By Hadiza Abdulkadir

A highly anticipated publishing deal worth more than $2 million for Nigerian author Jerry Falade has collapsed after allegations that artificial intelligence (AI) may have been used in the creation of his debut crime novel, Call Me, I’ll Hide the Body.

The manuscript had attracted intense interest from publishers, with a 14-way bidding contest reportedly leading to a multimillion-dollar offer from a major U.S. publisher. However, Falade’s literary agents withdrew the novel after stating they could no longer verify that the manuscript had been written without AI assistance.

Falade has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that he wrote the novel himself. He has also argued that the accusations reflect racial bias within the publishing industry, claiming that Black authors face greater scrutiny over AI use than their white counterparts.

The controversy has sparked fresh debate about the growing role of AI in creative writing and the challenges publishers face in verifying the originality of manuscripts. It also highlights increasing concerns within the global publishing industry over authorship, copyright, and the ethical use of generative AI.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

Samira Isah Modibbo, a dedicated advocate for women, children, and survivors of gender-based violence, has passed away. She died on the night of Wednesday, August 5, 2026, after a prolonged battle with sickle-cell disease.

Known for her powerful voice and writing, Modibbo spent her life championing justice, compassion, and dignity for the most vulnerable members of society. Her advocacy touched many lives, and she is remembered for her unwavering commitment to social justice.

Funeral prayers (Jana’iza) were held at 9:00 AM at No. 16 Kangiwa Road (Layin Asibitin MSK), Makarfi Road, Rigasa, Kaduna. Her burial was conducted according to Islamic rites.

The community and several other loved ones, including those on social media, continue to pray for her soul, asking Allah (SWT) to forgive her shortcomings, bestow His mercy upon her, make her grave a garden among the gardens of Paradise, and grant her Al-Jannatul Firdaus.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Anthony Adeosun, husband of former Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun, has passed away at the age of 62.

According to an official statement issued by the family, Mr Adeosun died on Wednesday. Further details regarding the cause of death have not yet been disclosed by the family.

In their statement, the family requested privacy as they grieve the loss of their patriarch and noted that details regarding funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Kemi Adeosun served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance from November 2015 until her resignation in September 2018. 

Messages of condolence from public officials, political associates, and well-wishers have begun pouring in to comfort the former minister and her family during this difficult period.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has concluded the first batch of textbook assessments for the 2026 National Book Assessment and Ranking Exercise, a key initiative aimed at improving the quality of instructional materials used in schools across Nigeria.

The Daily Reality reports that the development was announced in a statement by NERDC following the completion of the exercise, which forms part of the Federal Government’s quality assurance measures for educational resources.

The assessment, conducted from July 23 to 27, brought together panels of subject specialists, curriculum experts, language professionals and other education stakeholders to evaluate textbooks submitted for Primary One, Primary Four, Junior Secondary School One (JSS I) and Senior Secondary School One (SSS I).

The exercise aligns with the phased implementation of the new national curriculum.

According to NERDC, the assessment is a key component of the Federal Ministry of Education’s quality assurance framework, which requires all textbooks to undergo a rigorous evaluation before being ranked for possible recommendation and use in schools.

The Council said the initiative is designed to ensure that teachers and learners have access to instructional materials that are curriculum-compliant, academically sound, inclusive and pedagogically appropriate.

Speaking on the successful completion of the first phase, the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, commended the assessors for their professionalism, dedication and commitment throughout the exercise.

He described the assessment as a critical step toward strengthening quality assurance in educational publishing and improving learning outcomes nationwide.

According to Shehu, the introduction of the national book ranking system represents a major reform in the assessment and approval of textbooks, as it is intended to promote excellence, transparency and healthy competition among publishers while ensuring that only quality instructional materials are recommended for use in Nigerian schools.

“The integrity of the assessment process remains paramount. Every textbook was assessed using approved assessment guidelines and established quality benchmarks to ensure fairness, objectivity and consistency.

“Our goal is to provide Nigerian learners and teachers with textbooks that effectively support the implementation of the national curriculum and contribute to improved educational outcomes,” he said.

The NERDC boss also expressed appreciation to members of the assessment panels for dedicating their expertise and time to the exercise, describing their contributions as invaluable to improving the quality of educational resources in the country.

He disclosed that assessment reports from the first batch would proceed to the next stage of the ranking process in line with the approved Book Quality Guidelines and Ranking Framework.

Shehu reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, credible and evidence-based evaluation process that reflects international best practices in textbook assessment.

Also speaking, the Director of the Book Development Centre (BDC), Dr. Judith Kanu, praised the commitment of the assessment panels and reiterated the Council’s resolve to uphold the integrity of the ranking process.

