President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaja Lateefat Olufunke Gbajabiamila on the conferment of an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc. Honoris Causa) in Business Administration by Summit University, Offa, Kwara State.
In a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President joined family, friends and well-wishers in celebrating the 96-year-old United Kingdom–trained nurse, describing her as a distinguished nonagenarian, trailblazer and matriarch of the Gbajabiamila family of Lagos.
Tinubu noted that Alhaja Gbajabiamila blazed a trail in Nigeria’s public service as the first female elected chairman of a local government in Lagos State, a feat that underscored her resilience and commitment to public good.
He expressed admiration for her life of professional excellence and community service, commending Summit University for recognising her pioneering contributions to the nursing profession.
The President also applauded the institution’s decision to name its proposed College of Nursing after her, describing the gesture as a fitting tribute to her lifelong passion for healthcare delivery and human development.
“The naming of the Lateefat Gbajabiamila College of Nursing ensures that Mama Gbaja’s legacy of compassion, discipline, and service will continue to inspire future generations of caregivers and leaders,” the President said.
Tinubu further saluted Alhaja Gbajabiamila for her steadfast devotion to faith and community through the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, and for raising a family that has continued to distinguish itself in public service, particularly her son, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
While rejoicing with her family on the occasion of the award ceremony in Lagos on Saturday, January 31, the President prayed that Almighty Allah would continue to bless Alhaja Gbajabiamila with good health and the joy of witnessing the fruits of her lifelong labour for humanity.
The Enugu Police Command has arrested no fewer than 52 suspects, recovered firearms and ammunition and rescued kidnapped victims between January 24 and 30, 2026.
This was contained in the weekly crime statistics and operational achievements of the Command on Friday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe .
According to the report, operatives of the Command arrested three armed robbery suspects, 12 kidnapping suspects, and three homicide or murder suspects during the period under review.
The police also apprehended two suspects linked to rape and defilement cases, as well as four suspected cultists, while 28 other suspects were arrested for various offences across the state .
The statistics further revealed that the command recovered one firearm and 20 rounds of ammunition of different calibres, alongside six stolen vehicles.
In addition, three victims were successfully rescued from criminal hideouts during sustained intelligence-led operations .
Other exhibits recovered included hard drugs and a large quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, underscoring the command’s intensified clampdown on drug-related crimes within the state .
SP Ndukwe attributed the achievements to the dedication of police personnel, improved intelligence gathering, and effective collaboration with other security agencies and members of the public.
He reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to sustaining the fight against crime and maintaining public safety across Enugu State.
Ndukwe further urged citizens to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to enhance proactive policing and rapid response to criminal activities.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said Rivers State is leading others in mobilising support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Wike stated this during the inauguration of senatorial and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The event was organised in support of Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He insisted that Rivers State was setting the pace in political mobilisation and would continue to lead others in demonstrating support for the President.
“I know after today, other states may inaugurate their own structures, but Rivers State will always lead the way.
“Support is not by mouth; we have shown commitment with action,” he added.
He said that political activities ahead of coming elections had officially commenced, adding that ward-level inaugurations of the ambassadors would follow.
The Minister, who questioned Governor Simi Fubara’s commitment to supporting Tinubu, said: “You cannot have a Governor in the state while we are openly declaring support for President Tinubu and he is not aligning.
“How then do you expect a reward?”
He argued that political reward is tied to commitment, not financial contribution saying, “You don’t need N600 billion, all you need is commitment. That is what brings reward, even if it brings envy”.
Wike further explained that the event was a rainbow coalition effort and thanked President Tinubu for supporting the coalition in producing candidates for the February 21 by-elections in khana Constituency II and Ahoada West Constituency II.
He urged the electorates to come out enmasse on February 21 and vote for the two candidates irrespective of their political party affiliations.
“We give out the buses to ensure proper mobilisation for the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he urged.
Rivers Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, thanked supporters of the PDP and APC for coming out in large numbers to show support for the President.
Senator George Sekibo, who spoke on behalf of federal government political appointees assured Tinubu of continued support from Rivers State, thanking him for the laudable appointments and projects in the state
According to him, no President has embarked on projects of this magnitude while also appointing Rivers indigenes.
“Tell the President we are grateful,” Sekibo said.
