Month: August 2026

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.

By Uzair Adam

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has disowned documents and correspondences circulating in the public requesting financial support for the production, printing and nationwide distribution of the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) for the 2026/2027 academic session.

In a disclaimer signed by the Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Salisu Shehu, the council described the documents as fictitious and frivolous, warning individuals, organisations and institutions against responding to such requests.

The council stated that the purported correspondences did not originate from NERDC and should be disregarded.

“Our attention has been drawn to fictitious and frivolous document and correspondences purported to emanate from the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) requesting for financial support for the production, printing, and nationwide distribution of the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) covering the 2026/2027 academic session,” the statement read.

NERDC further said it “strongly and unequivocally” disclaimed and disowned any document or correspondence requesting financial support for the production, printing and distribution of the revised curriculum under any arrangement.

The council explained that adequate plans had already been put in place for the production, printing, dissemination and distribution of the revised Basic Education Curriculum through the appropriate federal and state education authorities, agencies and departments.

According to the statement, there is no need for any institution or organisation to provide financial support for the exercise, as the established channels for implementation have already been arranged.

NERDC therefore called on government agencies, educational institutions, departments and members of the public to ignore any correspondence claiming to have been issued by the council seeking financial assistance for the curriculum project.

“We therefore call on all relevant agencies, departments, institutions and the general public to disregard and discountenance any correspondence purported to be written by NERDC requesting financial support for production, printing and distribution of the Revised Basic Education Curriculum (BEC),” the Executive Secretary said.

The council also assured stakeholders in the education sector of its commitment to maintaining diligence in its official communications and safeguarding the integrity of the national curriculum while ensuring that the revised curriculum is made readily available through appropriate channels.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Renowned Bollywood actor Pradeep Rawat, celebrated for his iconic portrayals of antagonistic characters, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the age of 74.

The veteran star had been receiving medical treatment for blood cancer (leukemia) for over a month before he ultimately succumbed to the illness at a hospital in Mumbai.

Rawat carved a unique niche for himself in the Indian film industry, particularly in Bollywood, where his menacing screen presence and powerful dialogue delivery made him a household name. Widely recognized for his role as the quintessential “Mugun Boss,” he became one of the most recognizable faces of villainy in Hindi cinema, leaving an indelible mark on the masala film genre.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Rawat shared screen space with numerous top-tier actors and delivered memorable performances that solidified his legacy as one of the finest negative actors of his era.

Fans and fellow industry professionals have flooded social media with heartfelt tributes, celebrating his immense contribution to the world of entertainment. He will be fondly remembered for his unique style, commanding on-screen charisma, and the unforgettable characters he brought to life.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has firmly denied claims that he endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential polls, stating that he has no preferred candidate among those vying for the nation’s top seat.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Prince Bashir Adefaka, the revered traditional ruler dismissed social media reports suggesting he had called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid as “false and misleading.”

“Our simple response to the report is that it is not possible for the Sultan, as the father of all, to make such a statement, either publicly or in any other forum,” the statement read in part.

The monarch emphasized that his position as a traditional and religious leader demands impartiality, making it inappropriate for him to endorse any political candidate ahead of a national election. He stressed that the office he occupies requires neutrality and that he remains accessible to all Nigerians irrespective of their political affiliations.

The statement further described the reports linking him to President Tinubu’s 2027 campaign as malicious and an attempt by individuals with selfish interests to drag the Sultan into partisan politics.

“The Sultan’s doors cannot be shut against anyone who comes to him, regardless of political affiliation or persuasion. His Eminence has consistently demonstrated that he is the father of all and will continue to relate with all Nigerians without discrimination,” the statement added.

The clarification comes amid rising political activities and speculations ahead of the 2027 general election, with prominent national figures and traditional rulers often becoming subjects of political claims and endorsements on social media platforms.

By rejecting the reports, the Sultan reaffirmed his commitment to remaining above partisan politics while continuing to promote peace, national cohesion and equal treatment for all Nigerians, regardless of their political preferences.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A police inspector and a Nigerian Air Force lance corporal have lost their lives after gunmen ambushed a joint security patrol in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to information published by counter-insurgency platform Zagazola Makama, the attackers also escaped with the slain officers’ service rifles after the attack.

The report stated that the incident occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday. It said four security personnel from two guard locations had mounted a snap roadblock along the Ganawuri–Sabon Gida road before the attack.

“The sources said that while the team was returning to their respective duty posts, two of the personnel failed to return, prompting troops to immediately launch a clearance operation,” Makama reported.

“During the search, security forces discovered the bodies of an Inspector of the Nigeria Police Force and Lance Corporal of the Nigerian Air Force.

“Their service weapons had been taken by the attackers.”

The publication said security operatives later evacuated the bodies of the deceased personnel from the scene. It added that their motorcycle was also recovered.

Preliminary findings reportedly showed that the ambush took place near an area previously occupied by herders, who were said to have fled with their cattle before reinforcements reached the location. The report also noted that the attack occurred close to a Berom community.

“Security forces have since commenced cordon-and-search operations around nearby communities, while clearance operations are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen weapons,” Makama said.

“Authorities said investigations into the incident are continuing, with additional details expected as operations progress.”