She said every submitted textbook underwent a comprehensive evaluation using established criteria to ensure that only books meeting the required quality standards would be recommended for use in schools.

Kanu added that the completion of the first batch marks another important milestone in NERDC’s efforts to institutionalise a transparent and credible textbook assessment system capable of strengthening curriculum delivery and enhancing learning outcomes across the country.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen the bank account of the Osun State government, citing ongoing investigations into alleged fraudulent handling of public funds totalling N11 billion.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the anti-graft agency said it has been investigating the state government since March 2026 over suspected mismanagement of Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds, and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

According to the EFCC, several state officials, including the Accountant General, have already been interviewed by investigators as part of the probe.

The Commission explained that the freezing order became necessary after it observed “precipitate and unwarranted movement of funds” from the state’s accounts to various suspicious corporate entities beginning August 2, 2026.

“The Commission noticed huge transfers of funds into different corporate entities and had to swiftly halt the trend by freezing the accounts from which such heavy funds are being moved,” the statement read.

Acknowledging the timing of the action, which comes ahead of the state’s governorship election, the EFCC maintained that its preventive mandate supersedes political considerations.

“The Commission cannot watch idly while a state government’s account is being pillaged,” the statement said, adding that it would be “uncharitable” to use the upcoming election as an excuse to abandon its legally-assigned functions.

The EFCC further disclosed that it is monitoring the finances of other states similarly, noting that several state governments are currently on its investigative radar.

“The Commission has always pointed out that it is non-partisan and non-sectarian but always working in the overall interests of Nigerians,” the statement emphasized.

The anti-graft agency urged the public to disregard “false narratives and deliberate demonization” of its work, insisting that the account freeze was implemented to protect public funds from being looted.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who represents Abia North, has said he will leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ever shows disrespect to opposition parties or the Catholic Church.

The former governor of Abia State made the remark during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he also defended the President’s approach to political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Kalu argued that no politician would be expected to make the political environment easier for opponents, although he maintained that President Tinubu has treated members of the opposition fairly.

He said: “Will you just lay red carpet for the opposition to come and be dancing around if you are a politician?

“Tinubu is fair to them, he has not touched any of them unknowingly.

“The law of the land is very straightforward and if you respect the law of the land you will be well in the country.

“What he said is that he can’t give the opposition red carpet. If I’m your enemy will you give me a red carpet? If I’m fighting with you, will you give me red carpet?

“I’m a very fair minded man who speaks the truth, if I heard what he said that we are going to have a fair contest and he won’t touch anybody.

“Any day Tinubu disrespect the opposition or Catholic church I will resign from the APC.”

Kalu also advised Nigerians not to expect President Tinubu to offer political advantages to opposition parties as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum. He insisted that electoral competition should take place within the provisions of the law and expressed confidence that the President would ensure a level playing field.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The White House and the Pentagon have denied a report that claimed United States President Donald Trump confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the country’s weapons stockpiles during a recent meeting.

The Washington Post reported that the alleged exchange took place at Camp David during the sidelines of a Cabinet meeting. The newspaper cited two unnamed sources who claimed to be familiar with the discussion.

According to the report, President Trump became dissatisfied after he was informed that shortages of long-range and interceptor missiles had not been resolved. It also alleged that Trump told Hegseth he believed the problem had already been fixed. The report further claimed that Hegseth responded by indicating that Deputy Defense Secretary Stephen Feinberg was responsible for the issue.

The White House has, however, dismissed the report.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the claims as “100% fake news” and said the alleged confrontation never happened.

She also stated that President Trump continues to have “the utmost confidence” in Hegseth.

The Pentagon also rejected the allegations.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth neither misled the administration about the level of US munitions nor attempted to shift responsibility to Feinberg.

Parnell also dismissed claims that the United States had depleted weapons stockpiles. He rejected reports of internal disagreements within the Defense Department and disputes over policy toward Iran. He described all the allegations as entirely false.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Army has declared 38 senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) wanted as part of efforts to intensify operations against the terrorist group in the North-East.

The declaration followed intelligence gathered during recent military operations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State. According to the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI, troops recovered a camcorder and other intelligence materials during the offensive.

The military said forensic examination of the recovered devices helped security operatives identify several key ISWAP leaders and trace their locations within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

Among those on the wanted list is Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, who the army identified as the Wali (governor) of ISWAP and one of the group’s most wanted leaders in the Lake Chad Basin.

The list also includes Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man,” who was identified as the group’s deputy leader and Amirul Jaish. Another suspect is Hamad Abu Hanifa, whom the military identified as ISWAP’s Amirul-Fiya.

