Nigeria

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Government has renamed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that he conceived the project during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State nearly 3 decades ago.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja. He said the ministry approved the new name after consultations with its leadership and staff.

“That highway is named President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway,” Umahi said.

He added, “By the powers conferred on me as minister of works, in consultation with my permanent secretary, the minister of state, directors and staff of the ministry, we decided to name it after him because of his dream for it.”

The minister said Tinubu first envisioned the project about 27 years ago while serving as Lagos State governor.

“He had that dream about 27 years back as governor of Lagos state. It is one thing to dream and another thing to have the grace of God to actualise that dream. This is one man who dreams and has the grace and divine mandate to actualise that dream,” Umahi said.

He also announced that President Tinubu approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres. The approval increases the total length of the corridor to about 1,100 kilometres.

Umahi further disclosed that the president approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with reinforced concrete pavement. He said the approvals also cover the completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge and the dualisation of another 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.

The minister said work was progressing on several sections of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. He explained that the first section, which stretches from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos State, serves as a model for modern highway construction.

According to him, the second section from Eleko to the Lagos-Ogun boundary is about 60 per cent complete. He said the project is expected to reach substantial completion by November. He added that construction is also underway in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Ondo states.

Umahi expressed confidence that the approved road projects would improve transportation across the country, strengthen national unity and stimulate economic activities.

Sabiu Abdullahi

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed that his wife, Chioma Adeleke, oversees his finances because of his spending habits.

The singer made the disclosure in a video that went viral on social media after he was seen asking Chioma to transfer money to his personal assistant, Lati.

In the clip, Davido explained that he could not access his account due to a service issue. He then called his wife and asked her to send $4,000 to his aide.

“Hello, hello baby, good morning my wife, my love. Help me send Lati $4,000. I can’t login, I don’t know why, its the service here. Alright. We’re taking off now to Naija, I love you,” he said during the phone conversation.

After the call, Davido’s official streamer, Davreltv, asked whether Chioma had taken over the management of his finances.

“So your wife has been managing the money?” the streamer asked.

Davido responded in the affirmative. He said his wife handles his finances because he spends money carelessly.

“Of course, you know I’m a reckless spender. Na she dey arrange everything. Na my life coordinator be that,” the singer replied.

The video has since attracted widespread attention on social media, with many users reacting to the singer’s remarks about his marriage and financial arrangement.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kogi State Government has confirmed the rescue of the school principal, a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc official and 2 students abducted during an attack on an unauthorised examination centre in Olowa, Dekina Local Government Area.

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. He said the victims regained their freedom after Governor Ahmed Ododo ordered an immediate security operation following the attack.

According to Fanwo, the governor directed his Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara, to coordinate a joint operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), local vigilante groups and other security agencies.

Gunmen attacked Government Secondary School (GSS), Olowa, on Tuesday evening. They abducted the school principal, the NECO ad hoc official and 2 students.

Fanwo said security personnel launched an operation into the forest where the victims were believed to have been held.

“The State Security Adviser and the leadership of the 12 Brigade and the 21 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the Police and local security operatives stormed the forest to ensure the victims were rescued,” the statement read.

He added: “Just this evening, while inspecting the Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the Kogi State Government to strengthen the fight against criminality, the Governor assured newsmen that every effort was being made to secure the release of the victims.

“A few hours later, the victims regained their freedom. The sustained pressure on the kidnappers and the saturation of the forest by heavily armed security personnel forced the criminals to abandon the victims and flee.

“Security operatives remain in the forest and the operation is still ongoing. We are determined to ensure that none of the criminals escapes justice.

“Our resolve is clear: anyone who chooses the path of crime in Kogi State will face the full weight of the law.”

The commissioner said all 4 victims were rescued safely. He added that they were in good condition and remained with security agencies for debriefing and medical examinations.

Fanwo commended the Nigerian Army, the DSS, the police, local vigilante groups and other security agencies that participated in the operation. He said their prompt response demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration among security agencies in tackling insecurity.

