Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Major-General Lukman Tokunbo Omoniyi (Rtd) as his Executive Adviser on Security Coordination.
The appointment, contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, is with immediate effect.
While congratulating Omoniyi on the appointment, Governor Makinde urged him to ensure effective coordination of security activities in the state with a view to making every part of the state safe and everyone secure.
General Omoniyi (rtd) is a seasoned senior infantry officer who has held various command, staff, and instructional appointments in military formations and units.
He holds a Master of Science Degree in Humanitarian and Refugee Studies in addition to another Master of Science Degree in Strategic Studies, both from the prestigious University of Ibadan.
He is currently working on his Doctorate Degree in Peace, Security, and Humanitarian Studies at the University of Ibadan.
The federal government has ended the system where big companies use their tax money to build roads instead of paying it into the government’s account.
From now on, the government insists that all road projects must be handled through the normal budget process approved by the National Assembly.
The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, made this known on Wednesday. He explained that this change is necessary to follow the Nigerian Constitution and financial laws.
Under the old system, known as the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, major companies like Dangote, BUA, and MTN were allowed to fix federal roads and then subtract the cost from the taxes they owed the government.
Mr. Adedeji said that even though the plan was meant to help the country, it was causing a problem with how the law works. He stated that the job of the tax office is to collect money, not to decide how that money is spent on construction.
“No matter how good a programme is, the first thing that it must have is good products. The remits of the Nigeria Revenue Service are to assess, to collect, and to account for taxes. Appropriation is not part of the remits of the Nigeria Revenue Service,” Adedeji said.
He further explained that when a company is given a tax credit to build a road, it is like the government is spending money without following the proper rules. He said the tax office must collect the money first and give it to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), which is the body mandated by law to share and handle public funds.
“When you give tax credits for roads, it is an appropriation act, because you spent the money, but your remit is to collect and give it to the constitutional body that will sign that money,” he added.
Apart from the law, the NRS boss said his agency does not have the engineers or the technical skills to check if a road built by a company is actually worth the amount of tax they are claiming. He said while companies are still welcome to fund roads, the government must be the one to approve how public money is used.
This decision comes after a big gap was created when the NNPC stopped funding roads through this scheme in 2025, leaving about N3 trillion worth of projects without money. Before now, NNPC had paid for over 21 roads, including the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Because of this, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the government is now looking for new partnerships with private investors to finish these roads.
Many big projects are affected by this shift. For years, Dangote Group used tax credits for the road leading to the Lekki Deep Seaport, while BUA Group worked on the Bode-Saadu-Lafiagi Road. Other companies like MTN worked on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, and NLNG funded the Bodo-Bonny Bridge in Rivers State.
The government believes that by going back to the central budget system, it can make sure all spending is transparent and follows the law. This ensures that every kobo collected as tax is properly accounted for before it is spent on infrastructure.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has tasked the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, to continuously align its training curriculum with the nation’s evolving security realities.
General Shaibu said this on Thursday when he received the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Air Vice Marshal Alfred Olugbenga Shogbanmu, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement by the Army’s Colonel Apollonia Anele, the COAS described the College as “a critical engine for the development of staff officers whose professionalism directly influences operational effectiveness nationwide.”
The Army Chief hailed the AFCSC for its pivotal role in producing highly competent officers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, praising the institution for the high quality of its graduates and noting their strategic importance in strengthening command, control, and coordination across the Armed Forces.
He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to sustained support for AFCSC through infrastructure development and capacity enhancement.
The COAS noted that the increasingly complex and dynamic security environment confronting the nation has necessitated proactive institutional responses, including the establishment of a new Western Theatre Command to effectively address emerging threats.
He stressed the importance of adaptive, future-oriented training that reflects operational realities and enhances joint planning and execution.
Air Vice Marshal Shogbanmu thanked the Nigerian Army for its consistent support, particularly in the establishment of a simulation centre and the rehabilitation of key facilities, which he said have significantly enhanced training outcomes and learning conditions.
He reaffirmed the College’s resolve to continually refine its academic and professional programmes in line with contemporary security demands and to further deepen inter-agency cooperation.
The visit was in furtherance of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through professional military education and enhanced inter-service collaboration.
The Abia State Police Command has denied reports of the discovery of an object suspected to be an explosive at the United Evangelical Church, Ehere/Umuola, Ogbor Hill, Aba.
