Month: October 2026

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has begun technical and vocational skills training for 777 young Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory as part of a broader initiative targeting about 80,000 youths nationwide.

The programme is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education through the Innovation, Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills Project, with support from the World Bank.

Speaking at the flag-off of the third cohort in Abuja on Friday, the First Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the ACCI Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, said the initiative was designed to address the gap between Nigeria’s growing youth population and the skills required by employers.

Adesugba said, “Nigeria’s challenge is not a shortage of young people. It is a shortage of young people equipped with skills the market is willing to pay for. Our economy does not need more certificates. It needs more competencies.”

He said the programme was focused on practical learning to ensure participants could demonstrate their abilities beyond obtaining certificates.

“That is why this programme is deliberately practical. By the end of it, each trainee will hold not just a certificate, but a portfolio of real work,” he said.

Adesugba urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that the programme covers their training fees, equipment, facilities and instruction.

The Deputy Director-General of ACCI and Head of the BEST Centre, Dr Tinuke Temitope, said the 777 trainees in Abuja formed part of the approximately 80,000 youths undergoing training across the country under the IDEAS Project.

She said the FCT beneficiaries were selected from seven accredited Training Service Providers and were undergoing training in areas such as digital and creative media, beauty and cosmetology, construction and building trades, agriculture and agribusiness.

Temitope disclosed that the BEST Centre was training 200 beneficiaries in digital media production after receiving more than 800 applications for the available slots.

She said the applicants were assessed based on their previous experience, qualifications and capacity, after which those who met the initial requirements participated in oral interviews.

According to her, the competency-based model was intended to equip participants with practical skills that could translate into employment and self-employment.

“All these 80,000 trainees, the model is that they can do something with their hands. They are not just carrying certificates up and down. They can actually use their hands to do these things,” she said.

Temitope added that ACCI would continue to support beneficiaries after the training through its platforms, including opportunities to join the chamber and develop their businesses.

The seven accredited Training Service Providers participating in the FCT cohort are the ACCI Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre, Onidiri Home of Beauty, Gemological Institute of Nigeria, iLearn Learning Spaces, Germnig Consultants Limited, Dari Investments Limited, and Binley and Bramble in partnership with School Hunters.

The organisers said the initiative was designed to increase access to quality technical and vocational education and training across the country.

Under the current cohort, beneficiaries are receiving competency-based training aligned with National Skills Qualification standards. They are also expected to undergo industry internships and receive support towards employment after completing their training.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has granted clemency to 27 inmates serving various sentences in correctional facilities across the state as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

The latest intervention brings the number of inmates who have benefited from clemency initiatives under Sani’s administration to more than 500 since he assumed office in 2023.

The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the statement, the intervention involved the release of eligible inmates as well as the payment of fines and compensation for victims. The Kaduna State Government has committed more than N300m to fines and compensation since 2023.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip, said the latest exercise was part of the governor’s practice of extending clemency to deserving inmates during major national occasions.

Kanyip said similar exercises had been carried out during New Year, Democracy Day and previous Independence Day celebrations.

He explained that the prerogative of mercy was exercised through established legal processes, with consideration given to accountability, rehabilitation and the responsibilities attached to freedom.

“The beneficiaries are expected to return to society with a renewed sense of responsibility and appreciation of their obligations to others,” Kanyip said.

He said the government’s intervention also addressed financial barriers that could prevent eligible inmates from regaining their freedom.

According to him, the payment of fines and compensation added a restorative justice component to the clemency exercise by recognising the interests of victims while supporting the reintegration of deserving inmates.

“Public safety, human dignity, rehabilitation, and the possibility of redemption should form part of the administration of justice,” he added.

The state government said the clemency initiative would also give beneficiaries an opportunity to reconnect with their families and communities and rebuild their lives.

It reaffirmed its commitment to rehabilitation, reconciliation and the reintegration of deserving inmates while maintaining a justice system that protects society and recognises the interests of victims.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned Nigerians against a fraudulent website falsely claiming that nationwide online voter registration is currently ongoing.

INEC identified the website as pvc-inecnigeria-org.blogspot.com, which reportedly advertises a supposed registration window from September 28 to October 27, 2026.

In an advisory issued on Saturday, the commission urged Nigerians not to visit the platform, click its links or submit personal information through it.