He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his “steadfast support for the state’s security efforts”. He said the president directed security chiefs to provide Kogi State with all the assistance required to secure the victims’ release.

Fanwo assured residents that the Ododo administration would continue efforts to eliminate criminal activities in the state. He said the government would sustain investments in intelligence gathering, security logistics and cooperation among security agencies to strengthen public safety.

By Uzair Adam 

The Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has no legal authority to carry out enforcement operations on roads under the control of the Kano State Government or its local government councils.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice M. S. Shuaibu held that the commission acted beyond its statutory powers when its personnel stopped, questioned and delayed motorists on township roads in Kano in July 2025.

The suit was instituted by Kano-based lawyer, Abba Hikima, who challenged the legality of the commission’s operations on state roads, arguing that FRSC officials violated his fundamental rights by demanding his driver’s licence and interrogating him despite the absence of any traffic offence.

The court agreed with the applicant, ruling that the actions of the FRSC officers violated the rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Shuaibu granted all the major reliefs sought by Hikima, including a perpetual injunction restraining FRSC personnel from stopping, harassing or interfering with motorists on Kano State roads without lawful authority.

The court also ordered the commission to publish a public apology in a national newspaper and awarded the applicant N800,000 as damages and litigation costs.

The dispute arose in July 2025 after FRSC operatives mounted checkpoints on township roads within Kano metropolis, where they stopped motorists to demand driver’s licences and question them even when no primary traffic offence had been committed.

Hikima maintained that the FRSC’s powers are limited to federal highways and do not extend to roads under state or local jurisdiction, a position the court upheld in its judgment.

By The Daily Reality

The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership has inaugurated the Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute of Governance and Public Policy as part of efforts to strengthen governance research, public policy development and institutional capacity across Africa.


This was contained in a statement signed by Paul Liam, Media and Communications Officer of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership.

The organisation also announced the appointments of 4 senior officials. They include 3 institute directors and a new Head of the Athena Election Observatory.

The new institute is named after the late Alhaji Gidado Idris, who served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Permanent Secretary under several civilian and military administrations.

According to the Centre, the institute will serve as its flagship platform for governance research, public policy innovation and institutional performance.

Speaking on the development, the Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Osita Chidoka, OFR, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s belief that Africa’s development depends largely on strong institutions.

“Nations do not transform because they have more policies; they transform because they build stronger institutions capable of implementing those policies with integrity, competence and public accountability. The Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute is our contribution to that institutional future. It is a future in which government works more effectively for citizens, public trust is strengthened, and evidence consistently informs decision-making,” Chidoka said.

The Centre appointed Professor Temitayo Shenkoya as Director of the Arthur Nwankwo Institute for Education and Intellectual Freedom. Shenkoya is a scholar in public policy, governance and innovation with more than 20 years of experience in academia, government and development practice. He currently serves as Professorial Researcher and Regional Director for Africa at Chungnam National University in South Korea. He has also worked with the Abuja Technology Village Foundation, UNICEF Nigeria and the Daejeon Metropolitan Government. He will coordinate the institute’s 2026 programme titled Fixing Nigeria’s Schools: Accountability and Digital Transformation.

Dr Danjuma Iyaji was named Director of the Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Institute for Health and Social Equity.

He is a health economist and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning specialist with nearly 20 years of experience. He has held technical and research positions at the Society for Family Health, the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He has also taught at the Nigerian Army University Biu, Kogi State University and Salem University. He will lead the 2026 programme, Expanding Access to Affordable Healthcare and Nutrition in Nigeria.

The Athena Centre also appointed Dr Christiantus I. Anyanwu as Director of the Alhaji Gidado Idris Institute of Governance and Public Policy. Anyanwu is a political scientist, governance specialist and public policy scholar.

He previously served as a Senior Lecturer at Veritas University, Abuja, and as a Senior Research Fellow at the Athena Centre. His first assignment will focus on the institute’s programme, Making Government Work for Citizens at Every Level.