The denial followed criticism from the leadership of the church, which accused the police of presenting what it described as a misleading narrative to the public over the reported discovery of a bomb on the church premises.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, the police said an investigation carried out by the Divisional Police Officer in the area revealed that no suspected explosive was found, adding that the object in question was an iron rod that formed part of a fence pillar.
However, it was gathered that church members, while digging to erect a new fence after a road expansion on Okiriko Lane by the state government, uncovered an object they suspected to be a bomb near the parsonage.
Speaking to journalists, the Chairman of the church board, Elder Ariomnwa Amadi, confirmed the incident and said the church held a thanksgiving service to appreciate God for what he described as the averting of a potential tragedy.
Amadi explained that the object was discovered during excavation works for the new fence, prompting the church to alert soldiers, who subsequently arrived at the premises and evacuated the object.
Asked whether the object could have been a relic from the Civil War era, the board chairman said its origin remained unclear, adding that the soldiers who evacuated it advised the church to be grateful, noting that the consequences could have been severe if it had exploded.
“This was why we held a thanksgiving service last Sunday to thank God for saving our lives. It would have been a national tragedy, but God showed us mercy; nobody was even injured, not to mention losing a life.”
The police said, “I can authoritatively confirm that no bomb or explosive was recovered from the said area. Thorough investigations conducted through the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) covering the area have affirmed this.
“The church, which had encroached on the road currently being reconstructed by the government, was asked to move back slightly to create space for the project. This directive was not complied with, prompting the military to intervene to ensure compliance.
“During the process, an iron rod part of a pillar of the church structure that was being adjusted was removed by the military.
“Therefore, there was nothing resembling a bomb or explosive recovered anywhere in Aba.
“The Police, as the lead internal security agency, remain vigilant in ensuring the protection of lives and property. Officers of the Command are active, alert, and strategically deployed across the state to maintain safety and security.”
Recent government interventions aimed at addressing the mass migration of health workers, popularly known as the ‘Japa’ syndrome, are beginning to yield results, health sector stakeholders said on Thursday, amid renewed efforts to retain skilled medical personnel in the country.
Speaking at the induction ceremony of 206 foreign-trained nurses in Abuja, the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, said reforms introduced by the Federal Government were gradually reversing the trend of outward migration.
The nurses were inducted into the profession after completing a compulsory six-month adaptation programme conducted in 10 Nigerian universities and passing the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) professional examination.
The inductees graduated from 15 institutions across several countries, including the Niger Republic (62), Ghana (35), Cameroon (35), India (22), Cyprus (19), the Philippines (9), Sudan (9), Egypt (5), Turkey (2), and Ukraine (1).
As part of the registration process, all successful foreign-trained nurses are required to undergo formal induction, similar to their counterparts trained in Nigeria.
The inductees also took the Oath of Allegiance, pledging to maintain confidentiality and abstain from acts harmful to patients.
Ganduje expressed optimism that ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration would further strengthen the health sector and encourage professionals to remain in the country.
“To now finish the internship and decide to go back to where they were coming from after the government has spent some investment on them? I assure you it will be a different story because the reforms undertaken by the present government will turn the tide,” he said.
According to him, improvements in health service delivery were already influencing the decision of many Nigerians trained abroad to return and practise locally.
“I think it is a welcome development because when we have our own children studying abroad and then coming back and joining the service, that is very encouraging,”
NMCN Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, AlHassan Ndagi, said Nigeria was no longer facing a shortage of trained nurses, following the expansion of training capacity and the introduction of new retention measures.
Responding to concerns about Nigerians studying nursing abroad despite the availability of accredited programmes locally, he acknowledged the concern but said the number involved was relatively small.
“Well, it is a matter of concern because we have a very large number of institutions in Nigeria. But the 206 that you are seeing is just a drop into the ocean of the number of nurses that we train in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria produces no fewer than 27,000 nurses per examination cycle, conducted twice yearly, in addition to midwifery graduates.
“In every year, we produce nothing less than 115,000,” he said.
He explained that foreign-trained nurses are required to undergo an adaptation programme to align them with Nigeria’s professional ethics and healthcare delivery system.
“The ethics and other principles of service here in Nigeria are not the same as those of the outside country. We have noticed the difference in them that does not align with our system. That is why we have to remodel them and make them conform to Nigerian society,” he said.
