The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • 20 Prospective NYSC Members Regain Freedom After Seven Days in Captivity

    20 Prospective NYSC Members Regain Freedom After Seven Days in Captivity

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Twenty prospective National Youth Service Corps members abducted while travelling from Oyo State to their orientation camp in Abia State have regained their freedom.

    The graduates were kidnapped on October 1 along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, and were rescued seven days later following a coordinated operation by security agencies.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, saying the victims were rescued at about 4:28pm at Amakohia Ubi Village in Imo State.

    Iniedu said the rescued graduates had been taken for medical examinations and would receive necessary medical attention as part of the post-rescue process.

    The operation reportedly involved the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and other security agencies.

    However, the authorities did not disclose details of the operation or announce any arrest, while the suspected abductors were said to remain at large.

    Iniedu said security agencies had intensified efforts to track down those responsible for the abduction and bring them to justice.

    The police spokesperson also thanked members of the public for their cooperation and assured Nigerians of the force’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

    The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, also confirmed the release of the victims, saying Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, informed him of the development during a telephone conversation on Wednesday.

    A parent of one of the victims, Alhaja Alimot Akande, expressed relief over the news but said the family was waiting to see or speak with the victim before making further comments.

    Meanwhile, Uzodimma commended the security agencies for securing the release of the prospective corps members.

    The governor said the government deliberately kept details of the operation confidential to avoid compromising the rescue effort and ongoing investigation.

    He also thanked the families of the victims for their patience and understanding throughout the ordeal, assuring residents that his administration would continue to support measures aimed at protecting lives and property.

    The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress also praised the security agencies for the successful operation and expressed solidarity with the families of the rescued graduates.

    The victims were among 30 graduates travelling in two buses from Ibadan to their NYSC orientation camp in Abia State when suspected gunmen reportedly intercepted them.

    The abductors had initially demanded N50m for each victim, amounting to N1bn, before reportedly reducing the ransom to N5m per person.

    The victims’ families had subsequently appealed to traditional leaders and government authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release.

  • NAF Probes Ondo Crash as FG Moves to Strengthen Aviation Safety

    NAF Probes Ondo Crash as FG Moves to Strengthen Aviation Safety

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigerian Air Force has commenced a comprehensive investigation into Monday’s military aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as recovery teams continue efforts to locate the wreckage and remains of those on board.

    The aircraft, an ATR-42 operated by the NAF, crashed in a swampy area of Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area, during a flight from Lagos to Benin City. Twenty-five people were on board, according to the Air Force.

    NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, had ordered a full investigation into the incident.

    He explained that the Air Force would follow its established aircraft accident investigation procedures and release the findings when the preliminary investigation was concluded.

    The investigation is being conducted alongside recovery operations, which have been complicated by the difficult terrain and dense vegetation around the crash site.

    A military source said specialists involved in aircraft accident investigations were already participating in the recovery operation, noting that evidence recovered from the site would form part of the investigation.

    The source said a private construction company had deployed specialised amphibious equipment to clear vegetation and create access to the submerged aircraft.

    The main fuselage had yet to be recovered as of Wednesday, while Navy personnel, divers, emergency agencies and local volunteers continued searching the area.

    Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, visited the crash site on Wednesday and directed that search and recovery efforts be intensified.

    Aiyedatiwa described the incident as a national tragedy and said the swampy terrain had significantly hampered rescue and recovery operations.

    He said body parts, clothing, personal belongings and aircraft components had been recovered from the area, but the main body of the aircraft remained submerged.

    The governor ordered the deployment of two amphibious machines to open access through the waterways and enable larger boats and recovery equipment to reach the crash site.

    The Nigerian Navy has also deployed specialised sonar equipment from its Hydrographic Department to search the mapped underwater area and locate the submerged wreckage.

    The Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha, said the sonar was being used because of the poor visibility caused by the highly turbid swamp water.

    FG Plans Aviation Safety Collaboration

    The crash has also prompted renewed efforts to strengthen cooperation between Nigeria’s civil and military aviation authorities.

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed on Wednesday that the Federal Government would establish a joint framework involving the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Air Force.

    Keyamo made the disclosure during a condolence visit to the Chief of Air Staff.