Sarah Eke was appointed Head of the Athena Election Observatory. A member of the Centre’s founding team, she has more than 6 years of experience in programme management, election audits, governance and public policy analysis.

She previously worked as a Senior Adviser and Coordinator on a presidential campaign. At the Athena Centre, she has led election analysis and post-election assessments in Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi, Edo, Ondo and Anambra states. She will oversee election audits, electoral data analytics and evidence-based electoral reform.

Chidoka said the appointments demonstrate the Centre’s commitment to combining academic excellence with practical policy expertise.

“Our ambition is not simply to produce research,” he said. “It is to produce ideas that influence policy, institutions that strengthen governance, and leaders who transform society. These appointments represent an investment in that mission.”

The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership describes itself as an independent, non-partisan think tank that promotes good governance, evidence-based public policy and ethical leadership across Africa through research, executive education and strategic dialogue.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The World Bank has stated that about 79% of Nigerians are either living in poverty or remain at risk of falling into poverty despite the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the past three years.

The assessment appears in the World Bank’s newly approved Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria (2026–2032) and the accompanying Streamlined Country Diagnostic, which examined the country’s economic performance and development challenges.

According to the report, 61% of Nigerians currently live below the poverty line, while 33% are classified as ultra-poor and unable to meet their minimum food needs.

The World Bank acknowledged that the Federal Government’s reforms have improved several macroeconomic indicators. It said economic growth rose from 3.5% in the first half of 2024 to 3.9% during the same period in 2025. It also noted that foreign reserves have exceeded $42 billion, fiscal deficits have declined, and investor confidence has improved.

Despite those gains, the institution said the benefits have not yet translated into better living conditions for many Nigerians because major structural challenges remain.

The report stated: “Thirty-three per cent of its population is ultra-poor (food insecure by age-weighted caloric intake), 61 per cent is below the poverty line, and 79 per cent is near poor (below the poverty line or vulnerable to falling back into poverty).

“Despite recent bold reforms stabilising the economy and laying the groundwork for the Renewed Hope Agenda, significant structural challenges remain,” it said.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 7 suspects over an alleged armed robbery attack on students of Sa’adu Zungur University, Itas-Gadau Campus, at an off-campus hostel in Gadau.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly attacked Rahama House, an off-campus hostel, at about 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The assailants reportedly injured 2 students with machetes before making away with 2 Android phones.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said the suspects allegedly planned the attack before carrying it out.

Police operatives from the Gadau Division responded after receiving a distress call through the Safe Schools Initiative. Officers moved to the scene immediately, while the injured students were taken to the General Hospital in Azare for treatment.

The command said detectives later carried out a coordinated operation that resulted in the arrest of all 7 suspects. Officers also recovered the 2 stolen Android phones.

Following preliminary investigations, the suspects were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where further investigation and prosecution will continue.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the attack and pledged that everyone connected to the incident would face justice.

He also assured residents, especially students, that the command remains committed to protecting lives and property. The police further advised members of the public, particularly students living off campus, to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly to the nearest police station.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Gunmen have abducted the principal of Government Secondary School (GSS), Olowa, in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, four students, and a National Examinations Council (NECO) ad hoc staff member during the ongoing NECO examination.

According to security sources, the attack happened at about 5:25 p.m. on Tuesday while candidates were sitting for their examination.

The sources, quoted by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, said the armed men invaded the school, seized the victims, and escaped to an unknown destination before security operatives arrived at the scene.

A joint security team has since commenced a search-and-rescue operation. The team has deployed intelligence resources and carried out “bush-combing exercises” across the area to locate the kidnappers and rescue the victims.

Security sources disclosed that one of the abducted students has already regained freedom, while efforts continue to rescue the remaining victims.

The sources added that security agencies have stepped up surveillance and intelligence gathering as investigations continue. They also said efforts to track down and arrest those responsible for the attack have intensified.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned that legal action may be taken against the contractor responsible for renovating the National Assembly complex over persistent technical faults in the chambers.