On retention, Ndagi said existing policies ensure that newly inducted nurses remain in the country for at least two years.
“They will go for a one-year internship. After that, they will also do another one-year National Youth Service. They will remain in the country for two years,” he said.
To bolster the in-country retention of the nurses, the Registrar disclosed that the Federal Government had approved central placement for newly inducted nurses, enabling authorities to deploy them to health facilities nationwide for service and further training.
“While they are rendering the service, they are also acquiring more and more skills,” he said.
Addressing concerns about shortages arising from previous large-scale migration, he said training quotas were expanded to offset losses.
“About three years ago, in a single year, we recorded about 57,000 nurses leaving the country. So it meant we were training for outsiders,” he said.
The Registrar added that over 250,000 nurses are currently serving in Nigeria, while urging the government to accelerate recruitment to absorb available manpower.
“My call to the government is that more and more nurses should be employed in the service,” he said, noting that Nigerian nurses remain highly regarded internationally.
Ndagi urged the newly inducted nurses to prioritise the interests of Nigerians, particularly those in hard-to-reach and underserved communities.
“I encourage you to be exemplary ambassadors of the nursing profession. Demonstrate humility, discipline, and respect in your interactions with the public. Let kindness and compassion guide your care for all patients,” he said.
He emphasised strict adherence to professional ethics and cautioned against unprofessional conduct, including on social media, “Please note that you are now solely responsible for your nursing actions,” he said.
Ndagi also advised the nurses to embrace lifelong learning, pursue further training, and contribute positively to the image of the profession.
Other speakers at the event advised the inductees, who will proceed on a one-year internship followed by the National Youth Service, to take their training seriously, uphold confidentiality, and adapt to the evolving needs of patients.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to outstanding inductees and the institution that produced the overall best inductee, Cynthia Okwor.
A 47-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Muyideen Tunji, his friends, Yusuf Muslim (48yrs), and Rabiu Fatai (55 years) have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo, over the murder of a 53-year-old widow for money ritual.
The Nation recalled that the trio were arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Fatimah Sodamade on January 31, 2022, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession of human parts, contrary to Sections 324, 319(a), and 329A(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.
Meanwhile, the convicts pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against them by the Osun State Government.
At the trial, the prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Dele Akintayo, informed the court that Tunji invited the deceased, Asiata Yekeen (a widow), to his residence in Ile-Ogbo under the pretext of paying her money he owed.
Akintayo stated that, upon Asiata’s arrival, she met Yusuf Muslim and Rabiu Fatai in the house. They strangled her shortly after she arrived at the house, dismembered her body, and buried the remains in a shallow grave behind Tunji’s house after severing vital body parts.
He continued, “The case was reported to the police and the Amotekun Corps in Ile-Ogbo by Mr. Suleiman Akorede and Yekini Suleiman when efforts to reach the deceased failed. Witnesses who saw the deceased enter Tunji’s house, who is an Okada rider, also alerted security operatives.
“Subsequently, Tunji fled upon learning that security operatives were searching for him and hid at the residence of Yusuf Muslim and Rabiu Fatai, allegedly taking some human body parts of the deceased along with him.”
Meanwhile, the defence counsel to the three convicts, Barrister J.D. Olaniyan, Adesina Olaniyan, and Bayo Alade, argued that the prosecution’s evidence was hearsay and urged the court to dismiss the charge against their clients.
But, State Counsel, Akintayo called six witnesses and tendered 13 exhibits, including the convicts’ confessional statements.
In her judgment, Justice Sodamade held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and found the defendants guilty on all counts.
The convicts were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder, death by hanging for murder, and five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of human parts.
The federal government has outlined plans to secure long-term funding, strengthen governance, and expand Nigeria’s access to global debt markets, including Islamic finance
These priorities were discussed when the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, met with top executives of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) as part of efforts to strengthen financial cooperation and widen Nigeria’s access to international capital.
During the meeting, the minister welcomed the opening of FAB’s representative office in Lagos, describing the move as a positive signal of growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s economy.
He said the bank’s increasing involvement in energy and infrastructure projects aligns with the government’s development goals.
“The decision by First Abu Dhabi Bank to establish a presence in Lagos sends a strong message of confidence in Nigeria and its economic direction,” Mr. Edun said. “It also opens new doors for accessing global capital, including Sharia-compliant financing.”