“Members of the public are strongly advised not to click on the link or submit any personal information on the website, as doing so may expose them to the risk of having their sensitive personal data harvested or misused,” the advisory read.

INEC clarified that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise had ended, and that claims of a new online registration exercise through the fraudulent website were false. The commission’s official voter registration portal also currently states that the CVR exercise has ended.

“The commission further wishes to clarify that the voter registration exercise closed on July 26, 2026. Any information suggesting that a new nationwide online voter registration exercise is currently ongoing through the above-mentioned website is false,” it stated.

The fake platform reportedly advertises what it describes as the “Final Phase of Nationwide Online Voter Card Registration” and offers services including updating voter details, transferring polling units and replacing lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards.

It also falsely claims that voter registration and PVC delivery are free.

INEC urged Nigerians to verify electoral information through its official communication channels and avoid submitting personal details to unauthorised websites.

The commission’s official website provides access to voter services and other election-related information.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has alleged that the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration contributed to the death of his mother, citing the rising cost of medicines.

Mr Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor and vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, made the allegation on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

“Because policies are killing people. I’ve lost my mother,” he said.

When reminded that his mother died at the age of 82, Mr Amaechi questioned why she could not have lived longer, arguing that her health deteriorated after the administration’s economic policies took effect.

“You want me to mention my friends who are 90 or 92 years old? Why do you think my mother couldn’t live up to 92? Tinubu was the reason. Before Tinubu, my mother was healthy,” he said.

“Suddenly, by the time Tinubu came, it was difficult to buy drugs for my mother. I know most of you won’t believe this.”

Mr Amaechi said the rising cost of medicines had affected many Nigerian families, leaving some unable to afford essential healthcare for their ageing parents.

He cited figures he attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics, claiming Nigeria spent N200 billion on drug imports in the last quarter. He added that about 40 per cent of finished goods were imported, describing the situation as a sign of dependence on imported products.

Mr Amaechi has repeatedly criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, especially the removal of the petrol subsidy, which he has linked to the rising cost of living.

He also expressed confidence that an administration led by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and himself would improve living conditions for Nigerians, saying citizens could begin to feel relief within a year.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

US President Donald Trump has promised to give $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans win control of Congress in the November midterm elections.

Trump said the proposed payment, which he called a “Trump Dividend,” could be funded partly by revenue from tariffs.

However, the plan has not been approved by Congress. The proposed payments could cost about $1.2 trillion, meaning significant legislative and financial challenges remain.

For now, the $5,000 payment is an election promise and is not a guaranteed government benefit.

By Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu

It is common knowledge that the world is experiencing numerous challenges. The Global Peace Index Report of 2025 says that the world has become less peaceful for the 13th time in the last 17 years: more conflicts, more militarisation, and fewer resources for peacebuilding. 

Similarly, the 2025 report by the Institute for Economic and Peace says global peace is at its lowest level and that there are now over 122 million people who have been forcibly displaced due to conflicts globally.

In Nigeria, insecurity and economic hardship dominate public discourse. Figures from the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that 614,937 Nigerians were killed and 2,235,954 others were kidnapped nationwide within a single year in 2024.

Analysts confirmed that the number of people killed in Nigeria in 2024 was higher than the death toll in Israel’s war on Gaza, where over 40,000 had died. The figure is far more than the killings from the long-running Russian war on Ukraine, where 57,500 had been massacred as of December 2024

According to the World Food Programme’s August 2026 Country Briefing, an estimated 36.2 million people in Nigeria are acutely food insecure, with 2.1 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity. The 2022 NBS reports claimed that 133 million people living in Nigeria are multidimensionally poor. 

This situation calls for a national prayer to seek divine intervention to complement the efforts of Governments at the state and Federal levels, which have been launching noble initiatives, projects, and programmes to end lingering insecurity and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

The Glorious Qur’an made it abundantly clear that many afflictions and tribulations are caused by the wrongdoings committed by men, as a test that, peradventure, men may turn to God, who promised them succour afterwards. “Chaos appears in the land and the sea because of the evil deeds which people’s hands have earned, in order to make them taste the flavour of some of their misdeeds – in order that they may come back” (Qur’an 30:41).

Muslims believe that prayer has the spiritual power to overcome compounding and complex situations. “Your Lord has said, ‘Pray to Me, for I shall answer your prayers'” (Qur’an 40:60). For instance, with a “single prayer”, Prophet Moses (A.S.) got comfort, food, accommodation, a job and thereafter a family (Qur’an 28:24 – 27). 