Speaking on behalf of the National Assembly caucus, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, also reaffirmed support for Tinubu and endorsed his re-election bid in 2027.
“What we did in 2023, we will do better in 2027. Politics is give and take,” Chinda said.
Rivers Speaker Martins Amaewhule and former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, also pledged support for President Tinubu,
Rivers PDP and APC Chairmen, Aaron Chukwuemeka and Tony Okocha, assured that the party was fully mobilised ahead of the 2027 election.
The fate of Kano Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo is hanging in the balance after Governor Abba Yusuf defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gwarzo has refused to follow him to the ruling party.
Following the defection, many political appointees loyal to the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, resigned their positions, including Kwankwaso’s son, Mustapha, who was Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development.
Their decision to quit the cabinet follows the disagreement between Yusuf and his benefactor Kwankwaso.
The Governor moved to APC against Kwankwaso’s approval, insisting it was in a “broader interest of Kano state.”
The Deputy Governor however, refused to defect to the APC, choosing instead to remain loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the NNPP.
This decision has led to mounting pressure on Gwarzo to resign with Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, urging him to step down, citing a lack of trust and loyalty.
But Gwarzo’s position is that he was elected on a joint ticket with Governor Yusuf and is constitutionally entitled to remain in office.
The NNPP has condemned calls for his resignation, insisting he remains a bona fide member of NNPP and a key component of the Yusuf administration.
The are rumours the State Government may be considering impeachment proceedings against Gwarzo if he refuses to resign and continues absconding functions presided over by the Governor.
With 22 lawmakers defecting to the APC
alongside Governor Yusuf, the ruling party has a comfortable two-third majority in the House of Assembly, making it easier to push through legislative actions, including impeachment.
Police have arrested the Chief Imam of Ummu Hanni Adigun Memorial Central Mosque, Ogo-Oluwa area, Osogbo and three others after worshippers lynched a car painter, Najeem Hammed to death.
Family members of the deceased later disrupted Jumu’ah prayer at the mosque on Friday after the incident.
THE NATION gathered Hammed, a car painter whose workshop is located at Jaye area of Osogbo, had gone to the mosque along Ogo-Oluwa area to pray around 6am on Friday when the incident happened.
A source around the mosque who pleaded anonymity told THE NATION that after the early morning prayer, the Imam was preaching when Najeem felt irritated by the words and threatened to attack the clergyman.
The source said: “Najeem attempted to use the microphone rod to hit the Imam but he dodged it. The worshippers took him up which he resisted. He was dragged outside the mosque, mobbed and left inside the gutter in front of the premises bleeding.
“Some members of the mosque notified the police at Ataoja Police Division, and they came to carry him from the scene to police state. He died along the way as a result of the assault.”
When THE NATION visited around 1pm, family members of the deceased were protesting in front of the mosque while the Imam was preaching ahead of Jumah’at prayer.
They insisted service cannot hold after Hammed was killed in the premises few hours ago.
Police operatives stormed the mosque and whisked the Imam away to Ataoja Divisional Police Division as the family members and sympathisers later took over the mosque’s entrance preventing worshippers from gaining access.
They threatened to burn the mosque if any prayer take place or any attempt was made to open the mosque.
A family member simply identified himself as Nurudeen said: “Najeem was beaten to death at the mosque by the worshippers after an altercation ensued in the mosque. He was going to Ibadan this morning but branched the mosque for Subuhi prayer when he was mobbed to death.
“When we called to ask about his journey a policeman picked up the call and told us that he had altercation with some people and was held at Ataoja police station. When we got there that was when we realised that he was dead.”
Bloodstains were sighted at the fence of the mosques and the plank of wood in front of the mosque.
When contacted the Osun Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the incident.
He clarified that the victim was not attacked inside the Mosque but around it.
“We have arrested the Imam and three others connected to the incident. Further investigation has been launched to unravel the actual cause of the incident,” he stressed.
Ojelabi insisted that the deceased was mobbed around the mosque and not actually inside the Mosque.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has registered over 7 million members in its ongoing nationwide electronic membership registration exercise.
The party also extended the exercise scheduled to round off on Saturday, January 31 to February 8 to accommodate the high demand and enthusiastic response from potential and existing members.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, disclosed these to newsmen after the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on Friday in Abuja
He said the extension of the registration exercise was a direct response to widespread clamor from party stakeholders.
