By Ishaka Mohammed

The Federal Government of Nigeria has opened applications for a six-month professional teaching qualification programme for non-professional teachers in the country.

According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the programme, titled Accelerated Teacher Professionalisation Pathway (ATPP), costs ₦200,000, which can be paid in three instalments.

The ATPP offers two qualification routes: the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) for holders of non-education bachelor’s degrees or HNDs, and the Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) for holders of ONDs or NDs.

However, only individuals with at least two years of classroom teaching experience are eligible. 

Launched on September 7, 2026, the application portal will remain open until September 25. The application is free.

Interested and eligible individuals can apply at https://applicant.safapply.com/atpp and choose any of the following study centres:

National Teachers’ Institute

Nnamdi Azikiwe University

University of Lagos

University of Port Harcourt

University of Ilorin

Ahmadu Bello University

University of Maiduguri

National Open University of Nigeria

MIVA Open University 

Meadow Hall College of Education

Babcock University

There is more information on https://atpp.education.gov.ng/.

By Anwar Usman

Former Kano State governor and the Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said a government led by the party’s candidate, Peter Obi, would reintroduce fuel subsidy, but through a different approach.

Kwankwaso, made this known during an interview with Arise News while discussing fuel pricing and the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said the NDC would look for other alternatives to reduce the cost of petrol for Nigerians, including increased investment in domestic refining.

“No, no, no, look. We are bringing subsidy in our own way,” Kwankwaso said when asked whether the party’s position on subsidy would affect its campaign in the North-West.

Explaining how that could be achieved Kwankwaso said government could establish more refineries to boost local production and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

He further stated that, the expansion of domestic refining capacity would help ensure that Nigerians can purchase petrol at what he described as a reasonable price.

“Now, if individuals in this country could build refineries, I see no reason why government, under certain circumstances, will not build a refinery or refineries to the extent that we achieve the minimum requirement,” he said.

Kwankwaso said the NDC would prioritise measures aimed at lowering fuel prices.

“What is the minimum requirement? The minimum requirement is for the people across the country to go to the filling stations and buy fuel at a reasonable price,” he added.

“We, in the NDC, will do whatever it takes, really, to put the price of oil down.”

The NDC chieftain also criticised how Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in 2023.

He noted that the major presidential candidates in the 2023 election had supported subsidy removal as the major way of reviving the country’s economy but accused the current government for implementing the policy withoutproper consultation.

According to him, the decision was taken without adequately addressing the consequences associated with subsidy removal.

“And not only he decided to remove the subsidy, what he did was to remove it immediately — in fact, day one — without looking at all those possible issues that were associated with that,” Kwankwaso said.

By Lamara Garba

For years, the menace of drug abuse has remained one of the most troubling challenges confronting Nigerian society, particularly its young population. What begins with substance use can develop into addiction, broken family relationships, school dropout, unemployment, violence and criminality. In many communities, the consequences are no longer hidden.

The problem has assumed an even more worrying dimension in Kano, where drug abuse has increasingly been linked with street violence, gang activities, thuggery popularly known as DABA, phone snatching and other social vices.

Available national data indicate the enormity of the challenge. The International Centre for Investigative Reporting, citing data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, reported that about 14.4 per cent of Nigerians aged 15 to 64, representing more than 14.3 million people, use psychoactive substances non medically, while more than three million suffer from severe drug use disorders. The same report, citing National Drug Law Enforcement Agency data, put Kano’s prevalence at about 16 per cent, making it one of the most affected states in the North West.

It is against this disturbing background that the Kano State Government, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, moved to establish a multi agency response to the problem.

On 22 July 2026, the Governor inaugurated the Kano State Multi Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, with Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado as Chairman. The initiative brought together security, law enforcement, health, traditional, religious and civil society stakeholders in a coordinated effort to confront drug abuse, illicit trafficking and their associated criminal activities.

Two months later, the emerging record of the Task Force presents a picture of an intervention that has moved rapidly from policy declaration to field operations.

Addresing the Media to Mark the two Months of operation on Tuesday 22nd September, 2026 the Chairman of the Task Force Alhaji Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado aaira more than 380 suspects have been arrested, while over 230 convictions have been secured, according to the Chairman’s latest briefing.

