Author: Daily Post Nigeria

The Nigerian Army has cautioned members of its promotion examination panel to maintain integrity and professionalism ahead of the 2026 Captain to Major Written Promotion Examination.

The directive was given by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, TRADOC, Major General Peter Malla, during a briefing held on May 3, 2026 at the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport in Benin City.

Malla, who also heads the examination panel, told members that the process must be handled with fairness and without compromise.

He said candidates are expected to be assessed based on leadership ability, critical thinking, and their readiness to handle current security challenges.

The Army also directed that the exercise be conducted in line with the Nigerian Army Charter for Promotion Examinations 2022 (Revised).

He expressed confidence that the process would be carried out properly and acknowledged the support of the Chief of Army Staff.

Earlier, the Commandant of the school Major General Adebayo Adegbite, said the institution was prepared to host the exercise and ensure it runs smoothly.

The statement was signed by Felicia Daniel, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Training and Doctrine Command, and was posted on the official page of the Nigerian Army on May 3, 2026.

Army promotion exam 2026: Commander warns panel against compromise

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications for Women Entrepreneurs

No fewer than three persons have been killed following a clash between suspected rival cult groups in Agwan Jukun, a suburb of Makurdi in Benue State.

The violence, which residents said began on Sunday night and continued into the early hours of Monday, sparked widespread panic, forcing many people to flee their homes while commercial activities were abruptly halted.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the area at about 8 p.m., moving with apparent precision and targeting specific individuals.

“They arrived and went straight for certain people. It didn’t look random at all, they knew exactly who they were after,” a resident, who requested anonymity, said.

The killings were said to have occurred along Market Street and Wukari Street. Some residents believe the assailants may have relied on local informants to track their targets.

“The operation suggested they had insider information. It didn’t seem like they were from around here, but they clearly had help,” another source said.

As of Monday, tension remained high, especially around the market area near a mosque, with fears of further attacks lingering among residents.

“Many people have left the area, and shops are still closed. There’s a lot of fear,” another resident noted.

On Tuesday, some locals reported fresh concerns over a possible reprisal attack, claiming that groups of youths were seen openly carrying weapons in parts of the community.

Efforts to obtain a response from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful, as she had yet to respond to inquiries or issue an update on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

Three dead as rival cult groups clash in Benue

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has lost its remaining representation in the Senate following the defection of Senator Rufai Hanga (Kano Central) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The development was formally announced on Tuesday when the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read Hanga’s letter during plenary.

In the letter, Hanga blamed his exit on unresolved internal disputes within the NNPP, stating that factional disagreements and conflicting leadership directions had made effective legislative work difficult. He said the situation created an unstable political environment that hindered his responsibilities as a senator.

He added that his decision followed consultations with his constituents and political stakeholders, and that the NDC better aligns with his political priorities and vision for governance.

With the defection, NNPP now holds no seat in the Senate. The current composition is: APC – 89, ADC – 7, PDP – 4, NDC – 3, APGA – 1, NNPP – 0, Accord – 1, and Labour Party – 1.

Senator Hanga dumps NNPP for NDC

The lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Abdul Ningi, has called on Nigerians to take the xenophobic war to South Africa.

Ningi made this call on Tuesday at the plenary in reaction to the killings of Nigerian nationals in South Africa.

Recall that South Africans have killed a hand full of Nigerian and Ghanaian nationals in the recent xenophobic attacks.

Reacting to the development, the lawmaker said, “Nigeria and Africans know where South Africa is, and we can take this war to their territory if need be.

“We cannot sit down and lament while this is happening. Life has no duplicate, and Nigerians are being killed for no reason.

“If this is the only thing the Senate discusses now, let it be,” the senator said.

DAILY POST had reported that Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole had asked Nigerian government to take action against South African companies in Nigeria.

Xenophobia: We can take this war to South Africa – Ningi

Mustapha Sule Lamido has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 Jigawa State governorship election after obtaining the nomination form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The former PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 election presented his completed form to the party’s state working committee and key stakeholders on Tuesday in Dutse, seeking their endorsement to represent the party in the upcoming polls.

Addressing party leaders and supporters, Lamido said he had concluded wide consultations and was ready to pursue the party’s ticket, expressing confidence in the PDP’s capacity to address Jigawa’s challenges.

He maintained that the PDP remains the most viable platform for governance, citing its legacy of implementing policies and projects that directly impact citizens’ lives.

According to him, political parties that succeeded the PDP in government have failed to meet public expectations, attributing the country’s current socio-economic and security challenges to poor leadership and ineffective policies.

Lamido called on party members across the state to unite behind his ambition, pledging to uphold the PDP’s principles of service, patriotism, and people-focused governance.

