Category: News

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the lifting the suspension on the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and members of the state House of Assembly is not worth celebrating.

In a post via his official X handle on Thursday, Atiku described the president’s initial action as unconstitutional and it is still illegal today.

The former vice-president said Tinubu had no power to suspend a democratically elected governor and state lawmakers.

He wrote, “Lifting the suspension of Governor Simi Fubara is nothing to cheer about. “The suspension of the Rivers State Governor and the State House of Assembly was unconstitutional when it was done six months ago and is still illegal today.

“President Tinubu had no power to suspend a democratically elected governor and state lawmakers. The Rivers shenanigans only signpost the dictatorship of the Tinubu administration.”

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu; and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), to manage the state’s affairs.

The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.

However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.

On June 3, Fubara paid a visit to the President at his residence in Lagos State.

That made it the second time Fubara and Tinubu would be meeting behind closed doors, after his suspension.

Fubara also met with Wike to settle their rift and attended several functions together.

Following the meeting, Wike confirmed that the political rift between him and Fubara has been resolved.

On Wednesday, Tinubu ended the emergency rule in the state and asked Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers to resume work on Thursday, September 18.

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has announced the disbursement of N2.22 trillion to the three tiers of government as revenue allocation for August 2025.

The Federal Government has disbursed N330 billion in cash transfers to poor and vulnerable Nigerians through the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO).

“We are pleased to report that the social protection programme put in place as a safety net to help people cope with the rising price level is now firmly back on track,” the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, said.

He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at a meeting of the Special Presidential Panel on the Social Investment Programme.

“About 19.7 million poor and vulnerable households, representing more than 70 million individuals, are captured in the National Social Register.

“The cash transfers, funded from the 800 million dollars World Bank facility, were disbursed to 15 million households.

“So far, 8.5 million households have received at least one tranche of N25,000, while some have received two or three payments.

“The remaining seven million households will be paid before the end of the year,” he said.

The minister said that the programme is anchored on a robust and sustainable system with beneficiaries verified through their National Identity Numbers (NIN) and payments made digitally via bank accounts or mobile wallets.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed circulating claims about recruitment for various positions.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 16, via its official X handle, the commission warned the public not to fall for fraudulent adverts.

The statement reads, “INEC is not recruiting. Our attention has been drawn to a fake advertorial currently circulating on social media, giving the impression that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is recruiting for various positions.

“The impostor behind this illicit recruitment exercise also asked would-be respondents to log on to an equally fake portal – inecrecruitment.com to complete their applications. But INEC does not have any such portal.

“The Commission hereby calls on the public to disregard this fraudulent call for applications. The Commission IS NOT recruiting. Do not fall victim to the antics of criminal elements.”

As part of efforts to reposition Enugu State as a hub of agro-industrial excellence, the state government has signed a landmark N100 billion joint venture agreement with Songhai Sustainable Initiative in Nigeria and Tribu Limited for the rehabilitation and transformation of the moribund Heneke Integrated Farm into a world-class agro-industrial hub.

The deal, signed on Tuesday at Government House, Enugu, formally establishes Enugu Tribu Songhai Farms Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will oversee the revitalization, expansion, and management of the project spanning 10,000 hectares of land in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

While conducting the formal signing of the joint venture agreement, JVA, Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, described the agreement as a turning point in Enugu’s redevelopment agenda to industrialize production in the agro-allied sector.

“Today, we formalize a partnership that will breathe new life into the Enugu Songhai Initiative, transform abandoned assets into thriving agro-industrial hubs, and advance food security, regenerative development, and inclusive growth for Ndi Enugu,” he said.

The governor disclosed that the farm, originally established in 2013 but left incomplete, will now be revived into a multi-sectoral agro-industrial ecosystem comprising crop production, animal husbandry, aquaculture, processing plants, renewable energy systems, and eco-tourism facilities.

He added that the project was expected to rehabilitate the 10,000 hectares with secured land titles, establish a 25-hectare training and incubation centre for youth and women, create thousands of jobs across agriculture, processing, and export value chains, and drive the adoption of modern, sustainable farming practices.

Mbah further emphasized that the partnership was underpinned by a robust governance framework to ensure transparency, compliance with applicable laws, and protection of state interests.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Hon. Patrick Ubru, assured that the project will be sustainable and transformative.