For a state battling a problem as complex as drug abuse, these figures are more than statistics. They offer a glimpse into the scale of criminal activity taking place around drug markets, while also showing the extent of the enforcement response that has been mobilised.

The operations have taken the Task Force into locations identified as drug joints and criminal black spots, including Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo and other areas within the metropolis and beyond.

The approach has been to dislodge the gathering points where drug users, dealers and suspected criminals converge, rather than simply wait for individual offenders to appear elsewhere.

Earlier operations had already shown the breadth of the challenge. In August, the Task Force carried out raids in Rimin Gado and Doka communities, arresting 28 suspects and recovering assorted illicit substances. The Chairman said the operations would extend beyond the metropolis to all 44 local government areas of the state.

By September, the scale of the operations had increased. Another operation involving Gandun Albasa, Kasuwar Rimi, Fagge and railway areas resulted in the arrest of at least 70 suspected drug users and others allegedly involved in related activities. The Task Force also announced a target of removing 10,000 vulnerable youths from the streets for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration.

Behind these operations is an understanding that the drug problem does not exist in isolation.

It is connected to a wider ecosystem of criminality. The Task Force Chairman says some drug joints serve as meeting points for individuals who later engage in DABA, phone snatching and other forms of street violence. The decision to combine drug enforcement with action against gang related activities therefore represents an attempt to address some of the consequences surrounding substance abuse at the same time.

Several suspected gang members have been arrested and convicted, including individuals identified as Abdullahi Ahmad, popularly known as Horror, Abubakar Sada, known as Daburi, Abdullahi Sani, known as Sarki Ale, and Umar Aliyu.

The message from the Task Force is that drug abuse and associated criminal behaviour will no longer be treated as ordinary street activities.

But perhaps the most disturbing dimension of the campaign is the vulnerability of children.

In one of the cases that has attracted considerable attention, 43 underage children were rescued after investigations indicated that some of them, while engaged in street scavenging, were allegedly supplied with rubber solution and other intoxicating substances instead of receiving appropriate payment for their services.

Two men, Kabiru Isa, popularly known as Mada, and Usman Hamisu, known as Mani, were subsequently convicted. Each received a cumulative nine year prison sentence without an option of fine, according to the Task Force and reports of the court proceedings.

The case is significant because it exposes another face of the drug crisis.

Children who should be protected from intoxicating substances were allegedly being drawn into a cycle of exploitation and substance abuse. For such children, intervention cannot end with the arrest of those responsible.

They need medical attention, counselling, family support, education and protection.

The 43 children rescued have undergone medical checks and are receiving counselling and treatment, while efforts continue to identify their families. Some have already been reunited with their relatives.

This combination of enforcement and protection is becoming a defining feature of the Task Force’s intervention.

The campaign has also exposed concerns around the diversion of controlled medicines from legitimate supply chains.

The Task Force says it seized about 870,000 capsules of Pregabalin from a pharmaceutical company in the state over suspected diversion for illicit use.

The concern is not limited to street dealers. It raises questions about the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain and the responsibility of companies, pharmacy managers, superintendent pharmacists and other personnel to ensure that controlled medicines do not find their way into illicit markets.

The Chairman has consequently called on pharmaceutical stakeholders to strengthen their internal controls and cooperate with inspections and investigations.

The scale of controlled medicine seizures in Kano has also been reflected in separate NDLEA operations. In September, the agency reported the seizure of 785,000 Pregabalin capsules weighing more than 669 kilograms in Sabon Gari, Kano, in an operation that resulted in the arrest of a 20 year old suspect.

Such developments demonstrate that the drug problem is not simply a matter of individuals consuming substances on the streets. It also involves supply networks, distribution channels and access to controlled medicines.

The Task Force has therefore adopted a broad enforcement approach that brings together several agencies.

Police, NDLEA, DSS, NSCDC, Correctional Service, Hisbah, KAROTA and other stakeholders are participating in the operations.

The multi agency character is important because no single institution possesses all the powers, intelligence, personnel and facilities required to tackle a problem of this magnitude.