    He said the proposed collaboration would focus on areas including airworthiness, certification, training and other aviation safety matters.

    According to the minister, civil and military aviation authorities must work more closely because both sectors share responsibility for protecting lives and maintaining aviation safety.

    Keyamo said Air Force personnel would be allowed to participate in relevant training programmes organised by civil aviation authorities, while military aviation experts could also share their expertise with the civil sector.

    The Chief of Air Staff welcomed the initiative, saying both institutions had a responsibility to improve aviation safety and protect Nigerians.

    Calls for Broader Investigation

    Former Director of the Department of State Services, Mike Ejiofor, has called for a wider review of the Nigerian Air Force’s aircraft fleet, maintenance procedures and operational practices.

    Ejiofor said the frequency of military aircraft crashes in recent years warranted a broader assessment beyond determining the immediate cause of the Igbokoda incident.

    He also raised concerns over conflicting reports about the number of people aboard the aircraft, stressing the need for accurate record-keeping and reliance on the official passenger manifest.

    The NAF spokesman, however, clarified that 25 people were on board, comprising five active crew members and two additional personnel who were classified as crew but were travelling as passengers.

    Ejodame also dismissed speculation that the aircraft was outdated, saying it was acquired around 2010 and had been properly maintained.

    Ejiofor urged investigators to recover the aircraft’s flight recorders, popularly known as black boxes, saying they could provide crucial information about what happened before the crash.

    He cautioned against drawing conclusions from reports of a loud sound before the aircraft went down, stressing that the investigation must determine whether the sound resulted from an explosion or the impact.

    Nation Mourns Victims

    The crash has triggered widespread condolences from political leaders, traditional rulers and residents across the country.

    President Bola Tinubu expressed sadness over the deaths and ordered a full investigation into the incident. He also declared three days of national mourning for the victims.

    Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal, described the crash as a painful loss to the nation and sympathised with the families of the victims and the Armed Forces.

    The Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, also expressed condolences to the Federal Government, the Nigerian Air Force and the bereaved families.

    Abia State leaders equally mourned the death of Squadron Leader Ahamefule Aham Man-Ugwueje, an indigene of the state who was among those killed in the crash.

    As recovery operations continue, authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and determine measures needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

  • FG Releases Eight-Month Allowance for Non-Academic Tertiary Workers

    FG Releases Eight-Month Allowance for Non-Academic Tertiary Workers

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has approved the release of eight months’ Consolidated Non-Academic Staff Tertiary Institutions Allowance for non-academic workers in federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

    The allowance covers the period from January to August 2026, according to the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa.

    Alausa disclosed this in a statement shared on the ministry’s X account on Wednesday, saying the payment was part of efforts by the government to improve workers’ welfare and promote industrial harmony in the tertiary education sector.

    The minister said the decision demonstrated the commitment of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to supporting workers and ensuring stability in the education system under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He said non-academic staff played an important role in the effective operation of tertiary institutions and deserved recognition for their contributions to the education sector.

    According to Alausa, the payment was also intended to address legitimate welfare concerns and minimise disruptions to academic activities.

    The development comes after the government commenced payment of the Consolidated Academic Tertiary Institutions Allowance to academic staff.

    Alausa assured workers and other stakeholders that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue discussions with unions, institutional heads and other partners to resolve outstanding issues in the sector.

    He also commended tertiary institution workers and their unions for their patience and cooperation, assuring them that the government remained committed to fulfilling its obligations and improving working conditions across the sector.

  • Tansian University probes sudden death of newly sworn-in Vice-Chancellor

    Late Prof. Carter Nnamdi Dike Umeoduagu

    Tansian University, a faith based university based in Anambra State has set up a five-man investigative committee to probe the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Carter Nnamdi Dike Umeoduagu.

    Umeoduagu died on Saturday last week, after he was sworn in on Friday as the Vice Chancellor of the university. He has for two months been on acting capacity, after the former Vice Chancellor travelled abroad on medical leave.

    THISDAY learnt that the position has been embroiled in controversy after the former VC returned and claimed that his tenure which ended on 30 September 2026 had been extended till 2030.

    The governing council however swore Umeoduagu in as substantive VC on Friday, but sources said after a brief ceremony to mark the event, he went home, took ill and died on Saturday morning.

