The long-delayed Ajaokuta-Otukpo-Onne rail project may return to the Federal Government’s agenda as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, promised to present the demand of Kogi East traditional rulers to President Bola Tinubu. Akume gave the assurance when a delegation of traditional rulers from Kogi East, led by the Eje Dekina, Dr Usman Onaje Obaje, visited him in Abuja on behalf of the Attah Igala and President of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs, Dr Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa. The traditional rulers had asked the Federal Government to revive the rail project, describing it as…
Author: National Update
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has sacked one of his aides after the lawmaker’s office took exception to social media posts calling for the removal of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf. The aide, Umar Alhassan, popularly known as King Indara, was removed from his position as Special Legislative Assistant in Barau’s office with effect from September 18. Barau’s media aide, Shitu Madaki Kunchi, said the dismissal followed what the Deputy Senate President described as “indiscipline and disrespect” after Alhassan published posts bearing the phrase “Abba Must Go.” The action has brought the increasingly visible political…
A survivor of the deaths of 37 suspected illegal gold miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has alleged that overcrowding, intense heat and an unidentified substance preceded the tragedy. The survivor, whose identity was not disclosed, said detainees were packed into a small cell in Niger State, with the number increasing after additional suspects were brought into the room. He said 17 people were initially locked inside the room before more detainees were added. “They locked us in a very small room. We were 17 in number, then they added more people, and we…
By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko What Is Ethics? To begin this reflection, the best way to proceed is to first understand the philosophical concept of ethics, which is generally defined as the set of moral principles that helps each of us determine what is right or wrong in our actions. Furthermore, ethics, according to moral philosophers, serves as what can commonly be described as our individual moral handbook—a framework that guides us on how to treat others and make decisions in our daily lives. For the avoidance of doubt, ethics, as the moral governor of our actions as human beings, comprises…
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, will return to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, September 21, as his trial over alleged certificate forgery and corruption resumes. The development has renewed calls by a civil society organisation, Defence for Democracy, for the former minister to reconsider his political ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The organisation warned that allowing a candidate facing unresolved allegations bordering on integrity to proceed with a major electoral campaign could expose the candidate and his party to avoidable political and legal challenges. The Federal High Court had adjourned the…
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja Miss Rhoda Adinoyi Oyiza, the 2025 overall best graduating student of Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State, has secured the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies across three European universities. Oyiza, who disclosed this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Friday, said she had commenced studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, under the International Master’s in Global Markets, Local Creativities programme. The fully funded scholarship will take her through the University of Glasgow in Scotland, the University of Barcelona in Spain and the University of Göttingen…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has dismissed the political significance of the emerging “Rainbow Coalition” in the state, insisting that its existing structures and grassroots network remain intact ahead of the 2027 general elections. The state APC chairman, Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, said the party had the membership, organisation and grassroots structures required to campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other officially nominated APC candidates. Ogoriba, in a statement on Friday, said the APC remained focused and organised across Bayelsa’s eight local government areas and political wards. His comments come against the backdrop of moves by…
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has overturned the Federal High Court judgment in Lokoja that set aside the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), restoring the party’s registration ahead of the 2027 general elections. The appellate court reached the decision in a split ruling, with a two-member majority setting aside the June 26, 2026 judgment of Justice Isah Dashen of the Federal High Court, Lokoja. The ruling followed an appeal filed by the NDC after the Lokoja court reversed its earlier December 10, 2025 judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party. The…
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has condemned the deaths of 37 miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State. Babangida described the incident as tragic and deeply disturbing, while expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and the people and government of Niger State. In a statement issued in Minna through his media department and signed by Dr. Danladi Umar Abdulhameed, Babangida commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased. He also prayed for God to grant…
The Federal Government has ordered a full-scale investigation into the deaths of suspected illegal miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. The directive came from the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who ordered the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof Ahmed Audi, to ensure a transparent and unhindered investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Acting on the minister’s directive, Audi immediately suspended the Niger State Commandant and ordered him to report to the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja. The suspended commandant has also been directed to appear before…