“We have the land, water, good soil, and the right people. This initiative will create thousands of jobs, boost food production, and change the mindset of our people towards agriculture.

“It is going to be an integrated system —crop, livestock, aquaculture, processing, export, and ecotourism-driven by the community, private sector, and government,” he said.

According to him, the partnership underscored the governor’s broader mission to turn Enugu into Nigeria’s food production powerhouse and achieve self-sufficiency while attracting foreign investments.

“With an expected injection of N100 billion in capital and expertise, the project positions Enugu State at the forefront of modern agribusiness, ensuring both food security and economic diversification,” he said.

On his part, the Director of Songhai Sustainable Initiative, Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo, pledged Songhai’s expertise and technical capacity, calling the project strategic agriculture.

“We are committed to producing more and better with less. This is about integrated farming that combines crops, livestock, aquatics, renewable energy, and human capital development. All of us must stay committed to succeed,” he noted.

He called on young people to embrace agriculture and seize the opportunity the agreement presented to earn a decent living.

Reacting to the execution of the agreement, the project financier and CEO of Tribu Limited, Ozor Silas Nnamdi, declared that the farm would not only transform agriculture but also serve as a model resort for eco- and agro-tourism.

“We are going to build one of the best Songhai resorts in Africa. It is a shame that Nigeria still imports what it eats. This project is proof that we can change that narrative,” he concluded.

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on youths in the South-South region to resist the lure of internet fraud and other financial crimes, describing fraud as a deadly trap that destroys lives and future.

He gave this charge in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday, September 15, 2025 at an event organized by the Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA).

Speaking on the theme, “Uniting South-South Youths in the Fight Against Cultism, Pipeline Vandalism, Internet Fraud, Money Laundering, Drug Abuse, Human Trafficking and Economic Sabotage,” Olukoyede , who spoke through Head, Advance Fee Fraud Section, Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Coker Oyegunle, warned that while fraud may appear to offer “easy money,” it ultimately leads to shame, imprisonment, and lost opportunities.

“Fraud is not success; it is a trap. Easy come, easy go. Many who follow the path of ‘yahoo-yahoo’ always end up losing their freedom, reputation, and future. The law is catching up with them and digital footprints never disappear. Don’t destroy your tomorrow with shortcuts today,” he said.

The EFCC boss highlighted that internet fraud, money laundering, and economic sabotage cost Nigeria billions of naira annually, undermining national growth and depriving citizens of infrastructure, jobs, and opportunities. Beyond the economic damage, he pointed out that the crimes erode Nigeria’s international image and subject innocent Nigerians to stricter visa restrictions abroad.

The EFCC’s boss urged the youth to channel their talents into productive ventures such as digital innovation, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and creative industries, all of which offer sustainable opportunities without the risks of crime.

He also reminded the audience that Nigeria’s strength lies in its young population: “Youths are the engine of our nation. If you choose fraud, you are choosing to destroy your tomorrow. But if you choose creativity, innovation and honesty, you are building a Nigeria that will compete with the best in the world”, he said.

The Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to continue its sensitization, enforcement, and collaboration with communities to combat fraud and related crimes, while calling on all stakeholders, especially young people to be partners in building a nation defined by integrity and prosperity.

In his remark, representative of the Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Assistant Commander General, Narcotics, Mathew Ewah, warned that drug abuse remains one of the most dangerous threats to Nigerian youths.

“Drug abuse is a social problem. Sadly, youths are the majority abusing drugs in Nigeria, and this is worrisome. It turns many into social misfits, affecting their families, communities, and ultimately the country,” he said. He stressed that prevention is the most effective weapon in the war against drug abuse, adding that the youth stage of life is a “make or mar period” that must be carefully guarded.

Speaking on ‘Uniting the Youths in South-South against Pipeline Vandalism’, Assistant Superintendent of Corps, Kabiru Zakari who represented the Commander General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC addressed the dangers of pipeline vandalism and its devastating effects on communities.

“Oil spillage from vandalism leads to serious health issues, destroys creeks and farmlands, and weakens agriculture in the South-South. Youths must stop being tools of vandalism and instead serve as community surveillance officers who protect, not destroy, our resources”, he said.