The Kano Government has also provided operational support to strengthen the campaign. In August, five new vehicles were handed over to the Task Force to enhance mobility, field operations and intelligence coordination.

Yet, perhaps the most important shift in the strategy is the recognition that enforcement alone cannot end drug abuse.

A person addicted to drugs may be arrested, prosecuted or convicted, but if the underlying problem remains untreated, another vulnerable young person can take his or her place.

The Task Force has therefore combined enforcement with prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration.

Its sensitisation campaign has taken the anti drug message into communities, schools, markets, religious institutions and other public spaces. The objective is to prevent young people from entering the cycle in the first place.

At the same time, individuals already affected by drug abuse are being referred for rehabilitation.

About 125 people have been referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute in Kiru for treatment and rehabilitation.

The growing demand for rehabilitation has, however, created another challenge. The Kiru facility has reportedly reached capacity as more families voluntarily seek help for relatives affected by drug abuse.

Rather than viewing this only as a problem, the Task Force sees the increasing demand for rehabilitation as an indication that families are becoming more willing to seek assistance.

The Kano State Government has consequently provided an additional facility in Tofa Local Government Area to expand rehabilitation services.

The new facility is expected to provide space for more people requiring treatment and rehabilitation.

But recovery is only one stage of the process. What happens after rehabilitation may determine whether the intervention produces lasting results.

A young person who leaves rehabilitation without employment, skills, family support or a productive means of livelihood can easily become vulnerable to the same environment that contributed to the original problem.

This is why the Task Force is now engaging industrial stakeholders and other partners on employment, skills acquisition and economic reintegration.

The stated target is ambitious: to take 10,000 youths off the streets, rehabilitate them, equip them with useful skills and reintegrate them into society.

The plan represents a shift from seeing drug users only through the lens of enforcement to recognising that some require medical, psychological, social and economic intervention.

Recent reports indicate that the Task Force’s rehabilitation proposal includes medical detoxification, structured rehabilitation, vocational training and support for economic reintegration. The Chairman has identified trades and practical skills as part of the strategy for helping beneficiaries become economically productive.

This approach also places an important responsibility on the wider society.

Government can provide facilities. Security agencies can make arrests. Courts can determine cases. Health professionals can provide treatment. Trainers can provide skills.

But communities must provide acceptance and support for those who successfully complete rehabilitation.

Families must be willing to participate in the recovery process. Employers and businesses must be prepared to provide opportunities. Religious and traditional institutions must continue to educate communities. Civil society organisations must support prevention and reintegration.

The media, too, has an important role to play.

Reporting the number of arrests and seizures may communicate the scale of enforcement, but sustained public education requires deeper storytelling about prevention, treatment, recovery and the consequences of drug abuse.

The first two months of the Kano Task Force therefore tell two stories at once.

The first is the disturbing magnitude of the problem.

More than 380 arrests, over 230 convictions, the dismantling of drug joints, the recovery of illicit substances and weapons, cases involving vulnerable children, alleged diversion of controlled medicines and the disruption of phone snatching and gang networks all point to a challenge that extends well beyond individual drug consumption.

The second story is the emergence of a coordinated response.

The Task Force has brought enforcement agencies and other stakeholders together, moved into identified black spots, pursued prosecutions, rescued vulnerable children, expanded sensitisation, referred affected individuals for rehabilitation and begun planning for skills acquisition and reintegration.

The journey is still at an early stage.

Two months is not enough to declare victory over a problem that has developed over many years. Indeed, the scale of the arrests and seizures suggests that the challenge remains substantial.

What the first two months demonstrate is that the response has moved from concern to organised action.

The real measure of success in the months ahead will not only be the number of arrests or convictions. It will also be whether fewer young people enter the cycle of substance abuse, whether vulnerable children are protected, whether rehabilitation produces sustainable recovery, whether former users find productive livelihoods and whether communities become safer.

For Kano, therefore, the next phase may be even more important than the first.

The foundations of enforcement have been laid. Rehabilitation facilities are being expanded. Prevention activities are reaching communities. A target of 10,000 youths has been set.

