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Author: Kunle Adeniyi

  • FG Transfers Ahmadu Bello Stadium to Kaduna State

    Ownership of Ahmadu Bello Stadium has been handed to the Kaduna State Government after approval from Bola Ahmed Tinubu, marking a major shift in control of one of Nigeria’s oldest sports facilities.

    Governor Uba Sani announced the transfer, saying the move followed an agreement between the state and the Federal Government of Nigeria, executed through the National Sports Commission led by Shehu Dikko. He described the decision as a step with “enduring institutional consequence” designed to revive the stadium and boost economic activity.

    The arena, opened in 1964, has not seen major structural upgrades in decades. Reconstruction has now begun, with plans to expand capacity from 16,000 to 32,000 seats. Once completed, it is expected to become Nigeria’s second-largest stadium after Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

    State officials say the redevelopment aims to attract sports tourism, create jobs, and draw private investment. The government also pledged that the venue would remain available for national teams and federal sporting events despite the ownership change.

    The commission welcomed Kaduna’s decision, noting that the project aligns with federal plans to position sport as an economic sector rather than just recreation. According to the statement, other states are now considering similar partnerships.

    Governor Sani thanked federal authorities and stakeholders involved in the transfer, expressing confidence that the rebuilt stadium would stand as a long-term symbol of cooperation and public stewardship.

  • Lagos Denies ₦4.2bn Furniture Claim for Deputy Governor

    The Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget has rejected claims that ₦4.2bn was budgeted for furniture and microphones for the Office of the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hazmat, saying the figure was wrongly interpreted.

    In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry said the ₦4,247,816,006 cited in reports is the office’s total capital allocation for 2026, not a single expense line.

    Officials explained that ₦4,077,816,006 of the amount is set aside for rebuilding the Round House complex, a six-storey facility that houses more than 50 offices. The project includes structural upgrades, retrofitting, and alternative energy systems.

    Only ₦170m of the allocation covers office equipment, furniture, fittings, and other capital items, the ministry said.

    It added that screenshots of the budget master sheet were released to show how the figures were classified and to counter what it called inaccurate reporting.

    “The total capital allocation has been incorrectly represented as an amount meant solely for furniture and microphones,” the statement said.

    The ministry urged journalists and stakeholders to verify budget details through official channels before publication. It stressed that allocations follow due process, fiscal rules, and accounting standards.

    According to the Lagos State Government, the clarification aims to prevent public misunderstanding and reinforce confidence in its budgeting process.

    The dispute arose after online claims suggested the deputy governor’s office planned to spend billions on furnishings, a claim officials insist misread the capital vote breakdown.

  • Six LAUTECH Nursing Students Die In Kwara Crash

    Ladoke Akintola University of Technology has confirmed the death of six final-year nursing students in a road crash along the Ilorin–Ogbomoso Road while they travelled for exams.

    Registrar Olayinka Balogun said in a statement dated 24 February that the victims died on Sunday at Otte in Kwara State. The students had boarded a commercial bus from Suleja to campus before the crash.

    The university named the deceased as Shehu Nana Firdawsi Hamza, Idris Jamila, Abdulraheem Maimunah Hamza, Blessing Kevwe, Owoicho Elizabeth, and Aroke Ozavize Victoria. All were enrolled in the institution’s Open and Distance Learning Nursing programme and were due to sit their final examinations.

    The management described the incident as a tragic loss and said the students showed strong commitment to their studies. It offered condolences to their families and urged the public to support them in prayer.

    Officials said the deaths have left the academic community in mourning. They added that the university stands with relatives and friends affected by the loss.

    The crash marks the second fatal accident involving final-year students in the state within a month. Earlier in February, Kwara State University confirmed that a 400-level student, Idris Agboluaje, died in a separate road accident in Malete while travelling to write an examination.

    Authorities have not yet released details on the cause of the latest crash.

  • Egbetokun Urges New IGP Disu to Sustain Police Reforms

    Outgoing police chief Kayode Egbetokun has urged the new Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to sustain ongoing reforms and strengthen the security structure introduced under his tenure.

    He spoke in Abuja as Disu formally assumed office, describing his successor as a seasoned officer who understands the system and its current direction.

    Egbetokun said Disu worked closely with him in key roles, including Directing Staff Officer, Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and later as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Special Protection Unit.