The pictures and video of the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Council, Engr. Jude Asogwa, has put to rest the unverified news of his arrest making rounds on social media.

PACESETTER gathered that on Tuesday morning, a whatsapp message lifted from a Facebook post (name of Facebook handle withheld by PACESETTER) had stated that Asogwa was arrested.

Part of the post read:

“The Nsukka local government chairman Engr Jude Asogwa Chinedu has been allegedly arrested this morning by men of #DSS and whisked off.

“His arrest is being linked up in the attâck on APC supporters during the Nsukka Mega Defection Rally at #Opi_Nsukka on the 9th of August”.

But a Google Map time-stamped picture and video sighted by our correspondent showed that the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Council, Engr. Jude Asogwa, on Tuesday, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a National Youth Service Corps Lodge in Nsukka, headquarters of the Local Government Area, LGA.

Engr. Asogwa also inspected several ongoing projects by both the state and Local Government Council, such as the Nsukka International Market and Aku Road Market, saying all the projects were giving effect to Governor Peter Mbah’s campaign promise to reposition Enugu State as a premier destination for business, investment, tourism, and living.

Recall that Mbah had in August flagged off the construction of the 5,000-shop-capacity Nsukka International Market, which he said would first take care of traders affected by the removal of Ogige Market to build the Nsukka Transport Terminal in line with the location’s initial purpose before it was converted into a market, and in pursuit of his administration’s campaign promise to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

At the groundbreaking for the Corpers Lodge, Asogwa said the project was in keeping with Governor Mbah’s and the Council’s agenda to ensure the comfort and safety of Corps members serving the fatherland in the Nsukka LGA.

“As you are very much aware, the Governor is doubling down on entrenching Enugu’s place as a cosmopolitan state. So, this will help to ameliorate the challenges of accommodation for Youth Corps members posted to Nsukka and further enhance their comfort and security,” he stated.

At the Nsukka International Market under construction, Asogwa expressed satisfaction with the level and quality of work, saying the project, when completed, would bring huge relief to the people of Enugu North zone and trigger rapid economic growth in the state and the zone.

He, however, urged the contractors handling both the International Market and the Aku Road Market to ramp up their efforts to deliver the projects on target both in terms of time and quality.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has concluded his work vacation ahead of schedule and will return to Abuja on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to resume official duties.

This is according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The President departed for France on September 4, 2025, to spend part of his annual holiday and was initially scheduled to divide the period between France and the United Kingdom.

Last week in Paris, President Tinubu held a private luncheon with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, at the Élysée Palace.

Both leaders reviewed key areas of cooperation between Nigeria and France and agreed to deepen the partnership for mutual prosperity and global stability.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services, dropped to 20.12 per cent in August, compared to 21.88 per cent in the preceding month, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Monday.

The fall came on the day Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, ordered the immediate suspension of the collection of four per cent Free on Board (FOB) charge recently levied by the Nigeria Customs Service on all imported goods.

Edun conveyed the suspension in a letter dated September 15, 2025, which was signed by Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, R. O. Omachi, and addressed to the Comptroller-General of Customs.

The minister stated that the decision was taken following extensive consultation with industry stakeholders, trade experts, and relevant government officials.

He said it was clear that the implementation of the FOB charge posed significant challenges to trade facilitation, environment and economic stability.

Edun pointed out that many importers and businesses had raised concerns about the increased financial burden the levy imposed, with potential adverse effects on inflation, trade competitiveness, and the overall business climate in the country.

While urging strict compliance with the directive, the correspondence said the suspension of the charge will provide an opportunity for comprehensive stakeholder engagement and a thorough review of the levy’s framework and its broader economic implications.

“The ministry of finance looks forward to working closely with the service and all relevant parties to devise a more equitable and efficient revenue structure that supports both revenue generation and economic growth and stability,” the letter added.

Meanwhile, year-on-year, headline inflation stood at 12.03 per cent, lower than 32.15 per cent in August 2024.

NBS attributed the 1.76 per cent drop in inflation to moderation in food and energy prices in the review month.

According to the CPI Report for the month under review, inflation decreased in August compared to the same month in the preceding year, albeit, after rebasing.