The challenge now is to sustain the momentum, strengthen coordination and ensure that every intervention, from the street corner to the courtroom and from the rehabilitation centre to the workplace, contributes to the same objective.

A drug free society cannot be created by arrests alone.

It requires prevention before addiction, intervention when addiction occurs, justice where criminality is established, rehabilitation for those who need it and opportunity for those seeking a second chance.

That is the larger test facing Kano’s anti drug campaign.

Two months into the operation, the Task Force has shown that the state has begun confronting the problem on several fronts.

The months ahead will determine how far that coordinated response can transform the lives of those caught in the drug crisis and restore confidence in communities that have long lived with its consequences.

Lamara Garba, mnipr, is a member of the Multi Agency Task Force on Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Bandits in Zamfara State have reportedly demanded N30 million for the release of six Islamic clerics who were abducted after attending a special prayer session organised for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.

The reported abduction was disclosed by conflict reporter D English Alhaji in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

According to the report, the clerics had attended the prayer session organised by the Director-General of the APC campaign and senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari.

The reporter said the abductors had contacted their victims’ representatives and demanded N30 million for their release.

“These are the six Sheikhs that were abducted by bandits in Zamfara after attending special prayers session for Tinubu and APC, organised by the DG campaign for APC, Sen. Abdulaziz Yari,” he wrote.

“Bandits are now demanding N30 million ransom for their release.”

The reported incident adds to concerns over abductions and ransom demands by armed groups in parts of Zamfara State.

The Daily Reality could not independently verify the identities of the six clerics, the circumstances of their abduction or the reported ransom demand from the information provided.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has disclosed plans by his conglomerate to invest more than $10bn in the power sector over the next few years as part of efforts to address Africa’s electricity deficit and support industrial growth.

Dangote made the disclosure during an interview with Al Jazeera, where he identified unreliable electricity supply and frequent changes in government policies as major obstacles to investment across the continent.

He said the group was considering shifting funds from some planned ventures, including steel, into electricity generation and other power projects.

“And I’m telling you in the next three to four years, there will be a major transformation in Africa, and that’s why we’re looking at power. We are going to invest in power. There are one or two businesses that we might cancel, like steel, and we will put the money in power. We want to invest over $10bn alone in power.”

The businessman also expressed concern over the number of Africans without access to electricity, saying the continent could not afford to leave hundreds of millions of people without reliable power.

“We Africans should not really allow over 600 million of our people to remain in darkness.”

Dangote described electricity as a major driver of economic expansion and said effective power supply could also influence how citizens assess the performance of political leaders.

“You know, if some politicians work hard and have a plan, when you deliver power, you don’t need to go for a campaign when you’re going for an election. Power is key; we will never create growth without power. That’s why they say power is growth. When I say power, I mean electricity is growth.”

He said Africa must expand its industrial base if it hopes to create enough jobs and achieve sustained economic development. He also called for a reduction in the continent’s dependence on imported products.

Addressing concerns about investment in Africa, Dangote attributed some of the challenges to inconsistent government policies and inadequate electricity supply.

“The problem really is, it takes two to tango. I think in the past, there’s been a lot of flip-flops in government policies. Government policies were changing every day, and then, the lack of electricity is also there.

“So, these two issues haven’t gone away. They are still there. But for some of us that really mean business, we are here, and we know that yes, without our intervention, Africa will never be able to create jobs. If there’s no industrialisation, how do you create jobs? You can’t,” he said.

Dangote warned that Africa could eventually face difficulties financing the goods it imports if it fails to strengthen local production.

“One day we will not have money to import what we are consuming. So how can we remain an import continent? It has to change. But that change can only happen when Africans believe in Africa, and they invest in Africa,” he stated.

He said more investors were becoming interested in African businesses because of the opportunities on the continent. According to him, his investment philosophy also focuses on wider participation in business and stronger corporate governance.

“We want to make sure it’s about spreading the wealth. It’s about getting more people in the business. It’s also about corporate governance. So that’s the direction.”

On allegations that his expanding business interests were creating a monopoly, Dangote said he remained focused on his objectives.