Allah has always assured the believers that “when My servants ask you about Me, then surely I am near: I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he prays to Me. So, let them respond to My call, and believe and trust in Me, so that they may be guided.” (Qur’an 2:186). 

To strengthen believers in the efficacy of prayer, the glorious Qur’an is replete with stories of Prophets like Zakariya, Ayyub, Yunus (A.S.), among others, who prayed for certain issues and had their prayers answered (Q21:83-90).

As a demonstration of patriotism embodied in spirituality and faithfulness, the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of the President General and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, organised a national prayer for peace, unity and prosperity of our dear country, Nigeria.

The prayer session, preceded by the recitation of the entire Glorious Qur’an, was attended by Chief Imams of the Central Mosques from 36 states of the Federation, representatives of Islamic Organisations in Nigeria, and Muslim leaders from various spheres of life.

The event saw patriotic believers eschewing differences, stripping off their ranks and status, converging on one of the sacred places in the land in awe of God with reverence, praying to God, the Creator of all creation, to grant “our one request: help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed, and so with peace and plenty”

One of the Qur’an’s most powerful lessons is that faith is not passive. Islam does not teach believers to sit and wait without effort. Rather, it teaches Muslims to pray sincerely and act decisively. The central message is that as one raises hands in prayer, one is equally expected to roll up their sleeves and act.

Consider the example of Maryam (Mary) in Qur’an 19:25. In her moment of pain and distress, Allah tells her to shake the trunk of a palm tree. A weak woman, exhausted, shaking a strong tree—this action alone could not bring down dates. Yet Allah wanted to teach believers: make the effort, even when it seems small, and He will bring the result.

Likewise, when Musa (Moses) stood before the sea with danger behind him, Allah commanded him in Qur’an 26:63 to strike the sea with his staff. The sea did not part until Musa acted. Again, the lesson is clear: divine help comes alongside human effort.

Allah reminds us in Qur’an 13:11: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” 

This is a call to responsibility. If we seek relief from hardship, we must turn to Allah with du‘a, while also striving to improve our condition.

The story of Nuh (Noah) reinforces the principle of pairing prayer with concrete and decisive action. In Qur’an 11:37, Prophet Nuh (A.S.) was commanded to build an ark long before any visible sign of the flood.

Despite ridicule from his people, he continued his work. His survival, and that of the believers with him, came not merely from prayer, but from obedient and sustained effort.

The Qur’an reassures believers in Qur’an 94:5-6 that “with hardship comes ease.” However, that ease is often reached through a combination of spiritual devotion, patience, and purposeful action.

Equally compelling was the account of Ayyub (Job), a symbol of patience in suffering. After enduring prolonged illness, he turned to Allah in supplication. Yet his healing was linked to action: in Qur’an 38:42, he was told to strike the ground with his foot, whereupon a spring emerged. The narrative highlights that even divine healing may come through human participation.

Beyond individual stories, the Qur’an lays down general principles. In Qur’an 13:11, it states: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” This verse underscores personal and collective responsibility—change requires initiative.

Other prophetic examples expand this theme. Yusuf (Joseph) advised on long-term economic planning during a coming famine (Qur’an 12:47), while Dhul-Qarnayn organised the construction of a protective barrier with collective effort (Qur’an 18:95). Even military discipline is emphasised in the story of Talut (Saul), where restraint and obedience determine success (Qur’an 2:249). The command is to combine reliance with preparedness. Qur’an 8:60 teaches that even with trust in Allah, believers must prepare and act.

Yes, Muslims throughout the country responded positively to the call of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and offered the National prayer for our country. What is expected is that they would equally rally behind him to implement a carefully crafted action plan, guided by his sagacity and leadership acumen, in line with divine guidance and in conformity with extant laws of the land, for a peaceful and prosperous future that posterity would be proud of.

“Keep working: Allah will behold your works and so will His Messenger and the believers;” (Q9:105).

Dr Gwandu is the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least 20 people have died in a fatal road accident at Hawan Kibo community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The crash occurred at about 5pm on Friday along the Hawan Kibo bend, a section of the road known for frequent accidents, according to eyewitnesses.

The Plateau State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Corps Commander Adelaja Ogungbemi, confirmed the death toll in a telephone interview with The PUNCH in Jos.

