Author: bibncollar

Abuja — The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has welcomed the newly signed National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act 2026, describing it as a transformative reform that will modernise Nigeria’s digital identity architecture and enhance evidence-based national planning.Speaking during a strategic meeting with NIMC Director-General Dr. Abisoye Odusote in Abuja on Monday, Bagudu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to full implementation of the legislation, which he said will improve governance, public service delivery, and policymaking across the country.“The impact of this legislation will ultimately depend on its effective implementation and the value it delivers to citizens,”…

Okigwe, Imo State – Eight members of the Scripture Union (SU) who were abducted on June 14 along the Imo-Anambra interstate boundary have been released, ending 22 days in captivity.The victims, who were returning from the organisation’s national conference in Osogbo, regained their freedom and were officially confirmed safe in the early hours of Monday, July 6, 2026.Among those freed are Uwem Cosmas, Director-General of the Scripture Union, and Abolarin Tomisin, a 300-level Law student at the University of Ibadan. Temidayo Adeboye, President of the Scripture Union at the University of Ibadan branch, announced the development in a statement, describing…

Owerri — The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has trained more than 2,000 unemployed persons in Imo State under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI), as part of ongoing efforts to tackle youth unemployment through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development.Acting Director-General of the NDE, Mr. Edmund Onwuliri, disclosed this during the resettlement ceremony for beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative Phase II, held at the Federal Secretariat Hall in Owerri on Tuesday.According to Onwuliri, 1,001 youths were trained in the first phase of the programme, while an additional 1,035 beneficiaries completed vocational and entrepreneurial training in Phase…

Abuja — A Federal High Court has ordered Nkemakolam Ukandu, National Welfare Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to pay N50 million each to Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu, as costs for a suit he filed but failed to diligently prosecute.Justice Salim Ibrahim handed down the order on Monday following an oral application by James Igwe, SAN, counsel to the two judges. The total sum of N100 million is to be paid within 14 days.The court had earlier struck out Ukandu’s suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1165/2026, against the National Judicial Council (NJC),…

Abuja — Activist and politician Omoyele Sowore on Monday formally opened his defence in the ongoing criminal defamation case brought against him by the Nigerian government over alleged cyberbullying of President Bola Tinubu.Sowore, who is accused of labelling the President a “criminal” on social media, called his first witness, prominent Abuja-based lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, as proceedings resumed before Justice Mohammed Umar at the Federal High Court in Abuja.The session was briefly overshadowed by arguments over Sowore’s bail conditions. Lead prosecutor Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, urged the court to return the defendant to Kuje Correctional Centre, accusing him of failing…

Lagos — Nigeria’s aviation fuel market has undergone a significant turnaround with the Dangote Refinery now serving as the country’s primary source of Jet A1, effectively resolving chronic supply shortages that once crippled airline operations, according to industry executive Toyin Leo-Olagbaiye.Leo-Olagbaiye, General Manager of Aviation at Ardova Plc, said the refinery’s production has been the most transformative development in the sector in recent years. “It is now the main source of Jet A1 in the country, and its impact has been transformative, particularly in resolving the scarcity problem that once plagued the market,” he noted in an interview.Prior to the…

Ilorin – At least 15 people died and 17 others sustained injuries in the early hours of Monday when a trailer driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing a serious lone accident on the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway in Kwara State.The fatal crash occurred around 2:32 a.m. along the Ogbomoso-Oko Olowo route near the Muslim cemetery. The vehicle, a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL274XC, veered off the road, detached from its head, and spilled its heavy load onto passengers riding on top of the cargo.According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), a total of 48 people, all males…

Erling Haaland delivered a dramatic late double as Norway produced one of the biggest shocks in recent World Cup history, defeating five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time in their nation’s history.The Manchester City striker rose highest to power home a header from Andreas Schjelderup’s cross in the 79th minute, before sealing the victory with a thunderous long-range strike just 11 minutes later. Neymar scored a stoppage-time penalty for Brazil, but it was too little, too late for the Seleção.Brazil had dominated large portions of the match and looked set for a breakthrough early…

A major public awareness campaign against child abuse gained fresh momentum in Imo State on Saturday as the Stand For Humanity Foundation led a colourful rally and road walk through the streets of Owerri.Hundreds of participants, including lawyers, medical professionals, students, artisans, business owners, and children, converged at the Dan Anyiam Stadium before marching through major streets of the state capital to sensitise residents on the dangers of child abuse and the importance of protecting children’s rights.Founder of the foundation, Chidiebube Okeoma, said the intensified campaign was driven by the rising number of child abuse cases the organisation has been…

The Nigerian Army has announced substantial headway in its ongoing operation to rescue 46 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State, even as it highlighted broader successes in tackling insecurity across the country.Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this during an interactive session with media executives as part of activities commemorating the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.The victims, 39 pupils and seven teachers were kidnapped on May 15 from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Speaking on the rescue effort, the Army Chief expressed confidence that the military operation would soon secure…