“Well, you know, if I’m going to listen to that, have you ever seen a footballer looking at the audience? He has to continue looking at the ball. If I’m Messi, for example, I’m kicking the ball, and I’m looking at the audience, do you think I won’t miss the ball? I will miss the ball,” he stated.

He argued that accusations of monopoly would not deter his investment plans, insisting that his businesses had not been given exclusive rights by the government.

“If I’m going to make my continent great and people want to call me a monopoly for no reason, so be it. I mean, it’s not going to reduce the colour of my face or whatever. You can call me whatever you want to call me; I didn’t stop anybody; it is an opportunity given to everybody, every one of us has that opportunity whether Africans, foreigners or whoever,” he stressed.

Dangote said government policies created opportunities for investors across various sectors rather than reserving them exclusively for his companies.

“There’s nothing that the government gave us and say, ‘this is only for Dangote ’. The government will create a policy around a sector, and they will blow a whistle and say, ‘ Yes, this is it,” he noted.

He compared investment to a 100-metre race, saying those who chose not to participate should not blame investors who took the opportunity.

“If there’s a 100-metre race, some people were on the bench while I’m on the track, and I agreed to run that race, and I won that race alone, are you going to blame me or are you going to blame people who just sat on the bench?” he asked.

He also rejected claims that his business expansion resulted from a lack of opportunities for others.

“They’re not ready, they’re not prepared, they don’t even believe in Africa itself. If you don’t invest, you are not going to get fruit of that labour,” he replied to those accusing him of monopoly.

Dangote acknowledged that criticism would continue but said his businesses would remain focused on their long-term objectives.

“The distraction will continue. But we have what you call a very thick skin. No matter what you do, even if you take bullets, you are hitting our body with it; we’re not going to stop. We have a target, and we’re getting to our target.

“And if we don’t do it, believe me honestly, Africa will be in trouble. And I would rather save my continent at the expense of even my life. This continent must get to the promised land,” he declared.

He further advocated greater processing of African raw materials within the continent before export, saying local value addition could strengthen industries and retain more economic benefits.

Dangote said governments could eventually introduce stronger measures to encourage local processing once the economic benefits became more evident.

“Eventually they (foreigners) will stop taking our raw materials. They must produce on our own continent.

“You see, once we show people how to do all these, even the governments themselves will start saying, no, you can’t take our cocoa, process it here and add value, then you take it out,” he stated.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the opposition of some All Progressives Congress governors to the proposed Rainbow Coalition is linked to their political calculations over the leadership of the National Assembly after the 2027 elections.

Wike made the allegation on Monday during an appearance on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, where he defended the coalition and rejected concerns that it could weaken the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The FCT minister said the coalition was primarily intended to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election. He argued that politicians could support Tinubu for president while backing candidates of their preferred parties in governorship and legislative elections.

He cited the 2023 elections as an example, recalling that members of the G5 group supported Tinubu’s presidential bid while their parties contested other positions.

“In 2023, core leadership G5, we said we are going to support Mr President. But we never said that all our candidates in other elections will fail. We never said so,” Wike said.

He added, “Particularly in Rivers State, we supported Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; he won the presidential election. But in National Assembly election and the state election, PDP won.”

Wike dismissed the argument that such a voting pattern would confuse Nigerians. He said voters had already demonstrated that they could support different parties in different elections.

“Who will be more confused? Is it not my own candidates that will even be more confused when I’ve told them to support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and then again, they now go back to support other candidates?”

According to Wike, some APC governors are concerned that politicians who fail to secure tickets under the ruling party could contest on other platforms and win their elections. He alleged that such lawmakers might then refuse to support candidates favoured by the governors for leadership positions in the National Assembly.

“APC in their ongoing party primaries, the governors, in their own wisdom, believe that they should be able now to put senators or House of Reps members who they will dictate to who will become the next Senate President or the Speaker,” he alleged.

He continued, “The fear now is that, if they run and they win, it means that they’re not going to support him to be the Senate President,” he said.

Wike specifically linked the issue to Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma. He alleged that Uzodimma was interested in becoming Senate President after leaving office.

“Mr. President will be inaugurated by May 29. This man’s office will expire by January, February 2028.

