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Bishop Matthew Kukah has described the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia (FUASK), Kaduna State, as a divine instrument for fostering growth and development in the state.

Kukah made the statement on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the university’s Governing Council and Principal Officers. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, presided over the event, appointing Kukah as the Chairman of the Governing Council.

Speaking at the event, Kukah said the university’s establishment marked a significant intervention, addressing key challenges in Southern Kaduna.

“The establishment of this university is a realisation of God’s intervention,” he said. “Nigeria may have its own challenges and will continue to have them, but I can assure you, Mr. Minister, that 60 per cent of the problems in Southern Kaduna have now been solved with the establishment of this university.”

He emphasized the region’s strong academic background, stating that Southern Kaduna has produced no fewer than 200 professors. Kukah expressed gratitude for the educational opportunities he and others had received, crediting missionaries for their contributions to education in the region.

“By locating this University of Applied Sciences here, you have given us the tools we need to move forward,” he added, pledging to support the institution’s growth.

In his address, Alausa said the university’s establishment was part of broader educational reforms aimed at strengthening technical and vocational training, expanding STEM education, and reducing the number of out-of-school children. He also highlighted plans to promote girl-child education and establish a College of Medicine within the university.

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the release of withheld local government allocations and assured that necessary measures will be taken to ensure the prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

Speaking during a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administrators in Port Harcourt, Ibas described the gathering as a crucial step toward restoring stability and progress in the state.

He lamented the economic hardship in the Niger Delta, noting that despite the region’s abundant natural resources, its residents continue to face severe economic challenges.

“This is unacceptable,” he stated, stressing the need for transformation and accountability in governance.

Ibas expressed concern over the delayed salary payments affecting local government workers and acknowledged the difficulties they have faced.

“I feel the pain of the workers,” he said, assuring them that the withheld funds had been released and that salaries would be paid without further delay.

However, he emphasized that financial accountability would be strictly enforced.

The retired vice admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff directed all local government areas to submit their wage bills, along with supporting documentation, through the office of the Head of Service.

Supporters of Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have approached the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to discuss a possible move for the former Anambra governor ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

SDP’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, confirmed the development during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program on Channels Television.

“Obi’s people came to us to ask if we would accept him if he decides to join. Of course, we told them ‘Yes’,” Agunloye said.

He emphasized that those advocating for Obi’s entry into the party must officially align with the SDP.

“You cannot be in the Labour Party and be telling us Obi is coming without joining us; otherwise, we can’t open our doors for you,” he added.

Meanwhile, political realignments have intensified ahead of the 2027 elections, with key actors exploring platforms among the 19 registered political parties. Agunloye also disclosed that the SDP has already recorded seven presidential aspirants and is focused on retaining them.

“We have eight presidential aspirants; it could be 10. Seven of them are on our platform,” he said, adding that the party is working to prevent defections.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday destroyed counterfeit, substandard, and expired pharmaceutical products worth over one trillion naira at the Anambra State Waste Management Authority Dump Site in Agu Awka, Anambra State.

NAFDAC’s Director General, Mojisola Adeyeye, represented by the agency’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, led the destruction exercise in Awka South Local Government Area.

The affected products included banned and controlled substances such as Analgin and Tramadol 225mg. The confiscated items were seized from Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market (Ogbu-Ogu) and Ekumi/Tenant Road drug market in Aba during a month-long enforcement operation.

Speaking before the destruction, Adeyeye reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, packaged water, and beverages in Nigeria.

“Today, we are destroying fake, counterfeit, and illicit drugs seized during our enforcement exercise. The discovery of unregistered and banned products in major drug markets across the country is alarming. The presence of such substances contributes to security risks in Nigeria,” she stated.

She emphasized that NAFDAC remains determined to eliminate substandard medicines from circulation.

“We have listened to public concerns and realigned our strategies to ensure that only safe and approved medicines are available in Nigeria. Nigerians can be assured that the drugs currently in circulation meet the required safety standards,” Adeyeye added.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional.

On Tuesday, President Tinubu announced the emergency rule, suspending Governor Similayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and the state House of Assembly for six months. He appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.) as Sole Administrator.

In his biweekly newsletter, The Business of Governance (Issue 110), published Thursday evening, Makinde called on Nigerians to oppose the decision, warning that it threatens democratic governance.

“I stand today to say that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of the executive and legislative arms of government by the presidency is an illegality that right-thinking members of society must oppose,” he stated.

Makinde stressed the need to uphold democratic principles, urging Nigerians to resist actions that could undermine the nation’s democratic progress.

“Our democratic tenets must never be trifled with, no matter our personal feelings and loyalties. This is the time to take a stand for fairness, equity, and justice,” he added.

The governor also commended his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for its firm stance on the matter. He disclosed that the PDP Governors’ Forum, during an emergency meeting on Wednesday, unanimously resolved to challenge the president’s decision in court.

“We cannot fold our hands and watch the democracy we have built for almost three decades be trampled upon,” Makinde said.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday praised the National Assembly for its approval of the State of Emergency proclamation in Rivers State, describing it as a crucial step toward restoring stability in the crisis-hit region.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu commended lawmakers for their decisive action in addressing the prolonged political crisis that has disrupted governance in the oil-rich state for over 15 months and posed risks to national economic security.

The President acknowledged the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and other lawmakers for prioritizing the security and welfare of Rivers residents above partisan considerations.

He emphasized that the National Assembly’s review of classified security briefings underscored the urgency of intervention to prevent further escalation.

“The crisis in Rivers State was at a perilous tipping point, threatening vital oil and gas installations and undermining the national economy and the progress achieved since our administration began in May 2023,” Tinubu said.

He reiterated that the emergency measure was necessary to protect livelihoods, secure critical infrastructure, and restore democratic governance.

The President stated that the six-month emergency period would allow the newly appointed Sole Administrator to stabilize the state, address governance breakdowns, and facilitate reconciliation among stakeholders.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with the National Assembly to promote peace, economic stability, and national development.

“This decision demonstrates what can be achieved when leadership is guided by unity and patriotism,” he said, urging all stakeholders to support efforts to restore peace in Rivers State.

The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce new passport application fees effective from April 10, 2025.

In a statement on Thursday, the UK Home Office said the proposed fee adjustments, subject to parliamentary approval, aim to support a self-sustaining system and reduce reliance on general taxation.

Under the new structure, the fee for a standard online application within the UK will increase from £88.50 to £94.50 for adults and from £57.50 to £61.50 for children. Fees for postal applications will also rise, from £100 to £107 for adults and from £69 to £74 for children.

Applicants using the premium one-day service within the UK will see an increase from £207.50 to £222 for adults and from £176.50 to £189 for children.

For overseas applicants, standard online application fees will increase from £101 to £108 for adults and from £65.50 to £70 for children. Standard paper applications made from overseas will rise from £112.50 to £120.50 for adults and from £77 to £82.50 for children.

The Home Office stated that passport fees contribute to processing costs, consular support overseas, and border control, emphasizing that the government does not profit from the charges.

Applicants were advised to submit their applications well ahead of their travel plans. The Home Office noted that in 2024, 99.7% of standard UK applications were processed within three weeks, provided no additional information was required.