    In a press release by the university’s Board of Trustees and Management the constitution of the five-man committee is to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

    The committee was announced by the Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. E.S.C. Obiorah (SAN), during a board meeting on Monday.

    The committee has been given 48 hours to submit its action plan, including recommendations on the university’s involvement in the funeral arrangements and its response to the forthcoming autopsy report.

    Obiorah in the release described the late Vice-Chancellor as a “hero and a fine scholar” who fought bravely for the growth and development of the institution.

    He, however, raised concerns over possible negligence in the circumstances surrounding the death, saying the autopsy would help establish what actually happened.

    “The result of the autopsy will definitely reveal the true cause of his death. The university will erect a memorial in honour of the late academic.

    The university said it would support the deceased’s family in its decision to authorise an autopsy to determine the actual cause of death.

    Umeoduagu’s death has thrown the university community into mourning, with the Board of Trustees, Governing Council, Management, Senate, staff and students describing it as a profound loss to the institution, his family and the Nigerian academic community.

    The university described Umeoduagu as a vibrant and promising scholar who devoted considerable energy to strengthening its academic programmes and institutional standards.

    It said his vision extended beyond Tansian University, as he strongly believed in the capacity of Nigerian universities to attain higher academic standards and contribute meaningfully to national development.

    Meanwhile, Tansian University has declared a two-week mourning period in honour of the late academic. Academic activities have been postponed, while the university flag will remain at half-mast throughout the mourning period.

    The institution also appealed to the public and the media to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from speculation or the circulation of unverified information concerning the circumstances of the death.

    It said: “The impact of Prof. Umeoduagu’s service, academic ideals and commitment to the advancement of education would remain part of the institutional memory of Tansian University.” Arise News

  • Tinubu Celebrates Modi’s 25-Year Leadership Milestone

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on his 25th anniversary in government, describing the milestone as a “rare achievement in any democracy.”

    Tinubu, in a statement he personally issued on Wednesday to mark the anniversary, congratulated Modi on behalf of the Nigerian government and people, as well as on his own behalf.

    “Today, 7 October 2026, marks 25 years since he first assumed office in 2001 as Head of Government and Chief Minister of Gujarat,” Tinubu said.

    Modi served as Chief Minister of Gujarat for more than 12 years before becoming Prime Minister of India in 2014.

    Tinubu noted that Modi’s 25 years of uninterrupted public service represented a significant milestone, particularly in a democracy.

    “A quarter-century of unbroken leadership is a rare achievement in any democracy. In the world’s most populous nation, it is a powerful testament to the enduring confidence the Indian people have placed in him,” he said.

    The Nigerian President also highlighted what he described as Modi’s contributions to India’s development, citing infrastructure, digital public services, financial inclusion and innovation.

    “Across these 25 years, Prime Minister Modi has led with vision and an unwavering commitment to development,” Tinubu said.

    He added that Modi’s leadership had contributed to the transformation of Gujarat and India’s emergence as “one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies.”

    Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with India, recalling Modi’s State Visit to Abuja in November 2024.

    “I fondly recall the Prime Minister’s historic State Visit to Abuja in November 2024, when Nigeria honoured him with the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger,” he said.

    According to him, the visit provided fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation in trade and investment, energy, defence and security, health, education and technology.

    Tinubu said Nigeria and India, as democracies and leading voices of the Global South, shared a commitment to a more inclusive and representative international order.

    “I remain confident that, under his continued leadership, the bonds of friendship between our peoples will grow ever stronger,” he said.

    The President wished Modi “good health, continued strength and every success in the service of the people of India” as he marks the anniversary. Punch

  • Presidency: State Police Bill Designed To Prevent Political Abuse

    Presidency: State Police Bill Designed To Prevent Political Abuse

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Presidency has assured Nigerians that the proposed state police system will be designed to prevent political interference and abuse by individual office holders.

    Nnadubem Moghalu, Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja, saying safeguards against the misuse of state police powers had been central to the drafting of the proposed legislation.

    Moghalu spoke at the second Annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture and Award Series organised by the House of Representatives Press Corps. The event was themed, “The Imperative of State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism.”