According to Morka: “With respect to the e-registration, there’s no complicated explanation. We just want more members to register,” adding that, “the extension was in response to the clamor by enthusiastic members who are hoping to register, to afford them more time.
“As of now, we have crossed the mark of 7 million… By the grace of God, by the time we are closing on the 8th of February, we should have crossed the mark of 12.5 million.”
Reaffirming the primary aim of the e-registration was part of the party’s push to digitalise its records, ensure data integrity, promote financial inclusion and align with national legal standards.
He noted the APC has become the first major political party in Nigeria to fully digitalise its membership register, setting a precedent for internal democracy and modernisation.
Applauding the registration exercise as “tremendously successful”, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, maintained that the requests for extension of the exercise came from various stakeholders, including state-level leaders and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF).
Basiru said: “The e-registration has been tremendously successful. We have received requests from many states that there are so many members that are still eager to register… Based on that request, particularly by the body of the Governors Forum at the meeting we held with them the day before yesterday, that was why the National Working Committee decided to extend.”
Morka also announced that ward congresses will hold on Wednesday, February 18 while the National Convention is scheduled for 27–28, March 2026.
He added that Osun and Ekiti States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are excluded from scheduled congresses due to upcoming elections while Rivers State is excluded due to the subsisting tenure the current executive committees of the party in the State.
The party spokesman further said that details on the adjusted Congress and National Convention timetable and schedule of activities and composition of the National Convention Planning Committee will be announced on Monday
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded more than seven million registrations in its ongoing nationwide electronic membership registration exercise.
The ruling party has also extended the exercise, initially scheduled to end on Saturday, January 31, 2026, to February 8, 2026, citing overwhelming demand and strong participation from both prospective and existing members.
National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Abuja following the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Morka said the decision to extend the registration window was taken in response to sustained appeals from party stakeholders across the country, reflecting heightened interest in the ongoing membership drive.
According to Morka, “With respect to the e-registration, there’s no complicated explanation. We just want more members to register,” adding that, “the extension was in response to the clamor by enthusiastic members who are hoping to register, to afford them more time.
“As of now, we have crossed the mark of 7 million… By the grace of God, by the time we are closing on the 8th of February, we should have crossed the mark of 12.5 million.”
Reaffirming that the primary aim of the e-registration was part of the party’s push to digitize it’s records, ensure data integrity, promote financial inclusion, and align with national legal standards.
He noted that the party has become the first major political party in Nigeria to fully digitize its membership register, setting a precedent for internal democracy and modernization.
Applauding the registration exercise as “tremendouslysuccessful”, the APC national secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, maintained that the requests for extension of the exercise came from various stakeholders, including state-level leaders and the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF).
Basiru said, “The e-registration has been tremendously successful. We have received requests from many states that there are so many members that are still eager to register… Based on that request, particularly by the body of the Governors Forum at the meeting we held with them the day before yesterday, that was why the National Working Committee decided to extend.”
Morka also announced that Ward Congresses will hold on Wednesday, 18th February 2026, while the National Convention is now scheduled to be held on 27th–28th March 2026.
He added that Osun and Ekiti States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are excluded from scheduled Congresses due to upcoming elections, while Rivers State is excluded due to the subsisting tenure the current executive committees of the Party in the State.
The party spokesman further said that details on the adjusted Congress and National Convention timetable and schedule of activities and composition of the National Convention Planning Committee will be announced on Monday.
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed confidence that Northern Nigeria will strongly support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Ganduje said those assuming the region would not vote for Tinubu are mistaken, adding that the North is poised to deliver overwhelming support for the president.
The immediate past governor of Kano State also stated that he sees no better candidate from Southern Nigeria to lead the country beyond 2027 than Tinubu.
He made the remarks on Friday in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum (NNYLF), representing the 19 northern states, who paid him a courtesy visit and decorated him as the Forum’s patron.
Ganduje, who currently serves as Board Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), described Tinubu as a seasoned politician and said Nigeria is fortunate to have him as president.
He said, “Pertaining to the next election in 2027, those that are nursing or thinking otherwise that the North will vote another candidate other than Asiwaju are making a big mistake.
