The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, has officially inaugurated Course 34 of the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja. The ceremony took place on Thursday at the College Conference Hall. The inauguration featured a keynote lecture by Dr. Olasupo Olusi, Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry, who delivered a paper titled: “Optimising Capacity for Industrialisation and Socio-economic Development in Africa.” The event was attended by the Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral J.O. Okusun, senior officers from the Nigerian Armed Forces, and participants of Course 34, including officers from various international defence institutions. In…
Author: National Update
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced that it will begin full-scale enforcement of the ban on covered or obscured vehicle number plates starting Friday, October 10, 2025. Police Public Relations Officer DSP Timfon John in a statement indicated that the ban affects all vehicles, including private, commercial, government-owned, security agency, and VIP vehicles. She noted that some offenders have been exploiting hidden plates to commit crimes, making the measure a critical step in enhancing security, promoting public safety, and supporting law enforcement efforts. According to the statement, the directive strictly prohibits covers, films, or fabrics that obscure number…
***Sets New Tone for Leadership Unity In a landmark move that underscores unity and continuity in Nigeria’s political leadership, the Former Deputy Governors Forum (FDGF) on Thursday commissioned its new permanent secretariat in Abuja — a development hailed as a major milestone in the forum’s growing national and international influence. The impressive multi-purpose complex, located in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, will also serve as the home of the Polish–Nigerian Business Council, opening fresh avenues for global partnerships and investment cooperation. Presiding over the event, Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Chris Akomas, described the commissioning as a dream…
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has honoured Mrs. Marbel Ijeoma Duaka, a nurse with over 24 years of service at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Mafa LGA, with a fully furnished two-bedroom house and secured employment for her son, Anthony Duaka, at Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri. Mrs. Duaka, originally from Anambra State, remained on duty throughout the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, earning admiration for her dedication and selflessness. Governor Zulum personally handed over the keys to her new home during a housing allocation ceremony in Mafa. “She has worked here for 24 years and never left…
In a powerful demonstration of service-driven leadership, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State recently honoured Mrs. Marbel Ijeoma Duaka, a nurse from Anambra State, with a fully furnished house and secured employment for her son at Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri. This gesture, simple in action yet profound in meaning, exemplifies a leadership style that transcends ethnicity, religion, and regional divides—qualities that Nigeria urgently needs in its public officers. Mrs. Duaka’s story is emblematic of dedication against all odds. She remained on duty in Mafa Local Government for over 24 years, even during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency,…
Finance Minister Wale Edun has reaffirmed the private sector as the driving force behind Nigeria’s economic revival, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s bold reforms are beginning to yield results. Speaking in Abuja at the 60th Anniversary and 55th Annual Accountants’ Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Edun praised the Institute for six decades of distinction, professionalism, and accountability in nation-building. “We are witnessing the dawn of a new era — one that rewards innovation, enterprise, and productivity over rent-seeking,” Edun declared. The Minister highlighted encouraging economic indicators that point to renewed momentum: GDP growth of over…
Fresh drama unfolded at the resumed hearing of the Mambilla Power Project trial on Thursday as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) struggled to substantiate its claim that former Minister of Power, Dr. Olu Agunloye, disobeyed a presidential directive in the award of the controversial multi-billion-naira project. The EFCC’s star witness, Deputy Commissioner of Police Umar Babangida — code-named PW3 — who had earlier missed proceedings due to illness, took the stand at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for cross-examination led by defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN). However, what was expected to be a decisive moment for…
Former Minister of Education and public accountability advocate, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has delivered a scathing rebuke to the Nigerian Senate, demanding an immediate end to what she called the “injustice and undue harassment” of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following her reinstatement after months of suspension. In a strongly worded memo posted on her X handle and addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and all 107 senators, Ezekwesili hailed the Kogi Central lawmaker’s return to the Red Chamber, describing her as “a symbol of fortitude and resilience against the abuse of public power.” Ezekwesili condemned the earlier suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan — which…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and distinguished scholar from the University of Jos, as the next Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in what many describe as a strategic step toward deepening electoral integrity and inclusiveness. The nomination, which received unanimous backing from the National Council of State on Wednesday, marks a historic moment — Amupitan becomes the first person from Kogi State to be considered for the top electoral job. Presenting his name to the Council, President Tinubu said Amupitan embodies the balance of intellect, integrity,…
The Nigeria Police have arrested twelve suspected members of a notorious armed robbery gang believed to be responsible for the brutal attack and death of Arise News staff, Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, during a night-time invasion of her Gishiri residence in Abuja. According to sources from. Within security circles the suspects, arrested after weeks of coordinated intelligence operations and digital tracking, were paraded on Thursday. They were listed to include, Shamsudeen Hassan (Malumfashi, Katsina), Hassan Isah (Zaria, Kaduna), Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. Abba (Musawa, Katsina), Sani Sirajo a.k.a. Dan Borume (Malumfashi, Katsina), Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. Abba (Igabi, Kaduna), Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. Dan-Sule…