    He said the proposed framework would clearly define the responsibilities of federal and state police authorities while establishing mechanisms for accountability and oversight.

    “We are trying to build a system that is as immune to the personal foibles of individuals as possible,” Moghalu said.

    According to him, the need for state police is partly driven by the pressure on the existing centralised policing system.

    Nigeria has about 380,000 police officers for a population of more than 200 million, Moghalu said. However, he noted that about 180,000 officers are engaged in special protection and administrative duties, leaving roughly 200,000 officers for core policing responsibilities.

    He said this effectively reduces the policing capacity to about one officer for every 1,000 citizens.

    Under the proposed dual-policing arrangement, state police would handle offences and security matters within their jurisdictions, while the Federal Police Service would retain responsibility for national, interstate and other crimes requiring federal coordination.

    Moghalu identified human trafficking, cybercrime and offences with international implications among areas that would remain under federal jurisdiction. He also stressed the importance of cooperation and shared technology between the two levels to prevent criminals from exploiting jurisdictional gaps.

    The proposed National Policing Bill is expected to provide the legal and operational framework for the new system, including recruitment, training, funding, command structures, accountability, human rights safeguards and cooperation between federal and state police services.

    Moghalu said states would be expected to fund their police services according to their security priorities, noting that state governments already provide substantial financial and logistical support to federal security agencies operating within their territories.

    The constitutional amendment required to establish state police is currently before the 36 state Houses of Assembly. At least 24 state assemblies, representing two-thirds of the states, must approve the amendment before it can proceed to the next stage.

    So far, Edo, Oyo, Osun and Rivers have approved the proposal, according to the Presidential Working Group.

    The National Assembly transmitted the constitutional amendment to the state legislatures in September after both chambers approved the proposal. The proposed reform would create a dual policing architecture consisting of the Federal Police Service and State Police Services.

    However, the proposal has also generated calls for strong safeguards to prevent state police from becoming instruments of political control. Stakeholders at the Abuja forum emphasised the need for independent oversight, adequate funding, professional training, accountability and respect for human rights.

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented at the event by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, urged journalists to examine the proposed legislation on the basis of evidence, its provisions and likely consequences rather than partisan considerations.

    Abbas said the media had a responsibility to scrutinise whether the proposed policy would work, whether the legislation was fit for purpose and whether public resources would be deployed in the national interest.

    The Presidency had earlier said the constitutional amendment alone would not operationalise state police, stressing that the National Policing Bill would establish the detailed framework required for implementation.

  • Presidency Rejects The Economist’s Claim Nigerians Dislike Tinubu

    Presidency Rejects The Economist’s Claim Nigerians Dislike Tinubu

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Presidency has rejected a recent assessment by The Economist that Nigerians dislike President Bola Tinubu, describing the publication’s position as “intellectual fraud” and defending the economic reforms introduced by the administration.

    The reaction was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, titled, “Beyond the Economist Condescension: Nigeria’s Re-engineering Under Tinubu is Unstoppable.”

    The Economist had, in an October 1 analysis titled “Nigerians Dislike Their President, But May Re-elect Him Anyway,” examined Tinubu’s political prospects ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The publication linked the President’s continued electoral competitiveness to factors including incumbency, opposition divisions and Nigeria’s political dynamics.

    Dare, however, accused the publication of presenting a distorted picture of Nigeria and failing to adequately consider the economic conditions inherited by the Tinubu administration when it assumed office in May 2023.

    The Presidency argued that the administration inherited serious economic challenges, including the petrol subsidy burden, distortions in the foreign exchange market, high debt-servicing costs and years of underinvestment in infrastructure.

    According to Dare, the government chose to confront those challenges through reforms rather than defer difficult decisions.

    He cited the removal of petrol subsidy and the reform of the foreign exchange market among the administration’s major policy measures, arguing that they were aimed at addressing longstanding structural problems in the economy.

    The Presidency also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, local government financial autonomy, the increase in the national minimum wage and the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas buses as measures it said were intended to ease economic pressure on Nigerians.

    Dare further pointed to government interventions in agriculture, including fertiliser distribution, agricultural loans and the provision of farming equipment, as part of efforts to improve food production and strengthen rural economies.

