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Folarin Kehinde

Senator Natasha
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JUST IN: You can’t resume Senate now, NASS tells Natasha

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The National Assembly (NASS) has informed suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, that she cannot resume her legislative duties yet after serving her six-month suspension.

According to the National Assembly bureaucracy, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension remains in effect as the case is still before the Court of Appeal.

Tribune Online earlier reports that after the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in favour of the Senate, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, dissatisfied with the judgment, approached the appellate court seeking redress.

In a letter dated September 4, 2025, and signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly (Ag. CNA), Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, the Parliament acknowledged receipt of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s notification of her intended return to the Senate on the same date, which she cited as the end of her six-month suspension.

However, the letter clarified that her suspension, effective from March 6, 2025, remains in force while the matter is subjudice.

“The matter, therefore, remains subjudice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” the letter read.

Dr. Danzaria further assured that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan “will be duly notified of the Senate’s decision on the matter as soon as it is resolved.”

Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate in March 2025 following an alleged misconduct involving a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seat arrangements during a plenary session on the floor of the Red Chamber.

The letter emphasised that the Senate will only review her suspension after the Court of Appeal delivers its final judgement.

 

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Umar
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Pastors, Imams must obtain license to Preach – Niger Govt declares

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Niger State government has banned any form of religious preaching in the state and ordered anyone who wants to preach to obtain a licence.

The Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, confirmed the ban in a telephone chat on Thursday and said any preacher who wants to preach must obtain a licence.

He disclosed that preachers have between today and the next two months to obtain their licences.

“It is true, the State Government has banned preaching. Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months.

All they need to do is to visit our office, get, and fill out the form. After which, they will have to face a panel that will screen them before they can start preaching,” Farooq said.

The Chief Imam of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Bashir Yankuzo, who reacted to the ban, said the government cannot stop preaching.

 

“My opinion is that preaching is a command. The government is not paying anyone for doing the job; people are preaching in order to earn the pleasure of God. So, the government cannot dictate who to preach to and who not to preach.

“But at the same time, if there are people who are going out of their way to cause security threats, using abusive words and so on, then government can have control over that in order to maintain peace and security.”

 

The secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger state chapter, Raphael Opawoye, in his remarks, said the Christian body is not aware of the ban.

 

“The Christian Association of Nigeria is not aware of the ban. We shall come up with a statement when we are officially informed,” he said.

 

An Islamic scholar, Ustaz Hassan, also reacted to the ban, saying, “This law needs to go to the State House of Assembly for proper legislative action.

 

A Minna-based journalist and Islamic scholar, Uthman Siraja, condemned the ban, saying it is an infringement on religious rights.

 

“The ban on preaching is an infringement of freedom of worship and religion.

 

“The best thing for the government to do is to invite and penalise any preacher who incites the public in the cause of his preaching,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

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Peter Obi
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JUST IN: Peter Obi to take short break from public engagements on doctor’s advice

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has announced that he will be taking a brief break from public engagements following medical advice.

Obi made the disclosure on his official X handle on Saturday, explaining that he had not been feeling well while attending an event in Enugu.

“In obedience to the doctor’s advice, I will not be able to meet up with all my scheduled engagements within and outside the country this weekend.

“I sincerely apologise for any inconveniences this might cause and humbly plead for understanding,” he wrote.

The former Anambra State governor also highlighted his recent activities, including attending a tourism event in Enugu and visiting Good Hope Specialist Hospital, Isulo, in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State.

Obi said he contributed ₦10 million to support the Aguata Diocese of the Church of Nigeria in acquiring and revitalising the hospital.

“Yesterday, after speaking at a tourism event in Enugu, I travelled to Good Hope Specialist Hospital, Isulo, Orumba South LGA of Anambra State, which is being acquired by the Aguata Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, and made my initial modest contribution of ₦10 million to aid the Diocese’s acquisition and revitalisation of the hospital facility,” Obi said.

 

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Ebola
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FG Tightens Border Control as Fresh Ebola Cases Emerge

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government has intensified health surveillance at all entry points into Nigeria following the resurgence of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Director of Port Health Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Akpan Nse, said on Friday that screening procedures had been reinforced at airports, seaports, and land borders to prevent importation of the virus.

He explained that additional personnel had been deployed, with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO), to strengthen monitoring systems nationwide. Thermal scanners at airports are also being maintained in partnership with private organisations to ensure uninterrupted operation.

Health authorities in the DRC on September 5 confirmed an outbreak of the Ebola Zaire strain in Kasai Province, with 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers. The country, which has recorded 15 outbreaks since the disease was first identified in 1976, last battled the virus in Equateur Province in 2022.

