A university don, Prof. Christian Ezeibe, has called on governments at all levels to declare a ‘national skills emergency’ as a strategic response to Nigeria’s persistent underdevelopment and widespread poverty. Prof. Ezeibe made the call on Friday while delivering the convocation lecture at the 5th Combined Convocation Ceremony of Kogi State Polytechnic, Idah. “Under Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore made Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) the cornerstone of its economic strategy. The Institute of Technical Education is not for academic failures; it is prestigious and highly sought-after. Addressing the graduating students directly, Prof. Ezeibe advised:“Do not go looking for a job where someone else will solve your problems.

The President General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Iwuka Okoye and one other unidentified person has been shot dead by suspected cultists. The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the killing in a statement in Awka, on Saturday. Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice. In a similar development, the Chairman of Umueri village- Ogbunike community in Oyi local government area of the State, Hon Lovi Elobisi has escaped assassination by gunmen in the area.

“The angry bandits opened gunshots indiscriminately, killing no fewer than 75 residents of the two communities, while a few managed to escape,” Ali said. In the case of Woro community, the bandits gave notice of their intention to preach, and no one objected. Speaking on the brutality of the attack, the chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Alhaji Abubakar Danladi, described the incident as disheartening. READ ALSO: Bandits attack Kwara communities, kill villagers, burn housesHe announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved the deployment of a battalion of soldiers under Operation Savannah Shield to flush out bandits in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State and the Borgu National Park in Niger State. Survivors recount ordealsSurvivors of the attack on Woro and Nuku communities have recounted chilling experiences following the invasion by bandits on Tuesday evening.

Former Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr Mustapha Lecky, has explained why Nigeria is not technically ready for real-time electronic transmission of election results. Lecky made this known on Friday while speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, amid the ongoing debate over the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of election results. When we are doing electronic voting, then it can be instantaneous,” Lecky added. Describing the push for electronic transmission of results under the current system as unnecessary, Lecky concluded that the argument for real-time e-transmission was baseless. “We don’t need electronic transmission of election results,” he said.

He names 10 powerful men, before suggesting “Anne Hathaway (really)”. The lists ends tentatively: “victoria secret models?” Epstein wonders: “Who on the list do you think he would enjoy the most?”The Epstein files reveal a patriarchy in action. There are two groups of people in the Epstein files. Richard.”Some might be tempted to dismiss the Epstein files as just evidence of the extreme behaviour of a prolific sex offender. View image in fullscreen Sarah Ferguson and an unknown person, in an image from the Epstein files.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared 2026 as the “Year of Families and Social Development,” placing the family unit at the centre of Nigeria’s national development strategy. President Tinubu said the initiative aligns Nigeria with countries such as Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which have adopted family-focused governance models to drive long-term development. “Strengthening families forms the foundation for sustainable economic growth, national security and social cohesion,” the President said. I hereby direct that the year 2026 be designated as the Year of Social Development and Families in Nigeria, with coordinated action across all arms and levels of government,” he added. If fully implemented, the Tinubu administration believes the family-centred strategy could help reduce poverty, strengthen social safety nets and tackle some of the root causes of insecurity nationwide.

The National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), has said that judicial corruption remains one of the gravest threats to Nigeria’s democracy. He stated that comprehensive reforms were required to reverse the ugly trend and restore public confidence in the justice system. He warned that judicial corruption remains part of the threats to Nigeria’s democracy, rule of law and social justice, lamenting that citizens are increasingly losing faith in the courts. He said: “Judicial corruption is not merely a legal problem; it is a direct assault on democracy, social justice and the rule of law. He added that NAS remains committed to promoting democratic values, human dignity and social justice through sustained civic engagement and advocacy.

Our purpose here is to congratulate you, and to discuss the benefits of the Deep Blue Project; how to sustain it, expand it, and increase its impact on the Gulf of Guinea. The DG acknowledged the importance of the Deep Blue Project, noting that its impact resonates globally, with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) commending it. “The Deep Blue Project is vital and countries around Africa and some other parts of the world are coming to copy our model. Mobereola also congratulated the Chief of Operations, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Musa Katagum, who is joining the NIMASA governing Board as the Navy’s representative. Abass noted some concerns which include the MoU between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy which has been in place since 2007 and should be revisited.