    He argued that the impact of the administration’s policies should be assessed against the economic conditions that existed before Tinubu assumed office.

    The Presidential aide maintained that the economic difficulties accompanying the reforms were part of the adjustment process involved in addressing what he described as longstanding structural problems.

    He also rejected the suggestion that Nigerians broadly reject the President, arguing that the administration’s programmes had benefited various groups, including students, workers, farmers and local government officials.

    Dare said the government remained focused on achieving economic growth, fiscal stability and greater national development despite ongoing security and economic challenges.

    The Presidency’s response comes amid increasing political debate over the performance of the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties and other critics continuing to challenge its economic policies.

    While the government has defended the reforms as necessary for long-term economic stability, concerns over living costs, insecurity and the pace at which economic improvements are being felt by households remain central to public and political debate.

  • Obi Says He Will Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected

    Obi Says He Will Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said he will restore Nigeria’s petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, arguing that corruption, rather than the subsidy itself, has been the major problem with the scheme.

    Obi made the declaration on Tuesday during an interview with the BBC, where he was asked directly whether he would bring back the subsidy regime.

    “Yes. But remember, I have qualified it, not with the corruption that’s associated with it. I’ll remove the corruption and retain the subsidy,” Obi said.

    The former Anambra State governor maintained that his position was not necessarily a change in his long-standing argument on the subsidy debate, saying he had consistently raised concerns about corruption surrounding its implementation.

    “From day one, I’ve talked about subsidy. I talked about corruption; corruption is the problem of subsidy,” he said.

    Obi’s latest position comes after the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, when the President declared that “fuel subsidy is gone.”

    The policy led to a sharp increase in petrol prices and became a major issue in Nigeria’s economic and political debate, with the Federal Government defending the decision as necessary for economic reform.

    During the 2023 presidential campaign, Obi had supported the removal of the subsidy, arguing that money saved from the scheme should be invested in sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure.

    His latest comments, however, indicate that a future administration under him would retain a subsidy system while seeking to eliminate what he described as corruption associated with its operation.

    The position also follows recent comments by Obi’s running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who said an NDC administration would introduce subsidy “in our own way” if elected in 2027.

    Kwankwaso had argued that increased investment in domestic refining and petroleum production could help make petrol available to Nigerians at more affordable prices.

    Meanwhile, Obi said tackling corruption would begin with the conduct of the President and members of the President’s immediate family.

    “If you are not stealing, if you are not involved, your wife and family are not involved, you reduce it by 50 per cent,” he said.

    Obi also distinguished his proposed approach from that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who campaigned extensively on an anti-corruption platform.

    Asked about Buhari’s record, Obi said, “He was not in charge. The difference is that I’ll be in charge.”

    The NDC candidate also rejected the suggestion that he should withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if opposition parties eventually decide to present a consensus candidate.

    According to Obi, opposition parties should instead concentrate on mobilising more voters and doing what is necessary to win the election.

    “We don’t need to step down. We need to do the right thing,” he said.

    With the 2027 election approaching, the future of petrol subsidy is likely to remain a major issue in the political debate as parties present competing proposals on fuel prices, domestic refining and the management of public resources.

  • Frontier Discourse: Organisers Unveil Topic for 6th Annual Public Lecture, Awards in Abuja

    Frontier Discourse: Organisers Unveil Topic for 6th Annual Public Lecture, Awards in Abuja

    Organisers of the 6th Frontier Discourse Annual Public Lecture Series and Awards have unveiled the topic for this year’s event, scheduled to hold in Abuja on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

    The lecture, organised by Pacesetter Frontier Magazine, will focus on “Barrel to Ballot: The Naturalisation of Violence, Nigeria’s Polity and its Democratic Circus.”

    Disclosing this in a statement issued in Abuja, a member of the Local Organising Committee, Frank Ufondu, said topics selected for the annual lecture were usually timely and connected to prevailing national issues.

    Ufondu said the theme was designed to examine if there is a relationship between Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity, electoral politics and the state of democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Explaining the rationale behind the topic, he said:

    “For decades, our nation’s landscape has been deeply troubled by the hydra-headed challenges of insecurity and a democracy that has become more about spectacle than substance. Disappointingly, the more we are scorched by these, the more the troubling responses of indifference and blunted public outrage envelop the nation.

