Headlines

Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum and Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed concern over the resurgence of insurgent attacks across the region, warning that the development could undermine the progress made in the fight against terrorism.

Speaking on Thursday at the opening of the 11th meeting of the Forum in Damaturu, Yobe State, Zulum commended the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces but urged them to intensify operations to bring the insurgency to a conclusive end.

“The recent re-emergence of attacks by the insurgents is a matter of serious concern capable of undermining the successes already recorded in the theatre of war,” Zulum said.

He also called on the military to revisit and strengthen its operational strategy to adopt a more offensive approach.

In his welcome address, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, emphasized the need for increased collaboration between state governments, the Federal Government, and security agencies to counter the resurgence of insurgency.

Buni also highlighted the importance of youth employment, noting that failure to provide economic opportunities could leave young people vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist groups and involvement in other social vices.

He urged fellow governors in the region to take swift action to consolidate gains made in security, peace, and socio-economic development over recent years.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising workers’ welfare, describing Nigeria’s labour force as the engine of the economy and the key to national development.

In a message posted on his official X handle to mark this year’s Workers’ Day, the President commended all categories of workers—young and old, entrepreneurs and employees, in both the private and public sectors—for their contributions to the growth of the country.

“Our administration has, and will continue to, prioritise workers’ welfare,” he said.

He added, “Together, we will make Nigeria great again.”

Despite facing allegations of a N1.2 trillion digital trading fraud affecting over 600,000 Nigerians, the embattled Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) has resumed operations and introduced new withdrawal options in a bid to restore investor confidence.

Two traders on the platform confirmed to reporters that CBEX had quietly restarted operations, enabling new users to register, trade, and withdraw profits, even as investigations by regulatory agencies continue.

According to the sources, an insurance verification process and an external audit of the firm’s financial records are currently ongoing to determine the actual amount lost when the platform collapsed in April.

They added that existing investors, many of whom have been unable to access their funds for several weeks, would be able to withdraw their money starting June 25, 2025, after the audit is expected to be completed by a UK-based insurance firm.

The development follows recent regulatory actions, including the Securities and Exchange Commission’s declaration of the platform as illegal and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s confirmation of an ongoing investigation into the company’s operations.

CBEX, which promised investors a 100 percent return after 30 days of purported AI-powered trading, began operations in 2024. The platform was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission on September 25, 2024, and received approval from the EFCC’s Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering on January 16, 2025.

The platform reportedly collapsed on April 14, 2025, with at least 600,000 Nigerians said to have lost a combined total of N1.2 trillion.

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, May 1, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s Workers’ Day celebration.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday, in which he commended Nigerian workers for their hard work, resilience, and contributions to national development.

He acknowledged the critical role of labour in advancing the country’s internal stability and global relevance, noting that the commitment of the workforce remains central to Nigeria’s growth.

“There is dignity in labour. The dedication and commitment to the work we do is vital to nation-building,” the minister stated.

Tunji-Ojo emphasized the importance of peace as a catalyst for industrialization and economic prosperity, and urged workers to embrace innovation and productivity in their respective fields.

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, assuring both citizens and foreigners of continued efforts to maintain national security.

As part of his Workers’ Day message, the minister encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful, reiterating President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to fulfill the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He further called on workers to strive for excellence in their trades, adding that improved performance across sectors would enhance governance and ensure citizens fully benefit from the country’s resources.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday convened an emergency meeting at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, following a string of high-profile defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The closed-door meeting comes in the wake of the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, to the ruling APC. Okowa was also the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.

The defections dealt a major blow to the PDP’s presence in Delta State, as Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, several state commissioners, local government chairmen, and the broader grassroots political structure also moved to the APC.

Governor Oborevwori justified the switch, stating that it was in the best interest of the state to align with the party controlling the Federal Government.

Party officials have yet to comment publicly on the outcome of the ongoing meeting, which is expected to address the growing crisis and chart a way forward for the embattled opposition party.

Businesswoman Aisha Achimugu was on Wednesday presented before the Federal High Court in Abuja by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in compliance with a court order.

The EFCC had declared Achimugu wanted in March on allegations of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. She was arrested upon her arrival in Nigeria on Monday.

Justice I.E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court had, on Tuesday, ordered that Achimugu be produced before the commission. The directive followed the ongoing investigation into the allegations leveled against her.

However, her legal counsel, Chief Chikaosolu Ojukwu, condemned the arrest, arguing that it contravened a valid court order. He maintained that the manner of her apprehension undermined due process.

The court proceedings are expected to continue as the EFCC advances its investigation.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has likened the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a faulty aircraft, sparking fresh speculation about his political future beyond 2027 and the possibility of defection from the party.

Speaking on Tuesday during a constituency outreach meeting in Ikot Akpankuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, Eno questioned the viability of the PDP as a platform for his continued political journey. He used the metaphor of an airline with technical issues to illustrate his growing doubts.

“If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won’t you board the next available plane to take you to your destination?” he asked the crowd at the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency town hall.

The analogy, widely interpreted as a thinly veiled hint at a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), comes amid increasing turbulence within the PDP, including high-profile defections such as that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the ruling party.

While Governor Eno expressed concerns over the PDP’s internal disunity and direction, he urged his supporters to remain focused on the development goals of his administration. He emphasized that his immediate priority is delivering on campaign promises rather than engaging in partisan politics.

As part of the outreach, the governor distributed various empowerment packages to over 400 constituents. These included grants for 154 traders, support for 116 farmers, N5 million each to four individuals for business development, and equipment support for 131 beneficiaries.

Eno advised recipients to invest the funds wisely and avoid risky ventures such as Ponzi schemes. “We need to meet with the people from time to time. Governance doesn’t end at elections,” he said.

He noted that the engagement exercise had so far reached four of the state’s ten federal constituencies and pledged to complete all visits in time to incorporate constituents’ feedback into the 2026 state budget.