“This is the first time Nigeria as a nation is lucky to have a politician as president. His constituency is politics. His upbringing is politics because he believes in the unity of this country. In fact, he struggled. He was even in exile for democracy to survive in Nigeria.
“So there is no better person to be elected in 2027 than Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Ganduje revealed that there was an agreement even before the election of the late President Muhammadu Buhari that after eight years of his government, a Southern would emerge.
“Asiwaju has only been there for less than four years now, and we have seen the measures the reforms that he undertook. The reforms that he introduced in order to improve the social economic development of this country.”
Highlighting some of the bold reforms of Tinubu’s administration, the former Kano governor said, “All the candidates who contested with him in 2023 promised to remove fuel subsidy, even the previous government promised to remove the subsidy but nobody was bold enough to do that job but Asiwaju has succeeded in removing the subsidy and now all the state Governors, irrespective of their political leaning, they believe they are getting more and more funds for the development of their respective states.
“He did not say that he removed subsidy because he wanted to improve the APC governors, but he did it for the nation. So, this president has undertaken measures that will improve the economy of this country,” Ganduje said.
Assuring leaders of NNYLF of his support, Ganduje commended them for their boldness not only to mobilise votes for the re-election of Asiwaju but also to raise money to purchase his nomination forms.
“There’s no better commitment than this, you are contributing funds, you are also contributing your brain, you are contributing your energy and you are contributing your time to ensure the re-election of Asiwaju, I have to thank you for this.”
National Leader of NNYLF, Muhammad Gamji, who described Ganduje as a role model, added that as a governor, Ganduje made him one of the most popular youth leader through his support.
“We are here to tell you that wherever you focus, that’s where we go with you. We have all agreed to support the re-election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by massively mobilizing all the youths in the 19 Northern states and raising funds by his nomination form ahead of the election.
“We have to do this because some people are insinuating that the North will not vote for Asiwaju in 2027, but that’s a lie because nobody has supported us in the North like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,”Gamji declared.
The Forum used the opportunity to decorate Ganduje as the Grand Patron of the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum.
The Osun State Police Command has arrested the Chief Imam of Ummu Hanni Adigun Memorial Central Mosque in the Ogo-Oluwa area of Osogbo, alongside three other individuals, following the death of a car painter, Najeem Hammed, after an incident involving worshippers.
The situation triggered tension on Friday, as family members of the deceased disrupted Jumu’ah prayers at the mosque in protest over the incident.
Najeem, whose workshop is located in the Jaye area of Osogbo, reportedly went to the mosque around 6 a.m. for early morning prayers when an altercation occurred.
A source in the vicinity of the mosque, who requested anonymity, told The Nation that a disagreement arose after the prayer session while the Imam was delivering a sermon, leading to a confrontation between Najeem and members of the congregation.
The source said the situation escalated, resulting in Najeem being taken outside the mosque premises, where he sustained injuries.
Police officers from the Ataoja Divisional Police Station were alerted and reportedly conveyed him from the scene, but he was later confirmed dead.
When The Nation visited the mosque around 1 p.m., relatives of the deceased were seen protesting at the entrance, insisting that prayers should not hold following the incident.
The protest disrupted activities at the mosque, prompting police operatives to intervene and take the Chief Imam into custody for questioning.
Subsequently, some protesters occupied the mosque entrance, preventing worshippers from gaining access and warning against any attempt to resume prayer activities.
A family member of the deceased, identified as Nurudeen, said Najeem had planned to travel to Ibadan but decided to observe Subuhi prayers at the mosque, where the confrontation later occurred.
Police authorities are expected to continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“When we called to ask about his journey a policeman picked up the call and told us that he had altercation with some people and was held at Ataoja police station. When we got there that was when we realised that he was dead.”
Bloodstains were sighted at the fence of the mosques and the plank of wood in front of the mosque.
When contacted the Osun State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the incident.
He clarified that the victim was not attacked inside the Mosque but around it. We have arrested the Imam and three others connected to the incident. Further investigation has been launched to unravel the actual cause of the incident.
According to him, The incident happened this morning around after 6AM. No suspect has been arrested but information is on top gear to get those that perpetrated this evil act arrested. The DPO and other Tactical Team have been deployed to maintain law and order. The corpse has been deposited at Osun State Teaching Hospital.”