    According to him, “Barrel” symbolises guns, arms and the suffering inflicted on Nigerians through terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes, while “Ballot” represents democratic governance and electioneering.

    He explained that the phrase “Naturalisation of Violence” refers to the prolonged nature of insecurity and the danger that the resulting violence and suffering could become normalised in Nigerian society.

    Ufondu said that as the country approaches the 2027 elections, Nigeria’s political landscape faces two interconnected challenges: chronic insecurity and a high-stakes national election increasingly viewed by some citizens as a democratic circus.

    He said the lecture would interrogate how the country reached a point where gun violence and terrorism routinely shape daily life and how the normalisation of violence threatens the integrity of the electoral process.

    The lecture will also examine the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, the factors contributing to what organisers describe as chronic democratic stagnation, why electoral reforms continue to stall, assess expectations and responsibilities ahead of the 2027 elections, and consider the roles of political actors, institutional stakeholders and citizens.

    Ufondu also announced that the keynote speakers, panellists and other resource persons for the event would be unveiled in the coming days.

    He said, “The 6th edition promises to be our most impactful yet. ​Watch this space—you won’t want to miss what we have lined up. Keep a date with us”.

    The event will hold at the Nigerian National Merit Award House (Merit House), Maitama, Abuja.

    The red carpet begins at 10:00am, while the main event starts at 11:00am.

    The organisers said attendance and registration are free. Interested participants can register to reserve a seat using: https://forms.gle/C6Rtpjv5gQUBm31T9

    For sponsorship, partnership or enquiries, organisers provided 09137940957 for calls and WhatsApp messages.

    The event partners are One Stewart Ventures Limited, Frontline Africa, Igwesi Human Development Centre, Steve Oruruo Foundation and ROWE Oil.

  • Otti Mourns Abia-Born Pilot Killed In Ondo Air Crash

    Otti Mourns Abia-Born Pilot Killed In Ondo Air Crash

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has mourned Squadron Leader Ahamefule Ahah Man-Ugwueje, an Abia-born pilot who was among the 25 people killed in the Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Igbokoda, Ondo State.

    The Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft, NAF 931, crashed in Igbokoda on Monday while on a routine flight from Benin City to Lagos.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti described the crash as a painful tragedy that had caused grief to the victims’ families, the Nigerian Air Force and the country.

    The governor expressed particular sadness over the death of Man-Ugwueje, who was from Umuahia, Abia State, and had married Flight Lieutenant Damilola Adekunle in Abuja on September 19, about two weeks before the fatal crash.

    Otti said Man-Ugwueje’s death shortly after his wedding made the tragedy even more heartbreaking, noting that the young couple had barely begun their life together.

    The governor extended his condolences to the families of all the victims, the people of Umuahia, the Nigerian Air Force and the Federal Government.

    He also prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased and strength for their loved ones to cope with the loss.

    The Nigerian Air Force had earlier confirmed that all 25 people aboard the aircraft died in the crash and released the names of the victims.

    Man-Ugwueje was identified as one of the five crew members aboard the aircraft and served as its co-pilot.

    The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the incident as a deeply painful moment for the Nigerian Air Force and the nation.

    Aneke also ordered a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

    Man-Ugwueje’s death has continued to attract attention, particularly because of his recent marriage to Adekunle.

    Photographs and videos from their September 19 wedding ceremony in Abuja were shared online by vendors who participated in the event. The couple held their Holy Matrimony at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, The Masters Place, in Utako, Abuja, followed by a reception at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre in Asokoro.

    Information from Man-Ugwueje’s social media profile indicated that he hailed from Umuahia, Abia State, while Abuja was listed as his current city.

  • Appeal Court Reserves Judgment On El-Rufai’s Bail Appeal

    Appeal Court Reserves Judgment On El-Rufai’s Bail Appeal

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Court of Appeal in Kaduna has reserved judgment in an appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, challenging the refusal of his bail application by the state High Court.

    A three-member panel led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi reserved judgment on Tuesday after hearing arguments from lawyers representing El-Rufai and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

    The appellate court did not announce a date for the delivery of its judgment.

