Adejobi also revealed that in a separate operation, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abuja apprehended 37-year-old Okwudili Sabastine Ezeje at a hideout in Nsukka, Enugu State. Ezeje is wanted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a series of serious crimes, including armed robbery, cultism, drug trafficking, and other organised criminal activities.
“Intelligence gathered reveals that Ezeje continued to coordinate criminal operations remotely from Nigeria. He has been directly linked to several high-profile robberies in Dubai and Sharjah, including an armed robbery at a grocery store in Dubai Mall, a targeted hit on Al Ansari Exchange in Jumeirah, and another heist at a Bureau de Change in Jebel Ali Village.
“The arrest was the result of strategic intelligence sharing and operational collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Dubai Police. The arraignment of Okwudili Ezeje is expected to take place shortly,” he stated.
He added that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, commended all operatives involved in the high-profile arrests for their professionalism, diligence, and dedication to upholding Nigeria’s international law enforcement obligations. “The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to enhancing its global policing partnerships and ensuring that fugitives find no safe haven within our borders,” he said. “These arrests serve as a clear message that criminal elements, no matter how far they run or how long they hide, will be brought to justice. The Force calls on citizens to remain vigilant and cooperative in the fight against organized crime, both at home and abroad.”
Nigeria First Policy: Trade your Escalade for Innoson if you really believe in ‘Nigeria First’ – Atiku Tells Tinubu
AFOLABI
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the ‘Nigeria First’ policy of the Bola Tinubu administration is a public relations gimmick.
Abubakar’s position was conveyed in a press statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, his special assistant on public communication.
On May 5, the federal executive council (FEC) approved a ‘Nigeria First’ policy aimed at prioritising the use of locally made goods and services in all government procurements.
Abubakar said the mantra is “another tired PR stunt — designed to deceive, not deliver”.
“Nigerians have grown weary of hollow speeches. If this government is truly serious about local content and economic patriotism, it must start at the very top,” he said.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023 challenged Tinubu to set the tone by replacing his Escalade car with a made-in-Nigeria vehicle.
“We challenge President Tinubu to stop the noise and trade in his beloved Escalade for an Innoson, Nord or any made-in-Nigeria car,” he said.
“That single act will do more to promote local industry than a thousand policy memos.”
Abubakar also asked cabinet members to walk the talk by buying Nigeria.
“Let’s see the ministers — those shameless Rolls Royce connoisseurs — sweat it out in Nigerian-made vehicles too. Or is ‘Nigeria First’ only for the masses?” he added.
‘DOUBLE STANDARD’
The politician also criticised the president’s preference for holidays abroad.
“And speaking of double standards, it’s time Mr President shelves his love affair with Paris and London,” the statement reads.
“If he’s serious about patriotism, his next vacation should be at Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Game Reserve, or Erin Ijesha Waterfalls. Nigeria is beautiful — unless, of course, the president thinks otherwise.
“More importantly, the era of jetting off for medical tourism while preaching self-reliance must end.
“We demand that President Tinubu — champion of ‘Nigeria First’— conduct all future medical check-ups at LUTH, National Hospital Abuja, UCH Ibadan, or even the ₦41 billion Akwa Ibom world-class hospital built by the uncommon transformer, in Uyo.
“If these hospitals are good enough for ordinary Nigerians, they should be good enough for their commander-in-chief. Anything less is sheer hypocrisy.
“This government’s addiction to foreign luxuries while demanding sacrifice from suffering Nigerians is the height of insincerity. True leadership isn’t photo-ops or soundbites — it’s setting the tone by example.”
The statement added that Nigerians deserve “real commitment, not this never-ending charade”.
On Friday, Ali Ndume, the senator representing Borno south, expressed support for the federal government’s decision to ban the importation of goods that can be produced locally.
The lawmaker described the move as a “bold initiative” that could boost the economy and empower local entrepreneurs.
Many Nigerians appear to have scaled back their internet usage following a steep 50 per cent hike in telecom tariffs approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January 2025, new data has shown.
Figures from the NCC indicate that internet consumption dropped from a record 1 million terabytes (TB) in January to 893,054.80 TB in February, a significant decline that coincided with the implementation of the new pricing regime.
