Author: bibncollar

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Turkish Zone, has called on the Senate to expand the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to cover eligible Nigerian students enrolled in accredited institutions outside the country. The appeal was made during an engagement with the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro. Led by NANS Turkish Zone President Daniel Okpala, the delegation focused on the welfare, educational financing and representation of Nigerian students in the diaspora, particularly those studying in Turkey and Northern Cyprus. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Okpala noted that the…

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), has announced a bye-election to fill the vacant positions of Provost and Financial Secretary. In a notice issued by Auta Nyada, Secretary of the Electoral Committee, nomination forms go on sale from Tuesday, 11 August 2026, at the Branch Secretariat. Forms will be available between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at a cost of ₦150,000. Eligibility is tightly defined. Only members who have fully paid their Branch dues and Bar Practising Fees for 2023, 2024 and 2025 may contest. Candidates must also appear on the already published Voters’…

A former governorship candidate in Imo State, Uche Nwosu, has condemned remarks by Plateau-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Jingir describing opponents of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets as “infidels,” saying the comments risk fuelling religious tension. In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Nwosu described Jingir’s words as divisive and urged religious leaders to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence instead. Jingir made the comments at an event attended by All Progressives Congress governors, including Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi. He renewed his support for Muslim-Muslim tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections, praised President Bola…

The Nigerian Army has opened its official recruitment portal for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027, inviting eligible civilians and serving military personnel to apply for officer positions. Successful candidates who complete training and receive commissions will serve in the Army’s Combat Arms, including the Infantry and Armour Corps, as well as Combat Support Arms such as Artillery, Engineers, Signals and Intelligence. Interested applicants must visit the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal, select the SSCC option, carefully follow the stated instructions, and complete and submit their applications online. The application deadline is Saturday, October 17, 2026. The Army…

Billionaire businessman and Jezco Group of Companies owner Chief Joseph Ezeokafor is still being held by his kidnappers, THISDAY can confirm, contrary to circulating social media claims of his release. Anambra State Police Command Public Relations Officer SP Tochukwu Ikenga told THISDAY that a serious operation is underway to secure the elder statesman’s freedom. Ezeokafor was abducted in Awka last Tuesday after he reportedly left his residence without his security detail to attend to spiritual obligations. The kidnapping has plunged his hometown of Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area into mourning. Community sources say the traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty…

South Africa’s Consul-General in Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, has revealed that visa applications from Nigerians have almost doubled in recent months, even amid ongoing reports of xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants. Speaking in an interview on Nigeria Info FM on Sunday, Moroe insisted that South Africa remains safe and open for tourism, business and other travel. He rejected online claims that South African missions in Nigeria had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, describing the reports as false. “I just want to give reassurance that South Africa is open for business, South Africa is open for tourism, and South Africa is…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raised fresh concerns over the growing use of everyday consumer products by drug traffickers to conceal illicit substances. In a statement posted on X on Sunday, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, warned that criminal networks are increasingly disguising narcotics as ordinary items such as cookies, gummies and phone chargers. Babafemi urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s interest in cookies and gummies following recent seizures by NDLEA operatives. He shared images of colourful packages labelled “Cookies Delta 8 Gummies” in flavours including Hawaiian Rain, Pineapple Guava…

How much is a lawyer’s expertise truly worth? Are practitioners charging for that value and recovering their fees effectively? These questions take centre stage at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference, where a dedicated session will examine The Business of Fees. Scheduled for Wednesday, 26 August 2026, at 2:40 p.m. in Port Harcourt, the session will bring together a panel of six speakers to address critical issues many lawyers face but seldom discuss openly: the proper valuation of legal services, sustainable pricing models, and practical strategies for fee recovery. The conversation forms part of the broader theme of…

The Nigerian Bar Association National Officers Election Appeals Committee (NBA-NOEAC) will commence sitting on Tuesday, 11th August 2026, to consider petitions arising from the recently concluded 2026 NBA National Officers Elections. The sittings will take place at the President’s Conference Room on the 8th Floor of NBA House, Plot 1101 Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja. According to the Cause List released by the Committee, three petitions have been fixed for hearing as follows: Petition No. NOEAC/001/2026 – President (10:00 a.m.) Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN v. The Incorporated Trustees of the NBA; the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar…

Technology experts have endorsed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive requiring financial institutions to store and manage locally generated data within the country, while cautioning that high costs and inadequate infrastructure could undermine its success. In a circular dated June 15, the CBN mandated that payment service providers keep and process Nigerian-generated data onshore, in compliance with existing data protection laws. The rule takes effect on January 1, 2027. Olajuwon Abayomi, general manager of Termii Nigeria, said data localisation has grown more urgent as artificial intelligence advances and data emerges as a strategic economic asset. “As a sovereign nation, Nigeria…