    Counsel to the ICPC, Ayodeji Adedipe, urged the court to dismiss the appeal, arguing that the Kaduna State High Court was justified in refusing to grant El-Rufai bail.

    Adedipe told the court that El-Rufai had made three separate bail applications before the trial court, all of which were rejected.

    He argued that while the former governor was appealing the ruling on his second application, he failed to disclose that a subsequent third bail application had also been dismissed.

    The ICPC counsel therefore described the appeal as lacking merit and urged the appellate court to uphold the lower court’s decision.

    However, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, asked the Court of Appeal to overturn the ruling and release his client on bail pending the determination of the charges against him.

    Erokoro argued that the offences against the former governor were bailable and did not attract the death penalty, stressing that continued detention was therefore unjustified.

    The Senior Advocate also contended that El-Rufai’s continued detention was affecting his ability to prepare his defence by limiting his access to his lawyers and potential witnesses.

    According to him, such restrictions could interfere with confidential communication between the former governor and his legal team and ultimately affect his right to a fair trial.

    Erokoro further urged the court to consider the political circumstances surrounding the case, noting that the charges were filed against El-Rufai, a prominent opposition figure, as the 2027 general elections approach.

    El-Rufai, who served as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023, is facing prosecution by the ICPC over alleged financial offences linked to his administration.

    The former governor has denied wrongdoing and challenged the circumstances surrounding his detention.

    The ICPC is prosecuting El-Rufai alongside some former officials of the Kaduna State Government over alleged financial infractions.

    Following the arguments from both sides, the appellate panel reserved its judgment without fixing a date for its delivery.

  • NDC Denies Rumors of Dickson Plotting to Sabotage Obi, Kwankwaso Ticket

    An image of Peter Obi, Kwankwaso and Seriake Dickson

    The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has denied allegations that its National Leader, Seriake Dickson, was plotting to sabotage the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, during the 2027 general election.

    The NDC national spokesperson, Osa Director, in a statement on Monday, described the allegations as “malicious lies.”

    Mr Director said contrary to the claims, Mr Dickson has no plans to work for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 election.

    “Our National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, is not a front for the ruling APC or anyone else.

    “He has no secret or open deal whatsoever with the ruinous and diabolical APC regime,” he said.

    He stressed that the party would have chosen to ignore what he termed “the beer-parlour talk and murmurs” circulating on social media, but decided to debunk it to “prevent people from believing lies”.

    “Anyone who knows Senator Dickson’s public service record, and is in his right senses, will not associate him with any under-the-table arrangement to sabotage his own party and its presidential candidate and running mate, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,” he stated.

    The NDC spokesperson argued that Mr Dickson, a serving senator, could have taken “the easy way out” by joining the APC.

    “Instead, he chose the hard, honourable path of building a party with like-minds; a party that will liberate Nigeria from the vice grip of the buccaneers currently in power,” he said.

    Mr Director stressed that Mr Dickson’s “consistent, courageous and principled position” in the Senate for over seven years was a clear testament to his strength of character and unwavering solidarity with suffering Nigerians.

    “Consequently, it is wicked, vexatious and mendacious to associate his name with any compromise with the ruling APC and its key drivers.

    “We are fully aware that these unfounded and baseless allegations are emanating from the ranks of our political opponents, who are envious of the growing popularity, acceptability and organic spread of the NDC across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” he claimed.

    From AD, PDP, and NDC

    Mr Dickson began his political career in the now defunct Alliance for Democracy. The politician later served as the AD chairman in Bayelsa State from 1998 to 2000.

    He subsequently served as the party’s national legal adviser in 2000.

    In 2005, Mr Dickson joined the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before emerging as the commissioner for justice and attorney-general of Bayelsa State under the administration of the then-Governor Goodluck Jonathan from 2006 to 2007.

    He was subsequently elected as a House of Representatives member for Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency from 2007 to 2012 under the PDP platform and later served as Bayelsa governor from 2012 to 2020.

    The politician won a senatorial election in 2020 to represent Bayelsa West District under the PDP platform. He won re-election in 2023.

    In March this year, he left the PDP and joined the NDC, which he founded ahead of the 2027 general election. Premium Times