Although data usage picked up again in March to 995,876.10 TB, it still fell short of January’s total.
The tariff increase, which took effect on January 20, raised the floor price for several services. The cost of voice calls jumped from ₦6.40 to ₦9.60 per minute, SMS from ₦4 to ₦6, and 1GB of data from ₦287.50 to ₦431.25.
It marked the first major adjustment in telecom pricing in over a decade, as operators had long argued that rising inflation, forex shortages, and energy costs were eroding their margins.
While the dip in February could be partially attributed to typical seasonal trends, data usage also declined in February of both 2023 and 2024, analysts say the size of the drop this year points to a deeper consumer response to rising costs.
IT Expert, Jide Awe said, “Consumers are very sensitive to price changes in data and telecom services. A 50 per cent increase in such a short time will likely prompt a behavioural shift, especially among low and middle income users who form the bulk of the market.”
Despite the decline in usage, the tariff increase has proven lucrative for operators. MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom provider with 90.49 million subscribers, reported a record ₦529.44 billion in data revenue for the first quarter of 2025.
“Looking ahead, we anticipate continued momentum in service revenue, underpinned by strong demand for data and a proactive approach to customer value management,” said Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria.
Toriola added that the price adjustment is expected to further bolster revenue in the coming quarters.
Meanwhile, mobile subscriptions continued to grow. Total active mobile lines rose to 172.43 million in Q1 2025, while mobile internet subscriptions reached 142.05 million.
Broadband penetration also increased to 47.73 per cent, signaling continued expansion of digital infrastructure even as cost pressures test user engagement.
The coming months may determine whether Nigerians adapt to the higher telecom rates or begin cutting back further. For now, the data suggests that while telecom companies are seeing financial gains, many everyday users are making tough choices about how they connect.
[Leadership]
Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), has reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to developing a technology-driven system aimed at enhancing easy and equitable access to student loans.
Sawyerr gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing representatives from Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and Institutes during a Stakeholders Engagement Session and Technical Workshop on NELFUND System Automation and Loan Application Processes.
He explained that the Fund was working towards a seamless, transparent platform that allowed students to confidently access loans without unnecessary stress.
“At NELFUND, our mission goes beyond disbursing loans. It’s about opening doors and ensuring every young Nigerian with a desire to learn and grow has a real opportunity, regardless of their background, location, or field of study.
“For too long, students, especially in technical institutions, have faced significant financial barriers. Many have had to drop out, while others never even considered applying.
“That’s the gap we at NELFUND aim to close but we can’t do it alone. This is a shared mission involving government institutions and the private sector,” Sawyerr said.
Sawyerr emphasised that NELFUND was not only providing financial support but also building a technology-driven infrastructure that enabled easier application processes, institutional verification, and fast, fair disbursement.
“We’re striving for stress-free access a system students can trust.
“Transparency is key so that no applicant is left in the dark. We rely on you, our institutional partners, to help bring this vision to life,” he added.
He urged institutions to partner with NELFUND, saying the goal was to build a system that would not only be functional and sustainable but also truly transformative.
“As we integrate NELFUND processes with institutional systems and standards, we must remember that at the centre of all this is the student, a young Nigerian with dreams and ambition. Everything we do must serve that student.
“The only way forward is through collaboration, open communication, and practical solutions,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Iyal Mustapha, Executive Director of Operations at NELFUND, said that more than 320,000 students had received funding so far, with further verifications ongoing.
Mustapha clarified that discrepancies between registered students and those whose applications were successfully processed often stemmed from incomplete applications on the students’ part.
“We have 576,000 registrations on our portal, but only 516,000 completed applications. Some may have dropped out due to data issues or just wanted to test the system.
“We want to bridge this gap, and with your support, we can ensure more students access the institutional loan,” he said.
Mustapha further explained that the institutional loan, which is different from the monthly upkeep loan of N20,000, was disbursed directly to institutions.
He added that NELFUND was considering integrating directly with institutional portals to simplify the process for students.