Month-on-month, headline inflation stood at 0.74 per cent, lower than 1.99 per cent in July.

Food inflation dropped to 21.87per cent, year-on-year, in August compared to 37.52 per cent in the corresponding period of 2024.

NBS explained that the significant decline in annual food inflation was technically due to the change in the base year.

Nonetheless, the food index dropped to 1.65 per cent month-on-month in August compared to 3.12 per cent in July.

The statistical agency further attributed the decrease to reduction in average prices of imported and local rice, guinea corn flour, maize flour sold loose, guinea corn (sorghum), millet, semolina, soya milk, among others.

Similarly, the average annual rate of food inflation for the 12 months ending August 2025 over the previous 12-month average was 25.75 per cent, compared to 36.99 per cent in August 2024.

Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produces and energy, dropped to 20.33 per cent, year-on-year, in August, a decline of 7.25 per cent compared to 27.58 per cent recorded in August 2024.

Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produces and energy, dropped to 20.33 per cent, year-on-year, in August, a decline of 7.25 per cent compared to 27.58 per cent recorded in August 2024.

Month-on-month, the core index, however, rose to 1.43 per cent, compared to July 0.97 per cent in July.

The average 12-month annual inflation rate was 23.04 per cent for the 12 months ending August 2025. This was 2.14 per cent lower than the 25.18 per cent recorded in August 2024, according NBS.

Year-on-year, in August, urban inflation stood at 19.75.per cent compared to 34.58 per cent in August 2024. Month-on-month, urban index stood at 0.49 per cent, in compared to 1.86 per cent in July.

Equally, rural inflation rate dropped to 20.28 per cent year-on-year, compared to 29.95 per cent in August 2024.

Month-on-month, rural inflation was 1.38 per cent, compared to 2.30 per cent in July.

At the state level, year-on-year, headline inflation was highest in Ekiti (28.17 per cent), Kano (27.27 per cent), and Oyo (26.58 per cent), while Zamfara (11.82 per cent), Anambra (14.16 per cent), and Enugu (14.20 per cent) recorded the lowest rise in prices.

Month-on-month, however, the highest increases were recorded in Yobe (9.20 per cent), Katsina (8.59 per cent), and Sokoto (6.57 per cent), while Enugu (-5.32 per cent), Taraba (-3.64 per cent), and Nasarawa (-3.56 per cent) recorded decline in inflation.

Likewise, at the sub-national level, food inflation, year-on-year, was highest in Borno (36.67 per cent), Kano (30.44 per cent), and Akwa Ibom (29.85 per cent), while Zamfara (3.30 per cent), Yobe (3.60 per cent), and Sokoto (6.34 per cent) recorded the slowest rise.

Month-on-month, food inflation was highest in Kaduna (9.37 per cent, Katsina (9.05 per cent), and Akwa Ibom (7.87 per cent), while Bayelsa (-9.52 per cent), Sokoto (-8.92 per cent), and Borno (-8.74 per cent) recorded decline in food inflation. Arise News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has concluded his work vacation ahead of schedule and will return to Abuja on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to resume official duties.

This is according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

The President departed for France on September 4, 2025, to spend part of his annual holiday and was initially scheduled to divide the period between France and the United Kingdom.

Last week in Paris, President Tinubu held a private luncheon with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron, at the Élysée Palace.

Both leaders reviewed key areas of cooperation between Nigeria and France and agreed to deepen the partnership for mutual prosperity and global stability.

The Enugu State Housing Development Corporation (ESHDC) has issued a clear deadline to all allottees and property owners across its estates to revalidate their title documents as well as update their property records on or before Wednesday, 31st December, 2025 – or risk invalidation.

The revalidation exercise, which began on Monday, 15th September, 2025, is being carried out in strict compliance with directives from the Enugu State Government.

According to ESHDC General Manager, Dr. Gerald Asogwa, the move is designed to guarantee proper documentation, improve service delivery, and align property management with global best practices.

“This is the only window for property owners to regularize their documents. After this exercise, only duly revalidated title documents will be recognized by the Corporation,” Dr. Asogwa warned.