“Now, he wants to leave his office to run for Senate. Now, what does that mean? He wants to run for Senate President. Now, what he does is to say to his colleagues, ‘Look, let us, the governors, be the ones that will produce the senators that will produce members of the House of Representatives.

“And of course, some of the governors are not experienced. They buy in, thinking it’s going to make them powerful, not knowing that he has his own interests, his own agenda, to become Senate President,” Wike said.

The FCT minister also made his position on Uzodimma’s alleged ambition clear.

“Life or death, I will never support a character of Hope Uzodimma to be the Senate President of Nigeria. Everybody knows that,” the minister stated.

Wike said his position should not be interpreted as a personal dispute. He maintained that the political interests behind the disagreement should be considered within the wider contest ahead of 2027.

The disagreement comes after the APC Governors Forum declared that it would not support any alliance or political arrangement capable of undermining Tinubu’s re-election, weakening the APC or affecting the party’s candidates. Uzodimma announced the position after a meeting of the governors in Abuja.

Wike also rejected reports that President Tinubu had agreed to concede nine states to the PDP or the Rainbow Coalition as part of a political arrangement.

“The nine states, did they tell you the nine states?”

He added, “Let us help Nigerians. Let’s get the facts. Who are… which are those states? Tell us. That they said the President agreed with me that he has conceded nine states.”

The minister said his political focus remained on supporting Tinubu’s re-election and promoting what he described as the achievements of the administration.

“Mr. President is showing his postcard. We are selling Mr. President what he’s been doing, why he should be re-elected,” he said.

Wike also said Tinubu was aware of the Rainbow Coalition and his activities around the proposed arrangement.

“As I speak to you here, Mr. President knows about my concept, of the rainbow coalition…. Mr. President understands me very well,” Wike said.

He maintained that the coalition was not intended to take over the APC or prevent other parties from presenting candidates for governorship and legislative contests.

The FCT minister has previously said the coalition has no formal connection with the APC and that his stated objective is to support Tinubu’s second-term bid.

The disagreement has continued to generate reactions within the APC. The party’s South-East caucus previously called on Wike to apologise to APC governors over his comments about their opposition to the coalition.

Wike, however, has maintained his position that support for Tinubu in the presidential election can coexist with support for candidates from other parties in governorship and legislative elections.

The minister’s latest comments further highlight the growing disagreement between his Rainbow Coalition initiative and APC governors over how political support should be organised ahead of the 2027 elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has explained President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s absence from the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, saying Nigeria remains fully represented at the high-level gathering.

The clarification followed public comments about the President’s decision not to attend the annual gathering of world leaders in person.

In a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the Federal Government said President Tinubu had directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA.

It said, “The Vice President will deliver Nigeria’s national statement and participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements with world leaders, international organisations and development partners.

“Nigeria will therefore be fully and effectively represented throughout the high-level session.

“Vice President Shettima carries the full mandate of the President and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His engagements in New York will advance Nigeria’s priorities on peace and security, economic development, climate action, reform of the global financial architecture, sustainable development and international cooperation.”

Idris also noted that Tinubu is currently on annual leave. He said the President’s decision to delegate the responsibility to his deputy does not represent a reduction in Nigeria’s diplomatic presence or standing.

The minister also addressed recent comments from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a United States-based lobbying organisation retained by him over Tinubu’s absence from the UNGA.

According to the Federal Government, the comments sought to attach motives to the President’s decision that were not supported by facts.

It said, “Political opposition and robust public debate are legitimate features of democracy. However, speculation should not be presented to Nigerians or the international community as established facts. The government urges political actors to exercise responsibility when discussing matters affecting Nigeria’s international relationships and national reputation.

“Nigeria values its longstanding relationship with the United States, encompassing trade and investment, security cooperation, energy, democratic institutions, regional stability and extensive people-to-people ties.

“That relationship is conducted through established diplomatic and governmental channels and should not be confused with partisan commentary or the activities of private lobbying organisations acting on behalf of political clients.”

The Federal Government urged Nigerians and the media to separate confirmed information from political opinions and claims that lack supporting evidence.