He said, “Yes it is true. There was an accident this evening at the Hawan Kibo area in Riyom LGA of Plateau state. Our Officers are right there at the scene on rescue Operation.

” It was a terrible accident. They have evacuated many injured persons to the hospital and others are still being taken to the hospital right now. At the moment, I can confirm to you that 20 people have been confirmed dead from the accident ”

Ogungbemi attributed the crash to brake failure and urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on journeys.

“It was a brake failure. We will continue to advice that motorists should always check their vehicles before driving. And they should drive carefully especially when negotiating a bend,” he added.

An eyewitness, Moses Gyang, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident, described the crash as severe.

“I was close by when it happened around 5pm. The vehicle lost control while descending the hill. It was a terrible sight, people were shouting for help,” the eyewitness said.

Another witness said the number of people who gathered at the scene made the rescue operation more difficult.

“We have never seen such an accident here in recent times. Many people were lying on the ground. FRSC officers came quickly and started carrying the injured to the hospital, but many had already died,” he said.

FRSC personnel remained at the scene as of the time of filing the report, where they continued rescue operations and evacuated injured victims to hospitals for treatment.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Fifteen farmers have been killed in a fresh attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

The victims were attacked on Wednesday evening while working on their farms and gathering firewood in Ala and Musune wards.

The Borno State Police Command confirmed the deaths and said it had launched a search for three other farmers whose whereabouts remained unknown.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, confirmed the incident to Saturday PUNCH on Friday.

“Yes, there was an attack in Marte. Fifteen people were killed while others are still missing. Efforts are ongoing to determine their whereabouts,” Daso said.

Daso said details of the attack were still limited, adding that the command would release further information as investigations progressed.

However, local sources said 18 farmers were attacked, with 15 bodies recovered from the scene and buried on Thursday according to Islamic rites.

The victims reportedly included young men, married men and elderly residents who had gone into the bush to work on their farms or collect firewood for their households.

A community source said the victims were ambushed by the attackers, tied up and killed at close range.

“They were ambushed by terrorists while carrying out their daily work, bound, forced to lie down, and executed at close range,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

The source also alleged that some of the victims were decapitated, which made identification difficult.

“So far, we have buried 15 out of the 18; we are currently searching for three persons,” the source added.

Amnesty International condemned the attack and described the killings as a serious violation of international humanitarian law.

In a statement issued on Friday, the organisation said the victims were residents who had entered the surrounding bush to gather firewood for income or household cooking.

“The victims, who were residents venturing into the surrounding bush to gather firewood to earn a living or cook for their families, were ambushed and targeted by a suspected Boko Haram group,” the organisation stated.

Amnesty International urged the Federal Government to take “immediate, transparent, and human rights-compliant measures” to protect communities across the North-East.

The police search for the three missing farmers was still ongoing as of Friday.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Families of 19 prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Imo State have been thrown into panic after their captors reportedly demanded a total ransom of N950m for their release.

The graduates were travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to NYSC orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom when gunmen intercepted two buses along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, on Thursday.

The Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, Isiah Akpan, confirmed the incident on Friday and said the abductors demanded N50m for each victim.

According to Akpan, the affected buses belonged to his company and were carrying corps members heading to their respective orientation camps.

He said the vehicles left Bodija/Samonda Park in Ibadan on Wednesday but encountered traffic delays around Benin, Edo State, before reaching Onitsha, Anambra State, later that day.

Akpan explained that the drivers could not proceed with the journey because of the condition of the road and spent the night in Oba. They resumed the journey at about 5am on Thursday.

He said the buses had only just entered Imo State when armed men emerged from the bush.

“They blocked the two vehicles and took 19 passengers, all corps members, into the bush,” he added.

The drivers reportedly escaped and alerted security personnel at a nearby checkpoint, after which police and military personnel began searching for the victims.

Akpan, however, said the operation faced an initial setback after some villagers allegedly prevented security personnel from moving the abandoned buses from the scene.

The buses were eventually left at the location, with the passengers’ belongings still inside.

The Imo State Police Command had announced on Thursday night that 10 victims had been rescued. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said security agencies were pursuing the kidnappers and conducting a coordinated search for the remaining victims.

Okoye was, however, unable to confirm whether the rescued persons were among the abducted corps members.

Families Receive Ransom Demands

The development has increased anxiety among the victims’ relatives, with some families reportedly receiving direct ransom demands from the abductors.