Operation HADIN KAI announced that a financial reward would be offered to anyone who provides credible information that leads to the arrest of Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa.

The military assured members of the public that all information received would be handled with strict confidentiality. It also said the identities of informants would be protected.

The army appealed to residents to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations by supplying timely and credible intelligence through established security channels or by calling 07084988859.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has assured its workforce that payment of the outstanding wage award will commence before the middle of August. It also said efforts are underway to clear promotion arrears owed to eligible public servants.

The assurance came during a meeting between the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the leadership of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC), Trade Side, led by its National President, Kabiru Minjibir.

A statement issued by the Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Efe Ovuakporie, said the minister informed the union that the government had already started addressing several of the issues raised before receiving the council’s formal communication.

Oyedele reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to resolving labour matters through dialogue and practical action.

“When government makes commitments, it delivers. We are not in the habit of making promises that cannot be fulfilled. Where there are outstanding issues, we will give realistic timelines and ensure they are implemented,” the minister said.

He explained that the necessary approvals for payment of the outstanding wage award were at the final stage. He expressed confidence that qualified public servants would begin to receive the payments before the middle of August.

The minister also said work was progressing on the payment of outstanding promotion arrears. He noted that pending batches were receiving attention in line with established procedures.

Oyedele directed relevant officials to examine documents submitted by the council, work with the appropriate Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and speed up action on unresolved issues that require government intervention.

He acknowledged concerns over delays in implementing some agreements but assured labour leaders that the government would continue to promote transparency, regular consultations and prompt responses.

“Our objective is to build a system where issues are resolved proactively. We want workers to have confidence that once government gives its word, it will honour that commitment,” he added.

Earlier, JPSNC President Kabiru Minjibir praised the minister for engaging with the union leadership. He urged the Federal Government to fast-track the resolution of outstanding labour issues, including the wage award, promotion arrears, salary relativity concerns affecting health workers and other matters involving public servants.

He said prompt implementation of the government’s commitments would strengthen industrial harmony and improve workers’ confidence in the administration.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omachi, said the ministry would continue to work closely with organised labour to ensure approved workers’ benefits are processed and released without unnecessary delays.

Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, Mohammed Danjuma, disclosed that Batch 7 promotion arrears, which were omitted during an earlier payment exercise, are now being processed alongside Batch 9.

He added that the government is also engaging relevant MDAs to address issues relating to the Peculiar Allowance and other outstanding labour matters.

Providing an update on the payment process, Director of the Cash Management Department, Christiana Osho, said reconciliation of the outstanding wage award had been completed and that the release of funds was at the final stage.

She explained that eligible public servants would begin receiving the wage award once the funds are released, while payment of promotion arrears would continue according to the approved schedule.

The Federal Government and the JPSNC reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation to ensure outstanding labour issues are resolved promptly and industrial harmony is sustained across the federal public service.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Presidency has attributed the robust financial results posted by companies on the Nigerian Exchange in the first half of 2026 to the sweeping economic reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration since mid-2023.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the government highlighted the unification of the foreign exchange market as a cornerstone reform that has improved price discovery and enabled companies with significant foreign currency exposure to more accurately value their dollar-denominated revenues.

“By establishing a single, market-determined exchange rate, the reform improved price discovery and enabled companies with substantial foreign currency exposure to more accurately reflect the value of their dollar-denominated revenues in their financial statements,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The reform has particularly benefited export-oriented businesses such as Aradel Holdings and Seplat Energy, whose revenues are largely linked to international oil prices and settled in foreign currency.

The administration’s commitment to strengthening investor confidence in the energy sector was further demonstrated through the timely approval of several landmark upstream transactions, including the Renaissance Africa Energy consortium’s acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company assets and Seplat Energy’s acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited’s assets.

“These strategic approvals significantly expanded the reserve base, production capacity, and long-term growth prospects of both companies while removing regulatory uncertainty,” Onanuga stated.

Manufacturing and industrial companies, including Dangote Cement, BUA Cement, and HBM (formerly Lafarge Africa), have similarly benefited from improved access to foreign exchange and a more predictable currency market, enabling better production planning and more efficient procurement of imported inputs.

The removal of the petrol subsidy has significantly strengthened the government’s fiscal position, increasing capacity for infrastructure investment and reinforcing broader macroeconomic stability, according to the statement.

Onanuga noted that tighter monetary management, ongoing financial sector reforms, and banking sector recapitalisation have strengthened the financial system’s capacity to support large-scale corporate financing.

“Rather than reflecting isolated firm-level developments, these results illustrate how comprehensive structural reforms can translate into measurable improvements in corporate financial performance through stronger market fundamentals and a more predictable business environment,” the statement concluded.