It reaffirmed that Nigeria’s interests would remain a priority throughout the UNGA and that diplomatic engagements with international partners would continue.

“Nigeria will be fully represented in New York. Nigeria’s interests will be vigorously advanced. And the work of strengthening the country’s relationships with its international partners will continue.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspects over the alleged theft and sale of a four-day-old baby whose mother is mentally challenged.

The suspects were taken into custody on September 16, 2026, after operatives of the Violent Crimes Response Unit and Rapid Response Unit, Obehie, received what the police described as “credible and actionable intelligence.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Chinaka named the suspects as Gladys Nathaniel, 48; Victor Udochukwu, 47; Chijioke Obunwa, 59; and Onyeonoro Chinwe, 43.

She said police investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly conspired to take the newborn from its mother and later sold the child to another person.

“The suspects allegedly conspired to steal a four-day-old baby from her mentally unstable mother and subsequently sold the infant to another person,” the statement read.

According to the PPRO, the police rescued both the baby and its mother after the suspects were apprehended.

She said the mother was released into the care of her family, while the baby was placed under the protection of the Ministry of Women Affairs.

“The baby and mother were rescued. The mother has been released to her family for proper care and medical attention, while the infant has been handed over to the Ministry of Women Affairs for protective custody,” she stated.

The four suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues at the State Criminal Investigation Department.

Chinaka said the suspects would be charged before a court after investigators conclude their inquiry.

The Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, said the command would continue to protect vulnerable persons and ensure that suspects responsible for such offences are brought to justice.

The development comes against the backdrop of other recent cases involving alleged child trafficking and illegal maternity facilities.

In August, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons sealed a residential apartment in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, after it was suspected to have been converted into an illegal maternity facility by a suspected child-trafficking syndicate.

NAPTIP also arrested the facility’s owner, whom it identified as a facilitator in the alleged sale of babies, alongside another staff member.

By Muhammad Umar Shehu

I have always believed one of the oldest tricks in politics is convincing people that temporary relief is evidence of good governance. It is a carefully managed performance. First, create uncertainty. Allow fear and anxiety to spread. Watch public frustration build. Then step in with what appears to be compassion. The same government that created the tension suddenly presents itself as the rescuer. Many applaud, forgetting who created the problem in the first place.

This is how propaganda works.

Propaganda is not always about telling outright lies. Sometimes it is about controlling public emotions. It is about deciding what people focus on and, more importantly, what they forget. It shifts attention from the real problems to carefully staged moments that create the illusion of responsive leadership.

One technique often seen in politics is card stacking, where only information that benefits those in power is highlighted while inconvenient facts are pushed aside. Another is glittering generalities, where attractive slogans and emotionally appealing catchphrases are repeated so often that they begin to replace serious conversations about policy. 

There is also transfer, where every government action is wrapped in patriotic language, encouraging citizens to equate support for those in power with love for the country. Add to that bandwagon, which creates the impression that everyone supports a particular government or policy, making dissent appear unreasonable or even unpatriotic. When these techniques are combined with carefully timed announcements and an aggressive media campaign, public attention shifts from measurable results to carefully managed political narratives.

Nigerians should understand this strategy because it has become increasingly common. Instead of addressing the structural problems affecting millions of citizens, government communication often focuses on managing public perception. The objective is not necessarily to improve people’s lives but to improve the government’s image.

While citizens celebrate temporary gestures or reassuring announcements, inflation continues to erode purchasing power. Food prices remain beyond the reach of many families. Businesses struggle to survive. Young people face unemployment and uncertainty. Public institutions continue to weaken while public confidence in government steadily declines.

This is why every Nigerian should ask a simple question whenever government suddenly presents itself as the people’s defender. What created the hardship in the first place? What lasting solution has been provided? Has anything fundamentally changed, or has public attention simply been redirected?

A government that genuinely puts citizens first does not depend on carefully timed public relations campaigns to maintain popularity. It develops policies that reduce hardship before people are pushed to the edge. It strengthens institutions instead of relying on media narratives to defend every controversial decision.