    He recalled that Disu led the enforcement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP protection. According to him, the order was carried out effectively and in full.

    “My advice is that he should remain committed to the reforms we started together,” Egbetokun said. He cited the restructuring of intelligence coordination, the dismantling of criminal networks and a revised inter-agency deployment model as areas that require continuity.

    The former police chief expressed confidence that Disu would maintain the momentum in tackling organised crime and improving operational efficiency nationwide.

    In his response, Disu described his appointment as unexpected and emotional. He thanked the president for the trust placed in him and said the reference to his service record showed close attention to the work of officers across the country.

    He added that the appointment comes with a clear duty to deliver peace and stability. Disu pledged to build on existing reforms and ensure the force remains focused on public safety and professional standards.

  • Tinubu Asks IGP Egbetokun to Resign, Disu Tipped as Successor

    Tinubu Asks IGP Egbetokun to Resign, Disu Tipped as Successor

    The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has resigned after being asked to step down by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to sources within the presidency and police headquarters.

    Officials said the request was made during a meeting on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Preparations are now under way for a formal handover, with Assistant Inspector-General Tunji Disu expected to replace him, though no official statement had been issued at the time of reporting.

    Egbetokun was appointed as Nigeria’s 22nd police chief on 19 June 2023, and his position was confirmed later that year by the Nigeria Police Council. He had been expected to remain in office until October 2027 after lawmakers amended the police law to allow an appointed IGP serve a fixed four-year term regardless of age or years of service.

    He originally reached retirement age in September 2024 but continued in office under the revised legal framework. The presidency had previously defended his stay, citing the amended legislation.

    His tenure drew public criticism over several issues, including allegations of rights abuses, though authorities did not publicly link his departure to any specific case.

  • Military Launches Operation Savannah Shield in Kwara Against Bandits

    A new joint military campaign has begun in Kwara State as Nigerian defence chiefs deploy troops to tackle rising attacks by armed groups and kidnappers.

    The operation, named Operation Savannah Shield, was launched at Sobi Barracks by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq alongside Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede and Chief of Army Staff Waidi Shaibu. The deployment follows recent deadly attacks in border areas affecting both Kwara and Niger State.

    Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede

    General Oluyede said the mission combines Army, Navy, and Air Force units in a coordinated push to dismantle criminal networks. He described it as a “proactive and structured campaign” designed to secure lives, disrupt kidnapping rings, and restore order. Troops will focus on forests and remote zones, especially around Kainji Lake National Park, which officials say criminals use as hideouts and transit routes.

    Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State

    Governor AbdulRazaq called the deployment a major relief for residents. He said insecurity has worsened over the past year, especially in farming communities, and warned that violence threatens food production as well as safety. He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the operation quickly after the state raised alarm over escalating attacks.

    The defence chief urged local leaders, youth groups, and residents to support troops with credible intelligence. He stressed that security efforts would combine force with community engagement and would not be a short-term exercise.

    Officials said the mission covers the whole of Kwara and parts of neighbouring states. They added that sustained patrols, targeted raids, and cooperation among agencies are expected to weaken armed groups and allow displaced residents and farmers to return safely.

  • Tinubu Hails FCT, Kano, Rivers Election Winners

    Tinubu Hails FCT, Kano, Rivers Election Winners

    Bola Tinubu has congratulated winners of local and legislative elections held across the Federal Capital Territory, Kano State, and Rivers State, urging them to serve with humility and treat their mandates as a public trust.

    In a statement issued by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the president praised voters, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission for what he described as peaceful polls. He said credible elections strengthen democratic institutions and called on the commission to keep improving its processes.

    Tinubu also commended Nyesom Wike for projects in the territory, which he said helped the All Progressives Congress secure victories in several councils. The ruling party won chairmanship polls in Abuja Municipal Area, Kwali, and Bwari.

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party won in Gwagwalada, where its candidate Mohammed Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat APC rival Yahaya Shehu, who secured 17,788.

    By-elections also took place in state constituencies in Kano and Rivers. Tinubu praised all contestants for their discipline and said strong competition improves democracy. He urged winners to focus on service and national interest as they take office.

