The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 101-year-old woman in Ogun State and intercepted cocaine concealed in edible cassava flour, popularly known as fufu, during separate operations across Nigeria. The woman, identified as Esther Ogunmabo, was arrested on August 15 in Ilisan, Ogun State, with 90 grammes of skunk, a strain of cannabis. According to the NDLEA, she told operatives that she sold the drug to locals after her provisions shop was destroyed by fire. The NDLEA said Ogunmabo also claimed that one of her daughters, who lives in Lagos, supplied the drug to her every four…
Author: National Update
By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko In our contemporary world, professionals are inundated with unending stories about how technological sophistication and advances could take away their crafts, particularly with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. AI and robotics are sometimes portrayed as the factual Deus Ex Machina—the “god from the machine”—capable of literally multiplying wealth for those who possess these technologies. We have similarly been inundated with fear-mongering tales that several of the skills we currently possess could be rendered obsolete by these scientifically advanced inventions, to the extent that even journalists and professionals and tradespeople such as chefs, drivers,…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has given President Bola Ahmed Tinubu three weeks to set up an independent judicial commission to probe alleged killings, disappearances, torture and arbitrary arrests in the South-East. HURIWA warned that it may engage Amnesty International over a possible petition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if the Federal Government fails to act. The group cited allegations contained in recent Amnesty International findings, including claims of deaths, enforced disappearances, torture and abuses linked to security operations in the region. HURIWA said allegations surrounding the police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, known as Tiger Base in Imo…
By the Peoples Analyst Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has once again demonstrated why political loudness should never be confused with political intelligence. This man speaks with the arrogance of someone who personally owns Nigeria, yet the more he talks, the more he exposes the poverty of his political reasoning. Wike recently declared that “2027 elections will be the easiest one for the President compared to 2023” and described the opposition as “crippled, homeless, no feather.” He even told them to “start crying now.” Imagine that level of political sophistication. While Nigerians are worried about the economy, insecurity, unemployment and the future…
Festus Adedayo (Published by the Sunday Tribune, August 23, 2026) In June, 2006 when I moved into Enugu, it was a huge culture shock for my family and me. One example should be persuasive of the shock. A few days after our arrival, I took my three-year old son to meet my Unilag classmate, Dan Nwomeh and his friends at the Presidential Hotel. On sighting them, the poor boy prostrated on all fours. Apparently aghast at the sight, Nwomeh’s friends burst into laughter. Terrified by what he perceived arejection, my son cried. When we got back home, I took him…
The Kano Emirate has introduced drug testing as a requirement for anyone seeking to become a traditional ruler. The District Head of Dambatta, Dr Mansur Adnan, disclosed this on Saturday during a sensitisation programme on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking held at his palace. Adnan said the decision was driven by concerns over the harmful effects of drug abuse on individuals and communities. He explained that prospective traditional rulers would be required to undergo drug tests before ascending traditional thrones in the emirate. The programme brought together district and ward heads from Dambatta Local Government Area to raise…
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained why he did not accept the position of Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign. Wike said he could not take the position because he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and does not want to put his political standing in Rivers State at risk. The FCT Minister spoke on Saturday after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi Road and Kubwa-Bwari Road projects in Abuja. His comments came after the Presidency announced former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council…
Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has said his 2027 presidential bid is aimed at winning the support of Nigerians beyond his party membership. Adebayo made the remarks while speaking about his campaign and the need for political candidates to appeal to voters across party lines. He said membership of a political party is mainly important during the primary election, adding that a candidate who emerges must seek the support of the wider electorate. “There is no political party that has a membership that can make you president,” Adebayo said. He argued that past presidents were elected with…
The reported emergence of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, as the preferred choice to lead President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign has triggered fresh political reactions within the All Progressives Congress (APC). A political group led by Chief Stanley Ibe has backed Yari, saying his experience could help the Tinubu campaign build wider support ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In a statement, Ibe congratulated Yari and praised President Tinubu for what he described as a decision based on political experience and capacity. The group also raised questions about the reported consideration of Imo State Governor, Hope…
The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office operated a broad network across at least 20 states and two foreign countries, according to findings. The organisation’s website listed Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator,” alongside a Director of National Administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives in the United States and China. The development followed a disclosure by the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, whom the commission identified as…