Akpabio issued the warning on Wednesday after senators experienced repeated disruptions during plenary because of malfunctioning microphones.

The recurring problems have persisted despite the renovation of the National Assembly complex, which reportedly cost billions of naira. Since lawmakers returned to the refurbished chambers in April 2024, they have continued to encounter poor audio quality, faulty microphones and a non-functional electronic voting system.

The technical challenges have forced both the Senate and the House of Representatives to rely on manual voting during deliberations on major constitutional amendment bills, including the proposal on state police.

Speaking during plenary, Akpabio recalled that he was embarrassed by the condition of the facilities during the opening of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

“Distinguished colleagues, I hope you are taking note of the fact that our microphones are not working well, because we are going to take action,” Akpabio said.

“I was at the house of representatives yesterday to represent you on the opening of their National Assembly Week, and in the course of it, myself and the speaker were thoroughly embarrassed.

“The same contractor that handled the renovation of the house of representatives handled this one.

“If this continues, we have steps we can take, legally, to ensure that a good job is done because this is an embarrassment to our nation.”

The Senate President also disclosed that the leadership of the upper legislative chamber is documenting the repeated technical failures as part of preparations for possible action against the contractor.

“I hope you are taking note of it, so that when they go to social media to start complaining after we have taken action, you will know why we took the actions. We are all witnessing what is going on now,” he added.

By Maimuna Katuka Aliyu

Trachoma is more than an eye infection. It is a quiet destroyer of sight and dignity, affecting millions of vulnerable people around the world—especially in places where clean water is scarce, healthcare is distant, and poverty runs deep.

Caused by the bacterium “Chlamydia trachomatis”, trachoma spreads through direct contact with infected eye or nose secretions, as well as indirectly through contaminated items. In overcrowded communities where basic sanitation is poor, the disease thrives.

But this is not a new threat. Trachoma has haunted humanity for centuries. As far back as 1500 BC, ancient Egyptian scrolls described eye diseases that closely resemble it. In the 19th century, outbreaks became widespread in densely populated areas.

By the 20th century, global efforts to fight it began taking shape, especially with the intervention of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health bodies. Today, trachoma remains one of the world’s leading causes of preventable blindness.

And the burden it places on affected communities is staggering. For individuals, the disease often begins with repeated infections. Over time, the eyelids turn inward in a condition called trichiasis, causing the lashes to scrape against the cornea.

The result is chronic pain and, eventually, blindness. For families, the impact is just as devastating. When a parent loses their vision, their ability to work and care for their children suffers. When a child goes blind, their education is interrupted, and their future becomes uncertain.

Across entire communities, this loss of productivity and well-being adds up to high economic and social costs. The stigma can be equally painful. In many places, those affected by trachoma are isolated or ridiculed—stripped of confidence and dignity.

But there is hope. Trachoma is preventable. It is also treatable, especially when detected early. And that is why the role of government is so vital.

National and local authorities must lead the fight with robust public health campaigns—promoting hygiene, encouraging regular eye checkups, and ensuring that children grow up with clean faces and clean water.

Clinics must be established in underserved areas, and healthcare workers must be trained to identify and treat the disease effectively. Collaboration is also key. By partnering with international organizations such as the WHO and the Carter Center, governments can access resources, share knowledge, and scale up proven interventions.

Yet governments alone cannot eliminate trachoma. Communities must also rise to the task. We need individuals who speak up—advocating for improved sanitation, better access to care, and education for all.

We need families and neighbours who support those affected instead of shaming them. And we need young people who take the lead in hygiene campaigns, who believe that blindness from trachoma is one injustice we can—and must—end.

The fight against trachoma is a shared responsibility. It is not just about medicine. It is about dignity. It is about giving people the chance to see their children grow, to live and work with pride, and to be seen—not for their illness—but for their worth.

The path to eliminating trachoma is clear. What is needed now is the will to walk it together—governments, communities, and every one of us who believes in a future where no one loses their sight to a disease that should already be history.