Both the government and the bank agreed to work more closely to develop funding solutions that improve public finances, support infrastructure projects, and encourage private sector investment. The discussions also covered Nigeria’s interest in tapping deeper into global debt markets to fund development in a sustainable way.
In another engagement, the finance minister described healthcare as not only a social necessity but also a sector with strong potential to drive economic growth. He said building local capacity in healthcare improves productivity, keeps money within the country, and strengthens human capital over the long term.
Mr. Edun spoke at the signing of a major agreement involving the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and MedServe. The agreement is designed to expand access to diagnostic services, cancer treatment, and heart care across the country.
“Healthcare is critical to national development, and investing in it helps our people live healthier lives while supporting economic growth,” the minister said. “When we build strong healthcare systems at home, we reduce the need to seek treatment abroad and retain valuable capital within our economy.”
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to improving healthcare through increased funding and well-structured partnerships between the public and private sectors. According to him, recent budget improvements show the administration’s focus on strengthening social infrastructure.
The minister pointed to the growing network of cancer treatment centres developed by the NSIA as evidence that high-quality healthcare facilities can be built in Nigeria. He said such investments create jobs, attract funding, and help cut the country’s heavy spending on medical tourism.
“Our experience with the NSIA oncology centres shows that world-class healthcare services can be delivered locally,” Mr. Edun said. “This creates employment, draws investment, and saves billions of naira spent on treatment outside the country.”
He also praised the IFC for its role in the partnership, describing the agreement as a model that blends funding with technical expertise to encourage private investment and widen access to quality care. He noted that the initiative also benefits from support provided by the World Bank.
The minister called for the NSIA–MedServe model to be adopted in other sectors of the economy, saying it offers a practical approach to inclusive growth, better public services, and long-term economic stability.
According to him, partnerships that combine public oversight with private sector efficiency will be central to Nigeria’s efforts to build a stronger, more resilient economy.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has announced that all 183 worshippers abducted from three churches in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna State, have regained their freedom.
The governor said the worshippers were kidnapped during an attack on January 18, adding that 11 of the victims escaped during the incident, while the remaining 172 later returned, with some rescued by security agencies and others finding their way back on their own.
Governor Sani disclosed while receiving the rescued victims at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.
He described the incident as unfortunate and unexpected, noting that security measures had been put in place across the state to protect communities.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies for their collaboration, which he said contributed to the safe return of the worshippers.
The governor also disclosed that his administration has begun the construction of an access road to Kurmin Wali village, while plans are underway to build a hospital and a skills acquisition centre to support the community.
According to him, President Tinubu has further assured the state government that a military base will be established in the area to strengthen security and prevent a recurrence of such attacks.
Governor Sani cautioned against the politicisation of insecurity, stressing that his administration remains focused on the protection of lives and property and the sanctity of human life.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Thursday inaugurated Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) Desk Officers nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen institutional integrity and eliminate corrupt practices within the Service.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the NIS headquarters in Abuja, was attended by representatives of the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and other stakeholders. The officers were administered the oath of office during the event.
The ACTU Desk Officers were inaugurated under the supervision of the ICPC Chairman, Barrister Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), who was represented by the Director of the System Study and Review Department, Mr Olusegun Adigun.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mrs Kemi Nanna Nandap, warned officers and men of the Service against engaging in corruption or sharp practices at airports, borders, and passport offices, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
She said the Service’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption remains unchanged and has been further reinforced by ongoing reforms, adding that the initiative underscores the commitment to entrenching a legacy of transparency, accountability, and clean systems within the NIS.
Nandap described corruption as a threat to national security, economic development, and Nigeria’s global standing, saying that the NIS established the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit to fight all forms of corruption headlong.
“We are gathered not merely to inaugurate officers, but to entrench a proactive, grassroots architecture for ethical governance through the deployment of ACTU Desk Officers across every formation of the Service.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service stands as a critical sentinel at the nation’s gateways. We are entrusted with the solemn responsibility of Border Governance and Migration Management.
“This trust confers significant authority—and with it, an uncompromising obligation to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability,” Mrs Nandap said.
Mrs Nandap, who said the responsibilities of the officers are contingent upon three pillars of enlightenment, deterrence, and punishment, urged the officers to demonstrate a high sense of courage, integrity, and an uncompromising stance as they would face resistance, isolation, and intimidation while carrying out their duties.