The wisest and free advice that the Nigerian Senate, as well as the House of Representatives, can receive from all well-meaning citizens of our country now is to know when to stop playing with fire. Nigerians mostly see the Senate as an ignoble and withering institution that delights in deliberate betrayal of public trust. Real-time electronic transmission from polling units was promised in practice but not enforced in law. Adding salt to injury, the Senate’s statement that “we did not reject electronic transmission” while refusing to make it mandatory is political sleight of hand. I am therefore certain that the Nigerian Senate now knows what it must do immediately.

Globacom has donated ₦1 billion to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) to strengthen security infrastructure across Nigeria’s commercial capital. The donation underscored the company’s enduring commitment to national development and public safety and stands among the most significant private-sector interventions from the telecommunications industry to the Fund in recent years. It also reinforces Globacom’s position as a responsible and patriotic corporate citizen. The donation follows the company’s participation in the LSSTF-organised Private Sector Breakfast Meeting with CEOs, hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The high-level forum emphasised deeper collaboration between the state government and businesses on security, innovation and economic resilience.

Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Board of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), expressing confidence that the sector will contribute double-digit growth to Nigeria’s economy by 2030. The Board which is composed of seasoned professionals with proven track record of excellence is Chaired by Mrs. Lydia Kalat Musa. Dr. Jani Ibrahim, Mr. Etido Thomas Usoroh, Mr. Augustine Uchechukwu Kalu, Mr. Joseph Yilwa, Dr. George Nwangwu and Mr. Adie Emmanuel. Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on , the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke OduwoleDr. Enoh noted that Nigeria has recently approved a National Industrial Policy, signaling a decisive shift toward productivity, value creation and export-led growth.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, on Thursday, announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to carry out urgent repairs on expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge, and Arepo–Punch Bridge. Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the three bridges had deteriorated significantly, posing safety risks and contributing to crashes. “At Kara Bridge, we have finished half of it. He further explained that the condition of the expansion joint for Kara Bridge was very poor and had been causing accidents. Hamzat added that the repairs were prompted by reports of failing expansion joints that had caused ditches and crashes, particularly on Kara Bridge.

Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has cautioned senior officers of the service against any act of compromise, warning that such acts could tarnish their long years of service and commitment to duty. He made this known at a strategic Leadership Training session for senior cadre officers during the ongoing Senior Customs Command and Leadership Course at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. He warned of the potential erosion of standards and institutional culture as senior officers prepare to leave the system. According to the NCS, the training is designed to prepare officers for elevated responsibilities amid evolving operational, security, and trade facilitation challenges. While congratulating the participants, Adeniyi challenged the officers to justify the service’s investment in their development by translating their knowledge into impactful results.

The Federal Government has said the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway will be partially closed for two months for urgent repairs on expansion joints of the Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge and Arepo–Punch Bridge. Speaking to journalists at Kara Bridge on Thursday, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, said that the Federal Road Safety Commission, was working with the Ministry of Works, led by Dave Umahi, for the rehabilitation. The other side of it, instead of taking it one after the other, we are going to do it simultaneously. “So, everybody coming in will heave a sigh of relief, the suffering will be once per time on each of the bridge segments. He also stated that traffic signs, warning lights, and other safety measures would be installed to ease traffic and protect workers.

The Anambra government says justice will be served in the case of an alleged attack on a JSS3 student of Community Secondary School, Agulu, Miracle Amah, by her guardian, Osinachi Edeh. It became public on Wednesday when Miss Amah came to school with burns all over her body, prompting the school authorities to invite the guardian for interrogation. Reacting to the incident in an interview on Thursday in Awka, education commissioner Ngozi Chuma-Udeh gave assurance that justice would be served. Ms Chuma-Udeh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to child protection, adding that the incident would not be swept under the carpet. She vowed that the suspect would be made to face the full weight of the law, if found culpable.