Where to Revalidate:

To make the process seamless, the Corporation has provided designated centres both within Enugu and outside the state:

In Enugu State:
• ESHDC Headquarters, No. 21 Kingsway Road, GRA, Enugu.
• Palm Beach Estate, Obukpa Layout, Nsukka.
• Enugu South L.G.A. Secretariat, Uwani, Enugu.
• Enugu North L.G.A. Secretariat, Enugu Municipal Complex.
• Enugu East L.G.A. Secretariat, Nkwo Nike.
• International Conference Centre (ICC), Independence Layout, Enugu.
• Polo Shopping Mall, GRA, Enugu.
• Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Arrival Lounge, Enugu.

Outside Enugu State:
• Abuja Office, No. 45 Adeogun Ajose Crescent, Utako, FCT, Abuja.
• Abuja Office, No. 8B Thaba Saka Street, House 8G, Wuse 2, Abuja.
• Anambra Office, No. 1 Olisa Onyeka Crescent, Commissioner’s Quarters, GRA, Awka.
• Lagos Office, No. 5B Ikosi Road, by Oluyole Bus-Stop, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.

For enquiries, property owners can call 0916 101 0179 or 0916 101 0168.

Dr. Asogwa stressed that the exercise is not just about compliance but about creating a more transparent housing system where every property is properly documented and recognized by law.

Enugu State Patriots, a group of leaders cutting across political and professional backgrounds, have accused the CEO of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Company Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, of lies and emotional manipulation to wriggle himself out of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) net.

The Enugu Patriots equally alerted the public to an alleged well-oiled smear campaign by Ogundele against the EFCC and Enugu State Government instead of coming clean on the facts of the allegation of laundering and diverting the sum of N5.7bn paid to him by the Enugu State Government for the construction of 22 out of the 260 Smart Green Schools embarked on by the Governor Peter Mbah Administration.

The group stated this in a press release issued by its spokesman, Prof. Martin Anikwe, in Enugu on Monday, urging Ogundele to “return Enugu State’s money and save Nigerians his endless theatrics, lies, and cheap blackmail aimed at currying public sympathies.”

The Enugu Patriots said, “We have observed a pattern in this whole Sujimoto episode. First, once he was declared wanted by the EFCC for failing to honour lawful invitations for several months, he put up an Oscar performance, shedding crocodile tears in a failed bid to win public sympathies.

“When he eventually submitted himself, his spin doctors alleged that he was not eating enough nourishing food at the EFCC detention facility, and was not allowed enough time with his doctors and lawyers.

“Next, he accused the EFCC and South East Zonal Director of bias and compromise.”

The group, however, maintained that Ogundele’s antics were “not any different from the culture of the Nigerian corrupt, who feign sickness, employ theatrics and cheap blackmail to evade justice.”

The group accused him of playing the victim in a straightforward case of refunding the N5.7bn received, maintaining that the reported tracing of the funds to his personal accounts and Lagos projects were in order and urged the EFCC to immediately commence assets forfeiture proceedings against the Sujimoto CEO to recover the funds.

“Ogundele, even by his personal admission in his initial video, accepted a N11.7bn contract in July 2024 to deliver 22 Smart Green Schools in six months – February 2025. He also received N5.7bn (tax inclusive), which is 50 percent of the contract sum.

“The question is, did he deliver on the projects? Did he even complete one out of the 22 projects? Did he also do any jobs remotely proportionate to money received? All he has to show for the N5.7bn are mostly foundation-level jobs done by quacks, as the pictures of the sites taken on 8th and 9th of May 2025 clearly show.

“Not only did he fail to deliver, he intentionally disappeared with the money and also refused to honour series of invitations by the Enugu State Government and subsequently by the EFCC.

“Meanwhile, the Smart Green Schools were intentionally designed to equip Enugu State’s children with 21st Century education and skill sets that would make them key players in the emerging global economy. In a country beleaguered by youth unemployment, internet fraud, and violent crimes, the real victims of Ogudele’s attempt to defraud Enugu State would be Enugu children and youths whom these projects would, in the nearest future, empower to be gainfully employed and kept away from a life of crime and criminality.

“Therefore, Ogundele should be made to refund the money to the last kobo,” the statement added.

The group, however, maintained its opposition to attempts to ethnicise and politicise the matter, insisting that “every Nigerian is free to secure and execute contracts in Enugu State, so long as he or she has the capacity.”