Dr. Nse warned that Nigeria remains vulnerable due to its high volume of international travel with the DRC. He said all inbound passengers from Congo and those transiting through the country are subject to compulsory screening and mandatory health declaration forms.

“We have intensified surveillance at all points of entry,” he said. “Every passenger from Congo is screened upon arrival, whether by air, land, or sea. We are fully alert and determined to prevent the importation of the virus into Nigeria.”

Ebola virus disease is a severe and often fatal illness transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or animals, such as fruit bats, which are considered natural hosts.

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Headlines

FG Seeks Fresh $1.75bn World Bank Loan Despite 40.5% Revenue Surge

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Government plans to increase its borrowing despite a significant 40.5 per cent surge in revenue for the first eight months of 2025. This boost in revenue has largely been driven by substantial gains in non-oil revenue collections, as confirmed in a press statement on Wednesday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Based on the figures released by the Presidency, Nigeria’s fiscal performance from January to August 2025 saw total collections reach a record N20.59tn, surpassing the N14.6tn collected during the same period in 2024. It was noted that non-oil revenues now account for 75 per cent of the total collections.

The statement read, “From January to August 2025, total collections reached N20.59tn, a 40.5 per cent increase from N14.6tn recorded in 2024. This strong performance aligns with projections, placing the government firmly on course to achieve its annual non-oil revenue target.”

However, despite these positive developments, Nigeria still faces substantial funding gaps in crucial sectors such as infrastructure, with low capital spending. Local contractors under the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria, on Wednesday, staged a protest at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Finance in Abuja, to demand payment for capital projects executed in 2024, amounting to about N4tn.

To address these funding gaps, the government plans to borrow locally and domestically despite an earlier claim by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday in Abuja that Nigeria had met its revenue target for 2025 ahead of schedule and would no longer rely on borrowing to fund its budget.

On Thursday, The PUNCH gathered that the World Bank is expected to approve loans totalling $1.75bn before the end of the year to support key development projects in Nigeria, according to official data obtained from the bank’s official website. These loans will finance several key initiatives, including projects in agriculture, health, and digital infrastructure.

One of the major projects set to benefit from this financial backing is the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth project, which will receive $500m. This initiative is aimed at improving agricultural productivity and integrating value chains to support rural development and economic diversification. The project is currently in the Concept Review phase, with approval expected on December 11, 2025.

Another project, the Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure for Growth, which has a commitment of $500m, aims to enhance Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and foster economic growth, particularly in the technology sector. The project is currently in the Begin Negotiation phase, with approval scheduled for October 31, 2025.

Similarly, the Health Security Programme in Western and Central Africa, Nigeria – Phase II, will receive $250m to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems and improve the country’s preparedness for health emergencies. This project is also in the Begin Negotiation phase, with approval expected by September 30, 2025.

Lastly, the Fostering Inclusive Finance for MSMEs in Nigeria project, which aims to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, will be allocated $500m. This project is in the Concept Review phase, with approval set for December 18, 2025.

Collectively, these projects comprise the $1.75bn in loans expected to be approved by the World Bank before the end of the year. The PUNCH earlier reported that the World Bank approved a total of $8.40bn in fresh loans to Nigeria over the past two years, according to data obtained from the bank’s official website.

The approvals, covering the period from June 2023 to August 2025, spanned 15 projects in the energy, education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, and governance sectors. The amount comprises $1.95bn from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and $6.50bn from the International Development Association.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development provides loans on commercial or near-commercial terms to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, while the International Development Association offers highly concessional loans and grants to the world’s poorest nations.

 

 

 

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Headlines

Tinubu leaves Abuja to begin annual leave in Europe

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.

The vacation will last 10 working days.

This was disclosed via a statement by the Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, “The vacation will last 10 working days.”

It further stated: “President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.”

STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU DEPARTS ABUJA TO BEGIN 2025 ANNUAL LEAVE

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.

The vacation will last 10 working days.

President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

September 04, 2025.

 

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Headlines

I Can Pinpoint Bandits’ Locations With My Phone – Zamfara Governor

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, has declared that he knew the exact locations of bandit leaders terrorising the state but was powerless to act because he does not control security agencies.

In a viral video that has stirred reactions, Lawal lamented that despite his knowledge of bandits’ movements, the ongoing fight against insecurity was being crippled by the fact that security chiefs in Zamfara State take directives only from Abuja.

“I swear to Almighty Allah, wherever a bandit leader is located within Zamfara State, I know it and if he goes out, I know,” he said. “With my mobile phone, I can show you where and where these bandits are today. But we cannot do anything beyond our powers.”