“We’re exploring the possibility of deploying our IT teams to institutions to enable direct connection with your portals.
“Ideally, students should be able to apply via your platforms without having to come through NELFUND, making the process smoother and more accessible,” he said.
(NAN)
As the 2027 general elections approach, political permutations are intensifying in Kebbi State, with former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), emerging as a central figure.
There are strong indications that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is mounting pressure on Malami to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) and run for governor in 2027 on its platform, DAILY POST has learnt.
Sources within the political circles in Kebbi and Abuja informed DAILY POST that Malami has been offered the SDP governorship ticket, with backing allegedly orchestrated by former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
However, Malami, who was a top official in President Buhari’s government, is reportedly holding back, waiting to see what Governor Nasir Idris does next and where the APC in Kebbi is headed.
A reliable source close to the former AGF told DAILY POST that “Malami was expected to officially announce his defection to the SDP in mid-April alongside former Ekiti Governor, Kayode Fayemi, but he has deliberately delayed the move.
“He’s watching the governor (Idris) closely, especially with the claims making the rounds that he may leave the ruling party. If Idris decamps from APC, Malami may remain to easily claim the guber ticket. But if the governor stays put, he could jump ship.”
This calculation became more pressing following unconfirmed reports that Governor Idris may be flirting with an Atiku-led opposition coalition.
While the governor has since denied the reports, publicly affirming his loyalty to the APC, saying, “I’ll be the last man standing”, the rumours have stirred considerable tension within the party’s ranks in Kebbi.
A source in Governor Idris’ cabinet confided in our reporter that there are truly pressures from Atiku’s camp wooing the governor to leave APC, but he is not willing to defect for any reason.
“Governors are defecting to the APC, and you expect a sitting governor who maintains a good relationship with the federal government to leave?
“Of course, there are pressures here and there, but I can assure you, Governor Idris is going nowhere. You can take that to the bank. As for the PDP and SDP, they’re as good as dead,” he told our reporter.
Multiple sources confirmed that El-Rufai recently met with Malami and other northern political players in Katsina to form a formidable northern political coalition that would rival the current Bola Tinubu-led APC government in 2027.
One source said El-Rufai “promised Malami a free ticket and full support,” to join the SDP.
“El-Rufai is building something bigger than just Kebbi. He’s connecting dots across Kaduna, Katsina Kebbi and Gombe. Malami is central to the Kebbi plan,” the source said.
Speaking further, the insider said “The challenge is that El-Rufai is yet to gain national acceptance in the South following his recent defection to the SDP.
“This development has caused Malami to reconsider his position. El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP appeared hasty and lacked foresight.
“Many believe he may have defected to the SDP as part of a strategic move to work for President Tinubu, aiming to block any potential coalition by the PDP, which is currently engulfed in deep crisis.
“Don’t forget, the man in power is a known strategist and Malami is not unaware of this. This is one of the reasons he seems to have been foot-dragging.
“Now, the question is whether Malami, should he accept the SDP offer, has what it takes to defeat the incumbent governor in 2027.”
Political analysts in the state have stated that the odds may not be far-fetched.
Governor Idris, despite his initial goodwill and populist appeal, has been plagued by growing insecurity in rural areas of the state, especially around Danko-Wasagu and parts of Zuru Emirate.
Farmers have been displaced, banditry has surged and displaced persons continue to mount pressure on already fragile local resources.
His administration has also faced criticism over slow infrastructural development and what critics described as a “disconnect” from grassroots needs.
“Governor Idris seems to have lost some shine in the eyes of Kebbi people. There’s frustration in the air.
“People want security and visible development. Malami can capitalize on that if he plays his cards right,” a senior SDP official said.
However, Kabir Mustapha, a former secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Bagudo West and now a chieftain of the APC, said that even if the state were to seek a new governor, Abubakar Malami might not be the preferred candidate.
“You don’t substitute your best player in the middle of a match. When it comes to governance, Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, remains the best.
“A hundred Malamis can’t match him. When I hear people say the governor is defecting, I just laugh. Defect for what, exactly? Is anyone contesting the state with him?
“Is the federal government fighting him? The rumours are nothing more than beer parlour talk.”
