Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

ASUP Issues Three-Week Ultimatum To Federal Government Over Unpaid Salary Arrears. The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding urgent action to address unpaid salary arrears and other longstanding issues affecting polytechnic education. The announcement, made on Thursday, 28 August 2025, by Mr Monday Ojo, Chairman of ASUP at Yaba College of Technology, followed an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where the union expressed alarm over “disturbing developments” threatening the sector’s stability. Speaking on behalf of ASUP President Mr Shammah Kpanja, Ojo outlined key grievances, including the…

Nigerian Police Chief Calls for Global Action As Cattle Rustling Becomes Sophisticated Crime. Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has raised the alarm over the transformation of cattle rustling in West Africa from a rural nuisance into a sophisticated criminal enterprise that fuels terrorism and threatens regional security. Speaking at the 27th INTERPOL African Regional Conference in Cape Town on Thursday, 28 August 2025, Egbetokun urged international collaboration to tackle the escalating issue, which he linked to broader dangers, including the spread of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) materials. In a statement issued by police spokesperson Olumuyiwa…

Nigerian Troops Thwart Bandit Attack On Military Base, Neutralise Several Assailants. Nigerian Army troops successfully repelled a daring assault by armed bandits on a military base in Babanna, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, neutralising several attackers in the process. The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, 28 August 2025, saw security forces engage in a fierce gun battle, showcasing their resolve to protect the region from escalating banditry. According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the assailants, arriving in large numbers on motorcycles, launched a sporadic attack on the base, aiming to overrun it. The…

FCT Doctors Overworked And Struggling, ARD Raises Alarm Over Mental Health Crisis. The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCT) has issued a stark warning about the dire working conditions faced by doctors, with many so overworked that some are relying on antidepressants to cope. The concerns were raised by ARD-FCT President Dr George Ebong during the association’s third-quarter ordinary general meeting on Thursday, 28 August 2025, in Abuja, where he described the territory’s healthcare system as suffering from “long-standing systemic failure.” Dr Ebong highlighted severe manpower shortages, non-functional equipment, poor working conditions, and unpaid staff…

NLC Urges FG And States To Follow Imo’s Lead On Minimum Wage Increase. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government and state governments to emulate Imo State’s recent decision to implement a ₦104,000 minimum wage for workers. NLC President Joe Ajaero made the appeal on Thursday, 28 August 2025, during an interview on the sidelines of the 7th National Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW) in Abuja, themed “Building Trade Unions’ Future through Strategic Organising and Investments.” Ajaero praised Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for…

Saraki-Led Reconciliation Panel Rescues PDP From Brink Of Collapse, Says Renaissance Group. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Renaissance group has hailed the reconciliation and strategy committee, chaired by former Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki, for preventing the collapse of Nigeria’s main opposition party. The group’s convener, Bashir Sulaiman, in a statement issued on Thursday, 28 August 2025, praised the committee’s efforts in resolving internal disputes and steering the PDP towards stability ahead of its national convention. The Saraki-led committee, established by the PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, includes prominent figures such as former…

Peter Obi Condemns Passport Fee Hike As Burden On Struggling Nigerians. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, has sharply criticised the Federal Government’s recent decision to increase international passport fees, labelling it an additional burden on Nigerians already grappling with economic hardship. The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) announced on Thursday, 28 August 2025, that effective from 1 September 2025, a 32-page passport with a five-year validity will cost ₦100,000, while a 64-page passport with a 10-year validity will rise to ₦200,000. In a statement shared on his official X account, Obi described…

Nigeria’s Excess Crude Account Grows to $535,823, Signals Economic Stabilisation Efforts. The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the nation’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) balance has risen to $535,823.39 as of August 2025, marking a modest increase from $473,754.57 recorded in April 2025. The disclosure was made by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, during the 151st National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, in Abuja on Thursday, 28 August 2025. The ECA, established in 2004 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, serves as a financial buffer to save oil revenues exceeding the budgetary…

FG Acquires 200 Hectares In Lekki For Building Materials Hub To Boost Affordable Housing. The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured 200 hectares of land within the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos, to establish a building materials hub aimed at reducing housing construction costs across the nation. The announcement was made by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, during a tour of industrial areas within the Lekki and Lagos Free Zones on Thursday, 28 August 2025. The initiative, part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, seeks to address Nigeria’s housing deficit by promoting local…

Wolves Secure Tolu Arokodare In €27m Deal From Genk. Wolverhampton Wanderers have reached an agreement in principle to sign KRC Genk’s prolific striker Tolu Arokodare, bolstering their attacking options ahead of the transfer deadline. The deal, valued at €27 million, was finalised on Friday evening, with the 24-year-old Nigerian international set to undergo a medical on Saturday. Arokodare, who topped the Belgian Jupiler Pro League scoring charts last season with 17 goals in 30 appearances, brings a potent mix of physicality, pace, and clinical finishing to Molineux. Standing at 6ft 5in, the forward’s aerial prowess and versatility to operate…

Rivers United Poised For NPFL Title Push, Says Finidi George. Rivers United head coach Finidi George has declared his team ready to mount a serious challenge for the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title in the 2025/26 season. Speaking to the club’s media ahead of their Matchday Two clash against Kwara United in Port Harcourt, the former Super Eagles coach expressed unwavering confidence in his squad’s ability to compete with the league’s best, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against reigning champions Remo Stars in their season opener on 22 August 2025. The Pride of Rivers kicked off their campaign…

South African Court Upholds 18-Year Sentence For Nigerian Human Trafficker. The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has upheld an 18-year prison sentence for Chinedu Justice Obasi, a Nigerian national convicted of human trafficking and fraudulent marriage. The ruling, delivered on 27 August 2025, reaffirms the court’s commitment to combating modern-day slavery and exploitation in South Africa. Obasi, alongside his co-defendant Obioma Benjamin Abba, was initially convicted in December 2017 and sentenced in September 2018. Obasi received an 18-year term for two counts of human trafficking and one count of violating South Africa’s Immigration Act by entering a sham marriage…