The visibly emotional governor added: “If today, I have the power to give orders to the security agencies, I can assure you, we will end banditry in Zamfara State within two months. Most of the time, I shed tears for my people because I can see a problem but I cannot order the security operatives to act in time.”

Lawal narrated how bandits once invaded Shinkafi Local Government Area of the State while security operatives in the state failed to respond because they had not received clearance from Abuja.

“There was a time the bandits invaded Shinkafi and the security operatives were alerted, but they refused to go simply because they were not given orders from Abuja,” he said.

He stressed that his administration has gone the extra mile to support security outfits despite lacking direct command. Recently, Zamfara distributed 150 patrol vehicles to police, army, DSS, and civil defence. Thousands of Community Protection Guards were recruited, and 2,000 hunters from Borno and Yobe hired to reinforce the fight.

Governor Lawal’s revelations came as Zamfara State reels from a fresh wave of attacks and abductions. Within the past month, over 150 people were kidnapped in multiple raids across Zurmi, Kaura Namoda, and Bukuyum LGAs, while at least 10 security operatives and three civilians were killed in an ambush in Adabka.

Protests have also erupted in Gusau, where residents accused authorities of failing to protect them from repeated bandit raids that have killed more than 100 people in recent months.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu hinted at the creation of state police as a solution to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

“I am reviewing all the aspects of security; I have to create a state police. We are looking at that holistically. We will defeat insecurity. We must protect our children, people, livelihoods, places of worship, and recreational spaces. They can’t intimidate us,” Tinubu said on Wednesday during a meeting with Katsina State elders at the Presidential Villa.

He also announced the deployment of forest guards and the acquisition of drones to bolster operations in troubled regions.

 

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Africa & World

UK to ban sale of energy drinks to children

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The United Kingdom government has unveiled plans to prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks, including popular brands such as Red Bull, to anyone under the age of 16 in England.

Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, announcing the move on Wednesday, said the step was aimed at safeguarding young people’s wellbeing.

“By stopping children from buying these drinks, we’re laying the groundwork for healthier and happier generations,” he explained.

Government figures suggest that up to one in three teenagers aged 13 to 16 regularly consume energy drinks, many of which contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee.

While most major supermarkets already enforce a voluntary restriction, the new policy would make it a nationwide rule.

“How can we expect pupils to thrive in the classroom if they’re running on the equivalent of a double espresso every day?” Streeting asked, stressing that the government was responding to concerns raised by parents and teachers. “We’re determined to address the root causes of poor health and educational struggles head-on.”

The proposal will undergo a 12-week consultation process, seeking input from health experts, retailers, manufacturers, and the wider public.

At present, drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre are legally required to display a warning that they are not suitable for children.

But Streeting insisted this was not enough, pointing to the broader risks, “Energy drinks may look harmless, but they disrupt sleep, harm concentration, and affect children’s wellbeing. On top of that, the high-sugar varieties damage teeth and fuel obesity.”

 

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Headlines

BREAKING: Dangote truck reportedly crushes entire family to death in Enugu

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A Dangote truck has reportedly been involved in a fatal accident at Four Corner, Enugu State, leaving several people dead.

Eyewitnesses said the truck lost control and crushed people to death during the incident, which occurred on Wednesday.

The exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed.

This marks yet another tragic accident involving trucks owned by the conglomerate, sparking growing outrage among residents and road users.

Many are now calling on the government to urgently introduce legislation regulating the movement of heavy-duty trucks across Nigerian highways.

As of the time of this report, authorities in Enugu are yet to issue an official statement.

Further details later….

 

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Headlines

JUST IN: Force PRO Adejobi transferred to Delta State Command

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has been transferred to Delta State Command as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, The Nation has learnt.

Adejobi was recently elevated from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

He was first appointed in acting capacity on 16th February 2022 as a CSP and took over from then CP Frank Mba. He was later confirmed by then IGP Usman Alkali (Rtd).

DCP Adejobi has decades of experience in police operations, public relations, and law enforcement advocacy.

He studied Archaeology and Geography (Combined Honours) from the University of Ibadan.

He holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the same university.

He was the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the Ogun State Command from 2008 – 2016; PPRO Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, in 2016 and PPRO Lagos State Police Command between September, 2020 and August, 2021. .

He is a member of several professional bodies and associations which include: Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); International Public Relations Association (IPRA); Pointman Leadership Institute, USA; International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), USA; and the Institute of Corporate Administration, Nigeria.

 

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