Despite his national image as a Buhari loyalist and a technocrat, Malami’s acceptability at home remains limited, except in Birnin Kebbi and parts of Argungu and Gwandu, where he is believed to enjoy the backing of traditional rulers and local political structures he has built over the years.
“Malami helped a lot of youths while he was in office. He still commands respect and his quiet philanthropy hasn’t gone unnoticed,” one community leader told this paper.
However, Malami also carries the baggage of past controversies from his time as AGF, including criticism over his handling of high-profile corruption cases and perceived partisan overreach..
For now, Malami’s rumoured ambition to contest for the Kebbi State governorship in the 2027 elections has further ignited a cold war between him and Governor Idris.
This political rivalry has been simmering for some time, with both men vying for control and influence in the state, especially with the upcoming elections drawing nearer.
DAILY POST reported that the cold war has intensified, with reports about the alleged arrest of Mukhtar Dan Baturiya, a prominent activist and staunch supporter of Malami.
The arrest was reportedly linked to a Facebook post where Baturiya shared the possibility of Governor Nasir Idris defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With two years left to the polls, the political chessboard in Kebbi is heating up.
If Malami makes the leap to the SDP and gains El-Rufai’s full backing, the race could become one of the most hotly contested in the North-West.
[DailyPost]
• Nigeria’s Okpaleke among 133 electors
Cardinals will today move into the Conclave at the Vatican to elect a new Pope in succession to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday.
One hundred and thirty-three cardinal electors will perform the sacred assignment of picking the leader of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide and the head of state of the Vatican.
Nigeria’s Peter Okpaleke, the Bishop of Ekwulobia, Anambra State is the only one of the four Nigerian candidates qualified to participate in the process.
The 133 elector-cardinals are spread across 71 countries.
Eighty per cent of them were appointed cardinals by Pope Francis.
What will confront the electors is whether the new Pope should be a progressive, who will continue the way Pope Francis ran the church or a conservative who will reverse the order.
They may also choose a centrist.
The countries with the most electors are: Italy (17), the United States (10), Brazil (seven), France and Spain (five each), Argentina, Canada, India, Poland and Portugal (four apiece).
How the Pope will be elected
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave.
For the conclave, the cardinal electors proceed to the Sistine Chapel and take an oath of absolute secrecy. Thereafter the doors are sealed.
The cardinals vote by secret ballot, processing one by one up to Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last judgment, saying a prayer and dropping the twice-folded ballot in a large chalice.
Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot are counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders.
If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke.
When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.
The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope.
The senior cardinal deacon, currently French Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, announces from the balcony of St. Peter’s “Habemus Papam” (“We have a pope”) before the new pope processes out and imparts his blessing on the city of Rome and the entire world.
On Monday, workers installed curtains on the balcony where the new Pontiff will appear. A temporary chimney is in place on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals will cast secret ballots. White smoke will eventually signal the election of the next leader for the world’s Catholics.
Over 179 cardinals are in Rome, participating in the 10th general congregation.
The Nigerian connection
Okpaleke was appointed a cardinal by the late Pope Francis in 2022 and will participate in the election of the new leader of the Catholic Church.
His appointment as Bishop of Ahiara Diocese was met with resistance, but was eventually installed as Bishop of Ekwulobia.
Three other Nigerian cardinals, Francis Arinze (92), Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (88) and John Onaiyekan (81), have no vote been more than 80 years old.
Born on March 1, 1963, in Amesi, Anambra State, Bishop Okpaleke has had a distinguished career in the church, serving in various capacities, including as a priest, bishop, and cardinal.
His educational background includes studying philosophy and theology at the Bigard Memorial Major Seminary in Ikot-Ekpene and Enugu.
He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Awka on August 22, 1990.
Despite the controversy, he has continued to serve the church and has held various positions, including Chairman of the Canon Law Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).
[TheNation]
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has shared his thoughts on his career trajectory while celebrating a significant accomplishment in his music career after surpassing 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify for the first time.
This achievement follows the release of his fifth studio album, 5ive, which has continued to garner widespread attention.