She said they are to expose corrupt officers irrespective of their ranks, relationships, or status in the Service, stressing that the NIS would give them all necessary support to ensure zero tolerance of corruption and any form of sharp practices within the system.
To the officers, Mrs Nandap said, “You are ethical champions, standard-bearers, and first responders within your respective formations. Your selection was neither incidental nor symbolic; it followed a rigorous process that prioritized proven integrity, courage, and sound judgment. You now serve as accessible, trusted pillars for promoting transparency and addressing misconduct at its source.”
She urged Command Comptrollers and Heads of Formations across Nigeria to support the Desk Officers, saying “you must provide an enabling environment that allows them to function without fear, obstruction, or intimidation”.
“Their mandate is not to undermine command authority, but to reinforce it. See them as partners in building formations defined by credibility and pride,” she added.
In his remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Barrister Musa Aliyu (SAN), represented by Mr Adigun, said the ICPC was impressed by the recent developments in the NIS regarding the fight against corruption and sharp practices.
According to him, when a review of transparency and accountability issues was conducted earlier in 2024 in the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), the NIS scored 61 percent and attained 126th position out of 323 MDAs.
He said it was obvious that the current Comptroller-General of the Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap, was not happy with the result and decided to change the narratives.
The ICPC boss explained that upon her appointment and following the pragmatic steps taken against corrupt practices, the 2025 results showed the NIS in 24th position out of 324 MDAs, with a 75 percent score.
Aliyu said the ICPC was pleased to partner with the NIS and administered the oaths of office to the anti-corruption officers.
Barrister Aliyu, who also handed over anti-corruption manuals to the NIS Comptroller-General to enable the officers to carry out their responsibilities efficiently and diligently, said ACTU is now a government-recognised platform to address systemic weaknesses, and serve as a strategic instrument to fight all forms of corruption, and ensure transparency and accountability within the system.
Some opposition political parties said on Thursday that the Nigerian Senate has failed the Nigerian people they swore to represent by rejecting the transmission of election results from polling units to the IREV in real time.
The position of the opposition parties is contained in a statement jointly signed by the spokesmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Bamofin Ladipo Johnson.
They asked the conference committee to adopt the position of the House of Representatives and allow for the transmission of results
The statement read, “Yesterday, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria passed the amendment to the Electoral Act 2022, wherein, among other things, it rejected the proposal to make mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results at the polling units.
“The grave implications of this retrogressive act by the Senate have compelled us as spokespersons of the major opposition political parties to jointly address this issue, which is capable of derailing our hard-earned democracy.
“With this anti-people and anti-democratic action, we are concerned that the APC-led Senate may have set Nigeria’s democracy back by many decades. It is therefore not surprising that it has deservedly attracted widespread opposition and condemnation from Nigerians across all divides.
“We are at a loss as to why a party that is currently deploying technology to run an e-registration of its members across the country is averse to using technology to transmit results.
“We therefore harbour no doubts about the intention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is in firm control of the two chambers of the National Assembly.
They know Nigerians are fed up with them. They are aware of the rejection that awaits them at the forthcoming polls.
“A free and fair election has therefore become a threat to them. This is why they have to preserve and protect any loopholes that could aid the manipulation of the electoral process to their advantage.
“However, regardless of their party affiliation, we would have expected the Senators to rise above party sentiments and act in the best interest of democracy, for which the legislature remains its most important symbol. But as usual, they failed the people they are supposed to represent.
“In the last election, we are witnesses to the plethora of cases where the court, especially the Supreme Court, held that there was nowhere in the principal Act, which is the Electoral Act 2022, where electronic transmission was made mandatory, and therefore the act is lacking in legislative parentage.
“This immediately signalled a lacuna that needed to be urgently fixed to ensure that future elections do not suffer the same fate. However, beyond providing a basis for judicial action in the future, the electronic transmission will increase transparency, trust, and belief in the electoral process, which in turn will deepen and consolidate democracy in our country. With this rejection, the Senate has returned Nigeria to square one.
“The ball is now in the court of the conference committee, and we strongly urge its members to align themselves with the Nigerian people by adopting the position of the House of Representatives on mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.
“They should not act as politicians, whose eyes and thoughts are only on the next elections, but as statesmen, who should have the next generation in mind. We are trusting that they will act in the best interest of the people, to forestall the negative consequences that may result in foisting anti-democratic laws on the people.”