The governorship hopeful, who is the son of former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido, said his candidacy is driven by a commitment to restore effective leadership and rebuild public trust in government.

Lamido’s Son Joins Jigawa Governorship Race, Picks PDP Form is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has accepted to contest for the Gombe North Senatorial seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor received the party’s nomination form during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting attended by governorship and National Assembly aspirants, members of the state working committee, party elders, and other key figures.

Also present at the event were the APC Deputy National Financial Secretary, Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, as well as North-East zonal officials and other party stakeholders.

As the sole aspirant for the seat, Yahaya was unanimously affirmed as the APC’s candidate and formally presented with the nomination form by Kumo alongside the state party chairman, Mohammed Dantata Ndus.

The development signals the governor’s transition from executive leadership to a legislative role ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Gov Inuwa Yahaya Accepts APC Ticket For Gombe North Senate is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ondo State, Dr Mutiu Agboke has called for the strengthening of existing collaboration between the Commission and security agencies in the state.

Agboke made this call on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the management team of INEC Ondo State to heads of security agencies in Akure.

While addressing the Ondo State Director, Department of State Services, Mr Sagiru Samaila, Agboke stressed that the collaboration was necessary as preparations intensify for the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election on June 20, 2026.

He said, “INEC and security need strong cooperation. We need to strengthen the existing collaboration between INEC and the DSS.

“We need such particularly as preparations intensify for the Ondo South Senatorial District Bye-Election scheduled for June 20, 2026.”

Responding, Samaila welcomed the initiative proposed by the INEC team.

He also assured INEC of enhanced cooperation and the Service readiness to provide adequate security before, during and after the election.

On a visit to to the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, the Ondo INEC boss reiterated the importance of sustained inter-agency synergy.

He also used the opportunity to inform the Command if the commencement of the Phase III of the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise which will kick off on May 11, 2026.

The Ondo NCoS Comptroller, Charles Oyewole reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to supporting INEC whenever it is required.

INEC urges stronger collaboration with security agencies in Ondo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday had a meeting with foreign investors in Paris as part of his three nations tour 

Here is the post by Minister of Finance Taiwo Oyedele on one of such visits 

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬

“We will not bring back fuel subsidy because it creates distortions for the economy, and we won’t introduce price control because we believe in the market… the situation in Iran presents new opportunities for us as the world looks to diversify sources of energy and invest in new markets.”

“Nigeria recorded a strong GDP growth rate of 11.2% in US dollar terms in 2025 reinforcing the country’s ambition to achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030.”

-𝘛𝘢𝘪𝘸𝘰 𝘖𝘺𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘦, 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘺

The anti-ICE mob violently protesting outside a Brooklyn hospital Saturday was rallying in defense of an illegal migrant previously arrested for assault and drug possession, officials told The Post 

Chidozie Wilson Okeke of Nigeria entered the US on a tourist visa Aug. 27, 2023, and was supposed to pack up and go back home Feb. 26, 2024 — but instead illegally stayed, a rep for the US Department of Homeland Security told The Post.

Okeke, who was arrested at some point for assault and criminal drug possession, landed on the radar of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, who tracked him down Saturday.

“During his arrest, Okeke refused to comply with officers’ lawful commands to exit the vehicle and weaponized his vehicle to attempt to hit ICE officers,” the DHS representative said. “Okeke became physically combative, attempting to punch and elbow ICE officers.

“Our officers followed their training and used the minimum amount of force necessary to make the arrest.”

Okeke claimed he needed medical attention, so the agents brought him to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Bushwick to be checked out, DHS said.

There, the illegal migrant refused to comply with staff, “throwing himself to the floor and screaming,” the agency said. He was eventually medically cleared to leave the hospital.

Anti-ICE protesters meanwhile somehow got wind that Okeke was in ICE custody at the hospital, with a mob of about 200 showing up there to try to stop the agents from leaving with Okeke.

The NYPD was called to the scene shortly before 10:30 p.m. to restore order and found the rowdy crowd blocking hospital exits and wreaking havoc in the neighborhood — prompting caught-on-video clashes between the cops and the crowd.

Police arrested nine demonstrators as ICE struggled to get Okeke into an SUV and whisk him off.

“The protesters damaged several ICE vehicles and assaulted ICE officers, resulting in minor injuries to the officers,” the DHS representative said. “Assaulting law enforcement is a felony and crime.”

The protesters arrested included out-of-state agitators from as far off as Wisconsin and New Hampshire.

The mob finally dispersed around 2:45 a.m. Sunday after Okeke was taken away.

“If the NYPD wasn’t there to keep the peace, God knows what these ICE agents would have done,” a law-enforcement source said Sunday.