Ojelabi insisted that the deceased was mobbed around the Mosque and not actually inside the Mosque.
…Police boss: We won’t tolerate acts of insurrection in Lagos
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh, has reassurred traders of Owode Onirin Spareparts Market of his commitment to justice on the demolition of their shops by a suspected landgrabber last August.
He gave the assurance during a meeting with the traders at the market on Friday afternoon where he received a rousing welcome.
Addressing concerns about the Owode Onirin market, the commissioner clarified that structures demolished in the area were not pulled down by the Lagos State Government but by a land grabber, who has since been arrested.
He said the suspect illegally brought in police officers from outside Lagos State in violation of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive against protecting land grabbers.
Those officers, he said, have been transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department and are undergoing disciplinary procedures, alongside the land grabber, over deaths linked to the incident.
Since August 27, described as a tragic day for the community, CP Jimoh said the police have maintained constant engagement with traders and provided round-the-clock security to ensure business activities continue safely.
He said the command has ensured all necessary evidence to prosecute the suspect were secured, adding that reports of a ballistic test conducted was being expected.
Speaking on the protest that erupted on Wednesday in Ikeja which led to the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd, the CP insisted that the demonstration veered into violence and posed serious risks to public safety.
He accused the organisers of acts of insurrection, alleging that all attempts to make them understand it was unacceptable to block Awolowo Road for several hours, even after they had been addressed by lawmakers, proved abortive.
Acknowledging that peaceful protest and freedom of expression are essential to democracy, he noted that the Ikeja protest crossed a red line when organisers allegedly removed schoolchildren from classrooms and attempted to coerce them into joining the march.
According to him, some of the children, still in school uniforms, were too young to participate in a long trek from the Ikeja Underbridge to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Police, he said, insisted on their immediate withdrawal and safe return to school, describing the act as dangerous and contrary to international child-protection standards.
The commissioner also raised concern over the display of a coffin at the protest ground, describing it as a symbol of violence rather than peaceful dissent. He said the coffin was recovered from a group led by Taiwo Hassan and Daley Frank, whom he identified as organisers of the protest.
Despite provocation, insults and harassment directed at officers, Jimoh said the police exercised restraint and acted within the law.
He disclosed that three separate groups participated in the protest, two of which had no links to Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki or Makoko.
These groups, he alleged, mobilised people off the streets with stipends and exposed them to danger. By contrast, he said the Makoko community had a long history of peaceful engagement with government and the police, and had consistently informed security agencies ahead of protests.
Jimoh noted that unverified claims that children were killed during the protest were false and used to incite unrest, stressing that no families or parents of alleged victims were ever presented.
On the use of tear gas to disperse protesters, the commissioner said the decision was taken only after highways were blocked for over six hours, with reports of medical emergencies, stranded travellers and people fainting in traffic.
He stressed that no firearm was discharged during the operation.
CP Jimoh confirmed that Taiwo Hassan and Dale Frank were arrested for criminal acts committed in the presence of police officers and were charged to court within the constitutionally stipulated time.
Reaffirming the command’s commitment to human rights, he said peaceful and lawful protests would always receive police protection, warning traders against being misled by individuals with ulterior motives.
He added that police deployment in Owode Onirin market has been doubled, while urging civil society organisations and the media to verify facts before amplifying claims capable of disrupting public order.
Appreciating the CP for standing by them, the traders said they pulled back from the protest after they realised its organisers had ulterior motives.
According to them, they have been going to the State House of Assembly to register their grievances over the demolition of their shops and killing of their colleagues since August and have always received police protection.
“This time around, we received an invitation that all those whose markets were demolished in Lagos should come for a protest to the State House of Assembly. That’s why our people joined the protest. But on getting there, we saw it was something else. We had to draw back because we do not have any issue against the police. All we want is justice,” said one of the traders who claimed his shop was among those demolished.
Chairman of the Traders’ Association thanked the CP for always being there for them, nothing that he had visited the place thrice since the August incident.
He also confirmed that the traders were not fighting the police nor the state government, adding that they only want justice for their dead colleagues and those who lost sources of livelihoods.