In a moment of reflection, Davido expressed pride in how far he has come, emphasising that his success was not the result of industry endorsements or influential mentors.
Unlike many of his contemporaries who had early backing from key figures in the music industry, he built his career independently through perseverance and dedication.
Nonetheless, Davido was quick to attribute much of his success to divine grace and the unwavering support of his fans.
He wrote, “No co-sign, built from the ground up! Just God, good music and the best fans! I Appreciate you guys fr [for real]!
“Who wan even CO-SIGN big man like me ?? Hmmm another angle sha ”
5ive, Davido’s April 18, 2025 release, includes 17 tracks and has become a runaway success, amassing millions of streams and sitting comfortably at the top of Afrobeats charts.
[Punch]
Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, says the party will accommodate Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, into its folds if he decides to join.
Speaking to newsmen after receiving Alhaji Yusuf Ata, Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, Ganduje said:” The APC is deepening and widening democracy in the country.
”Kwankwaso is a fish out of water, trying to find its way back into the waters.
“We cannot say we can’t accommodate him, because a friend in need is a friend indeed.
“We don’t want to leave him completely abandoned, we can still have him in, if he wants to join us”.
“When you see your son running to where he would get shelter and you are a big brother in a big home, I think it is morally right to accommodate him.
“So, we cannot say we cannot accommodate him,” Ganduje stressed.
Earlier, Ata, who is a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly said he visited Ganduje to pay his respect and to appreciate him and show support for what the President Bola Tinubu-led administration was doing for Kano State.
“We are strongly behind Tinubu and we are working round the clock to ensure we deliver Kano State in 2027,” he said.
Speaking on the ‘Kwankwasiyya movement”, Ata said the Kwankwasiyya red cap era was becoming a thing of the past in the state.
”For me, I will not want the former Kano state governor to be welcomed into the APC fold. But I have no choice if our national chairman decides to have him on board.” Ata said.
[Vanguard]
More...
The senate has announced a minor reshuffle of its standing committees.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the changes are part of efforts to improve legislative productivity.
“We will continue to make adjustments where necessary in order to deliver on our legislative mandate,” Akpabio said.
He also directed Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader, to ensure all committees submit activity reports for deliberation on the senate floor.
In a welcome address at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio urged his colleagues to recommit themselves to national service with integrity and patriotism.
He implored the lawmakers to prioritise legislative efforts on issues that promote national unity.
Simon Lalong, the senator representing Plateau south, has been named chairman of the committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and electoral matters.
Lalong replaces Sharafadeen Ali, senator representing Oyo south, who has chaired the committee since the inauguration of the 10th national assembly.
Ali has been reassigned as chairman of the committee on agricultural institutions and research, a role previously held by Lalong.
Anthony Ani, senator representing Ebonyi south, will no longer serve as chairman of the committee on tourism.
Pam Nwadkon, senator representing Plateau north, will now chair the tourism committee.
Eze Kenneth Emeka, senator representing Ebonyi central, has been removed as the vice-chairman of the committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC). That position has been given to Ani.
Emeka, however, retains his role as chairman of the committee on information and remains vice chairman of the committee on water resources.
[TheCable]
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has stated that the high failure rate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is proof that anti-malpractice measures are working effectively, particularly within the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) system.
His comments come in the wake of widespread concerns following JAMB’s release of data showing that out of 1,955,069 candidates who sat for the exam, only about 420,000 scored above 200. More than 78% failed to meet the 200-mark threshold.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Alausa attributed the poor performance to reduced cheating due to JAMB’s stringent security protocols.
His words: “That’s a big concern, and it’s a reflection of exams being done the proper way.
“JAMB conducts its exam using a computer-based testing system. They’ve implemented strong security measures, and as a result, fraud or cheating has been completely eliminated. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for WAEC and NECO.”
Alausa revealed that shortly after taking office, the government carried out a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s examination systems, and as part of reforms, he announced that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will begin transitioning to computer-based testing (CBT) starting November 2025 with objective papers, followed by full CBT adoption, including essay sections, by May/June 2026.