One parent, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the kidnappers contacted her through her son’s telephone.

“The kidnappers called with my son’s phone this morning (Friday) and demanded N50m for his release. The N50m is for only my son,” she said.

Another parent, Mrs Oladosu, said her daughter, Greatness, was among those travelling to Uyo. She said the abductors briefly contacted the family using her daughter’s phone.

Friends Seek Help Online

Friends of some of the missing graduates have launched social media campaigns to draw attention to the abduction and seek assistance for their release.

One of the victims was identified as Precious Oladipupo, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University.

Another individual, Adebayo (@Adebayoakim1), appealed on X for support for Wahab Ayandare, whom he identified as another victim of the attack.

A friend, Akinlabi Abayomi (@Mubiiiiin), also appealed for assistance for Oyindamola Adeoye. He said the kidnappers had demanded N50m for her release.

Oyo Government Reacts

The Oyo State Government condemned the abduction and described it as distressing and reprehensible.

The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the state government was communicating with security agencies, the Imo State Government and NYSC authorities over the incident.

He said Governor Seyi Makinde had directed that all necessary resources be deployed towards securing the victims’ safe return.

“We are fully committed to securing the safe release of our children and will stop at nothing to ensure that they are reunited with their families without harm,” the statement read.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, has said an administration led by Atiku Abubakar would reduce the cost of fuel, transportation and food within its first year in office.

Amaechi made the claim on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies and outlined some of the measures he said the ADC would introduce if elected in 2027.

He attributed the rising cost of living to the removal of petrol and electricity subsidies, saying Nigerians were struggling to afford basic necessities.

“Everybody is suffering, everybody is looking for food to eat. People can’t buy fuel or travel. The airlines are threatening to increase the cost of transportation; everything is skyrocketing,” he said.

Amaechi also criticised the Tinubu administration over electricity supply and said Nigerians were still waiting for improvements promised by the President.

“For Christ’s sake, President Tinubu does not have the right to speak; he doesn’t. He promised power and said if he doesn’t give power, they should not vote for him. Nigerians are waiting to vote him out,” he said.

According to Amaechi, Atiku has pledged to reintroduce subsidy measures as part of his plan to reduce the financial burden on Nigerians.

“Atiku said I should tell you people that he will bring back the subsidy. Tinubu removed subsidy for electricity bill. He said Band A, B and C,” Amaechi said.

He cited the increase in his household electricity bill as an example of the impact of the current tariff structure.

“My house electricity bill was N500,000; now I pay N4 million. Atiku said if he comes, I will go back to N500,000. No more Band A and B because government will subsidise it,” he said.

Amaechi also linked higher food and transportation costs to the removal of petrol subsidy.

“He just held microphone and didn’t care. He just said remove subsidy. Since he removed subsidy, transportation increased, food prices increased, tomatoes, corn, everything,” he said.

He added, “Atiku said he will bring back subsidy. If Atiku brings back subsidy, everything will come down.”

Amaechi clarified that the ADC was proposing a production subsidy rather than a return to the former consumer subsidy arrangement.

“The greatest asset you have is that the presidential candidate has said, I will bring back subsidy. We are not saying we are putting back consumer subsidy. We say we are putting back production subsidy,” he said.

On education, Amaechi claimed that the number of out-of-school children had risen from 12 million to 20 million under the Tinubu administration, while putting the number of illiterate Nigerians at 92 million.

“The number of out-of-school children has risen from 12 million to 20 million under Tinubu,” he said.

He also linked worsening insecurity to difficulties faced by farmers in accessing their farmlands.

“Insecurity also increased. You no even fit go farm, and government doesn’t care,” he said.

Explaining his decision to contest the 2027 election, Amaechi said his motivation was based on his understanding of Nigeria’s challenges.

“I don’t care who else is running. I’m running because I’m a Nigerian candidate. Because I know the Nigerian problem. And I can solve the Nigerian problem,” he said.

He also expressed confidence in the ADC’s chances if the party appears on the ballot in 2027, saying:

“Whether free and fair or not free, if we [ADC] are on the ballot, President Bola Tinubu will lose the election,” Amaechi added.

Amaechi’s comments came on the same day he said he would withdraw from Atiku’s ticket and campaign for Tinubu if petrol falls to N600 per litre, according to Channels Television’s report of the interview.