  • Foreign Maintenance Driving Up Presidential Fleet Costs — ONSA

    Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser says the cost of maintaining the Presidential Air Fleet has risen sharply because most servicing is done abroad.

    Permanent Secretary Mohammed Sanusi told lawmakers on Wednesday that foreign maintenance, exchange-rate pressures and funding gaps are driving expenses. He spoke while defending the agency’s 2026 budget before the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

    Sanusi did not disclose how much the government spent on the fleet in 2025 or since the current administration began. He said the budget also covers affiliated bodies, including the National Counterterrorism Centre and the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre.

    He listed key challenges facing intelligence agencies: delayed release of operational funds, failure to implement parts of the 2025 capital budget, lack of vehicles for covert work and foreign-exchange volatility affecting service contracts.

    The Presidential Air Fleet transports the president, vice president and senior officials on official duties. Authorities say it exists for security and rapid response, since commercial travel may not meet safety or scheduling demands.

    The fleet has faced public criticism in recent years over costs and usage. In 2023, Seyi Tinubu drew backlash after using a presidential jet to attend the Kano International Polo Tournament.

    Sanusi urged lawmakers to approve extra funding through a supplementary budget, citing the president’s declaration of a national security emergency. He said stronger financing would allow faster responses to threats and improve operational readiness.

    Committee chairman Yahaya Abdullahi said parliament would review the requests and may seek a meeting with Bola Tinubu to present security agencies’ concerns directly. He warned that 2026 would be critical for Nigeria’s democracy and said weak funding could create risks as the country approaches another election cycle.

    The committee has completed its budget review and is preparing its report for the National Assembly leadership and appropriations panel.

  • Igbo Monarch Urges Tinubu to Free Nnamdi Kanu

    An Igbo traditional ruler has called on President Bola Tinubu to release detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, warning that anger among youths in the South-East is rising.

    Lawrence Agubuzor, monarch of Ezzagu community in Enugu State, said he felt deep distress over Kanu’s continued detention, which he claimed has heightened tension in the region.

    “I do not understand the pain in my heart when Nnamdi Kanu is in Sokoto. So sad. The ball stops in your court. Bring this man out,” he said in a public appeal directed at the president.

    Agubuzor warned that many young people see traditional leaders as ineffective for failing to secure Kanu’s release. He said some youths now accuse elders of betrayal and distrust their visits to Abuja, believing they go there for personal gain.

    The monarch urged the government to either free Kanu or send him back abroad if he is not wanted in Nigeria. He referenced Kenya and London as places where Kanu previously stayed.

    Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra movement, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for separatist linked with agitation offences and  incarcerated in Sokoto custody. His case has drawn strong reactions across the South-East, where supporters demand his release and critics accuse authorities of prolonging the crisis.

    Agubuzor’s appeal reflects growing pressure from regional voices urging political dialogue.

  • Senate passes revised Electoral Act after heated clause vote

    Senate passes revised Electoral Act after heated clause vote

    The Senate has passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 after a tense session marked by shouting, protests, and a split vote over result transmission rules.

    Lawmakers approved Clause 60 after a division requested by Enyinnaya Abaribe, who opposed a provision allowing manual result transmission if electronic systems fail. Fifteen senators voted against the clause, while 55 backed it.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio said he believed the request for a division had earlier been withdrawn, but opposition members objected. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin argued it was out of order to revisit a matter already ruled on. The disagreement sparked a brief confrontation between Abaribe and Sunday Karimi.

    Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended Abaribe’s request, noting that a motion to rescind earlier decisions meant previous rulings no longer applied. Akpabio upheld the point of order and asked Abaribe to formally present his motion.

    Earlier, the chamber suspended proceedings and entered a closed session after lawmakers raised concerns about the bill’s timing and technical errors. Bamidele moved a motion to reverse the earlier passage and return the draft to the Committee of the Whole for fresh review.

    He said the step followed consultation with the Independent National Electoral Commission, which fixed the 2027 general election for February. Lawmakers warned that the date could clash with legal timelines requiring elections at least 360 days before tenure ends. Some senators also raised concerns that polls during Ramadan might affect turnout and logistics.

    The motion also cited drafting flaws across several clauses, including numbering and cross-referencing errors.

    After debate and revisions, the Senate passed the bill, clearing it for the next stage in the legislative process.

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