Unfortunately, propaganda has become a substitute for performance. Press statements are becoming more frequent than measurable achievements. Political branding is taking precedence over policy outcomes. The goal appears to be shaping perception rather than changing reality.

History teaches us that governments often become more confident when they believe public opinion can be managed rather than earned. Once citizens accept political theatre as leadership, accountability weakens. Leaders no longer feel compelled to deliver meaningful reforms because they discover that effective messaging can sometimes produce the same political reward as effective governance.

From my perspective, it is part of the trick. Once they secure a second term, they may feel less restrained and more willing to pursue policies that place even greater burdens on ordinary Nigerians. Nigerians should carefully examine the APC administration’s record before deciding its future. Those advocating another Tinubu term should also explain why they believe the country’s present direction deserves another mandate.

Tinubu has not demonstrated a convincing plan to rebuild Nigeria or strengthen the country’s institutions. My concern is that a second term could further weaken democratic accountability and concentrate even more power in the presidency. Whether Nigerians agree or disagree with that assessment, they should examine facts, policies and outcomes rather than political slogans and carefully managed publicity.

Democracy survives when citizens question narratives instead of accepting them at face value. Governments should be judged by the condition of the people, not by the quality of their communication strategy. A well-written press release cannot reduce inflation. A polished speech cannot put food on people’s tables. A sophisticated propaganda campaign cannot substitute for sound governance.

The greatest propaganda is not convincing people that everything is fine. It is convincing them that carefully managed political gestures are proof of good leadership.

Nigeria deserves more than slogans.

Nigeria deserves more than political theatre.

Nigeria deserves leaders who solve problems instead of managing perceptions.

Muhammad Umar Shehu wrote from Gombe and can be reached via umarmuhammadshehu2@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Five major United States television networks have suspended their pooled coverage of President Donald Trump after the White House barred CNN from carrying out its scheduled role as the television pool provider.

ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Fox News and CNN jointly announced the decision on Monday, September 21, 2026, following the Trump administration’s move to prevent CNN from participating in the rotating pool system.

The decision means that the major networks will not provide the usual shared television footage of Trump’s presidential events for the time being, including his engagements at the White House and his trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

The five networks defended the importance of independent media coverage in a joint statement.

“The public has a vital interest in receiving accurate, independent information about its government,” they said.

“No administration should restrict a news organisation because it objects to its reporting.”

The action came after the White House removed CNN from its scheduled pool assignment for Monday. CNN had been due to provide the rotating television coverage, under an arrangement through which the five networks take turns recording presidential events and distributing the footage to other broadcasters.

Bryan Boughton, Fox News’ Washington bureau chief and chair of the television pool, notified other members of the arrangement that no replacement would be provided for CNN.

“This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President. This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its duties,” Boughton wrote in an email.

The television pool is designed to allow one designated network to cover presidential events with cameras and share the resulting footage with other news organisations. The arrangement is particularly important for events where physical space limits the number of journalists and camera crews that can participate.

The dispute follows the Trump administration’s decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.

The three media organisations subsequently filed a lawsuit against Trump and senior White House officials in a federal court in Washington, alleging that their exclusion violated constitutional protections for freedom of speech and the press.

The outlets are seeking a temporary restraining order that would restore their access to the White House while the legal challenge proceeds.

Trump has defended his administration’s action, accusing the affected organisations of publishing what he described as “fake news” and arguing that the White House has the right to restrict access.

Vice President JD Vance also defended the administration’s position, saying the White House was not banning media organisations but was declining to provide special access to outlets it believed were engaging in propaganda.

However, the networks’ decision to suspend the television pool has created an unusual situation in which the five broadcasters that normally share responsibility for filming Trump’s presidential engagements have declined to provide a replacement crew.

The suspension could limit the availability of pooled television footage of Trump’s public engagements, including his activities surrounding the UN General Assembly in New York. Other journalists may still cover the events, but the normal shared television feed will not be available through the five-network pool.

The latest confrontation is part of a wider dispute between the Trump administration and several US media organisations over press access to the White House.

The legal challenge by CNN, MS NOW and Politico now places the dispute before the courts, while the decision by the five major television networks has intensified the standoff over media access and presidential coverage.