His words: “We have to use technology to fight this fraud. There are so many ‘miracle centres’, and that is simply unacceptable. People cheat during WAEC and NECO exams and then face JAMB, where cheating is nearly impossible. That’s the disparity we’re seeing now. It’s sad.
“The worst part of cheating is that it disincentivises the hard-working ones. If I’m preparing for WAEC or NECO and I know some classmates already have access to the questions, do you think I’ll still study hard?
“No, I’ll be tempted to join them. That’s how good students are corrupted, and that’s exactly what we must stop.”
Addressing whether the poor results were due to weak enforcement or a genuine drop in academic standards, the minister admitted both played a role but stressed that widespread malpractice was the root issue.
“We’re addressing the quality of teaching and using technology, including online classes, to support learning from primary to secondary levels. But the pervasive cheating in our high school exams, especially WAEC and NECO, is the core problem,” he said.
“JAMB is now almost 100 per cent fraud-free, but WAEC and NECO still have major lapses. Our youths are intelligent, capable, and energetic. It’s the environment that corrupts them, and we’re determined to fix that.”
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded its investigation into the helicopter crash that killed Herbert Wigwe and his family last year.
In the final aviation investigation report seen by TheCable, the NTSB said the probable cause of the crash was the pilot’s decision to continue the flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
On February 9, 2024, Wigwe, the former group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc, died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, Doreen; their first son, Chizi; and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group).
The crash which occurred in California, near the Nevada border, involved the helicopter with registration N130CZ and claimed the lives of all six passengers on board.
Over a year after the incident, the NTSB report revealed that the “pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation while maneuvering the helicopter in IMC, which led to his loss of helicopter control and the resulting collision with terrain”.
The report added that the helicopter company’s inadequate oversight of its safety management processes was a contributing cause of the crash.
The NTSB found that the company failed to ensure that pilots accurately completed and updated the flight risk analysis, logged maintenance discrepancies, and adhered to Part 135 regulations before departure.
The investigation report revealed that during the return flight, the pilot had texted the director of maintenance (DOM) about an issue with the radar altimeter.
“The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determines the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control,” a part of the report reads.
“Contributing to the accident was the company’s inadequate oversight of its safety management processes, including ensuring the pilots were accurately completing and updating the flight risk analysis, logging maintenance discrepancies, and ensuring the helicopter met Part 135 regulations before departure.
“During the return flight, the pilot texted the director of maintenance (DOM) about the issue. After arriving at the company’s flight operations base, the pilot discussed the issue with the company flight follower (who was also the company’s president).
“A company mechanic performed some troubleshooting on the radar altimeter; however, he was unable to rectify the issue, and the radar altimeter remained non-functional.
“The mechanic reported that the pilot and the DOM were aware that the radar altimeter was not functioning, yet they departed at 1822 on the positioning flight to pick up the passengers.
“About 40 minutes later, the positioning flight landed at the airport to pick up the charter passengers. After arrival, the pilot and flight follower had a phone conversation and exchanged text messages, but they did not discuss the status of the radar altimeter or weather conditions.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed his belief in the indigenous capability of Nigerian talent.
He insisted that Nigeria has the ability to chart its own path to success, declaring that the country possesses all the resources, both human and material, needed for greatness.
Obasanjo stated this on Monday at the inauguration of new substations of the Geometric Power Plant in Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State.
He disclosed that he decided to issue a licence to Prof. Barth Nnaji to operate the power company due to his faith in Nigeria’s indigenous capabilities.
He praised the progress recorded by Geometric Power, describing it as proof that Nigerians can deliver on complex projects if given the opportunity.
“When I was giving you the encouragement, two people came to me to ask why I was giving Nigerians such responsibility, that they would disappoint me. You have not disappointed me and you did not disappoint all those, including everyone that supported you to realise this project,” Obasanjo said.
He stressed that the success of Geometric Power was a lesson in self-belief and self-reliance.
“The lesson to learn again here, within ourselves, among ourselves, and by ourselves, is that we have what it takes to develop,” Obasanjo added.
The former President also called on Nnaji to extend the reach of Geometric Power’s distribution services to other parts of the state to enhance development and industrialization.